{"id":348454,"date":"2026-04-25T15:16:18","date_gmt":"2026-04-25T14:16:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/?post_type=herb&p=348454"},"modified":"2026-04-25T15:16:24","modified_gmt":"2026-04-25T14:16:24","slug":"frankincense","status":"publish","type":"herb","link":"https:\/\/www.herbalreality.com\/herb\/frankincense\/","title":{"rendered":"Frankincense"},"content":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"featured_media":348489,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","beyondwords_generate_audio":"1","beyondwords_integration_method":"rest-api","beyondwords_project_id":"47224","beyondwords_content_id":"b29de869-2b64-4ae8-bae3-bb92f93acf10","beyondwords_preview_token":"0e235cff-3a4a-4ac2-add4-816d8f889cb4","beyondwords_player_content":"","beyondwords_player_style":"","beyondwords_language_code":"","beyondwords_language_id":"","beyondwords_title_voice_id":"","beyondwords_body_voice_id":"","beyondwords_summary_voice_id":"","beyondwords_error_message":"","beyondwords_disabled":"","beyondwords_delete_content":"","beyondwords_podcast_id":"","beyondwords_hash":"","publish_post_to_speechkit":"","speechkit_hash":"","speechkit_generate_audio":"","speechkit_project_id":"","speechkit_podcast_id":"","speechkit_error_message":"","speechkit_disabled":"","speechkit_access_key":"","speechkit_error":"","speechkit_info":"","speechkit_response":"","speechkit_retries":"","speechkit_status":"","speechkit_updated_at":"","_speechkit_link":"","_speechkit_text":""},"tags":[],"conditions":[701,699,696,695,700],"sustainability":[1574],"sense":[17,31,18,206],"western_action":[990,992,1810,993,994,1000,1010,1015,1017,1018,1020,1829,1022,1025],"chinese_action":[1042,1397,1037,1051,1047,1038,1167,1040],"ayurvedic_action":[1109,1093,1076,1059,1112,1082],"energetics_action":[1908,1515,1499,1541,1512,1540,1525,1557,1533,1487,1546,1559,1520,1534,1554,1543,1523,1560,1619,1507,1556,1539,1490,1562,1617,2029,1492,1550,1504,1380],"writer":[1203],"region":[1893],"class_list":["post-348454","herb","type-herb","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","conditions-immune-system","conditions-musculoskeletal-system","conditions-nervous-system","conditions-respiratory-system","conditions-skin","sustainability-red-sustainability-status","sense-aromatic","sense-astringent-taste","sense-bitter","sense-resinous","western_action-analgesic","western_action-anti-inflammatory","western_action-antidepressant","western_action-antimicrobial","western_action-antioxidant","western_action-astringent","western_action-expectorant","western_action-immunomodulant","western_action-nervine","western_action-relaxant","western_action-stimulant","western_action-thymoleptic","western_action-trophorestorative","western_action-vulnerary","chinese_action-aromatically-transform-damp","chinese_action-calm-the-shen-spirit-anshen","chinese_action-dispel-wind-damp","chinese_action-nourish-heart-calm-spirit","chinese_action-tonify-blood","chinese_action-tonify-the-qi","chinese_action-treat-cough-stop-wheezing","chinese_action-warm-transform-phlegm-cold","ayurvedic_action-aphrodisiac-vajikarana","ayurvedic_action-bone-mending-sandhaniya","ayurvedic_action-heart-tonics-hridaya","ayurvedic_action-moves-vitality-downwards-anuloma","ayurvedic_action-pain-relieving-vedana-sthapana","ayurvedic_action-scraping-wastes-lekhaniya","energetics_action-aromatic","energetics_action-astringent-taste-chinese","energetics_action-astringent","energetics_action-astringent-kashaya","energetics_action-bitter-taste-chinese","energetics_action-bitter-tikta","energetics_action-bladder-channel-chinese","energetics_action-blood-tissue","energetics_action-cooling","energetics_action-dry","energetics_action-dry-quality","energetics_action-fat-tissue","energetics_action-heart-channel-chinese","energetics_action-heating","energetics_action-kapha-minus","energetics_action-light-quality","energetics_action-lung-channel-chinese","energetics_action-nervous-tissue","energetics_action-nervous-channel-ayurvedic","energetics_action-neutral-temperature-chinese","energetics_action-plasma-tissue","energetics_action-pungent-katu","energetics_action-relaxing","energetics_action-reproductive-tissue","energetics_action-reproductive-channel-ayurvedic","energetics_action-san-jiao-channel-chinese","energetics_action-toning","energetics_action-vata-minus","energetics_action-warm-temperature-chinese","energetics_action-warm","writer-ellen-rowland","region-western-herbs"],"acf":{"last_reviewed":"20260425","herb_author":1203,"banner_text":"Frankincense