Frankincense Oil - Benefits and Uses

Aromatherapy and essential oils

Nowadays, the choice of cosmetics and medicines is very diverse. We are used to living in cities and using products from the chemical and pharmaceutical industries. But when faced with complications, side effects or low effectiveness of synthetic products, we remember the natural medicines found in plants. These include essential oils, successfully used in cosmetology, medicine, aromatherapy and esotericism. Frankincense oil, exotic for our country, has, in addition to a pleasant aroma, numerous beneficial properties.

Composition and healing properties of frankincense oil

Frankincense is the name given to the aromatic resin of plants of the Boswellia family: Boswellia carterii, Boswellia sacrum, Boswellia pupurifera, growing in India, Somalia, Yemen, Ethiopia, Sudan.

incense tree
The name "Frankincense" incense comes from the phrase "incense of Franks", which means "Frankish incense", since it was supplied through intermediaries - the Franks

Frankincense is used in its pure form or to make essential oil. In ancient times, it was believed that the smell of incense clears the mind and frees the soul from sorrows and fears. Indeed, this aroma relaxes and brings a feeling of calm.

Origin of Frankincense
When released, the resin of the incense tree is milky white in color, and as it dries it becomes transparent with a yellowish tint.

Nowadays, incense and its derivatives are used in church rituals and for meditation. Researchers have discovered a substance called incensol acetate in incense smoke, which acts as an antidepressant in animals and humans.

Frankincense was used widely in ancient Egypt, including for embalming. It is surprising that when opening ancient tombs, whose age is estimated at thousands of years, archaeologists felt a barely noticeable aroma of incense.

High-quality oil is a light yellow or greenish liquid with a warm, sweetish odor. It consists of ketone alcohol, resinous substances, terpenes and other components. The healing properties of the oil are provided by monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. These hydrocarbon substances have a multifaceted effect: antitoxic, antiseptic, antibacterial, analgesic, expectorant. They speed up metabolic processes in the body, increase immunity and calm.

Frankincense resin and essential oil from it in a glass bottle
The aroma of incense is sweetish, interspersed with lemon notes, spicy, woody, very warm and soothing.

Frankincense extract is widely used:

  • in perfumery production - to create fragrances;
  • in aromatherapy - to change the psychophysiological state of a person;
  • in folk medicine - for the treatment of diseases;
  • in cosmetology - to improve the condition of skin and hair;
  • in the treatment of neuroses, insomnia, stress and other psychological disorders;
  • for massage and relaxing baths;
  • for meditative and esoteric practices.

Hair Care

Frankincense oil strengthens hair, gives it strength and shine. The active substances of the oil nourish the hair follicle, penetrate inside the hair, strengthening and moisturizing it. A major role here is played by resinous substances that predominate in the composition of the product. Frankincense extract eliminates dandruff, dry scalp and prevents split ends.

The easiest way to use incense ether is aromatherapy. You need to apply 3 drops of oil to a comb every day and gently comb your hair from roots to ends for 5 minutes, distributing the product over the entire length. After this procedure, the hair becomes smooth, acquires shine and a pleasant aroma.

Aroma combing with frankincense oil
A few drops of frankincense oil on a wooden comb will smooth and scent your hair.

When washing your hair, it is recommended to add a little frankincense oil to your care products (shampoos, masks, conditioners).

A daily scalp massage with a mixture of alcohol (50 ml), lavender oil (10 drops) and frankincense oil (5 drops) will help prevent hair loss.

Oil massage of the scalp
Regularly massaging your scalp using frankincense oil will speed up hair growth, making it stronger and shinier.

Eliminate excessive hair loss

A common problem for girls is excessive hair loss, which is usually caused not only by a lack of vitamins, but also by improper care. You can solve this like this:

  1. Mix jojoba oil (3 tablespoons) with lavender oil (20 drops), rosemary (5 drops) and frankincense (2 drops).
  2. Generously lubricate your hair with the mixture, wrap it with film and cover with a warm towel.
  3. Leave for 30 minutes, then rinse with shampoo.
  4. Repeat the procedure once every 1 days until excessive hair loss is eliminated. This mask strengthens the roots well.

Getting rid of split ends

The following mask will help restore the structure of split ends:

  1. Dilute 5 drops of an oil solution of vitamins A, E and frankincense oil in half a glass of olive oil.
  2. Comb your hair well and apply the product over the entire length.
  3. Wrap your head in film and a towel, leave for an hour, then rinse.

By repeating the procedure once a week for a month, there will be much less split ends.

