Frankincense Essential Oil: What the Science Actually Says

Frankincense essential oil is one of the most commercially successful and most frequently misrepresented essential oils in the market. Claims range from the plausible to the extraordinary. This article focuses on what the research actually demonstrates.

What is in frankincense essential oil?

Frankincense essential oil is steam-distilled from the resin of Boswellia trees. The primary compounds in Boswellia sacra (Omani frankincense) are alpha-pinene (typically 50-65%), limonene (10-15%), and alpha-thujene (5-10%). These are all monoterpenes. The boswellic acids that are frequently cited in frankincense research are large, non-volatile molecules that do not distil into the essential oil. They are present in the resin and in CO2 extracts, but not in steam-distilled essential oil.

What the essential oil research shows

Research on frankincense essential oil (as opposed to resin extracts) is more limited than the marketing suggests. Studies have investigated its antimicrobial properties in vitro, with some evidence of activity against Staphylococcus aureus and other bacteria. Inhalation studies have looked at its effects on mood and anxiety, with some positive findings in small samples. These are interesting preliminary findings, but they do not support the more dramatic claims that circulate online.

Species differences

There are approximately 25 species of Boswellia, and they have meaningfully different compound profiles. Boswellia sacra (from Oman and Yemen) is considered the highest quality and has the most distinctive scent profile. Boswellia carterii (from Somalia) is more commonly available and less expensive. Boswellia serrata (from India) is the species most studied in the clinical literature, but primarily as a resin extract, not as an essential oil.

Our Frankincense Serrata is sourced from India and is clearly labelled as such. The GC/MS report is available on the product page.