Frankincense, also called Frankincense, is made from the gum-resin that flows when the trunk of Boswellia trees growing on the arid soils of Somalia is cut. This distilled resin makes it possible to obtain an essential oil widely used in perfumery to fix perfumes. Combined with other essential oils in diffusion, Frankincense essential oil helps to avoid the inconvenience linked to the smoke created by the burning of incense sticks and to create atmospheres conducive to meditation, relaxation, to work on yourself... Latin name: Boswellia carteri Birdw. Distilled part: resin
This article was updated on 29/03/2023Precautions for use
Vigilance! Frankincense essential oil is mainly used by the respiratory tract, even if other methods of administration are authorized. This essential oil is reserved for the use of adults and adolescents and should not be used by pregnant women. People with asthma and epilepsy should be sure to seek medical advice before using this essential oil.
Authorized users
Possible ways of use
Risks of use
Other precautions
Medical advice
Be sure to seek medical advice before use for people with asthma and epilepsy (epileptogenic risk at high doses).
Skin application
Frankincense essential oil is irritating to the skin, so it must be diluted to 20% in a vegetable oil before any skin application (20% essential oil with 80% vegetable oil).
Ingestion
This essential oil may present potential nephrotoxicity by ingestion, at high doses and over a long period.
In broadcast
For pregnant women and babies, the use of Frankincense essential oil is possible by atmospheric diffusion.
Allergenic components
Frankincense essential oil contains allergenic biochemical components:
- limonene (2 to 16%)
- citral (≤ 0.5%)
- linalool (≤ 0.5%)
- geraniol (≤ 0.2%)
Note: It is preferable to test the essential oil before using it (dilute a drop of essential oil in a little vegetable oil and apply it to the crook of the elbow. Wait at least 24 hours to check that it is there is no reaction).
Properties of Frankincense essential oil
Frankincense essential oil is highly concentrated in alpha-pinene, limonene, sabinene and myrcene. These different molecules give it the following main properties:
-
antidepressant +++ :
frankincense essential oil helps fight the symptoms of depression.
-
anti-infectious ++ :
frankincense essential oil contains monoterpenes which prevent the development of fungi, and Gram+ and Gram- bacteria.
-
anti-inflammatory ++ (sesquiterpene carbides):
sesquiterpene carbides, present in small quantities in Frankincense essential oil, make it possible to treat inflammation, the result of the body's immune response to an attack suffered.
-
healing ++ (α-pinene):
alpha pinene increases the repair of skin tissues by limiting contamination of the area by bacteria and inhibits inflammation to promote the scarring process. It stimulates keratinocytes, cells of the epidermis producing keratin, a protein ensuring the waterproofing and protection of the skin.
-
relaxing ++ :
frankincense essential oil has a spasmolytic, anxiolytic action and facilitates sleep.
-
expectorant, anticatarrhal ++ (α-pinene):
alpha pinene stimulates the mucin glands, it helps to thin the mucus and promote its expulsion, thus freeing the respiratory tract.
-
immunostimulant ++ :
frankincense essential oil increases the body's natural defenses and thus makes it less vulnerable to infections.
For the Meditation
Efficiency: ++++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+. In broadcast, pour the number of drops of Frankincense essential oil indicated on the instructions for your diffuser. Broadcast in blocks of 30 minutes maximum.
Use in synergy
Reserved for ages 6+. Pour the mixture of essential oils into your diffuser, respecting the number of drops indicated on the instructions and diffuse in 30-minute intervals:
- 60 drops of Green Mandarin essential oil
- 25 drops of Frankincense essential oil
- 15 drops of Basil essential oil
More details : essential oils to promote meditation.
In case of Depression
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+. Through the skin, 1 drop of Frankincense essential oil in 4 drops of vegetable oil. Apply 2 drops of this mixture to the chest + 1 drop to the inside of each wrist 2 to 3 times a day.
Incense or Neroli?
Frankincense essential oil is antidepressant and rebalances the nervous system. Its relaxing effect is ideal in cases of depression, but if you have the means, neroli essential oil is even better: 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil to apply on the inside of the wrists and on the thorax, morning and evening. Take a week's break after three weeks of use.
