Benefits & Uses Frankincense Essential Oil

Overview of Frankincense Oil

Looking for a higher calling? Deepen your spirituality with the mind, body and soul-enriching properties of this earthy extract.

What is Frankincense Essential Oil

Frankincense essential oil is a unique scent that can be described as a blend of warm, woodsy, and balsamic notes. It’s a smell that is known for soothing the soul, making it a must-have for spiritual practices.

Boswellia Serrata, also called Indian frankincense, is an herbal extract that comes from the Boswellia tree. This tree is native to India and has been used in traditional Indian medicine for centuries.

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Its delicious scent made it a staple in the homes of ancient Romans and was even used by ancient Egyptians in their rituals and practices. Today, the spiritual benefits of frankincense oil are still used by modern Catholic masses but more commonly, you’ll find frankincense essential oil in skincare products, indoor scents, perfumes, incense, and even teas.

This time-tested healing remedy is a concentrated liquid extracted from the olibanum tree. Olibanum oil is another common name for frankincense oil. It is traditionally made through distilling Boswellia sacra; however, this essential oil can also be extracted through mechanical methods such as cold-pressing. This helps the essential oil capture the “essence” of the plant’s scent as well as its soothing and relaxing properties.

The plant’s powerful properties have been praised since the 6th century B.C.E, with many of its benefits linked to relaxation and healing of the mind, body and soul. The concentrated oil of frankincense is used in aromatherapy along with other sweet or citrus oils. The fragrance of the blend and its aromatic molecules boost mental, emotional, and physical health.

This oil is sometimes referred to as the king of essential oils because of its numerous benefits and uses.

Name	Frankincense Essential Oil
Botanical Name	Boswellia carterii Pelargonium
Native to	Somalia and regions of Pakistan
Main ingredients	Alpha-pinene, octyl acetate, octanol, alpha-thujene, methylanisole, incensole, beta-pinene and incensole acetate
Aroma	Woody, earthy and balsamic with a hint of citrus
Blends well with	Sandalwood, grapefruit, lime, lemon, orange, bergamot, sandalwood, lavender, ylang ylang, Clary sage and pine essential oils
Category	Resinous or Musky
Substitute	Cedarwood, Sandalwood or Vetiver essential oils

History Of Frankincense

The history of frankincense essential oil is much more interesting than other essential oils. Well, maybe myrrh can give it a run for its money. The history of frankincense involves the gift given by the three wise men or the biblical Magi to baby Jesus. Yes, Frankincense finds mention in the Bible.

Frankincense and myrrh were, in those times, as expensive as gold. But, this was not the first time the world was introduced to frankincense. The essential oils in Bible mention frankincense and its uses several times. Frankincense was also mentioned in other religious tests.

The trade of frankincense and its oil started some 5000 years ago. The frankincense tree, botanically called Boswellia sacra, is native to India, Pakistan, Middle East and North Africa, but it was perhaps made popular by the Egyptians. It is believed that ancient Egyptians bought boatloads of frankincense resins from traders.

It is said that the frankincense sticks were burned to a char, which was crushed and powdered and used as an eyeliner by Egyptian women. The embalming process in Egypt also made use of frankincense. It was also used to drive out insects, treat wounds and sores, and in incense to spread its earthy aroma.

The popularity and demand for frankincense was so high that sailors and traders used to make up stories that the frankincense trees, the Boswellia sacra, were guarded by flying snakes. This was to ward off competitors.

How Egyptians Used Frankincense

The first mention of frankincense was from the Egyptian Ebers Papyrus dated back to 1500 BCE. Here, it was said to treat throat infections. Pliny, the Elder, a Roman author in his work mentioned frankincense as a cure for hemlock poisoning.

Fragrances were a part of Egyptian culture. Their festivals and celebrations were resplendent with fragrances. It is said that women in Egypt used to wear fragrant cones on their head which would melt from the heat, thereby releasing a delightful aroma.

