Its a long time since Frankincense and Myrrh came to the fore in the Bible, but these two things are becoming popular once more. This time as essential oils used to treat common aches and pains.

This time, however, their names have been changed to the botanical versions. I think this is to let everyone know the plant species they come from. These are Boswellia carteri for Frankincense, and Commiphora myrrha for Myrrh.

Both oils are derived from the resins that exude from the plants when they are damaged, and are now the main ingredients of some aromatherapy-based creams.

A brief check of want the respective oils can do shows the basis for using them together in this way.

Frankincense essential oil tones the skin, eases pain and numbness, while the aroma calms stress and tension.

Myrrh essential oil fights inflammation, helps healing and kills infections.

Together Frankincense and Myrrh or Boswellia and Commiphora give you the best of both worlds fight infection, ease pain and inflammation, and promote healing. And, at the same time their aromas help sooth and calm your anxious mind. (Remember the two-pronged attack of aromatherapy oils I mentioned before.)

And, there are few, if any, side effects or untoward problems with rubbing them into your skin. Neither is toxic when diluted in a cream.

So there you have it. A useful, healing cream with little chance of side effects that can help treat aches and pains of all types, including arthritis and rheumatism. And all by combining two essential oils from the aromatherapy range, oils that have been around for thousands of years.

They arent alone either. Other essential oils are used to treat pain by adding them to warm baths, hot compresses or massaging them into the affected areas. Part of their action is the relaxation, calmness and soothing tensions associated with their use. But these two aromatherapy oils have direct actions on damaged and painful parts as well.

It just goes to show that aromatherapy really does have a place in modern treatments.

So, welcome back to Frankincense and Myrrh. Youve probably never been away.