Use in synergy
Reserved for ages 6+. Ingest 3 to 4 drops in a little honey or vegetable oil, 1 to 3 times a day, and place 3 to 4 drops on the inside of the wrists as needed:
- 30 drops of Lemon Verbena essential oil
- 30 drops of Shelled Marjoram essential oil
- 30 drops of Yuzu essential oil
- 30 drops of Frankincense essential oil
- 6 mL of Apricot Kernel vegetable oil
Source: Baudoux, d. (2017). aromatherapy. dunod, 494.
Against the Anguish
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+. Through the skin, 3 drops of Frankincense essential oil in 5 mL of vegetable oil. Apply as a massage to the solar plexus twice a day.
Source: Couic-Marinier, F., & Touboul, A. (2017). The Living Earth guide to essential oils, 85.
Frankincense or Roman Chamomile?
Frankincense essential oil is calming and relaxing, but roman Chamomile essential oil is best for quickly calming an anxiety attack: orally, 1 pure drop under the tongue when anxiety is felt.
Use in synergy
Reserved for ages 6+. Pour the mixture of essential oils into your diffuser, respecting the number of drops indicated on the instructions and diffuse for 20 minutes, up to 3 times a day:
- 2 drops of Roman Chamomile essential oil
- 3 drops of Frankincense essential oil
- 3 drops of Myrrh essential oil
- 3 drops of Bois de Hô essential oil
- 2 drops of Ylang-Ylang essential oil
Source: Festy, D. (2018). My essential oils bible. Leduc.s, 198.
To boost the Immunity
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+. Orally, 2 drops of Frankincense essential oil on a neutral tablet twice a day.
Source: Zahalka, JP. (2017). Complete Aromatherapy Dictionary. Dolphin, 141.
Incense or Ravintsara?
Immunostimulating, Frankincense essential oil does not dethrone ravintsara essential oil to stimulate immunity: 3 drops on the wrists to breathe deeply, for prevention, once a day, during risky periods.
In case of Scar
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+. Through the skin, 1 drop of Frankincense essential oil in 4 drops of vegetable oil with a light massage on the scar, 3 times a day.
Use in synergy
Reserved for ages 6+. Apply 2 to 3 drops of the following mixture to the scar 2-3 times a day for a week:
- 10 drops of Italian Helichrysum essential oil
- 5 drops of Cistus essential oil
- 5 drops of Frankincense essential oil
- 9 mL of Rosehip vegetable oil
Source: Millet, F. (2013). The great guide to essential oils. Marabout, 114.
Incense or Italian Helichrysum?
Frankincense essential oil is healing... but italian Helichrysum essential oil is even better: through the skin, place 2 pure drops on the affected area, twice a day, until healing.
In case of' Bed sore, Bed sore, Skin ulcer
Efficiency: +++
Simple use
Reserved for ages 6+. Through the skin, 2 drops of Frankincense essential oil in 2 mL of Macadamia vegetable oil massage on and around the injured area, 3 to 5 times a day.
Frankincense or Myrrh?
Frankincense essential oil is skin regenerating, but that of Myrrh is just as useful in cases of bedsores or skin ulcers: 2 drops in 8 drops of vegetable oil massaged onto the affected area, twice a day for 7 days.
Other famous applications of Incense
Frankincense essential oil is used on many occasions, particularly linked to its antidepressant, relaxing and healing properties. For the majority ofthe following uses it will be effective, but without necessarily being the best essential oil. We therefore indicate to you the best replacement for Incense for the following different problems.
Bronchitis
Frankincense essential oil is effective, but... it is better to use eucalyptus Globulus essential oil : 1 drop in 4 drops of vegetable oil to apply to the thorax 4 times a day for 5 to 7 days.
Dry cough
Frankincense essential oil is effective, but... it is better to use cypress de Provence essential oil : 1 drop in a teaspoon of honey to melt in the mouth, 4 times a day until the cough disappears.
How to recognize a good Frankincense essential oil?
Botanical characteristics
- Latin Name: Boswellia carteri Birdw.
