Frankincense Oil: The Evidence-Based Guide

Frankincense has been prized for thousands of years—burned in temples, used in religious ceremonies, and valued as medicine across ancient cultures. This rich history, combined with modern marketing, has created extraordinary claims about frankincense essential oil.

Here's the uncomfortable truth: most "frankincense research" you see cited actually studied boswellic acids in oral supplements, not the essential oil. Boswellic acids are not present in frankincense essential oil. This distinction matters enormously.

This guide separates what we actually know about frankincense essential oil from what's been incorrectly extrapolated from unrelated research.

What Is Frankincense Oil?

Frankincense essential oil is steam-distilled from the resin of Boswellia trees. When the bark is cut, the tree produces a milky-white resin that hardens into "tears"—these are steam-distilled to produce the essential oil.

Common Boswellia Species

Different species have different chemical profiles, though all produce oils with similar general characteristics.

Key Chemical Components

Notice what's missing: Boswellic acids (AKBA, KBA, etc.) are not listed because they're not volatile—they don't evaporate and aren't captured in steam distillation.

The Evidence Reality Check

What Research on Boswellic Acids Shows (NOT Essential Oil)

For context, here's what oral boswellia supplements have shown:

• Osteoarthritis: Several trials show reduced pain and improved function with oral boswellia extract
• Inflammatory bowel disease: Some positive results for ulcerative colitis
• Asthma: Limited evidence for reduced symptoms

Important: These studies used oral supplements with standardized boswellic acid content, typically 100-400mg of extract daily. They have nothing to do with inhaling or applying frankincense essential oil.

What Research on Frankincense Essential Oil Shows

The honest answer: very little.

Anxiety/Mood

• Suh et al. (2017): Small study found frankincense and bergamot blend massage reduced anxiety in hospice patients. However, massage itself reduces anxiety, and the blend makes it impossible to attribute effects to frankincense specifically.

• General aromatherapy studies suggest pleasant scents improve mood, but frankincense-specific evidence is limited.

Incensole Acetate Research

Incensole acetate, a compound found in frankincense resin (and in trace amounts in some essential oils), has shown interesting effects in animal studies:

• Moussaieff et al. (2008): Incensole acetate activated ion channels associated with reduced anxiety and antidepressant effects in mice.

Limitations: This was a mouse study using isolated compounds, not essential oil inhalation in humans. The amounts of incensole acetate in most frankincense essential oils are too low to extrapolate these effects.

Antimicrobial

• Some in vitro activity against bacteria and fungi
• No clinical studies demonstrating infection-fighting ability in humans
• Standard limitation: lab dishes ≠ human bodies

Cancer Claims

Let's be direct: frankincense essential oil has not been shown to treat cancer in any clinical study.

• Some lab studies show frankincense compounds (including boswellic acids, not present in essential oil) affect cancer cells in petri dishes
• Lab studies on isolated cells don't translate to treating cancer in humans
• No clinical trials support using frankincense essential oil for cancer
• These claims are irresponsible when made by sellers

Honest Summary of Essential Oil Evidence

Why the Confusion Exists

Understanding why frankincense claims are so inflated helps you evaluate them:

1. Conflation of resin and oil: Research on oral boswellia supplements gets attributed to the essential oil

2. In vitro extrapolation: Lab studies on cells get presented as "frankincense kills cancer"

3. Traditional use as evidence: Thousands of years of use proves safety and pleasant qualities, not efficacy for modern medical claims

4. Marketing incentives: Frankincense is expensive; dramatic claims justify premium prices

5. Genuine historical significance: The oil's sacred history creates emotional investment in believing it's special

Appropriate Uses for Frankincense Oil

Despite the limited evidence, frankincense oil has legitimate uses—just not the miraculous ones often claimed.

Meditation and Contemplative Practice

Frankincense has been used in spiritual practices for millennia. This is where it truly belongs:

• Creates contemplative atmosphere
• Scent associations with sacred spaces
• Grounding, centering aroma
• Part of meaningful ritual

You don't need clinical trials to validate using frankincense for meditation—it's about personal meaning and experience.

