King Frankincense

King Frankincense is renowned as the most benevolent of kings when it comes to the world of essential oils. His is known as an incredibly safe and peaceful kingdom where malicious intruders tend to flee rather quickly. It seems that almost anywhere he goes, things just get better.

Frankincense comes from Boswellia trees of which 5 species are known, but only 3 produce the resin of true frankincense also known as olibanum. The trees are found in parts of India, several African countries, mainly Somalia, and the Hadramaut region of the Arabian Peninsula which includes eastern Yemen, parts of western Oman and southern Saudi Arabia. doTERRA's frankincense essential oil comes from trees in Oman, Somaliland and Ethiopia.

In ancient cultures frankincense was highly valued and used in multiple ways. Pliny the Elder wrote in the first century CE that security where frankincense was prepared for sale was so intense that the people were stripped naked before they were allowed to leave work! Pliny the Elder -- The Natural History -- [12.32] The resin was often chewed as gum to relieve digestive discomfort, to improve immunity, skin appearance, for tooth care, and otherwise to relieve stress and repel insects. "Gum Arabic," another name for frankincense resin was a key ingredient in the characteristic "kohl" black eyeliner the Egyptians wore.

Herodotus, a secular historian of ancient times wrote that storax, another tree also used as incense was burned to drive off small flying snakes of various colors that guarded the frankincense trees in large numbers making it difficult for the Arabians to collect. Herodotus -- On the Edges of the Earth [3.107] If there ever really were flying snakes, they certainly are not a problem today. Though harvesting frankincense is still not such an easy job doTERRA is making it a lot more rewarding for those who serve us that way.

All essential oils should be treated with respect. While they are very safe, sensitivity can be a concern. They should never be applied "neat" (without being properly diluted), and always tested in a small area first if you are prone to sensitivity. doTERRA Frankincense Touch is prediluted for your convenience so you can enjoy a touch of King Frank whenever or wherever you like.