Egypt also has a hot dry climate. Hence, aromatic oils have another use. It was extensively used in skin care. The oil would be applied on the entire body after bathing to protect it from the harsh weather. The oil would act as a moisturizer in the dry climate.

And Egyptians also did their own research and changes in the use of aromatic oils, including frankincense. The oils were used in medicines and cosmetics; but its biggest use was maybe in perfumery.

In fact, the perfume from Egypt in the period from 1540 to 655 BCE were considered to be the best in the trade world. It is said that when Julius Caesar of Rome, returned after conquering Egypt, he threw Egyptian perfumes to the crowd gathered to greet him. The aromatic oils were soon added to bath water to reap its fragrant and therapeutic benefits.

Downfall Of Frankincense And Other Essential Oils

Essential oils were a rave in the Roman Empire. But, it would see a downfall very soon. At the time of Jesus’ birth, frankincense was considered to be as expensive as gold. And its trade flourished.

However, with the downfall of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity across Europe, essential oils fell out of favor as it was considered to a practice of paganism, even though it finds mention in both the Old and New Testament. This also put a dent in the trade routes developed centuries ago.

However, the story of frankincense does have a happy ending. The therapeutic and cosmetic uses of frankincense oil and other essential oils could not be neglected for long and it did make a comeback and this time around it was here to stay and make an impact. And with time frankincense oil was also used in religious ceremonies. It is diffused in prayer rooms because it has a grounding effect which enhances the quest for spirituality.

Frankincense Elsewhere

The Muslim physician from Iran, Avicenna, suggested that frankincense has therapeutic properties which can be used to treat several ailments affecting the body, specifically fevers and ulcers. Frankincense also finds place in Mingyi Bielu, the Chinese herbal manuscript.

Frankincense Essential Oil Benefits | Boswelia Benefits

Frankincense Essential Oil has potential benefits such as improving skin health.

Looking for all-round goodness? Frankincense essential oil has it in abundance! Frankincense oil can be used to treat day-to-day concerns as well as nourish the body with powerful benefits.

Promotes Peace of Mind

Channel your inner zen with this calming essential oil. Frankincense has a scent that quiets busy minds, which is why it’s a popular choice for spiritual meditation and mindfulness.

Soothes Skin Irritation

Because the essential oil of frankincense contains the active ingredient boswellic acid, this oil boasts of anti-inflammatory properties to reduce skin redness and irritation. A slight rub with frankincense essential oils will soothe burning, aching or irritated skin.

Relieves Muscle Aches

Tired of tired muscles? The health benefits of frankincense essential can help alleviate pains and aches for quicker post-workout recovery. Massaging the whole body once a week with essential oils will revitalize the muscles.

Natural Air Freshener

The pleasant and soothing aroma of frankincense oil makes it an excellent natural air freshener.

Mood Booster

Frankincense oil has been shown to have mood-boosting properties, which can help to alleviate feelings of depression or sadness.

Frankincense Oil Uses

Whether you’re looking to achieve luscious locks or get an Insta-worthy complexion, frankincense oil should 10/10 be in your self-care routine.

Frankincense Essential Oil For Skin

Improves Skin Elasticity

Frankincense is able to moisturize and hydrate complexions, repair damaged skin cells and give back its elasticity. Along with coconut oil, essential oils also help to fade stretch marks and firm up loose skin. Blend essential oils with carrier oils including coconut and/or olive oil and apply on the skin to reap the benefits of frankincense.

Soothes Sensitive Skin

Anti-inflammatory and antibacterial are two words we love in skincare, especially for sensitive and irritated skin. Frankincense can keep skin clean and calm it down during acne breakouts. Its soothing effect also ensures good skin tone. It can be used on different skin types including dry and oily skin.

No Wrinkles, No Worries

The bioactive ingredients of the resin based oil slows down the process of ageing. The oil rejuvenates the skin by revitalizing the synthesis of collagen.

