Young Living has recently established 3 Frankincense oil distilleries in Oman, where they are distilling our newest essential oil, Sacred Frankincense (Boswellia sacra). The species of Frankincense Young Living has carried for years is Boswellia carteri, which comes from Somalia. 
Omani frankincense is regarded the world over as the rarest, most sought-after aromatic in existence. After careful negotiations with Omani officials, Gary Young was granted permission to build a Young Living distillery in-country, and take the resulting essential oil out of Oman. Until this partnership, no Omani frankincense had ever left the country, unless directly purchased by Saudi royals.
Sacred Frankincense is highly regarded as the frankincense of the ancients and the traditional spiritual oil of biblical times. Young Living’s Sacred Frankincense marks the first time any Westerners have been able to experience these unique, spiritual properties.
The Frankincense from Oman is Boswellia sacra, and this has just been released by Young Living in the USA (and will soon be available in Australia) under the name of “Sacred Frankincense”. The Frankincense oil from Boswellia sacra is the rarest and most sought-after aromatic in existence, originally only available to royalty. Young Living is the only company exporting Boswellia sacra oil from Oman.
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Frankincense Fact Sheets
Sacred Frankincense (Boswellia sacra) fact sheet
Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) fact sheet
From Dr. Suhail, M.D. at the 2010 YL Convention
Cancer, arthritis and periodontal disease are also relatively unknown in Oman and Yemen because the population has access to luban (frankincense resin), which is chewed like gum. They also soak 4 or 5 pieces of this resin in water overnight and drink the water. Dr. Suhail, M.D. siad that they don’t even have a cancer ward in the hospital that he visits in Oman because so few people over there have cancer. He only knows of 4 cancer cases, all 4 cases being non-local people.
Differences Between Boswellia carteri (Frankincense) and Boswellia sacra (Sacred Frankincense)
There are 3 major classes of chemicals in Frankincense oil that appear to be responsible for its anti-cancerous action – the alpha pinenes, boswellic acids, and incensol.
Boswellia sacra (Sacred Frankincense) has fewer compounds in it than Boswellia carteri (regular Frankincense). In Sacred Frankincense, its alpha pinenes are 80.72%, compared with 52.64% in Boswellia carteri. The incensol in both species differs too (incensol is a heavier molecule, which is only captured with 15+ hours of distillation) is 0.82% in Boswellia sacra, compared with 0.4% in Boswellia carteri.
The higher alpha pinenes give Sacred Frankincense a more spiritual purpose. Alpha pinenes can also soften the cell walls (that in cancer cells have tended to become shell-like and thus resistant to treatment).
Gary Young also shared his personal belief that incensol (which is in higher proportions in Sacred Frankincense) will be very powerful for degenerative diseases. In contrast. Gary also suggested that Boswellia carteri would be the oil of choice to help the immune system, having a stronger effect on the immune system than Sacred Frankincense.
Sacred Frankincense Study
A short term study of the effects of Sacred Frankincense before, during and after 30 days of use involving 12 subjects:
- Learning blockages improved in 67%
- Reading difficulties improved in 63%
- Memory problems improved in 80%
- Motivation issues improved in 33%
When asked if “uses of Sacred Frankincense lead to significant changes in your life?”, 80% said “yes”. Subjects said:
- Before use brain felt full
- After the first use felt alive
- At end of study – easier to remember
Sacred Frankincense can help heal trauma, induce inner calm, reduce inner noise, ensure brain’s gifts and talents are more available. Two percent of brain activity is neuron firing; 98% is neuro-peptide release.
More Frankincense Research
- Summary of latest research papers that were mentioned at 2010 convention:
- Cancer starts when the DNA code becomes corrupted. Frankincense oil acts as a cellular re-set button. So it’s not surprising that Frankincense oil is being extensively researched for its ability to repair DNA. In one particular study on DNA repair capacity, Frankincense out-performed all other essential oils used in that study, and had a DNA repair capacity of 45%, compared with the next highest oils which were Hyssop at 43%, and Balsam Fir at 36%.
