Hey guys, just thought I would throw one last Christmas-themed post in before taking a few man-days off. My inspiration for this one, as usual, comes from my beautiful wife, but not in the usual manner. You see I was doing some research into Christmas gifts and noticed a lot of promotions centering around Frankincense and Myrrh. Now, my knowledge of these two substances was limited to the fact that the Bible talks about the three wise men that bring gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh to the baby Jesus. So, in true Man Versus Oils fashion, I have thrown myself a challenge to come up with 5 Manly uses for Frankincense and Myrrh essential oils.
What is Frankincense?
Frankincense (also known as olibanum) is an aromatic resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae. Its history in regards to medicines and therapeutic benefits dates back thousands of years. Egyptians used Frankincense for all manner of medical conditions and ancient rituals.
In modern times it is perhaps better known for its use in incense, perfume and religious ceremonies.
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Read more: Frankincense 101 - The 4 Primary Types of Frankincense and their Differences |
What is Myrrh?
Myrrh is a natural gum or resin extracted from a number of small, thorny tree species of the genus Commiphora. As with Frankincense, Myrrh resin has been used throughout history for its medical benefits. The Egyptians used it for embalming and many religions used it to make the holy anointing oil. It is also still used heavily in Chinese medicines today as well as in perfumes and incense.
These two ‘spices’ were part of the gifts at the birth of baby Jesus because of their medical and aromatic qualities.
Frankincense and Myrrh Essential Oils Uses
Due to their aromatic qualities and historical medical benefits, Frankincense and Myrrh are also commonly distilled into essential oils. Both are good in skin care and as a calming scent for meditation and yoga practices.
Frankincense essential oil
Frankincense essential oil gets its distinctive rich, balsamic scent from naturally occurring alpha-pinene. Common uses include:
- A stimulating aroma for the diffuser to promotes feelings of relaxation and tranquility
- Use in skin care products to promote the appearance of healthy-looking skin. It reduces the appearance of uneven skin tones
It also maintains a special role in many religious ceremonies and for use in prayer, meditation or Yoga.
Myrrh essential oil
Myrrh essential oil has an earthy, sweet aroma (although some consider it harsh) and was particularly popular in ancient times when used predominantly in medicine. Its modern uses include skin care and aromatic applications such as:
- Use in skin care products and moisturizers.
- Diffusing for a unique, calming scent.
- Addition to shampoo or scalp treatment for its moisturizing benefits.
Christmas Diffuser Recipe
Also, before we start, if you are looking for a little Christmas man-spirit around the house, try adding 3 drops of both Frankincense and Myrrh Essential Oils to your diffuser. The woody smell of the frankincense will soften the harsher scent of the myrrh for a nice mellow Christmas aroma.
5 Manly Uses for Frankincense oil
Ok, so I seem to have really set myself up for a bit of a job here as I look through the benefits above as not so manly. Added to that, many of the articles I have read about this oil promote health benefits and cures. As you know, I am not comfortable in promoting health benefits, even if those uses date back to Ancient times. But, in true man versus oils spirit, here is what I have found:
1 – Stress relief
The terms stress relief and relaxing are not normally words that I would use to describe a recommended man-use of any essential oils. But let’s face it, with all of the Christmas parties, drinking, excited kids, present buying and food that we deal with this time of year, the term is fairly apt. Don’t get me wrong, I love this time of year, but even the most masculine of us need a break from time to time!
For that manly getaway, frankincense is the bomb! Throw it in your newly purchased car-diffuser as you make your way home from work, add a few drops to your wrists and neck morning and afternoon. You can also add a few drops to your diffuser when in the bath… I would also recommend a little yoga! Trust me I know… we men just get on with it, but you will not be sorry!
Oh, and I won’t tell anyone if you don’t. It is our little secret!
2 – Aftershave Lotion
This one is out of the chemical free handbook. Frankincense is used extensively in skin care due to its ability to revitalize, rejuvenate the skin, and help with minor wounds. This all might sound a bit like it has some sort of beauty cream but add the term “shaving rash” to this sentence and then we are talking good old man-face healing. To whip up your own chemical free aftershave:
- Grab hold of some scent free, natural moisturiser. Add 5 drops of Frankincense essential oil
- Shave, then apply liberally to your face to keep shaving rash at bay as well as sooth any of those nasty little shaving nicks!
3 – Acne treatment
Now for most of us our pimply pubescent days are far behind us. But we do from time to time suffer from those big, sometimes blind and sometimes painful, pimples and acne. My wife swears by this treatment so it would be remiss of me to leave it out. It also helps I guess that Frankincense is also known for its anti-bacterial properties.