The oil has been used for its skincare benefits since ages. A few drops of essential oil can repair cracked skin. Use of frankincense essential oil regularly is good for the skin.

Frankincense Essential Oil For Hair

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Promotes Healthy Hair

Healthy roots, here we come! This hair-loving extract strengthens hair follicles for healthy hair growth. It can also breathe life into limp and dull hair, giving it natural shine and bounce. Applying the oil with a blend of myrrh oil and carrier oils will boost the scalp health.

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Reduce Hair Fall

Because frankincense works to strengthen your roots, you’ll also experience reduced hair loss. It delivers moisture to your follicles and luscious locks, so you won’t have to worry about hair breakage either.

Does Away With Dandruff

Don’t let anyone call you Snow White again! Frankincense essential oil has antimicrobial properties to get rid of dandruff. It’ll keep your scalp clean to ensure your hair is free from flakes. Dandruff is an embarrassing malady that afflicts the scalp.

Frankincense benefits the scalp and hair by eliminating the white flakes.

Several studies on the benefits of frankincense on scalp health have concluded that the early stages of scalp conditions can be controlled by applying oil. Frankincense can be used on the scalp and the hair tip.

Keeps Hair Hydrated

Applying the oil mixed with carrier oil of coconut or almond keeps the hair hydrated for a long period of time. Massaging the hair with this oil nourishes the dry hair and prevents hair from breaking

Frankincense Essential Oil Other Uses

Aromatherapy

Frankincense oil is commonly used in aromatherapy as it has a calming effect on the mind. It can be diffused in a room or added to a bath for a relaxing and rejuvenating experience.

Perfumes

It has a woody, spicy scent that is often used in perfumes and other fragrances. It can be added to carrier oils or other fragrances to create a unique and appealing scent.

Cleaning

It also has cleansing properties and can be used as a natural disinfectant. It can be added to cleaning solutions to help clean and sanitize surfaces around the house.

Aromatherapy And How Aroma Affects The Brain

There are two ways in which the molecules of the oil enter the body –

Topical Application.
Aromatherapy.

The olfactory system starts from the nose all the way through the brain and is the system responsible for the sense of smell, subsequently affecting our behaviors and moods. The aromas are processed in the olfactory cortex located in the temporal lobe of the brain.

Here, the term bioavailability must be understood in the context of aroma – it is the number of aromatic molecules that get absorbed into the body – generally, in essential oils, the amount is 27% to 67%.

The limbic system comprises of four parts - thalamus, amygdala, hippocampus, and hypothalamus.

These are parts of the brain which deals with issues such as hormone secretion, breathing, memory, heartbeats etc.

The aroma of these plant oils affects the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. When these systems are activated they secrete or regulate the secretion of hormones in the body.

Essential oil uses and benefits have different properties and elicit responses from the proper limbic system.

For instance, there are several essential oils such as lavender oil relaxes the mind and its sedative property helps with sleep; whereas citrus based oils have a euphoric effect that enhances self-esteem and confidence.

Peppermint essential oil interacts with the limbic system and produce feelings of alertness and concentration with improved memory. Frankincense essential oil reduces anxiety

How To Use Frankincense Oil

This versatile oil can be used to achieve the desired effect you’re looking for, whether that’s better skin or better sleep.

Frankincense Oil In An Aroma Diffuser

Add a spiritual feeling to your home with some frankincense aromatherapy by using a diffuser. If you’re using an ultrasonic, heat or nebulizer type diffuser, all you need is between 3 to 10 drops of frankincense oil to fill your home with its warm and woodsy scent. However, reed diffusers will need about 30 to 50 drops to really get the aroma going.

You can also combine frankincense oil with other essential oils, to craft a scent that’s perfect for your mood. Here are some frankincense blends we can’t get enough of:

Frankincense Oil For Sleep

Drift off to dreamland without any pit stops. Frankincense has long been hailed as a potent sleeping aid. This is partly due to its warm and relaxing scent that sets a perfectly cozy mood for a deeply satisfying snooze. Inhaling the aroma of the oil calms the mind and body.