- Frankincense oil has also been documented to regenerate disc, cartilage and bone.
- Therapeutic-grade Frankincense oil contains Boswellic Acids, which are potent anti-inflammatory agents, and which researchers are considering to be a future replacement for steroid treatment. Steroids are caustic to life and the body itself, damaging the thyroid and parathyroid, and damaging to the immune system. Frankincense on the other hand has no negative side effects.
- One study showed that Boswellic Acids were able to protect against hepatitis, and were able to reduce serum cholesterol (the bad cholesterol – LDL) by approx. 38%
- Another study showed how Boswellic acids in Frankincense oil induces apoptosis (cell death) in leukemia cells.
- The University of Oklahoma concluded that Frankincense may treat bladder cancer.
- Frankincense has also been used for all kinds of arthritis, chest infection, Crohn’s disease, colitis and asthma.
Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) and Bladder Cancer Study
Frankincense and Malignant Melanoma in Horses Study
A note from Gary Young on Frankincense during 2008: 
Over the past five weeks I have traveled around the world one and a quarter times, visited 11countries, experienced 36 hours of time zone changes, and took 30 flights to see our oil in production and meet with some of our partners in growing and distilling essential oils. They appreciate my personal visits and I had the opportunity to spend much time with them. They have great admiration for the mission of Young Living and respect for my 27 years in the industry.
A highlight of the recent trip was inspecting frankincense sources. We traveled to Nairobi, Kenya, where I was able to introduce Marc Schreuder and Mary Lou Jacobsen to our frankincense suppliers. The final leg of our journey brought us to Oman – home to the famed Frankincense Trail. There we were privileged to explore the historical route and felt blessed to traverse such sacred ground.
Interestingly, some companies claim they are purchasing frankincense harvested in Oman, but if they would travel there themselves, they would discover that frankincense is not commercially harvested in Oman and there are no frankincense distilleries currently in operation there. Upon talking with Omani resin brokers, they explained that the resin they export commercially is harvested in Somalia and Ethiopia and then shipped to England for distillation. Mary and I send love and appreciation to all, ~ Gary Young
Did You Know…
Researchers have discovered that the sesquiterpenes in frankincense help stimulate the limbic system of the brain (the center of emotions) as well as the hypothalamus, pineal and pituitary glands. The hypothalamus is the master gland of the human body, controlling the release of many hormones including thyroid and growth hormone.
Frankincense is being researched and used therapeutically in European hospitals and is being investigated for its ability to improve human growth hormone production. Today, frankincense is still used worldwide for both its ceremonial and medicinal use.
How the Consumer Can Determine Superior Quality Essential Oils
Frankincense is a commonly adulterated oil. Frankincense resin that is sold in Somalia costs between $30,000 and $35,000 per ton. A great deal of time, 12 hours or more, is required to properly steam distill this essential oil from the resin, making it very expensive.
Frankincense oil that sells for $25 per ounce or less is invariably distilled with gum resins, alcohol or other solvents, which is a cheaper process, but leaves the essential oil laden with harmful chemicals.
Sadly, when these cut, synthetic, and adulterated oils cause rashes, burns, or other irritations, people wonder why they do not get the benefit they expected and conclude that essential oils do not have much value.
I can always determine the quality of a company’s essential oils by looking at the label on their Frankincense oil – if it states “Not For Internal Use” – I know they make junk oils… Frankincense is edible when it is handled properly.
Ways to Use Sacred Frankincense
- Diffuse – For up to one hour daily. Good for congestion and voice loss, calming to the mind, reduce mental strain, cultivate internal peace, and place past obsessive states into perspective.Diffuse this oil while practicing yoga, meditation, or prayer to deepen your experience and feel a connection to ancient traditions. More on Diffusers and Diffusing
- Massage – Blend 4 drops Sacred Frankincense with 1 TBSP V-6 Massage Oil. More on massage and bodywork
- Bath – Mix 4 drops Sacred Frankincense with 1 cup Epsom Salts or Sea Salt in a small dish, add to running bath water, soak for 20 minutes. This is good for circulatory support, respiratory support, exhaustion, and nightmares. It also has a good astringent effect on the skin; perks up older, more mature skin; and may assist the body in healing itself of wounds, sores, and ulcers.
