While I am a supporter of modern medicine, I also hold the belief that nature provides us with the resources we need to heal both our minds and our bodies. I believe that modern medicine would not be what it is today without our extensive knowledge of nature and its therapeutic benefits. After all, most our our medications are derived from natural sources, and in many cases, a "copycat" of a naturally occurring substance.
Because of my beliefs, I recently dove head first into the world of essential oils. Over the past several weeks, it has become somewhat of a knowledge quest—to learn all I can about essential oils; plants, extraction methods, high-quality vs. low-quality, and so on.
Today, I would like to talk about a particular brand of Frankincense. I will cover what I have learned about Frankincense, as well as my opinions on the brand.
* Product and/or service provided for review without cost. As always, all opinions are my own.
Scential Health is a brand of HealthBiz Direct. I recently had the opportunity to try Scential Health Frankincense Oil in exchange for an unbiased review.
According to the HealthBiz Direct website, "Products are manufactured with the purest botanical, pharmaceutical grade and therapeutic grade ingredients in the world." The website also goes on to state that products are manufactured in United States facilities that comply with cGMP standards.
Scential Health Frankincense Essential Oil comes in a 15mL (.5 oz) bottle, and is 100% certified pure therapeutic grade essential oil. According to the website and Amazon page, there are no fillers, no bases, no additives, and absolutely no carrier oils.
My first impression of Scential Health Frankincense Oil was of its packaging. The oil comes in a small, glass, amber-colored vial, which is ideal for essential oil storage, as it prevents damage from sun and light. The label was simple, yet attractive.
The bottle did not come with a dropper, but instead, a dropper cap. This cap seals the bottle, but also allows for easy access to the oil with a slight squeeze. I found the Euro-Style cap to be easier to use than a typical glass eye dropper.
The product is 100% certified pure, therapeutic grade essential oil. Upon opening, I could smell the Frankincense, which can be described as woody and spicy, yet still sweet. It was a very pleasant scent, and quite strong, so it's clear that a few drops would suffice in terms of aromatherapy.
To determine the healing properties of Scential Health Frankincense Oil, I decided to let the oil work its magic on a migraine that I was experiencing. I applied one drop of Frankincense Oil (neat) to each of my temples, and massaged it in for about a minute. Immediately, I felt somewhat of a tightening sensation along my temples. After fifteen minutes, the pain was bearable, and within two hours, the migraine has completely disappeared.
Needless to say, I was quite impressed.
The price, as of April 9, 2015, is $24.95. To me, this is a reasonable price to pay for 15 mL of a high-quality, therapeutic grade Frankincense Oil.
Head on over to the website to learn more about where Scential Health's Essential Oils come from.
Because of my beliefs, I recently dove head first into the world of essential oils. Over the past several weeks, it has become somewhat of a knowledge quest—to learn all I can about essential oils; plants, extraction methods, high-quality vs. low-quality, and so on.
Today, I would like to talk about a particular brand of Frankincense. I will cover what I have learned about Frankincense, as well as my opinions on the brand.
* Product and/or service provided for review without cost. As always, all opinions are my own.
Scential Health is a brand of HealthBiz Direct. I recently had the opportunity to try Scential Health Frankincense Oil in exchange for an unbiased review.
According to the HealthBiz Direct website, "Products are manufactured with the purest botanical, pharmaceutical grade and therapeutic grade ingredients in the world." The website also goes on to state that products are manufactured in United States facilities that comply with cGMP standards.
My first impression of Scential Health Frankincense Oil was of its packaging. The oil comes in a small, glass, amber-colored vial, which is ideal for essential oil storage, as it prevents damage from sun and light. The label was simple, yet attractive.
The bottle did not come with a dropper, but instead, a dropper cap. This cap seals the bottle, but also allows for easy access to the oil with a slight squeeze. I found the Euro-Style cap to be easier to use than a typical glass eye dropper.
The product is 100% certified pure, therapeutic grade essential oil. Upon opening, I could smell the Frankincense, which can be described as woody and spicy, yet still sweet. It was a very pleasant scent, and quite strong, so it's clear that a few drops would suffice in terms of aromatherapy.
To determine the healing properties of Scential Health Frankincense Oil, I decided to let the oil work its magic on a migraine that I was experiencing. I applied one drop of Frankincense Oil (neat) to each of my temples, and massaged it in for about a minute. Immediately, I felt somewhat of a tightening sensation along my temples. After fifteen minutes, the pain was bearable, and within two hours, the migraine has completely disappeared.
Needless to say, I was quite impressed.
The price, as of April 9, 2015, is $24.95. To me, this is a reasonable price to pay for 15 mL of a high-quality, therapeutic grade Frankincense Oil.
Scential Health Distillation Methods
I had the chance to discuss distillation methods with a Scential Health representative, and learned quite a bit about steam distillation, cold pressing (also known as "expression"), and solvent extraction. Of course, we all know that solvent extraction is not an ideal extraction method for most essential oils unless they are too fragile to be distilled—and in fact, solvent extraction doesn't produce essential oils at all, but instead uses wax resin and alcohol to create "absolutes." True essential oils do not contain wax resin.
Rest assured, however, that Scential Health uses two extraction methods: Steam Distillation and Cold Pressing.
According to Scential Health's website:
Scential Health Essential Oils are harvested and then steam distilled or cold pressed from the most pristine fields, orchards, and gardens around the world.
Head on over to the website to learn more about where Scential Health's Essential Oils come from.
How is Frankincense Oil made?
Frankincense comes from the Boswelliagenus trees. Scential Health Frankincense Oil comes from the Boswellia carterii tree, in particular.
Boswelliagenus trees are indigenous to African and Arabian regions—particularly Yemen, Oman, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Oman has been trading Frankincense for thousands of years.
To create Frankincense Oil, the sap is extracted from the tree bark and then hardened into what we call a "gum resin." The gum resin is then scraped off and steam distilled to produce Frankincense essential oil. Frankincense is known to have numerous health benefits.
What are the health benefits of Frankincense?
Often referred to by essential oil enthusiasts as the "god of all oils," Frankincense has been used all over the world for thousands of years in ceremonies and as an anointing oil in the Middle East. Ancient cultures believed that Frankincense Oil could be used in deepening one's spiritual connection. Today, it is used in aromatherapy to relieve stress and anxiety.
When applied topically, Frankincense Oil promotes cell regeneration. Frankincense is also used to treat dry skin, signs of aging, and to reduce the appearance of scars, stretch marks, and fine wrinkles. The oil also has astringent properties which allow it to strengthen gums and hair, stop wounds from bleeding, and aid in the healing of cuts, bug bites, and more.
The benefits of Frankincense Oil don't end there, however. It also has anti-inflammatory, disinfectant, and expectorant properties, among others, and in my opinion, is rightfully referred to as the "god of all oils."
My Overall Opinion of Scential Health Frankincense Oil
Overall, I am incredibly satisfied with the Frankincense Oil that I received from Scential Health. While it may seem like a small amount of oil, a little goes a long way. The oil is highly potent, so you don't need much for aromatherapy benefits. Also, a couple of drops worked to remove a migraine, so it's safe to say that a little goes a long way.To see which oils Scential Health is currently offering, check out their current essential oil collection.
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