Restoring damaged hair

This recipe will help moisturize and nourish damaged hair:

  1. In shea butter (4 tablespoons), dilute 2 drops each of mandarin, ylang-ylang and incense esters.
  2. Generously lubricate hair from roots to ends.
  3. Wrap in film and a towel and leave to soak for 2 hours, then rinse.
  4. Apply 1-2 times a week, depending on the condition of the hair.

Moisturize dry hair and activate its growth

This hair rinse will be an excellent addition to your basic hair care:

  1. In 1 liter of boiled or distilled water, dilute 2 drops of extracts of frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood and chamomile.
  2. After washing, rinse your hair with this solution. Do not rinse off.

Facial skin care with frankincense oil

Frankincense oil is suitable for caring for any skin type. It prevents the secretion of fat and the appearance of rashes on problem skin, smoothes wrinkles on aging skin, moisturizes and tones dry skin, discolors age spots and freckles. Frankincense essential oil has an effective astringent effect, helping to tighten pores, tighten the skin and prevent the formation of wrinkles.

Before using frankincense oil, you need to make sure that there are no allergic reactions to the components of its composition. To do this, apply a drop of the solution to the inside of your wrist and wait 2-3 hours. If there is no reaction, you can safely use the product.

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For oily and problem skin

The positive results of using frankincense on oily skin are due to its antiseptic properties and ability to reduce sebum.

To get rid of acne, frankincense extract is applied directly to the pimples with a cotton swab. In the same way you can lubricate ulcers, scratches, abrasions, boils, scars and hems. Frankincense dries out acne and pimples, resolves scars and scars, and heals scratches.

Getting rid of rashes

Steam bath to combat rashes based on natural essential oils:

  1. Take half a liter of boiling water, add lemon oil (2 drops), eucalyptus (2 drops) and frankincense (1 drop). To stir thoroughly.
  2. Cover your head with a towel and sit over the mixture for 5 minutes.
  3. At the end of the procedure, pat your face dry with a paper napkin.
  4. Repeat the steam bath once a week until acne reduces or disappears.
Steam bath with essential oils
Before the procedure, you must thoroughly cleanse the skin with a cleanser or scrub.

Eliminate oily shine

This mask will help make your face more matte and fresh:

  1. Beat the egg whites, pour in 2 tablespoons of natural yogurt, 1 tablespoon of almond oil, essential oils of lemon (1 drop), rose (1 drop) and frankincense (2 drops). To stir thoroughly.
  2. Apply the mask to cleansed facial skin and leave for half an hour.
  3. Rinse off any remaining product with warm water and apply a moisturizer.

You can perform the procedure 1-2 times a week.

For dry and aging skin

Frankincense oil saturates dry skin with nutrients and stimulates the production of collagen, which is responsible for the firmness and elasticity of the skin. The easiest way to use it is to enrich your face cream with a few drops of frankincense ether. However, not all synthetic components of creams are compatible with essential oils, so it is safer to use base oil as a base: jojoba, apricot kernels, avocado, sesame, olive.

Let's start the morning right: a recipe for a refreshing tonic

A quick recipe for a morning facial tonic that will “wake up” the skin and improve its tone:

  1. Dilute 5 drops of frankincense oil in a glass of purified water.
  2. Wash with tonic instead of water or soak a cotton pad in it and wipe your face.

Moisturize and nourish dry skin

Moisturizing mask for dry skin:

  1. Mix evening primrose oil (20 ml) and hazelnut oil (30 ml).
  2. Add extracts of incense (5 drops), sandalwood (3 drops) and carrot seeds (2 drops) into the mixture.
  3. Apply the product to the skin of the face, leave for 20 minutes, then rinse with warm water.

You can use this mask up to three times a week. The mixture is also good for face and neck massage.

Getting rid of wrinkles under the eyes

Anti-wrinkle oil for the skin around the eyes:

  1. Mix wheat germ oil with jojoba oil in a ratio of 3:1. Add 3 drops of frankincense extract.
  2. Gently lubricate the skin around the eyes with the product and leave it to absorb for 30 minutes, then blot off any excess with a paper towel.

The oil can be used at night every day. It tightens and nourishes the delicate skin around the eyes, eliminates wrinkles. The product is good for removing makeup.

Applying frankincense oil to the skin around the eyes
Apply the oil to the skin around the eyes using your index and middle fingers using patting movements.

Eliminate sagging and swelling

Remedy for sagging and puffy skin:

  1. Melt 2 tablespoons of coconut oil until liquid and mix with 1 teaspoon of grape seed oil, add lavender and frankincense oils (5 drops each).
  2. Mix until smooth.
  3. Apply the mixture to your face in circular motions for 5 minutes.
  4. Leave the oil solution to soak in or remove excess with a napkin.

