These notes were originally prepared for two short CPD (Continuing Professional Development) "essential oils refresher" sessions which I led for Professional Aromatherapy Network in South Yorkshire. I would be glad to lead such sessions for other groups, e.g. local/regional IFPA or IFA branches.

For list of other essential oil profiles see USES page. There is also a separate page on the use of frankincense for arthritic conditions in FRANKINCENSE & MYRRH CREAM.

FRANKINCENSE

Boswellia Carteri

Also known as Olibanum. There is much confusion over the botanical naming of different species. B. Carteri (not carterii as often stated) is now classified as synonymous with B. sacra. (1). B. serrata is Indian frankincense. It is difficult to be sure which species oil has been distilled from, and it is possible that resins from different species may get mixed together (2). 

Origin N.E. Tropical Africa (including Somalia) and the Arabian Peninsula. Grows on limestone rocks. (3).

Extraction The bark of the tree is cut to release a white gum resin which congeals into “tear” shapes, coloured amber to orange-brown to reddish to white. Steam distillation usually takes place in Europe. (4)

History The name is derived from Old French and means “true incense” (3). Widely burnt e.g. in India, China and the Catholic church. Used in large amounts in ancient Egypt in ritual, in embalming, and in cosmetics and perfumes (4). Gift to baby Jesus in the Christian Bible -signifying holiness (3). Wide traditional medical use.

Contra-indications Tisserand & Balacs (5) give no contraindications.

Chemistry Shirley & Len Price (6) list major constituents as monoterpenes (alpha-pinene, alpha-thujene, limonene, cymene, sabinene) with some sesquiterpenes, alcohols, a ketone (verbenone) and an ester (octyl acetate). But many identifications and chemical analyses in the literature are “invalid, as the resin was bought from a market and not necessarily collected in the country of purchase” (2).

Blending Suggestions Usually listed as a base note, but not so persistent as sandalwood or vetiver. Base to middle? Goes particularly well with the orange oils – orange, petitgrain, neroli. Benzoin, black pepper, camomile Roman, caraway, cardomom, cedarwood Atlas, Cedarwood Virginian, cypress, elemi, ginger, grapefruit, ho wood, jasmine, lavender, lemongrass, mandarin, melissa, myrrh, myrtle, rockrose (aka cistus), rose, rosewood, sandalwood, tea-tree, ylang ylang. 

Major Properties 

Anticatarrhal, antidepressive, antiseptic (esp. pulmonary), astringent, cicatrisant, expectorant, immunostimulant, sedative, uterine, vulnerary.

Uses 

Stress-related conditions, anxiety, depression, nervous tension.

Haemorrhoids, rheumatism.

Asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, colds, coughs, ?flu.

Dry skin, inflamed skin, mature skin, scars, ulcers, wounds.

Cystitis, dysmenorrhea, genito-urinary infections, heavy periods, leucorrhea.

Patricia Davis (7) says it can “slow down and deepen the breath”, leading to “feelings of calm, which are very conducive to prayer and meditation”. “It is also thought to help break links with the past.” It would be interesting to know where that last idea originated.

OTHER LINKS 

Details of some research into the properties of frankincense are at Boswellin.com (fairly technical), and links to many more pages, with brief summaries, are at HerbMed.

Frankincense and the Lost City of Ubar History.

Each of these sites has a picture of a frankincense tree/trees, though little additional information;

Missouri Botanical Gardens NB this is a jpg file, not on an HTML page as far as I can see - but opened OK in my browser.

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; Plant Facts; Christmas

Tiscali Reference - Frankincense

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References

1) Essentially Oils Newsletter, October 1999.

2) Essentially Oils Newsletter, May 2000.

3) Leonard Price, Oil of the Month: Frankincense, Aromatherapy World, Winter 1991/92.

4) Julia Lawless, The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils, Element, Shaftesbury, 1992, p.77. 

5) Robert Tisserand, & Tony Balacs, Essential Oil Safety, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1995.

6) Shirley & Len Price, Aromatherapy for Health Professionals, Churchill Livingstone, Edinburgh, 1995.

7) Patricia Davis, Aromatherapy - An A-Z, C. W. Daniel, Saffron Walden, 2000 (revised ed.)

Other sources for information, present and past; books, articles or other material by Martin Watt (safety); Jan Kusmirek, Jean Valnet, Patricia Davis/London School of Aromatherapy, Robert Tisserand, Valerie Ann Worwood.

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Paul Boizot. Information revised 15.3.04. Page updated 30.04.08.

All content on this site COPYRIGHT Paul Boizot 2002-2010 unless otherwise stated, either on the visible webpage or in HTML.

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