Frankincense and Myrrh Oil: What is it Used For? (2024)

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5 min read / 4 April 2023 / Laura Garvin Gomez

Explore the ancient uses and modern applications of Frankincense and Myrrh oil in our comprehensive guide.

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Ancient Medicine DIY Essential Oils Frankincense History myrrh

Frankincense and Myrrh Oil: What is it Used For? (1)

When you think of frankincense and myrrh oil, you may cast your thoughts back to biblical stories that appear around Christmas time.

It gives you an idea of just how long people have valued these two natural resins and oils, which remain highly regarded for their health benefits as much as their wonderful fragrances.

We take a closer look at frankincense oil and myrrh oil to explain what it used for, how they could improve your health and how to make your own blend at home.

What is frankincense essential oil?

Frankincense essential oil is extracted from the resin of the Boswellia serrata, Boswellia frereana or Boswellia carterii trees, which are grown in Somalia and regions of Pakistan. It was traded in the Middle East and Africa for thousands of years and was widely used in Ancient Rome and Greece. These civilisations used frankincense for medicinal purposes, and it became one of the most valuable commodities in the world during the Middle Ages, at one stage holding more value than gold. Frankincense remains one of the most popular oils used in aromatherapy, helping to ease various skin conditions and mood management.

What is myrrh essential oil?

Myrrh essential oil is sourced from the sap of the myrrh tree, which is mostly found in the north-eastern African and southwest Asian regions. The oil had particular spiritual and religious significance in Jewish and Christian faiths, with many believing it held purifying properties that made it suitable for use in religious rituals and ceremonies. It is still widely used today as an antiseptic or to treat skin ailments and wounds, such as psoriasis and eczema.

Frankincense and Myrrh Oil: What is it Used For? (2)

What is myrrh and frankincense used for?

Some of the ways myrrh and frankincense are used include:

  • Myrrh could support oral health: Myrrh has long been used to treat oral inflammation and infections, and it is also included in some natural toothpaste and mouthwashes. Research also suggests that people with gingivitis who use a mouthwash containing myrrh oil could see symptoms of the condition reduce.
  • Frankincense may be effective for IBD: Inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease may be helped by using frankincense. A study found that the H15 extract may be more effective in treating Crohn’s disease compared to standard anti-inflammatory prescription drugs used to treat the condition.
  • Myrrh is used to treat skin wounds and infections: One study found that an essential oil blend of myrrh, lavender, Hawaiian sandalwood, rose, frankincense and helichrysum helped to heal skin wounds. While it wasn’t clearly established that the positive results were a direct result of using myrrh, it does suggest it could prove beneficial.
  • Frankincense can improve asthma symptoms: Bronchial asthma could be improved through continued use of frankincense, as shown in a 1998 study. The results found that asthma indicators and symptoms decreased, and research is ongoing to discover more evidence about how frankincense could reduce asthmatic reactions to environmental allergens.

How to make frankincense and myrrh oil

If you want to make frankincense and myrrh directly from the resin (which can be purchased online) follow these steps:

  1. Grind the resin using a pestle and mortar (freezing them for 24 hours can make this easier).
  2. Place into a heat-proof bowl and let it rest in a bath of boiling water.
  3. Leave the bowl in the water for 45-60 minutes.
  4. Remove from the water and use a coffee filter or cheese cloth to strain the resin. Push the oil through the filter or leave it for an hour to naturally filter through.
  5. Let the extracted oil cool and place in a cool, dry space ready for use.

You can add more essential oils to the mix, to further enhance the properties and to enjoy your own homemade oil. Before using this blend on your skin, be sure to mix it with a carrier oil.

How to use frankincense and myrrh essential oil

Dilute with your carrier oil of choice and add a few drops to your pulse points or bottom of your feet. Another option is to mix it with your favourite moisturiser or body lotion as part of your daily skincare routine.

You can also diffuse frankincense or myrrh with an oil diffuser, so you simply inhale its properties as you relax and unwind at home. Some people inhale the oil directly from the bottle or by adding a few drops to a cloth or towel, leaving it under their pillow as they sleep at night.

Other ways of using frankincense or myrrh oil include diluting with a carrier oil before using it as a massage oil or adding the oils to a warm bath. They are also commonly used as part of candle and soap recipes, as well as potpourri mixtures.

Frankincense and Myrrh Oil: What is it Used For? (3)

What is the best frankincense essential oil to use?

Try our frankincense serrata essential oil as a starting point, which many people love for its wonderfully smooth and luxurious aroma. Use the oil on your skin to reduce the signs of ageing or to boost your mood when feeling low, with its woody scent serving as the perfect pick me up. Frankincense Serrata has a lot of similarities to Frankincense Frereana and Frankincense Carterii, with only the scent being noticeably different.

What is the best myrrh essential oil to use?