With regular use, after 3 weeks you will notice the result: increased skin smoothness and elasticity, improved relief.

Incense is well compatible with esters of lavender, bergamot, neroli, rose, sandalwood, pine, lemon, grapefruit, orange, black pepper, and cumin.

Massage and aromatherapy

Frankincense oil is well suited for relaxing and acupressure massage. To do this, you will need 5 drops of frankincense extract and 2 teaspoons of base oil (coconut, olive, peach, etc.). You need to massage active points for at least 10 minutes. The same recipe is useful for preparing warm oil compresses on painful areas.

Frankincense oil massage
Massage of active points with frankincense oil relieves pain and relaxes muscles

A general massage of the whole body with frankincense oil is very relaxing, and the addition of citrus esters - lemon, tangerine, bergamot - will give the mixture a fresh aroma and an invigorating effect.

To create a calming atmosphere in the house and purify the air from pathogenic microorganisms, pure incense oil is evaporated in an aroma lamp. If there is no aroma lamp in the house, then you can drop a little oil on the battery or just on a piece of paper. The delicate woody aroma helps well in the fight against anxiety, anxiety, stress and insomnia.

Aroma lamp with frankincense essential oil
For a room measuring 15 square meters you will need 5-6 drops of frankincense ether

The following aromatherapy mixture will make your sleep calm and sound: neroli and sandalwood oils (2 drops each), incense (1 drop).

Aromatic baths perfectly calm and reduce stress:

  1. Stir 5 drops of oil in a solution of sea salt, honey or cream.
  2. Add warm water to the bath.
  3. Take a bath for 15–20 minutes.
Frankincense oil baths
Adding esters of rose, myrrh and lavender to frankincense oil will enhance the relaxing effect of aromatic baths

Frankincense oil can be used for erotic massage and enriched with it in cosmetics for intimate areas. Its aroma harmonizes relationships and enhances sexual desire.

If we consider my personal experience with frankincense oil, I used it specifically for aromatherapy and relaxing baths. I was curious what it smelled like, if the smell matched what we smell in church. I didn’t risk buying inexpensive oil, knowing full well that a high-quality product made from the resin of trees that grow very far from our country cannot be cheap. I ordered foreign-made oil from a friend of mine.

The smell surprised me: sweetish, delicate, fresh, with lemon notes, but completely different from what we smell in church. I used the oil in its pure form in an aroma lamp and added it to a bath with sea salt. When the ether evaporates, the air in the apartment becomes sweetish, but at the same time fresh. I also liked the combination of frankincense and citrus oils.

For relaxing aromatic baths, I also tried combinations with other esters. I liked the combination of incense with rose and sandalwood: a very unusual oriental scent, at the same time delicate and sensual.

I used incense a couple of times to ease breathing during sleep when I had a cold. To do this, I simply dripped a little oil onto the pillow on both sides. I actually breathed easier in my sleep, and the nasty sore throat and nasal congestion went away. But essential oils of eucalyptus, mint and juniper had exactly the same effect on me.

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Thus, I can safely recommend frankincense essential oil for aromatherapy, but with one condition: the product must be of high quality. It is better not to use cheap raw materials.

Frankincense oil in medicine

Frankincense extract is a multifunctional remedy and has been helping people in treating a wide variety of ailments since ancient times.

For respiratory diseases

The drug is often used for respiratory diseases. The oil relieves symptoms of inflammation, destroys germs and viruses, and has a decongestant and expectorant effect. Inhalations with frankincense oil help treat runny nose, nasal congestion, bronchitis, asthma, etc. To carry out inhalation you need:

  1. Add 5 drops of the product to a container of boiling water. To stir thoroughly.
  2. Cover with a towel and breathe over the mixture for 5–10 minutes.
Inhalations with frankincense oil
Inhalations using frankincense essential oil will ease breathing and help remove phlegm.

For oral administration

It is allowed to take frankincense extract internally: 2-3 drops added to an herbal infusion, pure water or honey will help cope with coughs and urinary tract infections, with digestive problems such as constipation, gas formation, bloating, nausea, irritable bowel syndrome.

For the care of teeth and gums

The strong antiseptic properties of ether are also useful for caring for teeth and gums. You can enrich your toothpaste with a drop of the product or use boiled water with a few drops of frankincense oil as a rinse.

