No, frankincense is primarily known for its calming, grounding, and relaxing properties, which often help with sleep and meditation rather than waking you up. Its aroma is widely used to quiet the mind and reduce stress.
The Overactive Mind: A Modern Sleep Dilemma
Frankincense essential oil, with its time-tested reputation for calming the mind and soothing the spirit, has become popular among those who struggle to fall asleep. By calming an overactive mind, this essential oil can encourage a deeper sleep.
Its anti-inflammatory properties may help reduce inflammation in your brain and unleash your memory. Frankincense is also associated with limbic system function—the part of the brain that's in charge of your fight or flight response.
Frankincense and myrrh are ancient resins with significant spiritual symbolisms across various religions, including Islam, Christianity, Judaism, and Paganism. Historically, they are considered extensive aids to intensifying concentration, devotion, and prayer, symbolizing spiritual awakening and purification.
Spearmint oil
Spearmint shares the stimulating, enlivening properties of its cousin peppermint, but boasts a more sugary scent that is sweeter to wake up to. It is able to improve breath flow and increase energy and alertness.
Popular stimulating essential oils include eucalyptus, patchouli, peppermint, and wintergreen. Deep earthy and woody aroma with slight notes of green and fruit.
We'd always recommend citrus based scents when you feel like you need a bit of a lift or help waking up in the morning. Lemon is a particularly great scent at promoting concentration as well as reducing feelings of anxiety.
It can be used cosmetically, medicinally, and for eliminating surface and airborne bacteria. Pregnant women and individuals with bleeding disorders are warned that Frankincense is an emmenagogue that has blood thinning effects, which may increase their risk of irregular bleeding.
Applying frankincense oil to the soles of your feet is a traditional practice that may help you feel more balanced and calm, especially before rest.
Frankincense was given to Jesus by the Magi as a symbolic gift, primarily representing His deity, divinity, and priestly role, as it was burned in Jewish temples as a sacred offering to God, signifying holiness and Jesus's role as a mediator between God and humanity, foreshadowing His ultimate sacrifice and worship. While gold symbolized kingship and myrrh foreshadowed His death, frankincense specifically pointed to His divine nature, marking Him as God, not just a king.
Further investigation by researchers from Johns Hopkins University and Hebrew University revealed that burning frankincense activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression.
There's some evidence that aromatherapy using frankincense or other essential oils can ease stress or anxiety. However, the evidence to show how well it works is limited.
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You can also diffuse frankincense or myrrh with an oil diffuser, so you simply inhale its properties as you relax and unwind at home. Some people inhale the oil directly from the bottle or by adding a few drops to a cloth or towel, leaving it under their pillow as they sleep at night.
Results from multiple studies indicate that valerian — a tall, flowering grassland plant — may reduce the amount of time it takes to fall asleep and help you sleep better. Of the many valerian species, only the carefully processed roots of the Valeriana officinalis have been widely studied.
Derived from the resin of Boswellia trees, Frankincense has been used for centuries in religious ceremonies, skincare, and holistic healing. Known for its earthy, calming aroma, Frankincense promotes relaxation, reduces stress, and supports emotional balance.
If you tend to run hot at night (or in general), coconut is a good choice. If you tend to have cold feet, sunflower or sesame work well. If you're not sure which oil to use, sesame or castor oil generally work for most people; experiment to see what works for you.
The 30/50/20 rule for essential oils is a blending guideline for creating balanced, harmonious scents, suggesting you use 30% top notes, 50% middle notes, and 20% base notes for longevity and depth. Top notes are light and fast-evaporating (like citrus), middle notes are the heart of the blend (like florals/herbs), and base notes are grounding and long-lasting (like woods/resins). For a 10-drop blend, this means 3 drops top, 5 drops middle, and 2 drops base.
Frankincense Boswellia Sacra
Useful if life has been getting on top of you, if your sleep has been compromised or if you're feeling restless, inhaling the aroma of frankincense can help deepen the breath, calm the mind, and ease mental chatter – just what you need when drifting off for a peaceful night's sleep.
Helps Relieve Inflammation and Pain
Also diffuse several drops in your home, or combine several drops with a carrier oil to massage into your muscles, joints, feet or neck.
CALMING SCENTS TO HELP YOU RELAX
Smelling Salts FAQs
The ammonia in smelling salts irritates your airways and triggers a breathing reflex that sends lots of oxygen to your brain. This wakes you up if you've fainted and may cause a temporary rush of energy.
PEPPERMINT OIL: REVERSE YOUR NEGATIVE MENTAL STATE
Assuming that you feel like your brain is brimming with terrible energy, alarming contemplations, or even pressure peppermint oil can assist you with invigorating and recovering mental clearness.
Certain smells can influence your mood through brain connections. Scents like lavender, vanilla, citrus, and jasmine are known to promote happiness.