For blind pimples, add 1 drop of Frankincense oil to your fingertip and press it directly onto the blind pimples. Sleep it off and in the morning it will be good as gone, or at least a lot less painful!
For acne, add 5 ml of a liquid carrier oil (such as coconut or grape) and 5 drops of Frankincense Essential oil in a brown glass dropper bottle. Rub the solution onto the effected area each night before bed.
Note: Some pages I have found also call for the addition of lavender (soothing) and tea tree (also anti-bacterial) essential oils to this mix. This may be helpful if your infection is particularly sensitive or prevalent.
4 – Joint inflammation
Along with it’s anti-bacterial and skin repair properties, frankincense is also a good reliever to inflamed muscles and joints. Again, I must highlight here that we are talking about short term relief to aching muscles and joints and NOT as a treatment to torn, damaged muscles or soft tissue injuries such as corks. So, if you are feeling a little jaded in the old man-muscles after a hard day on the job or that crucial social sporting event, you can try the following:
- Mix 5 drops of Frankincense essential oil to 10 ml of Jojoba carrier oil.
- Massage into affected area
- Turn on some sport and relax with your favorite man-drink.
5 – Manly ‘camping’ scent
This is one from my diffuser recipes for men post. Use this recipe in the diffuser for a soft and fresh manly scent.
Mix
3 drops Frankincense
2 drops Idaho Balsam Fir
1 drop Cedarwood
Result
I tried this one when I was writing the original post… it smells like that first whiff of fresh air in the morning as you crawl out of the tent (or cabin). Break the smell with that of fresh coffee and boom, just like you are there!
5 Manly Uses for Myrrh Oil
Now we turn our attention to all things Myrrh. Like Frankincense, it is used heavily in beauty products but is also a very spiritual oil used extensively in meditation and yoga rituals. I also found heavy use in many of the more left field rituals of witches and warlocks. So if that is your thing, then I guess you can include this in your manly list. However, in similar vein to Frankincense, the man-uses I have found are aimed mainly at the skin, hair and muscles.
1 – Relief of muscle swelling
This one is an interesting one and took my interest as I have not seen many examples in my travels of essential oils being used with the cold. There are a number of recipes and remedies that call for the oil to be heated. Some proclaim to heal some pretty serious conditions hence I have never discussed that here, but none for cooler temperatures.
Anyway, Myrrh is good for joints and muscles due to its anti-inflamitory qualities. To assist with muscle swelling, add 10 drops of Myrrh essential oil to a cloth wrapped around a cold press and apply directly to the inflamed area.
2 – Insect Bite
Along with its anti-inflamitory properties, Myrrh is also known for being a good antiseptic. Before you head out on that epic man-barbeque or camping trip, mix 5ml of Jojoba oil and 5 drops of myrrh essential oil into a roller bottle. Once there apply directly onto any nasty insect bite that comes your way.
Note: This one is also good with Frankincense just in case that is what you have instead!
3 – Man-massage
A bit tired from all of that manliness? Time for a good old relaxing massage. Take advantage of Myrrh’s anti-inflamitory and skin health benefits. Again, the substitution of frankincense and the addition of lavender would work here too. Do the following:
- Mix 2 tablespoons of good carrier oil (grape, jojoba or coconut will work) and 10 drops of Myrrh essential oil.
- Lie down on a towel, bed or massage table if handy.
- Convince your significant other to massage your manly massage recipe into all the sore bits. You might need to forgoe a sleep in or night out here but well worth it I think.
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Tip: If you are unsuccessful in step 3 above, I have a little tool for you (please ignore the blatant sales pitch). I recently purchased an Essential Oil Dispensing Massager for my wife and it is fantastic. All you need to do is add some Myrrh (and Frankincense, Panaway or Lavender if you see fit) to the little bottles (included) and give yourself an oily massage – I use it and it is pretty darn good trust me!
4 – Cracked man hands
Sorry, but the theme remains. The same anti-inflamitory, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties also make myrrh an extremely soothing and pain relieving remedy for those cracked and cut man-hands. Whether it is from work or a hard day tangling with fishhooks and handling spiky cranky fish, you can try the following:
- Mix 1 tablespoon of coconut oil with 5 drops of Myrrh essential oil (or you can use your left over man-massage concoction if it is around).
- Rinse hands with warm water and a natural chemical free soap.
- Rub coconut/Myrrh oil mixture into hands after wash and before bed.
- Repeat daily as necessary.