Homemade tooth powder effectively cleans and protects against caries:

  1. Combine half a teaspoon each of baking soda and finely ground sea salt.
  2. Add 2 drops of frankincense ether. To stir thoroughly.
  3. Brush your teeth with the resulting powder for 2–3 minutes. Rinse your mouth with clean water.

The dosage is designed for one brushing of teeth, it is advisable to do a fresh portion each time.

To relieve inflammation and pain

The anti-inflammatory properties of incense are used in the fight against diseases of muscles, bones and joints such as rheumatism, arthritis and others. To relieve pain and inflammation, rub incense ether diluted in base oil or water into the affected areas.

In addition, frankincense oil helps with painful menstruation, labor pain, and stops uterine bleeding.

Frankincense oil for arthritis
Frankincense oil is often used to relieve symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis.

Frankincense oil has another valuable quality - it enhances the properties of other essential oils. It can be applied last or used to enrich ready-made mixtures.

Frankincense oil against cancer

Frankincense oil is known to help with cancer. The fact is that incense contains monoterpenes - substances that can destroy malignant cells at the initial stage of their appearance and development, thereby stopping the growth of tumors. Unlike chemical or radiation therapy, the drug acts only on cancer cells without damaging healthy ones.

Frankincense contains the valuable substance AQUA - acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, which has the experimentally proven property of destroying cancer cells. Scientists claim that AQUA can help treat colon, prostate, breast cancer and even advanced ovarian cancer.

How to take for cancer

For cancer patients, it is allowed to take frankincense oil internally or use it as an external remedy, it all depends on the location of the tumor in the body.

However, it is very important to understand that this is an additional remedy; it can only be used as part of complex therapy against the background of other treatment methods. If the oil does not work, and the tumor continues to actively develop during this period, precious time will be lost. The ether must be of high quality and, if possible, brought from those countries where incense trees grow.

In addition to incense, essential oils of thyme, thyme, clove, cinnamon, lavender, chamomile, sage and others are used in the treatment of cancer. You can combine them with each other.

For any cancer, you need to regularly conduct aromatic sessions with incense oil, spraying 4-6 drops of the product for 30-60 minutes using an aroma lamp. Depending on the type of disease, ether can be used in different ways:

  • For pancreatic cancer, use the following mixture under the tongue: frankincense oil - 3 drops and peppermint, lavender and sandalwood oils - 1 drop each.
  • If the liver is damaged, rub a little oil into the area of ​​the right hypochondrium 3 times a day.
  • If the lungs are affected, inhale with incense 3 times a day.
  • For tumors of the mammary glands, rub a mixture of 3 drops of frankincense oil and 3 drop of lemongrass ether into the chest area 1 times a day.
  • For a brain tumor, rub a mixture of 2 drops of frankincense oil and 2 drop of sandalwood extract into your temples 1 times a day.

You need to use frankincense oil for cancer in 2-month courses, monitoring the effectiveness of the effect according to the condition of the tumors.

Contraindications to the use of frankincense oil

Frankincense oil is quite safe and has no categorical contraindications, but you should not use it:

  • for allergies;
  • children up to 3 years;
  • pregnant and breastfeeding women;
  • with poor blood clotting.

With caution and only after consulting a doctor, it is allowed to use this remedy in old age (after 60 years) and with chronic diseases such as epilepsy, psoriasis, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, systemic lupus erythematosus.

Reviews on the use of frankincense oil for beauty and health

Incense is a tool that completely relaxes the body, slows down the flow of air to the cerebral cortex, therefore it is widely used in meditation and as an assistant in achieving nirvana. There is an institute for the study of aura, so they studied the different effects of various substances, words, objects on our aura, so frankincense oil showed its effect on par with saying a prayer, it closes energy irregularities, aligns the aura. Action for the body. When I used it, I observed the cleansing of the lungs and mucous membranes during illness. Helps eliminate shortness of breath. Frankincense oil is used to improve digestion, against cystitis and nephritis. For uterine bleeding and irregular periods. With its help, mothers fight postpartum depression. Frankincense oil eliminates belching and improves the functioning of the digestive tract. Cosmetological effect. I have combination skin, so I will describe the effect for different types. When acne or pimples appear, it is applied precisely, eliminates redness, disinfects and you can notice a whitening effect. If you have age spots or freckles, or maybe you have neglected the rules of applying fruit masks, all this can be eliminated with the help of this oil. For dry skin, it nourishes and even tones it. For oily skin, it reduces the appearance of clogging in pores, which reduces the number of blackheads on the face. Conclusion: difficult to find, invaluable for meditation and depression, has a relaxing effect, my verdict: try it, you might like it.

