Our familiar friend
The next nine days of blogs I will be sharing a few familiar olds that maybe need dusting off the shelves and brought to the forefront in a fresh new way. Consider it an attempt to turn what may have become blasè into something intriguing!
Our first Fresh Take is Frankincense. Coincidently, Frankincense happens to be one our gifts with purchase oils this month.
According to literally every ancient text that wrote about it, Frankincense was used to treat every conceivable ill known to man. And so if we are as wise as the men who brought this from afar, we'd also begin and continue to use this oil for every conceivable condition we face in today's day.
But did you know the frankincense sap made the Arabians the richest people on earth by Jesus's time, more valuable than gold? Frankincense alone is responsible for creating the trade routes linking southern Arabia to India, the Mediterranean, and the Silk Road in China.
And did you also know that in the original Catholic Bible Olibanum was referred to as Francium incenseum, meaning “real, pure or true incense”? This is where the English version of “Frankincense” came from.
The Egyptians would say that Frankincense was good for everything from a gout to a broken head. But why would they have brought it the Messiah Jesus as a gift when He was born? It's an odd baby shower gift, wouldn't you agree? Only if you didn't understand most of the ancient world and the scriptures as I suspect many in the West tend to not.
Many references in Scripture call Frankincense 'incense', which is lebonah (לבונה) in Hebrew. It can get obscure and bland when the term is not clear, as in the case of Frankincense. If you'll glance back up at the fun fact listed about the value of Frankincense, that is your first clue of why the wise men brought Frankincense to a baby. These men knew there was something special about what was happening in Bethlehem. They were astrologers and knew the star meant something significant was occurring. Something so incredible that it required them to make a two year journey, loaded with gifts fit for a king. They brought what they treasured most. They brought what was most prized in the ancient world to Someone who deserves our most prized gifts. These men knew the Child was of great worth and honor and by gifting Him these oils and resins, they showed their honor and respect.
Interesting thought to ponder, isn't it?
Some fun facts and cool uses for Frankincense are:
ITS RESIN IS EDIBLE
In ancient cultures, people chewed it like gum to treat digestive ailments. It was also consumed to boost the immune system. Frankincense is edible both in the hardened state and the oil. The edible varieties are translucent in color, with no dark-colored impurities. Young Living offers the resin and frankly, I love chewing on this when I fly on an airplane. It reduces any flight anxiety and keeps my immune system on point.
STRESS RELIEVER
Speaking of anxieties, if you'll add a few drops of frankincense oil to your warm bath or foot soak water, or diffuse in your home or office, the cares of the world will melt away.
EYELINER IN ANCIENT DAYS
Eyeliner goes way back to the ancient Egyptian civilization. Women used frankincense as an ingredient of their famed intense black "kohl" eyeliner. They burnt it, then ground it into a powder and applied it on their eyelids.
A NATURAL BUG REPELLENT
Mosquitos and other pesky insects are deterred by frankincense smell when it's diffused or burned as a resin. Ancient Egyptians fumigated wheat silos to repel wheat moths. Apart from burning it, you can apply it directly to your skin.
TOOTHPASTE INGREDIENT
Frankincense was used for tooth care in ancient times. You can still find frankincense in some toothpaste brands today. If you're a DIY buff, consider adding frankincense essential oil to your homemade toothpaste.
If these ideas for uses with Frankincense intrigues you and you're in need of a source, find your very own Frankincense right here!
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