Since ancient times, frankincense has been used for its complex scent, often described as sweet, woody, and earthy notes with a warm gesture of sacred smoke and candied woodsy richness. Sometimes, the thought itself is unraveling of what does frankincense smell like
Due to its paradox of being both familiar and foreign, a scent that is being remembered sometimes, and the other times it feels like you never know what that aroma was you inhaled on a particular occasion.
The smell of frankincense has numerous health benefits, as the fragrance of frankincense is used in various medical products. For thousands of years, the scent of frankincense has been used for treating ailments and illnesses. Due to its anti-inflammatory medicinal property, it is produced in vast quantities in African countries. The incense of frankincense clings to the skin like a sweet memory with a woody and warm flavour of its scent, promising an open door to the other world that seems like heaven on earth.
What is Frankincense? Physical and Chemical properties
A resin produced from trees of the species Boswellia in the family of Burseraceae, which is also known as olibanum, frankincense, is a hardened gum-like substance used for various aromatherapy and in making other scent products. The plant of frankincense starts producing resin at about 8 to 10 years old. And the best quality frankincense comes from the Horn of Africa, as 90% of the total production of frankincense comes from these African countries, including Somalia and Ethiopia.
The gum produced from the plant when burnt releases a beautiful odour. Its oil is also used for numerous health purposes. Frankincense oil contains a complex mixture of ingredients including alpha-pinene, Limonine, alpha-thiene, and beta-pinene that gives this product a therapeutic property. The chemical composition of frankincense includes 6% acid, 30-35% gum, 3 acetyl-bet-boswellic acid, incensole acid and olibanic acid.
What Does Frankincense Smell Like in Daily Use? The Fragrance Frankincense Produces
We will look at different fractions of scent that Frankincense produces, identifying unique profiles across its different set of evolving scent phases, from woody base note to its medicinal elements and dual fragrance of sweet and balsamic flavour. If you’re curious about what does frankincense smells like, this part explains its different scent layers in an easy way.
- The Rooted Woody Base Note – Woody notes are predominantly used in fragrance or in perfumery as a base note. A perfect combination of longevity and depth is provided by this set of woody notes to the perfume and frankincense is primarily known for woody and warm aroma.
- Divine Aroma with Rich Earthy depth – A feeling of courage and strength is developed when an earthy smell which evokes the scent of nature comes out of a fragrance. Frankincense provides this sense of unblemish purity where the mimicking smell of soil ,moss and damp earth after rain feels like breathing in the forest first morning.
- Dual fragrance, Sweet and Balsamic – A heavy and sticky sweet scent gives frankincense a luxury charm. This dual fragrance gives a perfect balance in providing a pivotal aroma to anyone using it. If you’ve ever tried to describe what does frankincense smell like, this sweet-and-balsamic combination is a good starting point.
- Citrous brightness in Frankincense – Some of the species of boswellia plants like papyrifera produce a citrusy flavour. The content of this scent is not as per the standards but a small amount of concentration of citrous flavour is present in frankincense, the rest is burned and evaporated while distillation and resin burning.
- Warm and Spicy – An olfactory illusion creating a sense and feeling of warmth surrounding, giving comfort to the person. Frankincense gives both the warmth and a spicy feeling, where the presence of spicy elements adds sophistication and complexity.
Uses of Frankincense in Different Ways
Frankincense can be used in different ways due to its unique properties in relation with health, aromatherapy, as well as in the field of perfume and candle making industry. It has long been considered the key element in ancient Ayurveda for its anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial properties. The following are some points where Frankincense is used:-
- Aromatherapy– Due to its ability of making a person calm and promoting a feeling of peace and relaxation, Frankincense is used in aromatherapy for stress and anxiety relief, mood enhancement and also used as sleep aid.
- Frankincense candle making– To add a warm and ambience in a closed room frankincense is used in candles. A burning candle can make a soothing atmosphere inside a room and if frankincense is added to the candle then this soothing aroma helps decrease anxiety and promote a smooth restful night with long lasting sleep.
- Perfume making- Due to its popularity and demand, Frankincense is used in making perfume and other scented products.
- Religious Ceremonies- From ancient times frankincense is used in religious ceremonies and spiritual gatherings due to its historical and spiritual significance.
- Medicinal Use- Its anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties make it useful to reduce inflammation and redness, as well as the problem of itching and irritation in the skin.
Warmth and Comfort of Burning Frankincense Candles
Incorporating frankincense into candles provides an easy and effective way to utilize the benefits of this ancient resin. Burning frankincense candles will release the oil present in the resin, initiating a soothing aroma around you, bringing out your best from within you. These candles can purify your living space, which will promote relaxation and improve sleep quality. The essential oil released into the air can soothe the surroundings, which will reduce respiratory inflammation. The burning scent of frankincense candles creates a positive environment that will uplift your mood.
Conclusion
The smell of frankincense in a candle transforms spaces into a deep, satisfying pod where time slows and every breath carries the ancient comfort of adornment, soothing. If you’ve ever wondered what does frankincense smell like, it’s a mix of woody, sweet, and warm spicy scents that feel comforting and peaceful. The smell of frankincense creates a natural stress relieving zone where its burning scent comforts and lowers the heart rate creating a surrounding of sacred space.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What does Frankincense smell like?
The frankincense smells like a warm woody, blemish spicy and sweet earthly aroma initiating a soothing and calm surrounding when the fragrance spreads across the space.
Q2. Does frankincense smell good when used in candles?
Yes, Frankincense gives a pleasant aroma when used in candles as burning frankincense candles releases an oil which creates a warm and soothing environment around the room.
Q3. Does the scent of frankincense change over time?
No, from ancient times, the scent of frankincense is as usual, no change has remained seen in it.
Q4. Is frankincense used in making perfume?
Due to its long-lasting scent and woody, earthy flavour, the demand for frankincense made perfume is huge, hence it is used in making perfume due to its favourable demand.