What are the Uses and Benefits of Frankincense Essential Oil?

If you’re like me, you may be wondering what all the fuss is when it comes to Frankincense essential oil. What are this oils’ benefits, and how can you safely use it? What are the differences between the four types of Frankincense oil, and which one is the best one to buy?

In this post, I’ll explore the many uses and benefits of frankincense oil, and provide you with some easy starter recipes so that you can decide if this oil is right for you. Stay tuned!

What is Frankincense Oil?

Frankincense essential oil is a best-seller at many popular essential oil brands, and a well-known part of many essential oil starter kits. There’s great history and mystery to this oil.

History and Origin

Frankincense is an essential oil that has been used for centuries in religious ceremonies.

Actually, its name is derived from the French “franc encens”, which stands for “high-quality incense“.

Frankincense essential oil is made from tree resin.

Frankincense is extracted from Boswellia trees that grow tall and strong in even the harshest of desert-like conditions. The essential oil is distilled from the leaking resin of the Boswellia tree. The resin hardens naturally and is then scraped off from the tree trunk later on. This dried Frankincense resin is what the ancient peoples used as incense in their religious ceremonies; however, it can also be heated and steamed to make it into an essential oil.

Whether dried or in oil form, Frankincense is believed to have medicinal and therapeutic properties.

The Frankincense Varieties

There are 4 common types of Frankincense oil:

1. Boswellia carterii: This is the most well-known variety, growing natively in the mountains of Somalia. It is a fantastic immune support; use it to assist respiratory issues and breathing. It also restores skin cells and helps minimize the appearance of scars or mature skin. Its rich, grounding aroma inherently helps calm the mind and encourages peace.
2. Boswellia frereana: This variety is also native to Somalia, but typically grown at higher altitudes, therefore yielding a differently unique chemical composition. It is especially great for help with swelling, relieving inflammation caused by allergies, or arthritis.
3. Boswellia serrata: Old documents lead us to believe that Frankincense serrata is the type of Frankincense used in the Bible. To this day, it is often used during meditation or religious rituals calling for purification and deodorization, with its aroma being a bit sweeter and more delicate. It is a less expensive variety of Frankincense because its tree resin yields more essential oil.
4. Boswellia sacra: The finest and most expensive of all Frankincense’s, Boswellia sacra is a gem of the Middle East. Only a select few distillers have permission from the royal family of Oman to work with this special Frankincense resin. It has an especially warm and earthy scent, and is slightly green in color, therefore sometimes also called “green Frankincense”. Some believe that it has a higher energetic vibration than the other Frankincense oils. Use it to calm and encourage, to heal and protect.

Frankincense Carterii Essential Oil
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Top 10 Frankincense Essential Oil Benefits

Frankincense oil is a prized essential oil known for its extraordinary benefits in health and beauty. It has come a long way from its reputation as being used for incense purposes only. As one of the highest quality essential oils available, it is now a well-known ingredient in many beauty products.

Here is a list of the uses and benefits of Frankincense oil:

1. Moisturizes and Heals Skin

If you have sensitive skin, Frankincense essential oil is an excellent oil for you. It helps strengthen your skin’s elasticity and protects it from blemishes and dark spots.

According to Dr. Joseph Mercola of Mercola.com, Frankincense promotes cell regeneration, making your skin look young and healthy.

Hence, this is recommended for anyone who wants to tighten skin and keep that youthful glow alive!

2. Promotes Hormonal Balance

Most women tend to experience PMS and muscle cramps during their menstruation cycle. While this is not a big deal for some women, others experience severe pain to the point of being grumpy and easily irritated. Do you suffer from mood swings whenever you get your monthly visitor?

Frankincense oil can be used to balance hormones ¹. It helps increase the oxygenation of your pituitary glands, instantly giving you a peaceful and relaxed body state. Consequently, your hormones are now functioning properly, allowing positive emotions to show.

3. Treats Blemishes and Acne

Frankincense oil can successfully treat acne and helps lighten skin blemishes. It has astringent properties, which are very helpful in speeding up the healing process of acne.

It is by far one of the most popular essential oils for skin care and DIY beauty recipes.

4. Reduces Scars and Scar Tissue

When applied topically, the full benefits of Frankincense essential oil get absorbed by the skin and start helping in the regeneration of skin cells. Use it on scars, scratches, s, minor wounds and scuffs, to help your whole system heal and re-structure. Since angi-aging and skin care have become increasingly popular topics, think of Frankincense oil next time you blend a simple massage blend or pick an oil to rub into your hands for smoother texture and softer feel.