- Botanical family: Burseraceae
- Part used: resin
- Country of origin: Somalia.
Physical characteristics
- Density at 20°C: 0.860 to 0.892
- Refractive index at 20°C: 1.469 to 1.482
- Rotational power at 20°C: -20 to -10
- Flash point: 41
Organoleptic characteristics
- Appearance: mobile liquid
- Color: pale yellow to yellow
- Odor: woody, lemony, green, resinous.
Biochemical characteristics
- α-pinene: 30 to 58%
- sabinene: ≤ 9%
- limonene: 2 to 16%
- myrcene: 1 to 10%
The different essential oils of Frankincense
There are many frankincense essential oils, from different species of the Boswellia genus. Their composition varies widely depending on their origin, the time of harvest, the storage conditions, the method of extraction, etc. This mainly leads to organoleptic differences. Some are considered true incense, or Frankincense:
- Boswellia sacra Flueck (synonym Boswellia carteri Birdw.) originating from Yemen and Oman, rich in alpha-pinene. That from Oman would be the richest in alpha-pinene, at more than 80%.
- Boswellia sacra Flueck (Boswellia carteri Birdw.) originating from Somalia, also rich in alpha-pinene but at 30 to 60%. This is the most imported chemotype in France, and therefore the best known.
- Boswellia frereana Birdw., also from Somalia, but generally less rich in alpha-pinene.
- Boswellia rivae Engl., rich in limonene.
- Boswellia papyrifera (Caill. Ex Delile) Hochst., originally from Eritrea, Ethiopia etc. rich in octyl acetate.
Finally, there is an essential oil of Indian incense, and therefore originating from India, it is Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr., rich in alpha-thujene this time. It is considered less valuable, due to its less qualitative smell. It is therefore more affordable.
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Bibliography
Publication: Al-Yasiry, ARM, & Kiczorowska, B. (2016). Frankincense-therapeutic properties. Advances in Hygiene & Experimental Medicine/Postepy Higieny i Medycyny Doswiadczalnej, 70.
Publication: Su, S., Hua, Y., Wang, Y., Gu, W., Zhou, W., Duan, J., . . . Tang, Y. (2012). Evaluation of the anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties of individual and combined extracts from Commiphora myrrha, and Boswellia carterii. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 139(2), 649–656. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2011.12.013
Publication: Banno, N., Akihisa, T., Yasukawa, K., Tokuda, H., Tabata, K., Nakamura, Y., . . . Suzuki, T. (2006). Anti-inflammatory activities of the triterpene acids from the resin of Boswellia carteri. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 107(2), 249–253. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2006.03.006
Publication: Chevrier, MR, Ryan, AE, Lee, DY, Zhongze, M., Wu-Yan, Z., & Via, CS (2005). Boswellia carterii Extract Inhibits TH1 Cytokines and Promotes TH2 Cytokines In Vitro. Clinical and Vaccine Immunology, 12(5), 575–580. https://doi.org/10.1128/cdli.12.5.575-580.2005
Work : de la Charie, T. (2019). Treat yourself with essential oils. Why and how does it work? Editions du Rocher.
Work : Baudoux, d. (2017). aromatherapy. dunod.
Work : Festy, D. (2018). My bible of essential oils: Complete guide to aromatherapy. Leduc.s éditions.
Work : Millet, F. (2015). The great guide to essential oils. Marabout.
Work : Zahalka, J. (2017). Complete Aromatherapy Dictionary. Editions du Dauphin.
Work : Franchomme, P. (2015). The science of medicinal essential oils. Guy Trédaniel editor.
About these tips
This aromatherapy article was written by Théophane de la Charie, author of the book “Treat yourself with essential oils”, accompanied by a multidisciplinary team made up of pharmacists, biochemists and agronomists.
La Compagnie des Sens and its teams do not encourage self-medication. The information and advice provided comes from a reference bibliographic database (books, scientific publications, etc.). They are given for information purposes, or to suggest avenues for reflection: they should in no case replace a diagnosis, consultation or medical follow-up, and cannot engage the liability of the Compagnie des Sens.