- Creams and Lotions – Sacred Frankincense can be added to a base cream or lotion to help with general skin tone and condition while reducing oily skin, rejuvenating more mature skin, and at the same time helping wounds, ulcers, and sores heal.
- Wash or Use as a Compress – To assist the body in healing and to lessen the appearance of scars from wounds, add a few drops of Sacred Frankincense to the water when washing a wound. For other applications, apply diluted oil directly onto the affected area or use as a compress. More on essential oil compresses
- Wear as a Perfume
- Inhale – directly from the bottle or place one drop on palm, rub palms together, cup palms over the nose and inhale deeply thrree times
- Dietary Supplement - Put two drops in a capsule. Take three times daily or as needed.
- Topical - Apply 2–4 drops directly to desired area. Dilution not required, except for the most sensitive skin. Use as needed.
- Chakra – Use on Chakra points. More on aromatherapy and Chakras
- Meditation, Yoga, Prayer – Frankincense has a long history of use during spiritual practice, Sacred Frankincese is perfect for enhancing your practice. More on aromatherapy for Yoga, meditation and prayer
Gary Young on the Frankincense Trail
For thousands of years, frankincense was transported across the most desolate wilderness on earth: the Empty Quarter. This vast desert covers some 250,000 square miles and spans part of Oman, Yemen, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
I grew up in an Idaho wilderness area, packing horses and mules and traveling across treacherous terrain. So it wasn’t so difficult for me to understand life on a camel caravan, as rugged men left their homes and loved ones to take their precious cargo of frankincense and myrrh north to market.
To travel with a caravan was a dangerous and sometimes deadly occupation. The desert itself could be a vicious opponent with violent sandstorms that could change the landscape, covering precious waterholes, creating huge new dunes and possibly burying a caravan. There were poisonous snakes and scorpions as well. But the most dangerous adversary of all came on two legs: robbers, thieves, and marauders determined to steal the resins worth more than gold.
I have walked and driven over the majority of the frankincense trails that brought the prized resins from southern Arabia to the ports of Gaza, Alexandria, and Damascus. I have such an appreciation for the rugged men who risked their lives to bring such a treasure to the world. That same spirit of adventure has inspired me to bring the very best frankincense and myrrh to today’s seeker of physical and emotional wellness.
Harvesting Sacred Frankincense
The process of collecting frankincense happens two times a year – once in the spring (March to May) and then in the fall (September to October). To harvest the resin, you have to take a little axe and chop the hardened resin crystals off the branches – but there’s a process that comes in the week before that.
To begin the process, you cut the bark of the frankincense tree and then it allows the liquid resin to ooze out onto the external part. Then, when it hits the oxygen, it starts to crystallize and harden. Naturally, the longer it is left on the tree, the longer it is present in the oxygen and the harder it gets. It takes about a week before you can actually come back and cut it off as a hardened resin crystal. So this is a week to two-week process from when you go in and you cut the tree to when you come back and collect the crystal resin. Then the crystal resin goes into the distillery where it is crushed into powder, put into an oil bath, and steam distilled to extract the oil from the crystal resin.
This process produces different types of frankincense resins. The one that is very white is called Hojari. Now, when I was collecting frankincense years ago and they said “Hojari,” I thought they were being very friendly and saying, “How, Gary?” And I said, “With an axe.” But this was Hojari. There are actually five grades of frankincense resin. The first grade is brownish resin. It has a lot of bark particles in it, and that’s very commonly used because there’s more of it available. But the Hojari is what was selected just for the kings and queens because it was the purest of the frankincense. Essentially Yours, Gary Young
Evelyn Vincent
Article by Evelyn Vincent, Young Living Independent Distributor #476766
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Massage is a very beneficial therapy, and by adding therapeutic grade essential oils to the massage you get multiple benefits. If your massage therapist does not stock the essential oils you prefer to use, such as Young Living medicinal essential oils, than always remember to bring them to your appointments.
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