Frankincense (Frankincense carteri) Essential Oil (Boswellia sacra)
Overview
Frankincense may also be referred to as Incense, Bible frankincense, Boswellia carterii, Olibanum tree, Sacred Frankincense™, Frankincense Sacred (Sacra). It is typically processed in South Arabia using steam or hydro distillation as a method for extracting oil from the gum/resin.
Summary
Frankincense (or olibanum) oil comes from the resin (dried sap) of the Boswellia sacra (also known as Boswellia carterii) tree that has been used and valued since ancient times for its medicinal, cosmetic, aromatic and spiritual applications. In Christianity, Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh were the gifts given to the baby Jesus by the three wise men. It has an sweet, woody, spicy scent. It has an antiseptic and uplifting effect. There are several species and varieties of Frankincense trees, each producing a slightly different type of resin and essential oil. Differences in soil and climate create even more diversity of the resin, even within the same species. In general all Frankincense essential oils have many, many benefits to offer. It is wonderful for the skin. This essential oil is both cicatrisant and cytophylactic. It is skin healing and effective on boils, acne and scarring on the skin as well as to assist stretch marks to fade. Being cytophlactic, it promotes the regeneration of healthy cells and keeps the existing cells and tissues healthy. Also effective as an antiseptic on wounds and cuts. Try using it in a facial cream for wrinkles too. Great for digestive issues. Frankincense speeds up the secretion of digestive juices and facilitates peristaltic motion. It is also a carminative giving relief from gas and indigestion. Frankincense is a powerful expectorant and very effective for respiratory issues such as colds, flu, asthma, and other lung issues. Relieves bronchitis and congestion.

Essential Facts
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Aroma Description:
Balsamic
Earthy
Exotic
Fresh
Resinous
Rich
Slightly citrus
Slightly musky
Warm
- Common Name(s): Incense, Bible frankincense, Boswellia carterii, Olibanum tree, Sacred Frankincense™, Frankincense Sacred (Sacra)
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Synonyms(s) for Boswellia sacra: Boswellia bhaw-dajiana, Boswellia bhaw-dajiana serrulata, Boswellia carteri, Boswellia carteri undulato-crenata, Boswellia undulato-crenata
- Botanical Family: Burseraceae
- Botanical Genus: Boswellia
- Chemical Family: Monoterpenes
- Major Compounds: a-Pinene a-Phellandrene (+)-Limonene B-Myrcene B-Pinene B-Caryophyllene p-Cymene Terpinen-4-ol Verbenone Sabinene Linalool, a-Phellandrene, (+)-Limonene, B-Myrcene, B-Pinene, B-Caryophyllene, p-Cymene, Terpinen-4-ol, Verbenone, Sabinene, Linalool
- Perfumery Note: Base
- Consistency: Thin
- Strength of Initial Aroma: Mild - Medium
- Color: Light to golden yellow
- Countries of Production: South Arabia
- Indigenous Country: Somalia, Yemen (Hadramaut and Mahrah) and Oman (Dhofar)
- Cultivation: Wild Harvested
- Processing Methods: Steam or Hydro Distillation
- Part Typically Used: Gum/Resin
- Shelf Life: 3 - 4 years
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Ethically and sustainably sourced
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Vegan
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Considered safe when pregnant or nursing
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Not recommend or safe for children
Essential Details
Benefits & Uses
May be benefitial for addressing the following ailments:
Aches
Chills
Colds
Menstruation : Excess ( Menorrhagia )
Menstruation : Lack of Periods (Amenorrhea)
Scar Tissue
Sinusitis
Skin : All types
Skin : Mature
Stretch Marks
Sun Burn : Mild
Therapeutic Benefits of Frankincense:
Analgesic
Anti-anxiety
Anti-arthritic
Anti-asthmatic
Anti-cancer
Anti-depressant
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-microbial
Anti-rheumatic
Anti-septic
Anti-spasmodic
Astringent
Calming
Carminative
Cicatrisant
Decongestant
Digestive tonic
Diuretic
Emmenagogic
Expectorant
Immune support
Relaxant
Sedative
Tonic
Uterine tonic
Wound healing
Other Uses for Frankincense:
Blends
Frankincense Blends:
Amyris
Angelica Root
Balsam Copaiba
Black Spruce
Eucalyptus
Grapefruit
Ho Wood
Ponderosa Pine Cone
Sitka Spruce
Cautions & Safety
Cautions when using Frankincense:
Safety Precautions for Frankincense:
Energetic, Spiritual, and Emotional Qualities
Energetics and Chakras Qualites of Frankincense:
1st Chakra - Survival and Support
6th Chakra - Perspective
7th Chakra - Higher Information
Balancing
Clarity
Expansive
Grounding
Meditative
Protective
Purifying
Source Energy
Uplifting
Articles
Frankincense Articles or Publications:
- PubMed: Analgesic effects of crude extracts and fractions of Omani frankincense obtained from traditional medicinal plant Boswellia sacra on animal models.
