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Myrrh and frankincense have had spiritual significance since ancient times and they also were adopted as medicines for physical ailments. When referring to this pair of herbs, Westerners might immediately think of their historic importance in religion. The herbs are best known through the story of the Three Wise Men (Magi) delivering gold, frankincense, and myrrh for the baby Jesus; myrrh was also used to anoint Jesus' body after the crucifixion.
Obtained from the leafy forest tree Boswellia Thurifera, with leaves deciduous, alternate towards the tops of branches. Flowers, white or pale rose on short pedicels in single axillary racemes shorter than the leaves. The trees on the Somali coast grow, without soil, out of polished marble rocks, to which they are attached by a thick oval mass of substances resembling a mixture of lime and mortar. The young trees furnish the most valuable gum, the older yielding merely a clear, glutinous fluid, resembling coral varnish.
To obtain the Frankincense, a deep, longitudinal incision is made in the trunk of the tree and below it a narrow strip of bark 5 inches in length is peeled off. When the milk-like juice which exudes has hardened by exposure to the air, the incision is deepened. In about three months the resin has attained the required degree of consistency, hardening into yellowish 'tears.' The large, clear globules are scraped off into baskets and the inferior quality that has run down the tree is collected separately. The season for gathering lasts from May till the middle of September, when the first shower of rain puts a close to the gathering for that year.
Typical Preparations - Powdered resin added to water, tincture, and very rarely as a tea. For internal use, sometimes mixed with myrrh or cress. In aromatherapy, frankincense is compatible with bergamot, cinnamon, clary sage, geranium, grapefruit, jasmine, lavender, lemon, myrrh, neroli, orange, patchouli, pine, rose, sandalwood, tangerine, and ylang ylang. In Ayurvedic medicine, frankincense is combined with turmeric to make teas, tinctures, or encapsulations for muscle pain and joint pain relief.
Resin Burning Guide:Use cup, bowl or incense burner deep enough to fill with earth or sand. Light charcoal on bottom edge until coal begins to ignite, sit charcoal on earth or sand within burner. Let sit for a brief period; until the coal has started to glow, then place resins or powder on charcoal. These coals will burn for an hour or so. Continue to place resins or powder on charcoal as they burn out and smoke decreases for a continuous burning. Once charcoal is lit, it should burn out thoroughly for the full period of time; it can not be extinguished and re-lit at another time.
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