The prized essential oil is not the product of a flower or a leaf, but comes from the aromatic resin of the frankincense tree. An ancient Arabian trade route developed around the production and transport of this precious resin to great cities and civilisations, where frankincense was used in religious ceremonies and medicinal practices with equal fervour. The ancient Egyptians prescribed it for throat infections, the Roman writer Pliny believed it to be an antidote for hemlock and in the Islamic era, the philosopher Ibn Sina recommended it as a treatment for tumours, ulcers and fevers. Even today, it is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine, in the perfume industry as a woody, sensuous base note, and in cosmetics to soothe and revive skin. Frankincense is also known to promote feelings of peace, relaxation and overall wellness, making it a truly holistic essential oil.