Frankincense tree (Boswellia sacred). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

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Frankincense tree (Boswellia sacred). Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Content

Photos, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism
Botanical description, reference data, useful information, illustrations
Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology
Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

Incense tree (Boswellia sacred), Boswellia sacra. Photos of the plant, basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Frankincense tree (Boswellia sacred)

Basic scientific information, legends, myths, symbolism

Sort by: Boswellia

Family: Balsam (Burseraceae)

Origin: The frankincense tree, also known as sacred boswellia, is native to Somalia, Oman, Yemen, and Saudi Arabia.

Area: Frankincense trees are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Arabia.

Chemical composition: Frankincense resin contains many biologically active compounds, including boswellic acids, terpenes, and phenolic compounds.

Economic value: The frankincense tree has numerous medicinal properties and is used medicinally to treat a variety of ailments, including inflammatory conditions, arthritis, asthma, and infections. The resin is also used in the cosmetic industry for the production of aromatic oils and creams. In addition, the frankincense tree has religious significance and is used in the ritual ceremonies of many cultures, including Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.

Legends, myths, symbolism: In India, frankincense played an important role in ancient Ayurvedic medicine, where it was used to treat various ailments, including arthritis, asthma, and wounds. It has also been used for cosmetic and perfume purposes. In the Bible, the frankincense tree is mentioned several times, most often as one of the sacred plants, which was used for deification and worship of God. It was also used to make incense and incense oils in church ceremonies. In Judaism and Islam, frankincense is also used in religious ceremonies and rituals. In Islamic culture, it is used as an incense and also as an Ayurvedic remedy for the treatment of various diseases.

Incense tree (Boswellia sacred), Boswellia sacra. Description, illustrations of the plant

Frankincense (incense). Myths, traditions, symbolism

Frankincense tree (Boswellia sacred)
Frankincense: "Passes, but brings pleasure." J. Boschius, 1702

The symbol of the unearthly "incense of holiness."

This refers to the resin of the bush Boswellia carteri, which in antiquity was imported from South Arabia, and could also be mined in India and East Africa.

In the East, incense was used for sacrifices and for protection from demons, in Egypt - in the cult of the dead, as well as in Babylon, Persia, Crete.

In Greece from the 7th c. BC e. sacrificial incense was used especially in mystery cults; they were also highly valued by the Pythagoreans.

In Rome, incense played a role in burials and in the cult of the emperor, as a result of which it was initially rejected by Christians, but later was included in cult use.

Incense incense was also desirable in everyday life. The smoke rising to the sky was regarded as a symbol of the path of the soul to heaven or as a prayer ascending to heaven from the crowd of believers.

The Jews, when communicating with God, also used sacrificial incense as a symbol of worship, as well as to appease the wrath of God.

Three "holy kings" (wizards) brought incense to the newborn Jesus from the East.

In the Revelation of John the Theologian (5:8), the 24 elders had "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints."

"Thanks to the blessing (grace) received during fumigation, incense becomes a shrine that has a cleansing effect" (Lurker, 1987).

The censers were often decorated with images of the phoenix or "three youths in the fiery furnace", whose singing, praising God in the midst of the fire, was compared to puffs of smoking incense.

Incense burners were depicted as attributes in the hands of the high priests of the Old Testament (Melchizedek, Aaron, Samuel), as well as St. Stephen, Lawrence, Vincent and the penitent St. Pelagia.

The widespread fumigation of corpses at funerals was, first of all, a means of drowning out the smell of decomposition, later - a symbol of the soul (puffs of incense smoke rising upwards).

Frankincense tree (Boswellia sacred)

In the Central American Mayan culture, sacrifices were made by burning the fragrant resins of the copal (resinous) plants (Protium copal).

Resinous balls exude the aroma of plants, "rising to the center of the sky and incense oio meaning lei also as" the brain of the sky ".

Smoking vessels were named after the god Yum Kak (lord of fire).

In East Asia, fragrant sandalwood incense was known, which was previously burned in a smoking bowl; later, smoking sticks, known today in Europe (mostly of Indian origin), began to be used for the same purposes. The ashes that fell from them were collected and swallowed as a prophylactic against diseases.

These incense became known with the spread of Buddhism in East Asia, and since that time they have become a normal occurrence in all temples and chapels, as well as in religious ceremonies in private homes.

In European magical rituals, in which cosmic spirits were conjured, for example, the spirits of the planets, various kinds of smoking also played a large role, probably as a result of acquaintance with the cults of mystical sects of late antiquity. At the same time, narcotic materials were partially used as a smoking agent in order to cause mystical visions.

Leonard Thurncisser (1530-1596) mentions "various spices such as aloe, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, mastic".

