Frankincense Oil

Safety first. Essential oils are strong and should not be swallowed. Poison Control says many can cause rashes on skin and some are poisonous if swallowed or absorbed, and children may be more susceptible than adults. [1] If someone has swallowed an essential oil, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222; call 911 for collapse, a seizure or trouble breathing. [1] Keep bottles locked away from children and pets. [1] General guidance is on the essential oil safety page.

What frankincense oil is

Frankincense oil is an essential oil from the resin of Boswellia trees. The resin is described in the research as an oleo-gum resin that holds volatile oils and boswellic acids. [2] An essential oil is not the same thing as the resin itself, a resin extract capsule, or a cream, and results from one do not carry over to another. For resin extract supplements, see the Boswellia herb profile.

Which plant? Names and look-alike labels

"Frankincense" covers several species in the family Burseraceae. GBIF, the plant-name database, accepts Boswellia sacra Flück., Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr., Boswellia papyrifera (Delile) Hochst. and Boswellia frereana Birdw. as separate species; the spelling Boswellia carteri (often written carterii) is listed as a synonym of B. sacra. [3] Chemists can tell three of these resins apart by marker compounds, which shows they are not identical. [4] A study that used one species cannot be assumed to apply to another, so a label that names the species and plant part is more informative than one that says only "frankincense". See reading an essential oil label.

Traditional and cultural use

Reviews describe frankincense resin as used in medicine, religious practice, cosmetics and perfumery, and as widely used in traditional medicine. [5] [2] These uses are part of living traditions in several regions, and this page does not describe ceremonies. Ayurvedic use of B. serrata resin has its own page: Boswellia (Shallaki) in Ayurveda. Tradition is a record of use, not proof that the oil works.

What research shows (by use)

Most human studies mix frankincense with other oils, so the effect of frankincense alone cannot be separated out. Smell-based trials are also hard to blind, and many measure self-reported feelings. NCCIH notes that for aromatherapy and insomnia little rigorous research has been done. [6]

Proper evidence not found for frankincense oil on its own for arthritis, cancer, memory or immune health. We searched PubMed on 2026-10-23 for Boswellia with "essential oil" limited to clinical trials and the search returned no records. [11] Any claim that the oil treats these conditions is a marketing claim, and the FDA says claims to treat or prevent disease or relieve pain, anxiety or sleep problems are drug claims. [12]

Quality and adulteration

Poison Control notes it can be hard to know the plant species, concentration or contaminants in an essential oil bottle. [1] A review of Indian frankincense found demand far exceeding what can reasonably be harvested without endangering populations, "opening the door to adulteration and substitution". [5] See quality testing.

Conservation

Some frankincense trees are under pressure. Continuous tapping of B. papyrifera without resting years made trees more vulnerable to longhorn beetle damage in northern Ethiopia. [15] Boswellia ogadensis was listed as Critically Endangered in 2018, although a 2022 survey found it more abundant than thought. [16] Reviewers say sustainable harvesting and supply chains are needed. [5] See sustainability of oil source plants. Frankincense is often named with myrrh; myrrh has its own page: myrrh oil.