Frankincense Oil - The King of Essential Oils | Purodem (2024)

Yes, that’s a bold title, but this amazing essential oil truly has much to offer!

It is a natural essential oil that has many benefits for both physical and emotional health. It can be used to improve respiratory function, reduce stress levels, induce relaxation and improve skin health. Frankincense oil is also known for its anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties, making it a valuable addition to any natural health regimen.

Let’s explore some of the fantastic benefits of Frankincense essential oil.

The Egyptians used it in their religious ceremonies and also used it to embalm their dead. It is also very well known as being part of the trilogy of gifts brought to the birth of Jesus by the three kings.

It was also used in Ancient Greece and Rome for medicinal purposes. During the Middle Ages, it was one of the most valuable commodities in the world. It was traded along the Silk Route and was worth more than its weight in gold. With such a long history of use, it’s easy to see how it is still one of the most popular essential oils in the world.

The first step in extracting Frankincense oil is peeling the bark on the tree away from the trunk with a knife. This is a very labour-intensive process. A milk-white sap exudes from the cuts and peeling bark, which hardens into a resin over the next few days. These chunks of Frankincense resin are scraped off and sent to be processed.

It’s then necessary to crush the chunks of Frankincense resin into a powder before it goes for steam distillation. The vapour from the steam distillation is put through a condenser to cool it down, and the oil floats to the surface. The remaining water is sold as a hydrosol, which also has many of the benefits of Frankincense. CO2 extraction is being increasingly used as the cost of this method of production goes down.

Frankincense essential oil can cause skin cells to contract, which will not only lift skin that is sagging but is also the catalyst for skin cell regeneration. This is most effective when used regularly and goes to explain why it has such an excellent anti-ageing reputation. It can also repair the damage from scars and improve the skin’s appearance.

This astringency combines well with Frankincense’s antimicrobial and disinfectant qualities. Use it diluted as a spray surface cleanser for a healthier and great-smelling home. Blend it with Thyme essential oil to boost this even further.

This natural remedy has been used for centuries to treat various ailments, and recent scientific studies have shown that it is effective in treating inflammatory conditions like arthritis as it reduces the inflammatory response. The boswellic acids in Frankincense essential oil inhibit the production of inflammatory enzymes. The essential oil’s anti-inflammatory effects may also help individuals cope with their pain levels.

It’s very popular with massage therapists for clients with muscular and joint pain. You can make your own cream containing Frankincense that will help those coping with arthritis symptoms, especially when your joints are stiff in the mornings. Adding a few drops to a plain bubble bath can really make your day start better.

Frankincense essential oil is thought to work by stimulating the release of oxytocin, a hormone that plays a role in labour, breastfeeding, and social bonding. Frankincense oil may also help to reduce stress and anxiety, which can also help manage hormone levels.

It certainly helps to balance sebum production in your skin, helping to clear acne whilst moisturising dry and mature skin. Blend Frankincense essential oil with another essential oil like Manuka essential oil or Myrrh oil to really sort out irritated skin and troublesome acne.

This is perhaps the most popular of Frankincense oil uses – essential oil infused skincare.

Frankincense essential oil effectively minimises wrinkles and fine lines when applied topically to the skin, speeding up cellular renewal. It is also preventative as it slows down the damage caused by photoaging. You can strengthen skin by combining it with Helichrysum essential oil and Pomegranate Seed carrier oil to make a super potent rejuvenating serum.

It’s suitable for all skin types, particularly dry and mature skin. Even problematic acne skin can be improved by using Frankincense essential oil. It has long been used to help heal cuts and wounds and smooth out skin imperfections. Research has shown it to be particularly effective when blended with Myrrh essential oil. You can see why these two were such useful, practical gifts brought by the Three Kings.

Adding several drops to a diffuser or using it in a body lotion before bed will increase relaxation and calm you, ready for a good night’s sleep. It decreases distraction and stops your mind from wandering. Even better, it helps to reduce stress and negative emotions. Just let go and let the essential oil take the strain.

Find out more about The Power of Aromatherapy for Restful Sleep

This may sound conflicting, having just read about how relaxing it is, but in a daytime environment, it is amazing for sharpening your mental focus without the side effects that caffeine would have.

Find out more about The Top 12 Essential Oils for Focus and Concentration.

There are many uses and benefits of Frankincense essential oil. Of course, you should use it in a diffuser or nebuliser to freshen the air in your home. Use it to relax while spending time with your family, or use it on your own to help with meditation.Tip… Try blending it with Ho Wood essential oil for a meditative blend.

Add it to bath bombs, bath salts, shampoo and conditioner for incredible results.

Use it in face and body oils, serums, creams and lotions to improve skin imperfections. Massages for aching joints and muscular pain are much better when using Frankincense in a massage blend. You could add many other oils for pain relief, but one of the best is Plai oil, a powerful analgesic. This blend would even help with rheumatoid arthritis.

Do not use it on children under six, and keep the bottle away from inquisitive toddlers.

Do not use Frankincense essential oil if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant.

Anyone with bleeding disorders should also not use this as it is an emmenagogue with blood-thinning effects. If you are in any doubt, please consult your doctor or aromatherapist.

This research is a hot topic at the moment because Frankincense oil has a very good safety profile, and the areas that are now being researched could be very lucrative for drug companies.

There are several bacteria against which Frankincense essential oil is effective. Many essential oils are also bactericides, and the possibility of combining them in new ways is very interesting.

Ulcerative colitis has been shown to respond well with Frankincense essential oil in some trials, but it is early days yet, and this area needs more research.

Digestive disorders and irritable bowel syndrome are another area of interest, but were the anti-inflammatory properties or the anxiety-relieving Frankincense benefits that gave the positive results?

Some test tube studies on gum disease, mouth sores and oral infections suggested Frankincense essential oil may be of help. Still, there needs to be extensive human trials before it could be safe to recommend using it internally like this.

However, there is a downside to this interest as well. There are non-verifiable claims of using Frankincense to kill cancer cells in cancer treatment. It is not enough to have one test tube study to call this a credible cancer treatment, and even though it is promising, much more research needs to be done to be able to make such claims.

When it comes to purchasing essential oils, not all companies are created equal. When looking for a reliable company to buy Frankincense essential oil from, avoid MLM companies because you want to buy the highest quality essential oils, not something blended with other, cheaper ingredients.

A good turnover rate is also a sign of a reputable company. A full INCI is another sign that you’re dealing with a reliable source.

With so many choices on the market, knowing what to look for when buying pure Frankincense essential oil is important.

Choose an unscented carrier oil that you will dilute the Frankincense oil in. This should be suitable for your skin type. Camellia Seed oil is a good choice, as is Pomegranate Seed oil. You can also blend it with other essential oils, such as Helichrysum, to help repair sun damage. Citrus oils like Red Mandarin also boost the skin function and create an amazing aroma.

To use, apply a few drops of the mixture to your clean face and massage gently using upward strokes. This will help improve circulation and promote cell regeneration, which can help reduce the appearance of wrinkles over time.

Otherwise, add the Frankincense essential oil to a cream, lotion, or serum you have made for yourself.

There are many ways to use Frankincense essential oil. You can add a few drops to a diffuser or bracelet and enjoy the aroma throughout the day.

You can also add it to lotions or creams and apply it topically. You can make really effective serums and gels with it and even include it in shower gels and bath bombs!

Get some Frankincense essential oil if you’re looking for a more natural way to reduce stress or anxiety.