Fumigation was also used in the art of healing to expel harmful "miasma" (pathogenic fumes).

Author: Biedermann G.

Incense tree (Boswellia sacred), Boswellia sacra. Botanical description of the plant, areas of growth and ecology, economic importance, applications

Frankincense tree (Boswellia sacred)

A woody plant of the Burseraceae family, growing in Southwestern Arabia (Oman, Yemen), on the island of Socotra and along the dry slopes of the mountains of Somalia; species of the genus Boswellia.

A small tree 3 to 5 meters tall.

The leaves are alternate, collected in whorls at the ends of the branches, pinnate. Margins of almost sessile leaflets are round-toothed, sometimes short-lobed.

The flowers are inconspicuous actinomorphic bisexual, white or light yellow, collected in short racemes.

Different grades of raw materials contain resin (50-70%), gum (30-47%), essential oil (2,5-8%) and bitterness. The composition of the essential oil includes dipentene, alpha-pinene, phellandrene, camphene and other terpenes. The resin contains triterpene acids, the so-called alpha and beta boswellic acids. Gum is similar in composition to gum arabic.

From Boswellia sacred, by making incisions on the trunk, gum resin is obtained, real frankincense, containing the largest amount of resin (up to 70%). It is used in religious cults as a burning incense. Incense of the highest grade consists of separate dry transparent light yellow pieces. The worst grades are from a darker, sticky, uneven resinous mass interspersed with transparent pieces.

Incense tree (Boswellia sacred), Boswellia sacra. Recipes for use in traditional medicine and cosmetology

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

Ethnoscience:

Anti-inflammatory agent: Mix 1-2 drops of frankincense essential oil with a carrier oil such as almond or olive and apply to sore spots.
Anti-cancer agent: frankincense contains boswellia, which can slow the growth of tumors and reduce their size. In folk medicine, it is recommended to take 300-500 mg of Boswellia per day for the treatment of cancer.
Asthma treatment: frankincense can help reduce inflammation and expand the bronchi, which can reduce asthma symptoms. To do this, you can take frankincense extract or add its essential oil to an inhaler.
Improving digestion: frankincense can help reduce inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract and improve digestion. To do this, you can take frankincense extract or add its essential oil in capsules.

Cosmetology:

Facial oil: Mix together 1/2 teaspoon frankincense oil, 1/2 teaspoon rosemary oil, 1/2 teaspoon lavender oil, and 1 tablespoon jojoba oil. Apply a small amount of oil to your face in the morning and evening.
Mask for the face: mix 1/2 teaspoon frankincense powder with 1/2 teaspoon honey and 1 tablespoon clay. Add enough water to make a thick paste. Apply the mask on your face and leave for 15-20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.
Body cream: Mix together 1/4 teaspoon frankincense oil, 1/4 teaspoon rosemary oil, 1/4 teaspoon lavender oil, and 1/2 cup coconut oil. Apply the cream on the body after a shower or bath.
Rejuvenator: frankincense can help reduce stress levels and fight free radicals that can lead to premature skin aging. To do this, you can take frankincense extract or add its essential oil to cosmetics.
Aromatic body spray: Mix 10 drops of frankincense oil, 10 drops of lavender oil and 10 drops of geranium oil in a glass spray bottle. Add water to the top level and shake well. Use the spray as a body fragrance.

Attention! Before use, consult with a specialist!

Incense tree (Boswellia sacred), Boswellia sacra. Tips for growing, harvesting and storing

cultivated and wild plants. Legends, myths, symbolism, description, cultivation, methods of application

The frankincense tree, or sacred boswellia, is known for its aromatic, resinous extract, which is obtained by incising the tree's bark.

Tips for growing, harvesting and storing frankincense tree:

Cultivation:

Sacred Boswellia prefers sunny places with good ventilation and soil with good drainage capacity.
Warm climatic conditions are necessary for cultivation, about 30 ° C is considered an acceptable temperature for growth.
The frankincense tree can be grown from both seeds and cuttings.
Cuttings should be planted in the ground to a depth of 2-3 cm and kept well moistened.
The seeds of the frankincense tree must first be soaked in water for 24 hours, then planted to a depth of 1-2 cm in light fertile soil.
If you grow an incense tree indoors, you should provide it with sufficient lighting and moderate watering.
Plants should be carefully monitored for weeds and diseases.

Workpiece:

To obtain resin, the bark of a tree is cut to a depth of about 3 mm.
The liberated resin is collected over several weeks.
The resin is then collected and air dried until it is hard and brittle.
Dry resin can be stored in closed containers at room temperature in a dry place.

Storage:

Dried resin can be stored for several years in hermetically sealed containers.
Keep the frankincense tree in a cool, dry place, protected from sunlight.

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