{"id":9588,"date":"2015-05-20T13:35:05","date_gmt":"2015-05-20T18:35:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.essentialoilsage.com\/?p=9588"},"modified":"2016-11-03T02:43:09","modified_gmt":"2016-11-03T07:43:09","slug":"water-cisterns-at-the-cave-of-qumran-where-dead-sea-scrolls-found","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/essentialoilsage.com\/?p=9588","title":{"rendered":"Ancient Trade Routes – Young Living Israel Cooperative Balm of Gilead Farm"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Dead

Gary Young exploring the Frankincense Trail with the Dead Sea in the background. Image Source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

The Balm of Gilead\u00a0is described in the Old Testament as a health remedy and perfume. Today the tree is known as Commiphora gileadensis \u2013 or Gileadensis for short.<\/p>\n

In the Hebrew language it is referred to as Balsamom. The Gileadensis tree was cultivated in at least six locations prior to the Roman conquest: Jericho, Ein Feshka, Ein Gedi, Ein Boqeq (Zohar), Zoar, and a couple of plantations close to the River Jordan.<\/p>\n

\"Resin

Balm of Gilead trees produce a white, runny resin when cut or punctured. Notice the dried clumps of resin? This liquid resin is so aromatic. Gary Young’s newest oil. Image Source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

The best historical remnants can still be observed on the hills below the Ein Gedi spring, where water was channeled through terraced hillsides of Gileadensis trees and the remnants of an ancient extraction fortress can be viewed.<\/p>\n

The ancient Judean guild of Gileadensis growers and extractors protected the secrets of their guild with their lives. When the Romans conquered Judea they carried branches of the Gileadensis to Rome to show that they now controlled the prize aromatic oil from Judea. The Romans then added their touch to the cultivation and extraction of the Balm of Gilead.<\/p>\n

\"Leaflet

It’s May 2, 2015. The leaflets and coming out strong on the Balm of Gilead plants. They love the heat of Springtime near the Dead Sea where it gets between 90-100F every day. The male and female flowers are also coming out now. The shrubs grow 2-3 feet each year. Image Source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Mark Antony of Rome gave the Judean Gileadensis plantations to the Egyptian queen Cleopatra as a gift \u2013 representing her beauty and power.<\/p>\n

Source: Dr Cole Woolley PhD, March 10, 2015<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Modern

Modern Signs Along Ancient Trade Routes Image Source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

My story is not about frankincense or myrrh. My story is pieced together from threads of historical accounts and the remnants of ancient ruins along the thousand-mile Incense Trail.<\/p>\n

\"Masada\"

Overlooking Masada. Image Source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

My story is about the aromatic tree known by the native people of Oman and Yemen (the Shahra and Mahra people) as shik\u2019of (You can learn the native Shahra language and culture with books soon to be published by Ali Ahmed Al-Shahri from Salalah, Oman). The shik\u2019of tree produces small quantities of gum-resin; unfortunately not enough for caravan trading. However, the intriguing aroma of its new-growth branches was very aromatic and pleasing to the soul. Of the trees that the Queen of Sheba carries to King Solomon as presents from her kingdom, only shik\u2019of survived the dry, hot, desert climates of Judea.<\/p>\n

\"Camel

Be prepared to stop for wandering camels. Image Source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

The Judeans learned how to cultivate shik\u2019of and discovered a secret method of extracting the marvelous aroma from its new-growth branches. This extracted aroma from the shik\u2019of trees was valued as a fragrant perfume, as a potent medicine, and for anointing rulers of kingdoms.<\/p>\n

The extract of shik\u2019of became the number one export of Judea for 1500 years and brought great wealth to the kingdom. I know what your mind is questioning, \u201cI\u2019ve never heard of this shik\u2019of tree or its essential oil!\u201d Indeed you have, only by another name: The Balm of Gilead.<\/p>\n

Source: Dr Cole Woolley PhD, March 12, 2015<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Petra

The Treasury at the ancient city of Petra in Jordan. The Frankincense camel caravans from Oman stopped in Petra on the way to the Mediterranean port at Gaza. Image Source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Balm of Gilead is an essential oil that historically created great riches, was fought over by empires, has its mysterious beginnings with King Solomon, and its fabulous aroma was the prize of kings, emperors, and rulers for centuries.<\/p>\n