5 – Dandruff control
Myrrh essential oil was utilised in ancient times to assist with hair health and is included in many high end shampoos today. To assist with dandruff control simply mix 15 drops of Myrrh essential oil into a natural odorless shampoo and wash regularly for a chemical free dandruff treatment.
Conclusion
Phew, wasn’t sure I was going to get those for a while there. I know I have drawn a long bow with the manliness and there is a distinct health and beauty feel to this one. But hey, it is Christmas and we know we deserve a little pampering between manly beach and fishing sessions! At the very least you will sound all things knowledgeable the next time your other half ventures into the realm of cuts and muscle soreness. And if all else fails it will give you something to talk about during your next man-massage too.
That’s it, Christmas drinkies at the headland await (it is summer here down under) so I am off!
Merry Christmas to all and have fun!
Paul
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Follow me for more of the good stuffMy name is Paul and I live on the east coast of Australia with my wife and six year old son. I also have 19 and 23 year old daughters. I am an ex government and bank worker who took a bit of a sea change and opened my own business by the beach with my amazing wife. If you can do it, try it. You will never look back. You want to know more about me, read my About Me page
Wow I can’t believe the uses for some essential oils. That’s awesome! Especially about the hands. I like that.
Do you know if it’s good on womens dry hands?
I use esswential oils for aromatherapy while sleeping. i think it works great! Do you agree with that and have any suggestions for aromatherapy right before sleeping?
Hi Capt Dennis, my wife uses roller bottle and applies oils to our feet and wrists before sleep – my sone has never slept better. We use mainly lavender and grapeseed oil for that one.
My wife also uses coconut cream and lavender on her hands as a moisturiser. It seems to work pretty well ( i.e. she is still doing it so it must be working ;-p )
Thanks for your comments
Paul
I love your site! I have been exploring the use of essential oils as healing agents and supportive alternative health and I wanted to extend the solid dial in I have going on with some of my male friends and relatives but have always been met with reluctance as oils can sometimes be stereotyped a more feminine endeavour. I am a huge fan of dispelling anything that lends itself to stereotypes and your site is so great! It encompasses the needs of a man taking care of himself and you provide a ton of really useful and valuable information and insights. I had no knowledge of Frankinsense nor its origin and I was so stoked to learn about Myrrh too!! When we travel down South insect bites can prove quite uncomfortable so i will give that a go the next time we venture out to that area of the world. A sincere thanks for this really solid post, and site. Bookmarking it for sure! Cheers!
Hey Bex
Thanks so much for your comments – much appreciated
I can definitely recommend the Frankisence for the insect bites – It is a common use in our house.
Paul
This is like a throwback because Christmas is gone at least till December but more knowledge hurts no one. For a second, let’s imagine Baby Jesus was given this gifts today, so this is what he’ll use it for, lol. I really could make use of a myth massage right now, the stress is killing.
How nice is the frankincense diffuser smell, fresh morning air could mean a lot of things. But, on your recommendation, I’m sure it must be nice.
I have bookmarked this site! My wife recently got on the essential oils bandwagon and I am pretty sure I pulled a muscle rolling my eyes. She told me guys could use them too, but I didn’t listen.
Until now…you have opened my eyes. Especially after a tough beer drinking softball game, I could use a way to ease the pain. You have me sold and I can’t wait for your next post.
Thanks!
Haha, my wife reckons I could have started Tsumanis with my eye rolling when she first started talking about oils.
Thanks for stopping by
Paul
Thank you for this great post, I find it really helpful and great.you must have really put in a lot of energy in researching and writing about this. I never knew that frankincense has so many benefits as you have mentioned below. I think I will get it soon so I really need something that can help my skin inflammation.
No problems Clement
Let me know how you go with it
Paul
Dear Paul,
May I not congratulate you on your persistence on writing this helpful post. Any man who devotes that much time must of necessity make discoveries of great value to others. This was a highly informative article. I learned a lot of new things.
Yes indeed Myrrh is still used in our home remedies in India. 5 Manly Uses for Myrrh is amazing and what you said is true, as I mentioned till date our women use this for their hair and we use it for Relief of muscle swelling.
5 Manly Uses for Frankincense is an eye-opener and to be honest you have given me plenty to think about here. This article is so thorough it opened my eyes to all sorts of information I wasn’t aware of! Thanks a lot for the recipe for diffuser.
Much Success!
Paul
Thanks for your comments Paul
Much appreciated
Paul
My mom wants something that can help her relax when she bathes. I like how you mention frankincense oils makes a stimulating aroma that provides a relaxing and tranquil feeling. Thank you for the information. I’ll purchase a frankincense essential oil for my mom online.
Hey Jay
Great to hear – let me know how she goes.
Paul