The Gem of the Healing Kingdom: Frankincense Oil

For thousands of years, frankincense oil and resin has been revered for its spiritual, medicinal, and aromatic qualities. Used in religious ceremonies, traditional healing practices and skincare regimens, this precious plant material has withstood the test of time.

While you might already be familiar with frankincense essential oil, we are not talking about that. Frankincense whole-resin oil is something vastly different and tremendously more powerful – from a therapeutic perspective.

What is Frankincense Resin?

Frankincense is a resin that comes from trees of the genus Boswellia, which is in the family Burseraceae. These ancient trees grow in a belt ranging from the West coast of Africa, east through its horn into southern Arabia, up through India and into Pakistan.

At last count, there were about 20 types of Boswellia trees, but only 8 or 9 produce a usable resin.

When injured, trees secret resin to prevent infection and protect themselves from further damage. The substance rapidly seals over their wounds – effectively forming a "scab” that prevents entry by insect and fungal invaders. Resin’s strong antimicrobial components as well as its stickiness make it a robust deterrent. Resin is therefore critical to a tree’s health – the healthier the resin, the healthier the tree. 

Resin is a vital part of a tree’s immune system, so is it any wonder that it would contain chemicals valuable to our own immune health?

In this article, we will review the latest in scientific evidence of the healing benefits of frankincense, along with some of its rich history.

But first, there is an important distinction you must understand – the difference between essential oils and whole-resin oils. 

Understanding this difference is critical because it is TRULY night and day – and so are the health benefits! If you want to harness a certain health benefit, you have to make sure you are using the right thing.

Frankincense Resin Oil vs Frankincense Essential Oil (EO)

Essential oils (EOs) have taken the world by storm over the past 10 to 20 years. I understand why – I love them myself!

It’s important to understand that EOs represent only the most volatile compounds of a plant and therefore only possess a small portion of the plant’s naturally occurring compounds, the aromatic ones.

With some plants, such as frankincense, the best are left behind in the essential oil extraction process!

Unfortunately, certain less-than-ethical large essential oil companies have made erroneous marketing claims that frankincense essential oil contains boswellic acids – and therefore offer the therapeutic benefits of boswellic acids. Although most are no longer making these claims, the myths and misunderstandings persist.

Essential oils are captured during steam distillation, or sometimes by liquid carbon dioxide. The molecules in frankincense resin that are responsible for its key therapeutic benefits – including the boswellic acids - are simply too large to be captured this way. Boswellic acids are “non-volatile” compounds.

While frankincense essential oil is excellent for aromatherapy and stress relief, it contains only a small fraction of the therapeutic benefits that whole frankincense resin has to offer.

When the whole resin is infused into a carrier oil, such as olive or sesame, by way of a slow extraction process, the result is an oil that captures these powerful compounds.

By the way, this is true for whole-herb oils as well – whether it’s a resin or an herb, there is a major difference between the plant’s essential oil and a whole-plant-infused oil. Ninety-nine percent of the oils on the market today are essential oils. They are simply marketed as “name of plant - oil” so you would not know the difference, at least without a bit more looking.

There are also major differences in the strength and purity of whole-plant infused oils, but that’s a topic for a different day.

The main point I am trying to make here is, to be a wise consumer you must understand what you are getting.

Frankincense Across the Ages

Frankincense has been celebrated for thousands of years across multiple cultures—not only for its divine aroma and ritualistic importance but also for its therapeutic benefits.

🌱 Ancient Egyptians: The ancient Egyptians revered frankincense for its multiple roles in religious ceremonies, as a prized ingredient in perfumes and as a vital medicine. It was commonly used in salves and ointments to treat wounds and skin conditions due to its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. They even used frankincense in the embalming process where it was believed to help purify and preserve the body for the journey to the afterlife.

🌱 Traditional Chinese & Ayurvedic Medicine: Both Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and Ayurveda have long valued frankincense for its healing capabilities. In TCM, frankincense has been used to stimulate blood circulation and alleviate pain, especially in joint afflictions.  Ayurvedic practitioners employed it as a potent anti-inflammatory to balance the body’s energy and treat chronic conditions such as arthritis. The resin was often applied topically in the form of poultices or infused into oils to reduce pain and swelling and accelerate healing.