The aromatic molecule of the body also calms the body during bedtime. You can enjoy its sleep-promoting qualities by adding a few drops into your diffuser at bedtime or, if you’re feeling crafty.

Try your hand at a DIY sleepy pillow spray!

All you need to do is fill up a 2oz amber spray bottle with clean, distilled water.
Add in 5 drops of frankincense oil, 15 drops of lavender oil and 1 tablespoon of unscented witch hazel.
Give it a good shake and voila!
Spritz 2–3 times over your pillow then lay back and get ready to hit the hay without a hitch. With over 150 varieties of essential oils,

DIY diffuser blends can be formulated with different types of sleep inducing oils.

Frankincense Oil For Acne

If there was a list of things we’d want to stop after puberty, acne would be number 1! And some people, especially older people, would wish to slow down the signs of aging.

If you’re still struggling to achieve flawless, pimple-free skin, then you should definitely look into incorporating frankincense essential oil into your skincare routine. The oil can be applied topically to deal with age spots and dark spots.

We recommend mixing 2 to 3 drops of frankincense oil with skin-loving carrier oil such as jojoba oil and applying it to cleansed and toned skin. If you’ve got pretty sensitive skin and want to play things on the even safer side, add it to a thick moisturizer instead as a final skincare step.

Safety With Frankincense Essential Oil

Essential oils are great for self-care routines. However, we should also take care and follow caution when using them to keep ourselves and loved ones safe from its side effects.

Generally essential oils are safe, but a few guidelines must be followed to avoid any adverse effects. Also, the oils are different, made up of different compounds. Some people may be allergic to certain compounds while others may be allergic to others. Concentrated oil must be bought after careful deliberation. Here are a few guidelines to keep in mind.

Read the label and instructions to make sure you’re using the oil correctly.
While buying essential oils be wary of the terms fragrance oil, perfume oil and natural identical oil.
The term pure essential oil can be widely seen on the bottles. These may be made from substandard sources.
Ensure that you are not allergic to any ingredients or compounds in the oil.
Make sure to dilute the essential oil in a carrier oil for safe application.
Do not add too much of the oil in the diffuser.
Avoid using essential oils of sensitive areas like the eyes and nose.
Don’t apply it on broken skin either unless it’s mentioned on the bottle or label.
Keep it out of reach of kids and fur kids.
Pregnant women and nursing mothers must always consult their gynecologist about using concentrated plant oils, regardless of the type of oil.
Do not diffuse the oil near kids and pets. Consult a doctor before doing so.
Some essential oils may trigger unwanted effects in pets. Consult an aromatherapist to know the oils that are safe for cats, dogs and other pets.
Some oils may make you sensitive to sun damage, so be sure to load up on SPF.
Check the label to see if the oil is photo-toxic.
Always do a small patch test before topical application.
If aromatherapy is performed directly from the bottle, make sure that the oil does not touch the skin.
The common unwanted effects caused by essential oils up on topical application are rashes, redness and swelling.
If you show signs of irritation, stop use and consult a health professional.
Some essential oils cannot be used by people with kidney problems, whereas some essential oils cannot be used with blood disorders. It is always advisable to consult a doctor about your essential oil needs and predisposition for diseases.
Pregnancy and Breast-Feeding : Some are warning about the use of frankincense during pregnancy and breast-feeding. Stay on the safe side and avoid use.

Recommended Frankincense Essential Oil Products

Whether you’re trying to boost your health or connect with yourself on a deeper level, you’ll want to weave some frankincense into your daily self-care routine. Be sure to check out our Gya Labs Frankincense Essential Oil products which are 100% pure and natural.

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Frankincense Essential Oil

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does frankincense essential oil do?

