Homemade Christmas: Frankincense Oil and Frankincense Salve

“Boswellia is one of the most ancient and respected herbs in ayurvedic healing. Researchers and clinicians are finding that boswellia is a potent anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic, and pain reliever without any side effects. The gum and the oil also are used in cosmetics, perfumes, and skin-care products.”
Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A Balch

frankincense-oil

Frankincense Oil reduces inflammation, boosts immunity, improves mood and is good for the skin. It smells nice too!

Frankincense Oil

1/4c organic frankincense resin, ground
2/3c organic olive oil
2/3c organic shea butter
1/2oz pure bee’s wax, small pieces
60 drops frankincense essential oil (optional)
Grind the frankincense resin in a mortar and pestle into a very find powder. Put the frankincense powder into a Pyrex measuring cup and add the olive oil. Half fill a sauce pan with water and put the Pyrex cup into the sauce pan. Bring the water to a boil and simmer the frankincense and olive oil for 3-4 hours. Cool the frankincense infused oil overnight. The frankincense powder will drop to the bottom of the Pyrex cup.

Carefully, pour off the frankincense infused olive oil into another Pyrex cup. Try not to disturb the frankincense powder at the bottom of the cup. Leave some of the olive oil behind, if desired. Reserve this mixture for making Frankincense Salve. Add the shea butter and bee’s wax. Half fill a sauce pan with water and put the Pyrex cup into the sauce pan. Bring the water to a boil. Simmer until the shea butter and bee’s wax are melted. Stir in the frankincense essential oil, if desired. Carefully, pour the hot oil into containers and label.

“Laboratory studies have shown that boswellic acids, active components in boswellia, deactivate the hormonal triggers for inflammation and pain in osteoarthritis.”
Prescription for Herbal Healing by Phyllis A Balch

frankincense-salve

Frankincense Salve is vigorously rubbed into sore joints or tissue.

Frankincense Salve

This salve is more like a scrub because of its granular texture. The salve is intended to be vigorously rubbed into the skin and left on the skin to absorb.

1/4c frankincense mixture from making Frankincense Oil
1/4c frankincense infused oil (optional)
1/4oz pure bee’s wax, small pieces
30 drops frankincense essential oil (optional)
Pour off the any extra frankincense infused oil into another Pyrex cup. In a clean mortar and pestle, grind the frankincense mixture into the smooth paste. Get the paste as smooth as possible by doing small amounts. Pour the smooth paste into the Pyrex cup before starting a second amount. When completed add the bee’s wax. Half fill a sauce pan with water and put the Pyrex cup into the sauce pan. Bring the water to a boil. Simmer until the bee’s wax is melted. Stir in the frankincense essential oil, if desired. Carefully, pour the hot mixture into containers and label.

The following information about frankincense comes from The King’s Medicine Cabinet by Dr Josh Axe.

Frankincense is also known as boswellia. It has been regarded as a holy oil in the Middle East for centuries. It is well known as one of the gifts given to Christ at his birth. “In ancient times, frankincense was valued above gold because its use to treat every illness.”

“Recent research published in the Journal of Oncology has found frankincense to shrink tumors and kill cancer cells better than chemotherapy.” The essential oil has also been used with much success to treat issues by reducing inflammation and improving immune function.

Benefits

  • fight cancer
  • reduce inflammation
  • boost immune system cleanses and detoxes body
  • improves depression and mood
  • spiritual awareness
  • fights infections
  • heals skin scarring, sunspots and acne

Uses

  • Rub topically behind ears, on chest and neck to improve immunity
  • Put topically on age spots, scars and stretch marks to improve skin
  • Take internally to reduce inflammation or put topically on areas of joint pain
  • Use topically after a trauma to recenter and calm yourself
  • Diffuse in air when praying or doing spiritual reading
  • Diffuse in air to reduce seasonal allergies
  • Take internally, diffuse or use topically for cellular health and increasing longevity and lifespan