Much like frankincense, myrrh essential oil is often used to reduce the signs of ageing, as well as for pain relief and to reduce swelling. When the two oils are combined many of their properties can be enhanced, giving you more opportunity to enjoy their many health benefits. To ensure the resin is softer and easier to use, it has also been treated with benzyl benzoate.

Frankincense and Myrrh Oil: What is it Used For? (4)

Frankincense and myrrh are two essential oils that complement each other perfectly, whilst also offering their own unique benefits when used individually. Whether it’s for treating wounds and infections or improving breath control, you can enjoy both oils in a variety of ways, be it through a diffuser, soap, candle or massage. And as is always the case with essential oils, be sure to follow the product instructions and always dilute with a carrier oil.

Ancient Medicine DIY Essential Oils Frankincense History myrrh

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Frankincense and Myrrh Oil: What is it Used For? (2024)

FAQs

Frankincense and Myrrh Oil: What is it Used For? ›

They are mainly used to treat blood stasis, inflammation, swelling, and pain [7]. Prescription drugs containing frankincense and myrrh in combination have definite curative effects on many chronic diseases, and have been clinically proven.

What is frankincense and myrrh oil used for? ›

Frankincense, along with myrrh, has been prescribed in traditional Chinese medicine and administered for treatment of blood stagnation and inflammation diseases in addition to pain relief and swelling.

What does frankincense and myrrh do to the skin? ›

The combination of Myrrh and Frankincense is known to boost circulation, reduce symptoms of inflammation and irritation, prevent or reduce infection, strengthen and regenerate the skin's protective barrier, ease pain, boost collagen and elastin production, tone the skin, and facilitate the healing of wounds.

What does frankincense and myrrh do for pain? ›

In China, Frankincense and Myrrh are often used together on clinic in order to obtain a synergistic effect for relieving pain and activating blood circulation, and especially to treat inflammatory diseases (e.g., RA).

What did Jesus use frankincense and myrrh for? ›

Each of these precious gifts has a symbolic meaning. Frankincense was used for worship in the Temple; it is symbolic of Christ the High Priest. Gold is symbolic of Christ the King. Myrrh a perfume, was used to anoint dead bodies, it is symbolic of His death for the sake of truth, and therefore of Christ the Prophet.

Can myrrh oil be applied directly to skin? ›

It's important to note that Myrrh should never be taken orally as it can be toxic in large doses. To use topically, dilute Myrrh oil with a carrier oil such as Almond or Jojoba before applying directly to the skin.

Does frankincense really help joint pain? ›

It can prevent the production of inflammatory substances in the joints. Current evidence, based on four RCTs, suggests that it might have some beneficial effects in treating participants with osteoarthritis of the knee which might last for a period of time after treatment is stopped.

What does rubbing frankincense on your feet do? ›

If you are feeling like the pressures of life are weighing down your mood, apply Frankincense to the bottom of your feet. The soothing sensation and aroma will promote feelings of relaxation and a balanced mood.

What is the strongest essential oil for pain? ›

Which Essential Oils Are Best For Pain? One of Mother nature's most powerful painkillers, peppermint oil is frequently used for alleviating pain [1]. Closely related to peppermint, wintergreen oil boasts similar properties due to its methyl salicylate component.

Where should you rub frankincense on your body? ›

Dilute your frankincense oil in an unscented carrier oil, like olive or almond. Then, apply the oil to areas of your skin that are dry, irritated, or itchy to rejuvenate them. When applied to the navel in particular, frankincense oil is said to promote relaxation and tranquility.

What happens if you don't dilute frankincense oil? ›

By applying essential oils undiluted on the skin over time, your body can begin to trigger an immune response which can lead to sensitization. When you dilute your essential oils, you decrease the likelihood of this happening.

What is the best carrier oil to mix with frankincense? ›

The carrier oils that can be used for frankincense are fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, and sweet almond oil. Some additional carrier oils that can be used are avocado oil, macadamia nut oil, grapeseed oil, apricot kernel oil, extra virgin olive oil, and avocado oil.

What does the Bible say about frankincense and myrrh? ›

“And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.”

Does frankincense and myrrh help you sleep? ›

Frankincense essential oil, with its time-tested reputation for calming the mind and soothing the spirit, has become popular among those who struggle to fall asleep. By calming an overactive mind, this essential oil can encourage a deeper sleep.

What does drinking frankincense and myrrh do? ›

Frankincense and myrrh resins can be steeped in hot water to make a fragrant and tasty tea with several health advantages such as being used as a home remedy for congestion, to increase fertility, and stimulate brain function. It's an excellent way to get the benefits of these resins on an internal level.

Why is frankincense so powerful? ›

Frankincense or Boswellia serrata has been used traditionally as a medication against inflammatory diseases for a long time. Besides α- and β-boswellic acid, it contains other pentacyclic triterpenic acids, which inhibit pro-inflammatory processes via 5-lipoxygenase and cyclo-oxygenase.

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