Frankincense carterii

Botanical Name

Boswellia carterii – Most Commonly Available

Frankincense is also known as Olibanum.

Plant Family

Burseraceae

Country of Origin

Typical Country of Origin: Somalia

Common Method of Extraction

Hydro Distillation: Although many reputable authors, educators and vendors list Frankincense Essential Oil as being steam distilled, Frankincense Essential Oil is typically hydro-distilled. [Sources: Robin Schiller-Kessler CA, Admin for Frankincense Resin//And All Tree Resins, Trygve Harris, Owner and Founder of Enfleurage and Jamie Garvey, Co-Founder of Böswellness.]

Plant Part Typically Used

Resin

Color

Light Yellow

Consistency

Thin

Perfumery Note

Base

Strength of Initial Aroma

Mild – Medium

Aromatic Description

Frankincense Essential Oil smells fresh, woody, balsamic, slightly spicy and fruity.

Possible Substitute Oils

Palo Santo, niaouli (viridiflorol/para-cymene/1,8-cineole CT), equal parts petitgrain (mandarin) and cedarwood, equal parts cistus and white fir

Blends Well With

Basil, bay laurel, bergamot, black pepper, camphor, cassia, orange, pine, petitgrain, palo santo, ravensara, ravintsara, rose, sandalwood, spikenard, tangerine, vetiver, ylang ylang

Frankincense Essential Oil Benefits and Uses

The following uses and benefits are attributed primarily to the essential oil steam distilled from Boswellia carterii:

• Anxiety
• Asthma
• Bronchitis
• Extreme Coughing
• Scars
• Stress
• Stretch Marks

Source: Julia Lawless, The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (Rockport, MA: Element Books, 1995), 96-97.

There is a great deal of risky and inaccurate information being propagated about the applications of Frankincense Essential Oil in cancer treatment and prevention. For more information, read Frankincense Oil and Cancer in Perspective by essential oil expert Robert Tisserand.

When researching the applications of Frankincense Essential Oil, it’s important to be sure that you are verifying the applications for the actual essential oil from reputable sources. Some sources mistakenly confuse the benefits of the essential oil with those of the infused oil or pure resin.

Frankincense Essential Oil Safety Information

Tisserand and Young precaution to avoid use of the oil if it has oxidized. Skin sensitization is more likely when using oxidized Frankincense Oil. Reading Tisserand and Young’s full profile is recommended. [Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young, Essential Oil Safety (Second Edition. United Kingdom: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2014), 287-289.]

Recommended Dilution Range

3%-50%; Neat for some conditions

General Safety Information

Do not take essential oils internally nor apply undiluted essential oils, absolutes, CO2s or other concentrated essences onto the skin without advanced essential oil knowledge or consultation from a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Read, Birkat Natural’s, Guide to Diluting Essential Oils, for general dilution information. If you are currently experiencing pregnancy, epileptic, have liver damage, have cancer, have any other medical problem, or are otherwise under the care of a physician, use oils only under the proper guidance of a qualified aromatherapy practitioner. Use extreme caution when using oils with children and be sure to first read the recommended dilution ratios for children. Consult a qualified aromatherapy practitioner before using oils with children, the elderly, if you have medical issues or are taking medications. Carefully read Birkat Natural’s Essential Oil Safety Information page, before using any essential oil. For in-depth information on oil safety issues, read Essential Oil Safety by Robert Tisserand and Rodney Young.

The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made by Birkat Adonai Farm, LLC as to the medicinal value of any products from Birkat Adonai Farm, LLC. The information presented here is for educating our customers about the traditional uses of essential oils and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are responsible for understanding the safe application of these products. If you have any questions, please call or email us for further information.