Brazilian Frankincense, (Protium heptaphyllum) is an oil that is relatively new to me and I have just purchased some from Oshadi.
It has a fragrance similar to Frankincense but fresher with hints of citrus.
Oshadi describe it’s traditional uses.
Traditional Use
In the Amazon, the resin of Breu Branco is often burned during sacred religious and learning rituals for its calming and concentrating properties, for its aromatic scent that gives off a woodsy and somewhat musty aroma with hints of spice, to illuminate houses in the forest and repel mosquitoes and other undesirable insects. The resin has also been widely used by native tribes in their diverse traditional medicine to treat many different ailments such as:
- Respiratory and lung diseases
- Headaches
- Stomach aches
- Liver disorders
- Wounds
- To avoid the worsening of broken limbs and teeth
- To help with memory loss
- Concentration
- Motor-coordination
- For soothing states of agitation and stress
- As well as its use as an antiseptic
- Analgesic
- Stimulating agent
- The resin is also used in the sealing of boats, as a natural polish.
- Its root bark; as astringent that’s claimed to have renal clearance and anti-syphilitic properties.
It is probably too early for therapists here to comment on some of these properties but, given it has a similar chemical make up to the better known Somalian and Middle Eastern Frankincense. Of particular interest to me given my client group are its ability to soothe states of agitation and stress and aid concentration. I will be paying attention to see if there are any differences in how clients react compared with the Frankincense oil derived from the same shrub as that used in churches for incense.
