Frankincense

Other Name(s):

Boswellia carterii; Boswellia neglecta; Boswellia serrata; Boswellia sacra; Olibanum

Boswellia varieties are native to North Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and India.

Benefits: Why is Frankincense used?

Warm Fragrance

Frankincense has a woody, fruity scent, frequently used in aromatherapy but also in personal care products.

Natural Anti-Inflammatory

Frankincense has natural anti-inflammatory properties which may help ease the symptoms of arthritis.

Supports the Gut

Frankincense may offer support in the case of digestive issues such as colitis.

Oral Care

Frankincense mayb help prevent bad breath, mout ulcers and sores.

Learn more about Frankincense:

On the Shelf: Which Products Use Frankincense?

Frankincense can be found as a single-ingredient product in resin and essential oil forms. But it’s also used as a fragrance in many skin care products from moisturisers, serums, toners, soaps and more.

Production: How is Frankincense Made?

Frankincense is harvested from trees by tapping into the sap. Once the sap dries and hardens to seal the tap, it is broken off. These resins can then be further refined into essential oils by steam distillation.

Interesting Fact: Frankincense

Research into Frankincense has shown promising results for its use in therapeutic interventions for certain types of cancer but much more research must still be performed to determine long-term safety, potential efficacy, and risks.

The terpene composition of Frankincense essential oil depends heavily on the specific variety from which it was distilled, as well as the soil conditions to which the plant was exposed.

Dominant terpenes range from alpha-pinene to limonene and as such, it's important to perform a patch test for each Frankincense product you use.