What is Frankincense Oil?
The Boswellia genus consists of flowering trees and shrubs. These plants grow throughout Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. They produce a fragrant resin known as frankincense. Although all varieties of frankincense have a similar scent, there are some differences. Boswellia serrata trees produce more resin. You can find oil made from that species here. Boswellia carterii, which we use to extract this oil, has a scent that is stronger and more immediately recognizable as frankincense. Each variety has its benefits, so you can choose your favorite or purchase both.
Frankincense was named from the Old French description “franc encens.” This means “pure (high-quality) incense.” The biggest association people have with this resin is its Biblical significance as one of the gifts given to baby Jesus by the three wise men. Before this, the Babylonians and Ancient Egyptians used frankincense oil as an anointing oil for religious purification.
To collect frankincense resin from Boswellia carterii trees, incisions are cut into the bark during the dry season. The gum resin will then flow out of the tree. For a few weeks, it is left to solidify and then is scraped off and collected. From this we use steam distillation to extract the oil by placing the frankincense in a vat and injecting steam into it. As a result, the scent compounds in the resin vaporize. We then collect, condense, and purify them to obtain our 100% pure essential oil.
Complementary Scents
If you want to bring out the slight sweetness of frankincense oil, try pairing it with a floral aroma such as lavender, ylang ylang, or rose oil. The spiciness of frankincense also makes a great contrast for citrus essential oils including orange, bergamot, grapefruit, and lemon. If you are mainly interested in the spiritual properties of frankincense oil, clary sage is a great choice for a purifying blend.
Primary Benefits
Perhaps the most well-known benefit of frankincense oil is its spiritual and religious significance. Because of this history, it is an excellent essential oil for cleansing and clearing your energy and improving the atmosphere of your home or other space. Diffusing this oil during meditation can also help you focus and gain clarity. You can also dilute it with a carrier oil to create an anointing blend to use whenever you are in need of spiritual purification.
This essential oil can also be used for aromatherapy beyond its religious connotations. The scent is incredibly soothing and is a great choice to diffuse when you need to relax after a long day. Adding it to your bath is another way you can enjoy its calming benefits. Always mix pure essential oils such as frankincense with a carrier oil before adding them to your bath. Since oil and water don’t mix, the oil will group together on the surface, so it needs to be properly diluted. Adding bath salts can also help the oil mix into the water more effectively since the salt acts as a natural emulsifier.
Additionally, our Boswellia carterii essential oil has many cosmetic benefits. You can dilute it in a carrier oil or add a few drops to an unscented lotion and use it in your skin care routine. The oil has astringent properties which help it to reduce the appearance of wrinkles, discolorations, and other skin imperfections. It can also help to tighten your pores and reduce any redness.
How to Use Frankincense Essential Oil
If you are diffusing frankincense oil, follow the instructions for your specific model of diffuser. Do not add too much oil or keep the diffuser running for more than a few hours at a time. This can lead to an overwhelming scent or overexposure to the oil, which can cause headaches.
To use Boswellia carterii or any other pure essential oil topically, you need to dilute it with a carrier oil first. We recommend jojoba oil, coconut oil, or refined olive oil. Three drops of oil in one teaspoon of carrier oil is usually an ideal dilution, although you may choose to use less of the essential oil if you have sensitive skin. For any facial application, start with three drops of essential oil in four teaspoons of carrier oil and only add more when you are sure you do not have any adverse reactions.
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