Essential Oil Database

Photo: Boswellia Carterii

Frankincense

Essential Oil

Botanical Name:

Boswellia Carterii

Family Name:

Burseraceae

Source Country:

France

Plant Parts Used:

Resin

Extraction Method:

Steam distillation

Major Constituents:

Pinene, dipentene, limonene, thujene, phellandrene, cymene, myrcene, turpinene, olibanol

Botanical Description

Photo: Boswellia Carterii

Boswellia Carterii is native to tropical Africa, Asia and Americas. It is a tree commonly known as Frankincense growing up to 30 meters tall.

Boswellia secrete a milky white, sticky oleo gum resin from within the trunk, known as Frankincense. To harvest Frankincense an incision is cut into the trunk and a narrow strip of bark removed. As the resin is secreted it hardens into tear shaped amber coloured globules. Frankincense is collected and graded according to size and colour.

Frankincense has traditionally been used as an incense for religious ceremonies.

Photo: Boswellia Carterii

Fragrance

Frankincense essential oil has a fresh, sweet, turpentine, citrus, balsamic wood smoke scent.

Frankincense essential oil is a pale yellow to green liquid that will change colour with age.

Frankincense blends well with basil, bergamot, camphor, cedarwood, cinnamon leaf, cypress, elemi, geranium, juniper, lavender, neroli, patchouli, pine, rose, sweet orange, sandalwood and vetiver.

Traditional Therapeutic Uses

Photo: Boswellia Carterii

Properties: anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, astringent, carminative, cicatrizant, cytophylactic, digestive, diuretic, expectorant, sedative, tonic.

Aids: balances oily skin, digestion, immune system.

Alleviates: acne, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, colds, cystitis, depression, flu, haemorrhoids, laryngitis, rheumatism, scars, stress, wounds.

Frankincense is a useful aid to meditation, space clearing and ritual.

Safety Data

Use moderately within normal therapeutic guidelines

Disclaimer:

All healing uses, magical uses and metaphysical definitions are provided as a means of education, do not imply a guarantee of effect, and may not be complete or accurate. Those suffering from illness should consult with their General Practitioner in the first instance. Aromatherapy is a holistic complementary healthcare practice and should be carried out by a suitably qualified aromatherapy practitioner.

Pure, medical grade, essential oils & absolutes are for use in aromatherapy and other disciplines of natural healing; and for their fragrance. Essential oils should not be ingested, and avoid contact with eyes and mucous membranes. Pregnant women should not self administer essential oils. Do not administer essential oils to babies. Do not apply undiluted essential oil to the skin and wash hands after use and before visiting lavatory. Do not use essential oils while in a sauna, steam room, or other humid environment; or while engaged in strenuous exercise.

Massage oil should consist of no more than 3% essential oil(s) to 97% carrier or fixed oil. Absolutes should be blended with no less than 98.5% carrier oil. When adding essential oil to bath water do not use more than 4 drops.

Store essential oils at low room temperature, in a dark place, out of the reach of children, pets and away from foodstuffs.