Frankincense Essential Oil - Benefits of Frankincense in Aromatherapy

The frankincense tree (genus Boswellia) is a small, often shrub-like, perennial that grows in dry, arid conditions. When you cut the tree's bark, a milk-like sap flows out. This sap forms droplets known as 'tears' or 'pearls' that harden into the orange-brown gum known as frankincense resin. The resin is scraped off the tree for uses that include incense and essential oil. The resin is steam-distilled to create frankincense essential oil.

Frankincense history dates back thousands of years, with both spiritual and medicinal uses. It is considered the "holy anointing oil" in the Middle East. The ancient Chinese used frankincense as a treatment for a range of ailments. The Ebers Papyrus, one of the oldest known medical records from the sixteenth century B.C., mentions frankincense oil. The ancient Egyptians listed the oil on hundreds of prescriptions and recipes.

Ancient frankincense (also known as olibanum) was sought after by kings and valued as highly as gold. Today, frankincense is still used worldwide for both its ceremonial and medicinal benefits.

The various types of frankincense include Boswellia carterii and Boswellia frereana from Ethiopia, Somalia, and Oman; Boswellia thurifera from Somalia and India; Boswellia papyrifera from Ethiopia, East Africa, and the Sudan; Boswellia serrata (also known as Indian frankincense or Salaigugal); and Boswellia sacra (also called hojary, hojari, houjari, hogary, hawjari, hawjeri), which grows wild in inland Arabia.

Note: Boswellia carterii is the most common type of frankincense oil available. Because frankincense essential oil is expensive, it is often adulterated or diluted. Make sure you buy only pure, high-quality essential oils from a trusted source.

Photo Credit: Frankincense Trees in Oman by Eckhard Pecher. For more general essential oil information, download my free aromatherapy ebook.