\"Sandstone

Dr. Woolley investigating one of the carved tombs cut into the red sandstone cliffs at Petra. Image Source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Camel caravans carrying the highly valued gum-resins of frankincense and myrrh from southern Arabia through the desert sands and mountains of the Arabian Peninsula to the wealthy city of Petra, with palaces, homes, and treasury carved into the colorful rock walls of the canyon, on its way to the Gaza port for distribution throughout Mediterranean cities.<\/p>\n

This essential oil was worth its weight in GOLD.<\/p>\n

Source: Dr Cole Woolley PhD, March 14, 2015<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Young

Guy Erlich and Dr. Woolley viewing the north greenhouse at the Young Living Israel Farm. This greenhouse contains the younger Commiphora gileadensis trees – 8000 in total. Image Source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Now forward to 2015…<\/p>\n

The Israel farm now has two large greenhouses 60m (200ft) long x 30m (100ft) wide with a vertical height of 10m (33ft). The floor and paths are covered with small, red volcanic pumice gravel.<\/p>\n

Inside the first greenhouse are\u00a0three water ponds with flowing water and aquatic plants. There are also a variety of small plants, medium-sized bushes, and large green trees. And\u00a0a small wooden building that supports training classes for schools and tourists.<\/p>\n

Everywhere you look you will find a new species of aromatic plants, bushes, and trees. The mature Gileadensis trees inside the greenhouse number 300-400\u00a0with\u00a08,000 outside.<\/p>\n

\"Gary

Gary Young knows that the deserts of Israel contain many aromatic plants – future therapeutic essential oils exclusive to Young Living. Image Source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Gary\u2019s vision was to restore the majesty of the Balm of Gilead plantations and extraction facilities that existed 2000 years ago in Jericho, Ein Bokek, Zoar, Ein Gedi, and Ein Feshka near the Dead Sea shores. This is just the start of Gary Young\u2019s vision for the future.<\/p>\n

Source: Dr Cole Woolley PhD, March 17, 2015<\/a><\/p>\n

In the second, identical greenhouse to the south\u00a0are\u00a08,000 Commiphora gileadensis (Balm of Gilead) trees. There are also\u00a0two small hothouses where new cuttings of Gileadensis and Frankincense trees are rooted during the hot summer months.<\/p>\n

\"New

Dr. Cole Woolley and Guy Erlich inspecting the 4500 young Commiphora gileadensis cutting starts prepared during the hot summer months of 2014. The “hot house” and upper sprinklers help root the small cuttings. Image Source<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Guy Erlich, the owner of the farm, usually starts 4,000-5,000 new cuttings every summer.\u00a0Most of these young Gileadensis trees are only one, two or three years old.<\/p>\n

Source: Dr Cole Woolley PhD, April 2, 2015<\/a><\/p>\n

\"Balm \"Balm<\/p>\n

The Israel Farm<\/strong><\/p>\n

From the upper plateau you can look out over the Jericho Valley from north to south. Just 5 miles north you can see the ancient city of Jericho. To the east you can see the mountains of Jordan. Looking to the southeast you will see the majestic Dead Sea. Looking directly south just 10-15 miles you can see the hills where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1940-1960. Now look back west to the beautiful mountains towering above the upper plateau \u2013 they are covered in green grasses and flowers during the cool winter and spring months.<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Now let\u2019s take a walk down to the lower plantation of Commiphora gileadensis. When these Gileadensis trees were transplanted in September 2014 from the greenhouse, they were green with small leaflets. When I visited in January 2015 the leaves had fallen but the blossoms and leaf buds were ready to sprout at the first sign of warmer weather.<\/p>\n

After 6 months all the transplanted trees are still alive and well. We have two water tanks on the upper plateau connected to drip irrigation lines watering both test plots to save water. In February 2015 we hooked up to pressurized water so we could have better irrigation control.<\/p>\n

I just spoke with Guy Erlich by Skype \u2013 he informed me that the Gileadensis blossoms are just emerging from the plantation trees. This is the first time in 1500 years that Gileadensis have bloomed on the open desert hills above the Dead Sea!<\/p>\n

These photos are from a tourist that came and visited the Young Living Cooperative Israel Farm just last week!<\/p>\n

Source: Dr Cole Woolley PhD, April 12, 2015<\/a><\/p>\n

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