Epiphany

Today is the Epiphany, the 12th day after Christmas. We've commonly heard of the story of the three wise men visiting the newborn Christ bearing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Last week a dear friend of mine who is an esthetician suggested that I try frankincense. I have two white spots, one on each eyelid. Known as xanthomas, these white spots erupted a few years ago due to hypercholesterolemia. Although my cholesterol levels are now at healthy levels (losing weight and changing my diet was the key), these spots remain. The sight of them really bothered me - they looked like two headlights glaring back at me reminding me of how I didn't take care of myself. Looking into having them removed, the insurance company treats it as a cosmetic issue. Hence the plastic surgery costs would be out of pocket. Most of my friends say they don't even notice it. I do my best to cover them up with make-up. In recent weeks, I've made peace with these spots and chalk it up as evidence of how I've lived. When my friend approached me last week about the possibility of this essential oil as a treatment, I was open to try it, but not worried about the outcome. 

I did a little research on frankincense and have learned that it has so many medicinal qualities, it has been used to treat everything from dental disease to skin conditions, to respiratory complaints and digestive troubles - to name but a few. A woman we know used it to remove a cutaneous horn that she had growing from her neck. It is not only an anti-inflammatory but is calming and an anti-depressant. 

It is no wonder that this essential oil was presented as a gift for the new baby Jesus. I've been applying it diluted in olive oil onto one of the spots and have added a drop or two into my facial cream. Although I see no difference in the spot on my eyelid, my skin is so hydrated and smooth which is saying something for this cold winter weather. I have also felt the calming effects. 

I was chuckling with some friends earlier in the week as I was telling them my frankincense story. We often joke that I'm the "church lady" - working for the church and all, but now I'm beginning to smell like church. Who would have thought that I would have my own frankincense story the week of Epiphany?

I'm cracking up over here. What I know for certain is that I am open to epiphanies or as Oprah calls them, a-ha moments.

May your day be filled with lots of divine inspiration!

Kathryn, Collage Diva

Comments

[Donnalee]

awesome...thank you for sharing! i'm going to check into this :)