Frankincense Essential Oil
Boswellia serrata
Description
Country of Origin: India
Extraction Method: Distilled
Part Used: Resin
Notes: Base
Chemical Family: Monoterpene
Description
Frankincense is an ancient oil, with many historic, ceremonial, and religious uses. The long and significant connection of Frankincense to many cultures throughout history can help its users of today feel more akin to the peoples of the past. The scent of Frankincense could be described as forest-like, earthy, or musky.
Frankincense essential oil has many beneficial uses. It can be diffused to inspire feelings of peace and calm, inspiring a tranquil, stress-free atmosphere. When used topically, it can help rejuvenate, enhance, and beautify the skin. Frankincense has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory activity which makes it potentially useful for reducing pain associated with excessive inflammation. It is also suggested that Frankincense may be useful for autoimmune diseases such as bronchial asthma, Crohn’s Disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and ulcerative colitis, among others.
Properties
Analgesic
Antidepressant
Anti-Inflammatory
Antiseptic
Astringent
Cicatrisant
Disinfectant
Diuretic
Expectorant
Sedative
Health Benefits
- Aging Skin: Apply topically to renew and enliven dry skin and reduce the appearance of wrinkles.
- Anxiety and Stress: Calms nervous agitation and reduces stress.
- Arthritis & Rheumatism: Apply topically to location.
- Chest Congestion: Apply topically to the chest to enjoy this oil’s expectorant quality.
- Digestive Aid: Indigestion, IBS
- Edema: Useful for reducing water retention.
- Immune: Promotes a healthy immune system.
- Inflammation: Promotes a healthy inflammatory response.
- Menstrual Support: Mood swings, estrogen production.
- Oral Health: Hygiene, tooth decay, may be used to fight halitosis.
- Relaxation: Instills feelings of relaxation and calm.
- Respiratory Health: Bronchitis, asthma
- Skin: Rejuvenates skin; scars, stretch marks, inflammation, dryness
- Tonic: To body systems.
Available Sizes & Bottle Styles
- The Aromatherapy Style Bottles come in 5ml, 10ml, and 30ml sizes and is 100% pure & potent therapeutic grade essential oil.
- Our Ready-to-Go Roll-on Style Bottle comes in a 10ml size and is made of 100% pure & potent therapeutic grade essential oil expertly mixed with a high-quality carrier oil to make these roll-ons ready to use on-the-go with the ideal balance of aroma, potency & safety.
Suggested Uses
TOPICALLY:
Apply 1-2 diluted drops to improve appearance of
Add to skin or skin care products
Apply 1-2 diluted drops to healing cuts or skin irritations to cleanse and help reduce appearance of scars
Apply to the abdomen, back or other area of body to balance mood
AROMATIC:
Add 8-10 drops to a diffuser
Add a drop to palms of hands, cover nose and mouth and inhale
Add to water in spray bottle to freshen air
Smell directly from bottle
INTERNALLY: (see internal use safety recommendations)
Dilute with carrier oil & add to cold or hot beverage to benefit body systems
Add 1-10 diluted drops to capsule
Safety
Cautions: Can cause skin sensitization if oil is oxidized
Our Recommendations: If pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have liver or kidney disfunction, consult your physician before use. Avoid eyes, mucous membranes, and sensitive skin. Keep out of reach of children.
Although most people are not sensitive to Frankincense, it is advisable to test a small area first. If sensitivity occurs, use a carrier oil to dilute. If applying an essential oil to your skin always perform a small patch test to an insensitive part of the body (If it is not already diluted, dilute with a carrier oil).
Store in a covered or dark, airtight container in the refrigerator or cool area for longest shelf life.
GC/MS
Research
Antifungal
Boswellia Carterii shown to have antifungal activity.
- Camarda, L., Dayton, T., Di Stefano, V., Pitonzo, R. and Schillaci, D. (2007) Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of some oleogum resin essential oils from Boswellia species (Burseraceae). Annali di Chimica 97, 9, 837-844.
Anti-Inflammatory
Hirota et al. (2010) noted that d-limonene, a major component in some Frankincense essential oils, has considerable anti-inflammatory activity—it decreases cell migration and cytokine release and shows excellent antioxidant activity.
- Hirota, R., Roger, N.N., Nakamura, H., Song, H.-S., Sawamura, M., and Suganuma, N. (2010) Anti-inflammatory effects of limonene from yuzu (Citrus junos Tanaka) essential oil on eosinophils. Journal of Food Science 75, 87-92.
Frankincense is used in traditional medicine for its anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic effects.
- Hussain, H. Al-Harrasi, A., Al-Rawahi, A. and Hussain, J. (2014) Chemistry and biology of essential oils of genus Boswellia. Evidence Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine doi: 10.1155/2013/140509.
Antioxidant
Hirota et al. (2010) noted that d-limonene, a major component in some Frankincense essential oils, has considerable anti-inflammatory activity—it decreases cell migration and cytokine release and shows excellent antioxidant activity.
- Hirota, R., Roger, N.N., Nakamura, H., Song, H.-S., Sawamura, M., and Suganuma, N. (2010) Anti-inflammatory effects of limonene from yuzu (Citrus junos Tanaka) essential oil on eosinophils. Journal of Food Science 75, 87-92.
Yang et al. (2010) reported that Frankincense oil has considerable free radical scavenging action. See also anti-inflammatory.
- Yang, S.-A., Jeon, S.-K., Lee, E.-J., Shim, E.-H. and Lee, I.-S. (2010) Comparative study of the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of six essential oils and their components. Natural Products Research 24, 140-151.
