We spend a lot of our time indoors, such as at home or in the office, especially in these colder months. It is therefore important to also take care of the air we breathe, to ventilate the rooms often but also to implement small steps to disinfect and purify the air, counteracting the proliferation of fungi and bacteria that could lead to illnesses and respiratory tract diseases. So let's see an ancient method to clean the air in the house, using incense and myrrh, but which is made more modern and safe thanks to the use of essential oils. Let's find out what science says about it and how it is possible to use essences for our well-being.
Frankincense and myrrh, the essences that purify
Frankincense and myrrh have interesting antimicrobial properties. Studies have shown that the use of essential oils of frankincense, scientific name Boswellia carterii, and myrrh, scientific name Commiphora myrrha, counteracts the proliferation of bacteria and fungi (Grbic et al, J Ethnopharmacol, 2018). Myrrh has shown a powerful bactericidal action, being able to destroy, in two hours, almost all the bacteria it comes into contact with, such as Staphylococcus aureus, responsible for inflammation of the upper respiratory tract such as rhinosinusitis, but also Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a responsible for pneumonia and respiratory tract infections, especially in those with a weakened immune system, and Klebsiella pneumonia, responsible for infections of the upper and lower airways, but also of the urinary tract (Khalil et al, AMB Express, 2020). Frankincense counteracts inflammation of the respiratory tract and asthma and has a tested antibacterial action against different strains of bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus or Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Liu et al, Int J Clin Exp Pathol, 2015). Therefore, these essential oils can actually be used to purify the air at home and for the well-being of our airways (Grbic et al, J Ethnopharmacol, 2018). This action is even more powerful if the essential oils are blended together. In fact, as demonstrated by scientific studies, when frankincense and myrrh are combined, processes are activated that lead to chemical changes and to the development of a synergy that maximizes the antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties, more than in the case of essential oils used individually (Cao et al, Molecules, 2019).
Frankincense and myrrh, how to use them to purify the air
As we have seen, the combined use of the two essential oils of frankincense and myrrh shows a particular synergy that makes the mixture even more bactericidal. You can add 3 drops of frankincense essential oil and 3 drops of myrrh essential oil to an essence burning lamp or radiator water tray and diffuse in the room. To give a citrus touch, also capable of relaxing and giving calm, you can add 5 drops of orange essential oils.
Essential oils are better
In the article we referred to the use of frankincense and myrrh essential oils only. There is also the possibility of buying sticks to burn, but it is better to limit this practice as in this way, if the house or office is not well ventilated, particles potentially harmful to the cardiopulmonary system are released into the air (Roberts et al , Community Practice, 2016).