Frankincense essential oil has the sobriquet – the king of essential oils. It has several therapeutic properties that are utilized in resolving health issues. It may help treat stomach disorders, respiratory ailments, dental conditions, and scalp and skin diseases.

Where does the best frankincense essential oil come from?

Frankincense essential oil is made or extracted from the resins of the Boswellia sacra tree, which belongs to the Burseraceae family. This tree is native to the Arabian Peninsula. It is a deciduous tree. The dried resins of the tree are subjected to steam distillation to extract frankincense oil.

What is frankincense oil good for?

Frankincense oil is good for prevention, treatment and cure of several ailments. This oil is used to prevent acne build up and for treating mild skin conditions. It is used to mitigate the symptoms of respiratory illnesses. It can treat colds and coughs. It is good for the stomach as it acts as a tonic.

How to Use Frankincense Oil on Face?

Firstly, do a small patch test on the arms and thighs, if there are no allergies then apply it on the face. To apply it on the face, take two to three drops of frankincense and dilute it with either of the following – vegetable oil, lotion or face cream. Leave it on the face, preferably overnight, and wash it off with a face wash.

What is frankincense oil used for?

Frankincense oil is used for prevention, treatment and cure of several ailments. This oil is used to prevent acne build up and for treating mild skin conditions. It is used to mitigate the symptoms of respiratory illnesses. It can treat colds and coughs. It is good for the stomach as it acts as a tonic. It is applied on the joints to reduce the pain due to arthritis.

Where to buy frankincense oil?

You can buy frankincense essential oil at Gya Labs. While buying essential oils one should verify the authenticity of the product. At Gya labs you can check the English and Latin names of the product, verify the source of the product and learn about the essential oil most suited for your needs.

How to make frankincense oil?

The ingredients needed to make frankincense at home are frankincense resins and black seeded oil.
The quantity should be in the ratio 20 to 80. Freeze the frankincense seeds and then grind them to a powder.
Heat the oil (not over 100C) and add the resin. Switch off the flame and let the sediments settle down.
This can take up to two days. Now, take a clean cloth and filter out the oil and the sediment.
The oil can be stored in a cool dry place and the sediment can be used for health purposes.

What does frankincense smell like?

Frankincense oil is obtained from the resins of the frankincense tree. The smell of the oil is sweeter than the resin. Frankincense oil smells like woody and balsamic, but also has a citrus like aroma.

How to apply frankincense oil?

Frankincense essential oil can be applied on the skin (face, scalp, joints) after diluting it with carrier oil including coconut oil. The oil can be allowed to stay on the face for several hours before cleaning it off.

Can frankincense oil be applied directly to the skin?

No, frankincense essential oil cannot be directly applied to the skin. It must be diluted with neutralizers including vegetable oil, creams, lotions and even water.

What does frankincense essential oil do in a diffuser?

There are four types of diffusers. Each diffuser basically disperses the aroma of the oil in the ambience. When a few drops of frankincense oil are added to a diffuser, it evaporates and leaves its aroma behind.

How to mix frankincense with carrier oil for face?

The general consensus is to add two to three drops in a tablespoon or one and a half tablespoons of carrier oil.

How to use frankincense oil on face for acne?

Clean the acne affected part of the face with water and pat it dry. Mix one drop of frankincense with your face cream, lotion or olive oil and gently apply it directly on the affected region. Let it stay for a few hours or overnight. Clean it with your regular face wash. Do this at least twice a day.

How many drops of frankincense in carrier oil for face?

Two to three drops of frankincense oil is sufficient to cover the whole face. Remember, you are applying it with a tablespoon of carrier oil as well.

What is the best way to use frankincense essential oil?

For aromatherapy, the best way to use it is via an aroma diffuser. For topical application on the face, the best way is to mix one drop of oil with a face cream. For pain relief or massage, the best way is to blend it with carrier oil(s).

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Benefits of Frankincense Essential Oil: Uses, How to Use, Safety | Gyalabs

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