General Aromatherapy

• Pleasant, complex, warm-balsamic scent
• Blends well with citrus, other resins, florals
• Creates warm, sophisticated atmosphere
• May promote relaxation through pleasant scent (like any enjoyed aroma)

Skincare (Traditional Use)

Traditional use suggests frankincense for:

• Mature skin
• Minor blemishes
• General skin conditioning

Evidence: Anecdotal and traditional only. If you enjoy it and tolerate it well, there's no reason not to include it in skincare blends. Just maintain realistic expectations.

How to Use Frankincense Oil

For Meditation/Spiritual Practice

Diffuser

• 3-5 drops in water diffuser
• Run during meditation or contemplative time
• Creates atmospheric, grounding space

Direct Inhalation

• 1-2 drops on palms, rub together
• Cup hands over nose (not touching face)
• Inhale deeply during centering practice

Resin Burning (Traditional)

• Burn frankincense resin on charcoal
• More traditional than essential oil
• Different experience—actual smoke

For General Aromatherapy

Diffuser Blends

Grounding Blend

• 3 drops frankincense
• 2 drops cedarwood
• 2 drops orange

Contemplative Blend

• 3 drops frankincense
• 2 drops lavender
• 1 drop sandalwood (if available)

Uplifting Blend

• 2 drops frankincense
• 3 drops lemon
• 2 drops peppermint

For Skincare

Dilution: 1-2% (3-6 drops per tablespoon carrier oil)

Facial Oil

• 3 drops frankincense
• 1 tablespoon jojoba or rosehip oil
• Apply sparingly to face after cleansing
• Use evening only if using during day with sun exposure

Body Oil

• 10-15 drops frankincense
• 2 tablespoons carrier oil
• Apply after shower

Note: Without clinical evidence for skin benefits, use frankincense in skincare because you enjoy it, not expecting specific therapeutic results.

Safety Profile

Good news: frankincense is one of the safer essential oils.

General Safety

• Skin: Low irritation and sensitization potential
• Inhalation: Generally well-tolerated
• Toxicity: Low concern at normal dilutions
• Phototoxicity: None

Dilution Guidelines

Contraindications

Few absolute contraindications, but use caution with:

• Pregnancy: Limited safety data; some sources advise caution in first trimester
• Blood thinners: Theoretical concern about anticoagulant effects (based on oral boswellia research, unclear if applies to essential oil)
• Surgery: Discontinue 2 weeks before scheduled surgery (general essential oil precaution)

Drug Interactions

Less concern than with many essential oils. Theoretical interactions based on oral boswellia research may not apply to essential oil. If taking medications, general caution is appropriate.

Quality Considerations

What to Look For

Label Requirements:

• Species name (B. carterii, B. sacra, etc.)
• Country of origin
• Extraction method: Steam distillation (or CO2 extraction)
• Part used: Resin/gum

Quality Indicators:

• Complex, warm-balsamic aroma with slight citrus/pine notes
• Clear to pale yellow color
• Thin consistency
• GC/MS testing available

Species Selection

For general use, B. carterii offers good quality at reasonable prices. B. sacra is prized by connoisseurs but the aromatherapy benefits don't justify the premium unless you particularly value it.

CO2 Extraction

Some frankincense is CO2 extracted rather than steam-distilled. CO2 extracts:

• Capture more of the resin's profile
• May contain trace boswellic acids (still minimal)
• Often richer, more complex aroma
• Higher price

CO2 extracts are worth exploring if you enjoy frankincense, though the therapeutic significance is unclear.

Red Flags

• Very low prices (quality frankincense resin is expensive)
• Generic "frankincense" without species
• Claims about boswellic acid content in essential oil
• Dramatic therapeutic claims
• No testing documentation

Storage

• Dark glass bottle
• Cool location
• Tightly sealed
• Shelf life: 4-6 years (one of the longer-lasting oils)
• Resinous oils generally stable

The Sustainability Question

Frankincense faces sustainability challenges worth knowing:

• Over-tapping: Trees are often tapped too frequently, affecting health
• Climate stress: Drought and environmental changes affect tree populations
• Market pressure: High demand drives unsustainable harvesting

Consider:

• Buying from suppliers with sustainability commitments
• Using frankincense mindfully rather than wastefully
• Being willing to pay fair prices that support sustainable harvesting

Realistic Expectations

What Frankincense Oil Can Do

• Provide pleasant, complex aromatherapy experience
• Create atmosphere for meditation and contemplation
• Offer enjoyable addition to skincare routines
• Blend beautifully with other oils
• Connect you to ancient tradition and ritual

What Frankincense Oil Cannot Do

• Treat cancer or any disease
• Replace anti-inflammatory medications
• Provide the benefits shown in oral boswellia supplement research
• Live up to miraculous marketing claims
• Work better than other pleasant essential oils for anxiety/mood

The Value of Honest Assessment

Being honest about frankincense's limitations doesn't diminish its genuine value:

• Its scent is beautiful and unique
• Its historical significance is real
• Its use in contemplative practice is meaningful
• Its safety profile is excellent
• Its blending properties are valuable

You can appreciate frankincense for what it actually is rather than needing it to be a miracle medicine.

The Bottom Line

Frankincense essential oil is a beautiful, safe, historically significant oil that's been dramatically over-promised by modern marketing. The research on boswellic acids (oral supplements) doesn't apply to the essential oil, and frankincense-specific essential oil research is very limited.

Key takeaways:

1. Boswellic acids are NOT in essential oil: This is the critical fact most sources get wrong
2. Limited clinical evidence: Research on the essential oil specifically is weak
3. Best uses: Meditation, contemplation, pleasant aromatherapy, skincare enjoyment
4. Safety: Generally one of the safer essential oils
5. Honest value: Appreciate it for its genuine qualities, not unsupported claims

Use frankincense because you love its scent, value its contemplative qualities, or enjoy its traditional significance—not because you expect it to treat diseases or provide anti-inflammatory benefits that require oral boswellia supplements, not essential oil.

References

1. Moussaieff, A., Rimmerman, N., Bregman, T., et al. (2008). Incensole acetate, an incense component, elicits psychoactivity by activating TRPV3 channels in the brain. FASEB Journal, 22(8), 3024-3034.

2. Suh, H. W., Song, D. K., Huh, S. O., et al. (2017). The effect of aromatherapy massage on anxiety and depression in patients with cancer. Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing, 47(6), 843-852.

3. Mathe, C., Culioli, G., Archier, P., & Vieillescazes, C. (2004). Characterization of archaeological frankincense by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography A, 1023(2), 277-285.

4. Hamidpour, R., Hamidpour, S., Hamidpour, M., & Shahlari, M. (2013). Frankincense (乳香 Rǔ Xiāng; Boswellia Species): From the Selection of Traditional Applications to the Novel Phytotherapy. Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, 3(4), 221-226.

5. Al-Yasiry, A. R., & Kiczorowska, B. (2016). Frankincense—therapeutic properties. Advances in Hygiene and Experimental Medicine, 70, 380-391.

6. Abdel-Tawab, M., Werz, O., & Schubert-Zsilavecz, M. (2011). Boswellia serrata: An overall assessment of in vitro, preclinical, pharmacokinetic and clinical data. Clinical Pharmacokinetics, 50(6), 349-369.

7. Büchele, B., Zugmaier, W., & Simmet, T. (2003). Analysis of pentacyclic triterpenic acids from frankincense gum resins and related phytopharmaceuticals by high-performance liquid chromatography. Journal of Chromatography B, 791(1-2), 21-30.

8. Frank, M. B., Yang, Q., Osban, J., et al. (2009). Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 9(1), 6.

9. DeCarlo, A., Johnson, S., Poudel, A., et al. (2019). Chemical variation in essential oils from the oleo-gum resin of Boswellia carteri. Natural Product Communications, 14(6).

10. Woolley, C. L., Suhail, M. M., Smith, B. L., et al. (2012). Chemical differentiation of Boswellia sacra and Boswellia carterii essential oils by gas chromatography and chiral gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Journal of Chromatography A, 1261, 158-163.

11. Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety: A Guide for Health Care Professionals (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone.

12. Bongers, F., Groenendijk, P., Bekele, T., et al. (2019). Frankincense in peril. Nature Sustainability, 2, 602-610.