Three Heavenly Gifts

In the Biblical story of the birth of Christ, the three wise men brought gifts of frankincense, myrrh and gold to the baby Jesus. Essential oils such as frankincense and myrrh were highly prized as medicinal substances used to treat all kinds of illness and injuries. Since the earliest times of humanity aromatic fumigations have been used daily in rituals, as medicine and during religious ceremonies as an expression of the sacred. Fragrances have been seen as a manifestation of divinity on earth. They established a connection between humans and Gods.

The use of essential oils can be traced back to the origins of humanity where humans would burn aromatic woods and plants. These rituals were used mostly as healing ceremonies. By burning the woods and herbs the aromatic substance would purify the air through their antiseptic properties. Of these substances frankincense and myrrh were of great value.

Frankincense comes from the botanical family Burseraceae which are plants that grow in desert tropical areas where intense cosmic activity promotes the formation of gums and etheric oils. The oils with the greatest characteristics such as frankincense grow in the Arabian Peninsula.

Frankincense is distilled as a gum with yellow or clear oil. Its fragrance is balsamic, camphor-like, spicy, woody and slightly lemony. These are the characteristics of plants that grow in the Arabic regions.

One of the most highly priced oils of antiquity, frankincense was a major trade commodity. Frankincense has been burned in temples since antiquity, especially by Egyptians and Hebrews and is still used today in some churches.

Frankincense was used to fumigate sick persons and to drive out evil spirits believed to cause sickness. The Egyptians used it in their rejuvenating unguents. Frankincense purifies the air and fortifies and stimulates the mind. So if you are looking for a unique gift give someone you love a frankincense candle or a bottle of frankincense oil and an aromatherapy diffuser. This is truly a wonderful and spiritual holiday gift.

Next week - Myrrh.

Doctor Lynn

www.doctorlynn.com