I've been using incense for a long time. It’s not easy to use, you need some kind of container to light it up so you don’t get burned. Well, in general, a lot of things. I recently attended an aromatherapy treatment and they lit an aroma lamp with incense for us. I want to say that no one guessed the smell. I really liked it, I didn’t believe that it was incense, since we are used to the smell being like in a church (that’s why I don’t use it very often at home, I don’t like it). I ran to the pharmacy and bought Frankincense essential oil from Esoterica. At home I periodically light an aroma lamp and the apartment smells good. I'll write about the oil. It is obtained by hydrodistilization of incense resin. The resin is extracted from boswellia trees, which are native to India, Arabia and the Nile Valley. Well, I won’t write about mythical properties; I know everything about them. Let me add that the oil: eliminates insomnia, night terrors, removes from a state of nervous exhaustion... Its smell is very gentle and pleasant. I recommend.

Hello, dear friends! I would like to introduce you to another noteworthy essential oil, like frankincense. I don’t use it that often, but I still think it should be there. Just in his instructions there is so much described. But how do I use it? Its properties include antidepressant, sedative and relaxation. I put a couple of drops on a body aroma lamp or a general one for the entire room. The husband relaxes himself the same way he comes home from work, so that he can quickly switch from stress and tune into a calm family mood. Helps a lot. It also has a strong wound healing agent. It stimulates the skin to regenerate faster. Relieves various skin inflammations. It’s even elementary, when the first signs of inflammation appear on the face, all you have to do is anoint it. But in reality there are many more applications. If anyone is interested, you can read about all the applications on the Internet. I think it will be interesting.

I tried frankincense oil. Indeed, one can sing an ode to him. The smell is deep, calm, velvety, setting you up for regularity. Really like. I took a small container of 1,3 ml for testing, it’s a pity to pour it into the aroma lamp now, I use it on my face, the skin becomes velvety, pleasant. The description says: insomnia, dry and mature skin, hair loss, dandruff, wounds, runny nose, inflammation of the sinuses, tonsils, bronchitis, asthma... A wonderful remedy for everything. Well, the smell is amazing.

Two weeks ago, official medicine abandoned me. The tumor in the bladder has increased one and a half times. For 3 years I had it 30–32 mm with a thickness of 9–12 mm. This is against the backdrop of continuous chemotherapy. My last chemo was in July. Two weeks ago there was control. The tumor increased to 41 mm, its thickness became 14 mm. There was blood in the urine. Moreover, the bleeding became quite severe. I was told that all possible protocols for my disease had been exhausted. And I can use any traditional methods that I believe in. Tatiana (Maniola) wrote to me about frankincense oil. My daughter bought me two types of incense oil in Germany - Indian and African. And I began to take it at my own peril and risk, because, as you understand, I have nothing to lose. A week and a half has passed since the start of the reception. I take three drops of African oil three times a day, adding a dessert spoon of cold-pressed flaxseed oil after meals. I just decided to accept it. Because I couldn’t find any methods of reception anywhere. First impressions, and purely subjective ones at that - by the evening I felt vaguely reminiscent of how I felt after chemotherapy. But only very distantly. The blood in the urine disappeared (I stopped taking etamsylate specifically for the sake of the experiment). If earlier I got up to go to the toilet three or four times at night, now sometimes twice, sometimes once. But, I repeat, this is purely subjective! I don’t know what’s really going on in the body. I hope that in a month and a half to two months I will have a urinary ultrasound (there is no point in doing this before) and then I will know more or less exactly what is happening to me and whether frankincense oil is helping me. Unless, of course, something extraordinary happens first. Since November last year, I have been bothered by pain in the sacral area on the right side, radiating to my right leg. Doctors say that this has nothing to do with oncology. I take nimesulide or ketonol or dilofenac. Half a day is enough. Today I decided to rub frankincense oil (African) into the sore spot. After 15 minutes the pain disappeared completely. About four hours later she appeared again. I rubbed it again, but with Indian - no reaction, the pain did not go away, although Indian is much more expensive than African. For the sake of experiment, I decided to rub in the African again. After about fifteen minutes the pain went away. At all. I don’t know whether the oil heals or only relieves pain, whether it is possible to rub the oil into oncology. On the other hand, if I am treated with oil by taking it orally, then what difference does it make through how it enters the body? Here's a short report.

The smell of incense often evokes associations with church services. Indeed, it has been used for religious ceremonies and meditative practices for thousands of years. In addition, incense ether can be used to care for hair, face and body, treat various diseases, perform massages, etc.