🌱 Greeks & Romans: Ancient Greek and Roman societies held frankincense is high esteem both for its spiritual and medicinal attributes, as well as burning it for incense. Greek and Roman physicians incorporated frankincense into treatments for wounds and infections for its antiseptic qualities, as well as for digestive disorders.

🌱 Biblical References & Cultural Symbolism: Frankincense is perhaps best known in Western culture through its mention in biblical texts, most famously as one of the gifts presented by the Magi to the infant Jesus. This gift was not only a token of reverence but also symbolized the resin’s value in ancient medicine and spirituality.

Frankincense's Superpower: The Boswellic Acids

Before diving into frankincense oil specifically, let’s take a look at what makes Boswellia such a powerful medicinal ally.

Why is this ancient tree such a gift to us humans?

It boils down to how its compounds modulate the immune system – in particular, how they extinguish inflammatory fires by controlling cytokines and other DNA-damaging compounds that can cause bad things to happen in the body.

Turns out, frankincense resin contains a secret weapon! A family of naturally occurring compounds called boswellic acids, or BA for short.

Interestingly, the chemical structure of BA closely resembles that of steroids, but they work differently. Boswellic acids act on different immune pathways in the body.

There are four boswellic acids (chemical classification is pentacyclic triterpenic acids). The most potent is acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid, or AKBA, because it acts on 5-lipoxygenase (5-LOX) and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), both being enzymes responsible for inflammation. Pharmaceuticals have failed to achieve this safely. (Hamidpour et al 2013) 

Boswellia serrata is the best studied of the Boswellia species. Its pain relieving and anti-inflammatory strength has been found comparable to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), but without their dangerous side effects. (Siddiqui 2011)

Given that Boswellia contains these wonderful healing agents, what can it do for you? As it turns out, quite a lot! That is why it’s been used as medicine for more than 6,000 years.

Seven Super Boswellia Benefits

1. Inflammation & Pain

A well-cited study involving individuals with osteoarthritis of the knee demonstrated that Boswellia serrata extract reduced pain and inflammation, effectively increasing knee flexion and walking distances in those prone to swelling in their knees. (Kimmatkar et al 2003). 

A meta-analysis confirmed the overall efficacy of Boswellia for osteoarthritis (Ganpeng Yu 2020).

In a very recent placebo-controlled clinical trial, a group of 98 knee osteoarthritis patients between the ages of 40 and 75 showed improvement in their symptoms from a Boswellia extract in just 5 days. (Majeed et al 2024)

Even the Arthritis Foundation recommends boswellic acid as a potential therapy for both osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis sufferers!

2. Histamines

Boswellia has been shown to stabilize mast cell activity and reduce histamine-induced inflammation, which is important for those with histamine intolerance and MCAD (mast cell activation disorders).(Pungle et al 2003)

3. Skin Healing & Rejuvenation

Boswellia is known to promote collagen production and improve skin’s hydration and elasticity, supporting skin regeneration. It can speed up wound healing, help minimize scar formation, and reduce the appearance of existing scars over time. 

4. Cancer

Besides the boswellic acids, Boswellia resin contains several other cancer-fighting agents, such as incensole acetate which helps discourage tumor formation. BAs have been reported as beneficial against many different cancers including breast, bladder, cervix, prostate, colorectal, head and neck, liver, lung, and pancreas.

According to Trivedi (2023):

BAs and their semi-synthetic derivatives are effective against a broad spectrum of cancer cell lines. They have a minimal potential for resistance due to the multiple ways they operate in the cancer cell lines. The ability of BAs to control cellular epigenetic mechanisms highlights their anti-cancer properties, as they promote apoptosis in cancer cells and inhibit the malignant primary metabolic pathways and DNA, RNA, and protein synthesis.

5. Autoimmune Disease

Boswellia has some remarkable benefits for prevention and treatment of autoimmune diseases. It can interfere with the development of these conditions by helping control your body’s production of antibodies in response to its perceived threats. Some of this has to do with how Boswellia inhibits leukotriene production, because increased leukotrienes are tied to many autoimmune diseases. (Ammon 2010).

For example, Boswellia has been shown to be extremely effective with ulcerative colitis. In one study, 82 percent of patients taking Boswellia extract went into remission after 6 weeks – which was a higher percentage than the ones taking the standard prescription of sulfasalazine. (Gupta et al 1997)

Besides arthritis, BA and other Boswellia compounds have shown enormous potential in the treatment of just about all inflammatory diseases – from COPD and asthma to IBD, Crohn’s disease, and cancer. 

