24 December: Frankincense

Ten things you might not know about Frankincense.

1. Although it would be easy to assume that, since Frankincense was reintroduced to Europe by Frankish Crusaders, that is where the name comes from. However, it’s actually from the French for pure, noble or high quality incense.
2. It comes from the resin of trees in the genus Boswellia, a member of the Burseraceae family, which grows in the Arabian Peninsula and north east Africa. These are deciduous trees which can grow anywhere from 6 to 26 feet tall. They grow on steep slopes and in mountainous regions. The bark is papery and can be removed easily to get at the resin. The flowers are small and yellowy white.
3. The Frankincense trade has a history going back over 6,000 years. It was used in religious ceremonies as a symbol of prayers rising to Heaven, while the ancient Egyptians also used it for embalming. A number of flasks of frankincense oil were found in Tutenkhamen's tomb, and when they were opened, the scent was still strong.
4. The Roman emperor Nero is said to have burned tons of the stuff, to the extent that it took three thousand Camels to deliver his order, and traces of the trails they used can still be seen on satellite images. Alexander the Great, meanwhile, saw a business opportunity. If he invaded Arabia he could make a mint from controlling and taxing the trade routes. He died before he could do it, though.
5. The Greek historian Herodotus wrote that harvesting frankincense was a dangerous occupation because of venomous Snakes that lived in the trees. A small step, perhaps, form there to the rumours some growers liked to spread to protect their valuable interests, that their land was protected by Dragons which breathed out toxic fumes. The snakes were relatively easy to control – burning the gum of the styrax tree would keep them away.
6. It has been used extensively for medicinal purposes. In ancient times it was prescribed by priests as a remedy for wounds, hemlock poisoning, leprosy, worms, snakebites, and even plague. Ancient people noticed that people in the perfume industry were less likely to catch the plague, and that people using it to embalm the dead tended not to catch the diseases their “customers” had died from. For this reason, Arabic doctors would drench themselves in frankincense before making house calls.
7. Modern scientists are finding evidence that frankincense may inhibit or block leukotrienes, which are small molecules produced by the body which trigger inflammation. Studies have found that it can help alleviate asthma, ulcerative colitis and arthritis. One of its constituents, boswellic acid, has antibacterial properties which can help protect against tooth decay, mouth sores and bad breath. It’s also said to help prevent diabetes, depression, anxiety, heart disease, wrinkles, menstrual problems, improve memory and fertility, but there haven’t been any human studies to back these claims up. However, there aren’t any studies which refute them, either.
8. Only one species of frankincense, B. sacra, grows on the Arabian Peninsula. The vast majority of frankincense traded internationally comes from India and the Horn of Africa, especially Ethiopia and Somalia. Boswellia carteri and B. frereana only grow in Somalia. The most expensive frankincense in the world comes from B. frereana, which is widely considered to be the “King of Frankincense”. This tree only grows in a narrow geographical belt in northern Somalia. The species is known for large, aromatic resin deposits, commonly called “tears,” which can be up to 30cm long. A kilo of these can set you back $400.
9. It’s edible. Ancient people used to make Chewing gum out of it and it was used as a remedy for digestive problems.
10. It was once used as a cosmetic. Ancient Egyptian women used frankincense to create their heavy black “kohl” eyeliner. They’d char it and grind it into a powder. Mosquitoes hate it, so it also makes a good insect repellent.

See also:

Gold

Myrrh

A Very Variant Christmas

Last year, Jade and Gloria were embroiled in a bitter conflict to win back their throne and their ancestral home. This year, Queen Jade and Princess Gloria want to host the biggest and best Christmas party ever in their palace. They invite all their friends to come and bring guests. Not even the birth of Jade's heir just before Christmas will stop them.

The guest list includes most of Britain's complement of super-powered crime-fighters, their families and friends. What could possibly go wrong?

Gatecrashers, unexpected arrivals, exploding Christmas crackers and a kidnapping, for starters.

Far away in space, the Constellations, a cosmic peacekeeping force, have suffered a tragic loss. They need to recruit a new member to replace their dead colleague. The two top candidates are both at Jade and Gloria's party. The arrival of the recruitment delegation on Christmas Eve is a surprise for everyone; but their visit means one guest now faces a life-changing decision.

Meanwhile, an alliance of the enemies of various guests at the party has infiltrated the palace; they hide in the dungeon, plotting how best to get rid of the crime-fighters and the royal family once and for all. Problem is, they all have their own agendas and differences of opinion on how to achieve their aims.

Not to mention that this year, the ghosts who walk the corridors of the palace on Christmas Eve will be as surprised by the living as the living are by them.

Themes 

Christmas; superheroes; reunions; parties; life choices; shocking surprises; mistaken identity; kidnap and rescue.

Reasons not to read it

• It's a bit short. You could probably read it in one sitting.
• Most of the action takes place at a Christmas party. In a palace.
• It's all about Christmas but there doesn't seem to be a schmaltzy moral message.
• There are a couple of babies and some small children in it - and one nearly gets eaten.
• Santa appears in it, but he isn't really Santa.
• Superheroes. Again.
• Not to mention a whole bunch of super-villains. Again all new ones and not the ones we know from Marvel or DC.

Available from Amazon and Amazon Kindle