PRIZED BY THE ANCIENTS
Ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans used frankincense in spiritual rites of passage and as a priceless offering to their gods—it was also famously gifted to Jesus upon his birth. Early civilizations recognized the powerful anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties of frankincense, employing it as a medicinal cure-all. Its uses in beauty can be traced back thousands of years as a perfume, anti-aging elixir and mask. Cleopatra was said to be fascinated with frankincense as a means of preserving her youth. In the 16th century, Chinese herbalists documented its seemingly magical ability to boost circulation and alleviate pain.