6. Infections

Studies show that frankincense has substantial antimicrobial effects. It has been traditionally used as a remedy for viral and bacterial respiratory infections, as well as bacterial and fungal skin infections. It can reduce the severity of sinus infections, allergies and asthma. It eliminates phlegm from the lungs making it easier to breathe thanks to its anti-inflammatory properties. (Ismail et al 2014, Raja et al 2011)

7. Oral Hygiene

The antimicrobial properties of frankincense oil can help reduce the bacterial load in the mouth, which may reduce plaque, gingivitis and tooth decay, thereby supporting overall dental health. Frankincense has a long history of use as a natural breath freshener.

You might be wondering, is there anything Boswellia doesn’t do?

In reality, I have only scratched the surface! Covering everything Boswellia does is far beyond the scope of this article, which is probably too long already.

The Transdermal Option – Backed by Science

In modern times, some folks have been taking Boswellia extracts orally in the form of a supplement, but there is another way to get those boswellic acids and other lovely compounds into the body: through the skin, or transdermally.

But does transdermal absorption really work?

The short answer is YES!

There is a substantial body of research demonstrating that compounds applied to the skin can be absorbed and eventually circulate throughout the body.

Transdermal absorption depends on several factors including the compound’s molecular size, fat solubility, formulation, and the condition of the skin’s outer layer, the stratum corneum.

The skin is designed as a protective barrier, and the stratum corneum is the outermost layer that limits the penetration of substances. However, many lipophilic (fat-soluble) compounds can bypass this barrier, particularly when formulated in a carrier oil. Once a compound passes through the stratum corneum, it enters the epidermis and dermis, where it can be taken up by the capillary networks and enter systemic circulation.

While much of this research has focused on synthetic drugs, the same principles apply to natural compounds such as boswellic acids.

When these compounds are delivered in an oil-based formulation—like in frankincense resin oil—the carrier oil can enhance their penetration through the skin, allowing them to exert anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effects both locally and systemically.

Researchers tested this out with mice!

They treated one group with an oral BA supplement and a second group with a BA-rich ointment. After 12 weeks of treatment, they measured the BA levels in the synovial fluid of the knee joints in the two groups of mice. The two were comparable! Both groups also showed positive responses to the anti-inflammatory treatment. (Wang et al 2014)

This underscores how a whole-resin-infused oil applied to your skin can carry those valuable healing agents directly into your body where they can work their magic!

Sustainability Amidst the Frankincense Furor 

While frankincense has a long and respected history, the modern demand for this valuable resin poses a threat to its source. Overharvesting, unsustainable tapping practices, and - let's face it - outright greed are driving these beautiful trees ever closer to extinction.

The edge-of-your-seat documentary above is a real eye opener about what goes on in this industry!

Excessive harvesting and careless harvesting techniques can, at the least, weaken a tree and reduce its resin yield. At worst, it can kill it.

It’s crucial for both producers and consumers to support sustainable practices that ensure the longevity of Boswellia populations. Two organizations are doing exactly that. I would encourage you to check out their websites, which have great information. Support them in any way you can. 

1. Save Frankincense is a conservation and research project that, along with a diverse group of governmental, academic, corporate, and private partners, is aiming to protect the Boswellia forests and address multiple threats to the Frankincense Species.
2. Global Frankincense Alliance is committed to the conservation and regeneration of frankincense and myrrh trees worldwide.

By sourcing products from organizations who are committed to ethical harvesting and sustainable management, you help protect the environment and preserve this important resource for future generations.

Experience the Healing Power of Frankincense for Yourself

You have now seen how the healing benefits of frankincense are deeply rooted in both ancient tradition and modern science. With boswellic acids at its core, frankincense resin oil offers potent anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and skin-regenerative properties that can support and enhance your health in so many ways.

Unlike frankincense essential oil, which lacks these key compounds, resin-infused oil is a way to experience the full range of Boswellia’s benefits while at the same time enjoying its wonderfully intoxicatingly scent!

Just remember to be mindful of choosing products from sustainable sources as we all play a role in preserving these priceless ancient gems for our children, and our children's children.