What is Frankincense?

Frankincense is a gum resin which produces a strong but pleasant odor when burned. It is extracted from Boswellia trees which grow in Arabia and some parts of Africa. In ancient Israel, frankincense was an important component of incense and used as part of offerings to Yahweh. In the New Testament, one of the three magi who visit Jesus is portrayed as bringing a gift of frankincense.

Both in the time of the three wise men and today, frankincense and myrrh are most commonly used to create incense. You mix frankincense with things like spices, seeds and roots to create different aromas. Traditionally, you burn the powdered incense with charcoal in a censer or on a small stand.

Medicinal Action and Uses: Frankincense is a stimulant and, although it is seldom used these days, it was once very popular. There is evidence that it was even used sometime in the past as an antidote to hemlock. It has also been recommended for anything from tumours and ulcers to vomiting, dysentery and fevers. The Chinese use it as an aid in the cure for leprosy.

Its principal use these days is in the manufacture of incense and pastilles. The inhalation of steam laden with the volatile portion of the frankincense drug has been said to relieve bronchitis and laryngitis.

The Jew´s ceremonial incense was created with four ´sweet scents,´ of which pure frankincense was one, mixed together in equal proportion. Pure frankincense formed a part of the meet offerings, and was also presented with the shew bread on Sabbath days.

The religious use of incense was as common in ancient Persia as in Babylon and Assyria. It is said that the Arabs brought every year 1,000 talents of Frankincense to Darius, as a tribute. The modern Parsis of Western India preserve the ritual of incense.

Though frankincense was the most common kind of incense offered to the gods among the Greeks, it was not the only kind. Among the Romans, the use of Frankincense (alluded to as mascula thura by Virgil in the Eclogues) was not confined to religious ceremonials. It was also used on state occasions, and in domestic life.

The kohl, or black powder with which the Egyptian women paint their eyelids, is made of charred Frankincense, or other odoriferous resin which is then mixed with Frankincense. In cold weather, the Egyptians warm their rooms with a brazier upon which incense is burnt; Frankincense, Aloe and Benzoin wood being chiefly used for the purpose.

The word ´incense,´ originally referring to the aroma given off with the smoke of any odoriferous substance when burnt, has been gradually restricted almost exclusively to Frankincense, which has always been obtainable in Europe in greater quantity than any other of the aromatics imported from the East.

There is no fixed formula for the incense now used in the Christian churches of Europe, but it is recommended that Frankincense should enter as largely as possible into its composition. In Rome, Olibanum alone is employed: in the Russian church, Benzoin is chiefly employed.

Common misspellings: Frankinsense, Francincense, Franckincense