Aromatherapy
Anxiety: A Calming Ritual
Grounding habits and soft, familiar scents for an unsettled mind, alongside the support that matters most.
Aromatherapy · Skin Rituals
Frankincense Oil
Boswellia carterii · Boswellia sacra · Boswellia serrata · Boswellia frereana
An aromatic resin oil from Boswellia trees, burned in temples and used in anointing since antiquity.
Also known as olibanum.
Texture: medium, slightly resinousScent: warm, resinous, balsamic with a soft citrus-pine lift
Origin
Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa (Oman, Yemen, Somalia, Ethiopia).
Frankincense essential oil is steam- or hydro-distilled from the resin 'tears' of Boswellia trees. Several species are sold under the same common name and they are not interchangeable: B. carterii and B. sacra are the classic, soft, balsamic-citrus types; B. serrata (Indian) is sharper and often cheaper; B. frereana is a distinct, fresh-piney resin.
Because species and chemistry vary, look for a stated botanical species and batch-level GC-MS testing. Frankincense is a resin oil, so quality and viscosity differ by source and age.
In practice it is used aromatically (diffusion, meditation) and, diluted into a carrier, in facial oils and balms. It should not be ingested without qualified guidance.
Traditional Uses
Frankincense (the hardened resin of Boswellia trees) was burned as temple incense and used in anointing and burial preparations across the ancient Near East. It is named in scripture as one of the gifts brought to the infant Jesus.
Modern Uses
Steam-distilled frankincense essential oil is used in aromatherapy for grounding and meditation, and (well diluted) in facial skin rituals for its association with mature, dry skin care.
Our Approved Frankincense Oil
Plant Therapy
Best for aromatherapy
A clearly-labeled Boswellia carterii (the classic frankincense species), USDA organic and GC-MS tested per batch, from a reputable non-MLM house. A grounding, versatile choice for…
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Take a Moment with Frankincense Oil
A Moment
A Sunday Reset Moment
Before the week asks anything of you, set aside a slower hour. Let a calming scent settle into the room: a few drops of lavender in a diffuser, a window cracked to the evening air. Tidy one small corner, pour something warm, and let your breath lengthen. There is nothing to accomplish here; you are simply returning to yourself.