- PubMed: Differential effects of selective frankincense (Ru Xiang) essential oil versus non-selective sandalwood (Tan Xiang) essential oil on cultured bladder cancer cells: a microarray and bioinformatics study.
- PubMed: Oral herbal therapies for treating osteoarthritis.
- PubMed: Transdermal microemulsions of Boswellia carterii Bird: formulation, characterization and in vivo evaluation of anti-inflammatory activity.
- PubMed: Systematic review: the efficacy of herbal therapy in inflammatory bowel disease.
- PubMed: [Change in dissolution of chemical components of frankincense-myrrh before and after their compatibility and effect on no release of LPS-induced macrophage cells].
- PubMed: A-90 Day Gavage Safety Assessment of Boswellia serrata in Rats.
- PubMed: Parameters optimization of supercritical fluid-CO2 extracts of frankincense using response surface methodology and its pharmacodynamics effects.
- PubMed: Frankincense essential oil prepared from hydrodistillation of Boswellia sacra gum resins induces human pancreatic cancer cell death in cultures and in a xenograft murine model.
- PubMed: Preparation and characterization of solid lipid nanoparticles loaded with frankincense and myrrh oil.
- PubMed: Boswellia serrata, a potential antiinflammatory agent: an overview.
- PubMed: Composition and antibacterial activity of the essential oils of four commercial grades of Omani luban, the oleo-gum resin of Boswellia sacra FLUECK.
- PubMed: The additive and synergistic antimicrobial effects of select frankincense and myrrh oils--a combination from the pharaonic pharmacopoeia.
- PubMed: Boswellia sacra essential oil induces tumor cell-specific apoptosis and suppresses tumor aggressiveness in cultured human breast cancer cells.
- PubMed: [GC-MS analysis of volatile oil of olibanum].
- PubMed: Cellular and molecular mechanisms of anti-inflammatory effect of Aflapin: a novel Boswellia serrata extract.
- PubMed: Mutagenicity evaluation with Ames test of hydro-alcoholic solution of terpenes.
- PubMed: Comparative study of the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of six essential oils and their components.
- PubMed: Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity.
- PubMed: In vitro anti-biofilm activity of Boswellia spp. oleogum resin essential oils.
- PubMed: [Gold, frankincense and myrrh].
- PubMed: Phytochemical analysis of the essential oil from botanically certified oleogum resin of Boswellia sacra (Omani Luban).
- PubMed: [Effects of aroma hand massage on pain, state anxiety and depression in hospice patients with terminal cancer].
- PubMed: Potential of biologically active plant oils to control mosquito larvae (Culex pipiens, Diptera: Culicidae) from an Egyptian locality.
- PubMed: Bioactive constituents of myrrh and frankincense, two simultaneously prescribed gum resins in chinese traditional medicine.
- PubMed: Evaluation of the bio-efficacy of three brands of repellents against wild populations of anthropophilic mosquitoes.
- PubMed: Boswellic acids: A leukotriene inhibitor also effective through topical application in inflammatory disorders.
- PubMed: A review of complementary and alternative approaches to immunomodulation.
- PubMed: Aromatic plants, spirituality, and sacred traditions.
- PubMed: Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of some oleogum resin essential oils from Boswellia spp. (Burseraceae).
- PubMed: Nutraceuticals in the management of osteoarthritis.
- PubMed: Chemical study of triterpenoid resinous materials in archaeological findings by means of direct exposure electron ionisation mass spectrometry and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.
- PubMed: Effect of Boswellia serrata on intestinal motility in rodents: inhibition of diarrhoea without constipation.
- PubMed: Boswellia carterii extract inhibits TH1 cytokines and promotes TH2 cytokines in vitro.
- PubMed: Aromatic components of the leaves of the New Zealand lemonwood tree Pittosporum eugenioides.
- PubMed: [Study on the detecting methods of the imported materia medica--olibanum].
- PubMed: Chemistry and immunomodulatory activity of frankincense oil.
- PubMed: Respiratory and allergic diseases: from upper respiratory tract infections to asthma.
- PubMed: Behavioral effects of plant-derived essential oils in the geller type conflict test in mice.
- PubMed: The essential oil of olibanum.
- PubMed: Pharmacology of an extract of salai guggal ex-Boswellia serrata, a new non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent.