The Systemic and Brain Health Benefits of Frankincense

Frankincense may be one of the most familiar essential oils known to man, possibly through its various religious connotations [1]. Although possibly most well-known as one of the 3 gifts of the three wise men to the baby Jesus, frankincense is mentioned in the biblical books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, 1 Chronicles, Nehemiah, Song of Solomon, Matthew and Revelation. The English word frankincense is thought to derive from franc encens, an antique French expression meaning “high-quality incense” with the word franc denoting “noble” or “pure”. Unsurprisingly then, crushed frankincense is a principal constituent in the incense used in religious ceremonies throughout the world, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Shinto and Taoism. Further, the first recorded use of incense dates back to the Ancient Egyptian 5th Dynasty (2345-2494 BC).