5. Relieves Body Pain and Inflammation

Do you constantly suffer from body pain, as well as inflammation? Your circulatory system may not be functioning properly. Frankincense has pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties that help heal the body at the cellular level.

Massaging the affected area with Frankincense oil can help soothe joint pain and support healing of inflammation.

6. Promotes Proper Digestion

If you have a sensitive digestive system, carry a small bottle of Frankincense (or a roll-on bottle) with you. The aromatherapy oil is good for gut health by supporting well-functioning digestive juices, and can stimulate the intestinal muscles to better move the food along.

Moreover, if you have access to Frankincense sacra (green Frankincense), that’d be the best option. Green Frankincense is the most effective ailment when it comes to severe stomach problems such as irritable bowel syndrome. However, green Frankincense is very rare and expensive, and also very sensitive to direct sunlight.

7. Improves Migraine Conditions

Frankincense essential oil can relieve pain and discomfort from heavy migraines.

Using this oil has a relaxation effect that helps relieve stress, migraine, and body pain, giving you a new source of energy that can recharge your body.

8. Supports Respiratory Issues

Frankincense essential oil has strong anti-inflammatory properties, therefore aiding anyone suffering from a stuffy nose or congested chest, whether that originates from a cold or flu or from seasonal allergies. A blend together with Lemon or other citrus oils seems to make it highly antimicrobial, fighting germs like a boss!

9. Treats Urinary Problems

Frankincense covers a lot of health problems; one of which is urinary problem. It is a safe alternative to encourage urination and assist the body to release that excess water. Moreover, it also helps in the release of sodium and other toxins inside the body, making you feel healthier overall than ever before.

10. May have Anti-Cancer Benefits

Several recent studies² mention the uses of Frankincense essential oil to prevent cancer. This notion is anchored by the fact that Beta-elemene, a cancer-fighting compound, is found in Frankincense oil. This strengthens the hope that this oil not only offers skin benefits, but may assist with serious health issues like cancer as well.

However, more research is needed as there are no conclusive reports available.

How to Use Frankincense Oil

Using precious Frankincense essential oils for skin care.

How to best use Frankincense depends on what specific health or beauty issues you want to target. Below are some typical steps:

Direct Application

Direct application is advisable for treating acne problems, cuts, wounds, as well as to lighten your skin’s blemishes. If your intent is to treat skin imperfections, then a direct application is your best choice.

• Drop a teaspoon of carrier oil (such as jojoba oil or fractionated coconut oil) into the palm of your hand.
• Add a few drops of Frankincense oil to the mix.
• Dub it gently on the affected area, then rub in a circular motion. Use your ring finger to avoid pressing too hard on the skin.
• Let your skin absorb the oil. Repeat at least twice a day.
• Enjoy the health benefits of frankincense!

Diffusing

Diffusing Frankincense essential oil can support your mental and spiritual well-being, as well as offer support for respiratory issues. The anti-inflammatory property of Frankincense oil is a great match with oregano oil, which is a proven remedy for cough and phlegm. Combine both Frankincense and Oregano in your diffuser at a 50/50 mixture for seasonal sniffles, cough, and flu.

Frankincense Essential Oils
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Blending

Many essential oils blend beautifully with Frankincense. It is an aromatherapy base note, meaning it is heavier and more solid in a blend, compared to middle or top notes.

More about best blending techniques here.

Where to Buy Frankincense Oil

Personally, I like to use a high quality Frankincense essential oil. It won’t be super cheap, but the purity and quality are worth the price.

Here are 3 places I can recommend:

• Rocky Mountain Oils: Frankincense carterii, 15 ml for $39.95
• Plant Therapy: Frankincense carterii, 10 ml for $16.99*
• Plant Therapy: Organic Frankincense carterii, 10 ml for $19.99*
• REVIVE Essential Oils: Frankincense carterii, 10 ml for $16*

* Prices at time of writing and subject to change without notice.

In Summary

There are a lot of essential oils available in the market today, and Frankincense is one of the most efficient and versatile ones. Ancient peoples used to burn Frankincense and use it as an incense, so it definitely has history and depth to it. Although most essential oils offer several advantages and health benefits, you must also take it as a personal responsibility to do your own research and proper medical assessment. This is to make sure you have no allergic reaction to it and to check whether it is safe for you to take it.

Overall, essential oils are a great addition to your emergency kit at home. Who knows? In times of emergency situation, you’d be glad you got one at your disposal.

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Resources

¹ Healthline.com
² NaturalLivingFamily.com