Rice Bran Oil : Frankincense & Myrrh

Susan's Soap Scene

Welcome to the November issue of Soap Scene! The Christmas season is practically upon us and I invite you to remember Susan's Soaps as an easy way to get a lot of your Christmas shopping done. Giving the gift of pampering works for a lot of people. Happy Holidays and don't forget to treat yourself too.

Inside this issue:

Making a switch to rice bran oil
Soap angels are here
Frankincense & Myrrh
This month's coupon

After hearing good things about the skin care properties of rice bran oil and watching the prices of olive oil skyrocket -- I decided to give rice bran oil a try. I tried it in several of my soaps and really liked what I found. It gave the soaps a richer, creamier feel, lathered well and and felt good on my skin. Rice bran oil is rich in gamma-oryzanol which can protect and replenish even the most jaded of skins. It also contains squalene which improves skin tone and delays wrinkle formation. Rice bran oil also contains natural antioxidants as well as tocophyerol (Vitamin E). Another plus for rice bran oil is that it is produced in Arkansas, practically in my backyard and definitely in the US. I decided to make the switch and have been changing over from olive oil to rice bran oil as I make my batches of soap. I think not only will you notice a difference but you will see it as an improvement.

My soap angels are here. The last couple of Christmas seasons I have offered soap angels in various scents and sizes. This year I am offering two scents in one size. Lavender Oatmeal Angels and Almond Oatmeal Angels are available in the 2.75 oz. size for $5.00 ea. (For those of you familar with the angels - this was the larger size the last two years.) I am not offering the smaller size angel this year. It was simply too labor intensive for such a small item.

The angels smell fabulous and are cute as a button! They make perfect gifts for teachers, co-workers, employees, and as stocking stuffers. Get several so you'll be prepared in case someone drops by with an unexpected gift for you. These are something anyone can use.

Soap Angels

Frankincense (boswellia canteri) and myrrh (commiphora myrrha) are both native to theArabian pennisula desert, particularly the Red Sea area. They are each harvested from small shrubs or tree type plants by slashing the bark and allowing the resins or gum to drip out. The resins are then distilled to produce the essential oils. The use and history of these two oils are closely related. At one time frankincense was considered to be as valuable as gold. Many local wars were provoked through struggles to control the trade of frankincense. The Queen of Sabah, a main producer at that time undertook a hazardous journey from Somalia to Israel to visit King Solomon in order to secure trading rights to this valuable commodity. Remember that the gifts of the three wise men to the Christ child were frankincense, myrrh and gold.

Frankincense & Myrrh Soap (the pellets in the foreground are frankincense tears or resin)

Frankincense and myrrh were both used for fumigating, embalming, unctions and liturgical procedures. The Egyptian papyrus, the Vedas, the Bible and the Koran all mention numerous uses of frankincense and myrrh in ceremonies, perfumes and medicine.

Aromatherapy benefits of frankincense and myrrh also include a lot of similarities. From a medicinal perspective they are both cooling and drying which makes them good to use in cases of inflammation. They also help regulate secretions as well as acting as a balsamic expectorant making them useful for asthma and coughs. On an emotional level they are considered to be fortifying to the mind. One source is quoted as stating that "Frankincense has among its physical properties the ability to slow down and deepen the breath . . . which is very conducive to prayer and meditation." Concerning skin care both frankincense and myrrh are thought to be revitalizing for aged skin and wrinkles and healing for wounds and dry, chapped or cracked skin.

This has really just been a very superficial look at all of the benefits and uses of frankincense and myrrh, but I am sure you can begin to see why it was so prized in ancient times and indeed continues to be valued today.