is a key psychospiritual and respiratory ally","latin_name":"Boswellia sacra <\/span><\/i>syn. <\/span>carteri <\/span><\/i>","pseudonym_name":"","family_name":"","herb_summary":"Frankincense has a long history of use as a spiritual aid to connect the earthly with the divine. It is used to treat stress-induced psychological and respiratory conditions.","key_benefits":"","how_does_it_feel":"Unlike its Indian cousin <\/span>Boswellia serrata<\/span><\/i>, East African frankincense (<\/span>B. sacra<\/span><\/i> syn.<\/span> carteri<\/span><\/i>)<\/span> is <\/span><\/i>primarily taken via inhalation and topical application of the essential oil and is not typically consumed. When inhaled, <\/span>B. sacra <\/span><\/i>has an immediately sharp, lightly-spiced and woody note, followed by a tangy afternote which has the faintest hint of a floral top note at times. <\/span>\r\n\r\nIt feels bone dry, clarifying and as though it wakes up the brain and nervous system as soon as it touches the olfactory receptors; it is stimulating without being overpowering. It has also been described as reminiscent of an old church, with accompanying woody, piney and peppery notes (1\u2013<\/span>4).<\/span>","hdif_image_1":348492,"hdif_image_2":348489,"hdif_image_3":348488,"hdif_video":"","sense":[17,31,18,206],"what_can_i_use_it_for":"[caption id=\"attachment_348491\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"514\"]\"Frankincense Frankincense (Boswellia sacra<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nIndian frankincense is traditionally used in powdered resin or tincture form as a stimulant and expectorant (internally) or an astringent and anti-in\ufb02ammatory (topically) (<\/span>6<\/span>). Whilst <\/span>B. serrata<\/span><\/i> is available as an essential oil, the East African variety <\/span>B. sacra <\/span><\/i>and its essential oil are more highly prized for aroma, and are often used, via inhalation or topically, to treat nervous system, musculoskeletal, skin and respiratory conditions (7,8).<\/span>\r\n\r\nFrankincense (<\/span>B. sacra<\/span><\/i>) is an effective nervous system tonic, and used in the treatment of <\/span>anxiety<\/span><\/a>, depression, in palliative care (to enhance spiritual connection and acceptance), and to support a healthy relationship with oneself and others (<\/span>7,9<\/span>). It is also useful in treating psycho-spiritual imbalances: Grief, confusion, insomnia and low mental focus (including in cases of ADHD) (<\/span>10,11<\/span>). Additionally, it can be supportive psychologically in breaking free from unnecessary attachments (<\/span>12<\/span>).<\/span>\r\n\r\nIts anxiolytic, <\/span>expectorant<\/span><\/a> and immunostimulant properties make it useful for treating recurrent respiratory infections, <\/span>asthma<\/span><\/a>, or as a supportive aid to people with HIV or after chemotherapy treatment (<\/span>11<\/span>). It is particularly noted for use where stress is a major contributing factor in low immunity or in triggering asthma (<\/span>11,12<\/span>). Its mildly expectorant and antibacterial properties are an additional support (<\/span>11,12<\/span>).<\/span>\r\n\r\nSimilarly, to Indian frankincense, it is an important ally in wound treatment and skincare (<\/span>13<\/span>). Whilst it has a highly variable chemical composition, frankincense (<\/span>B.<\/span><\/i> sacra<\/span><\/i>) essential oil generally contains a high percentage of monoterpenes and has antioxidant, <\/span>anti-inflammatory<\/span><\/a>, cell regenerating, and antibacterial properties, which make it ideal for treating ulcers and wounds (<\/span>13<\/span>). <\/span>\r\n\r\nIt is also a popular anti-ageing skin ingredient in cosmetics, due to its ability to relax the skin and reduce the appearance of fine lines \u2014 although research in this area is not sufficient to draw robust conclusions on its anti-ageing effects (<\/span>14\u201316<\/span>). It is even cited by Caddy for the treatment of leucorrhoea and cystitis, although the method of application is not specified (<\/span>13<\/span>).<\/span>\r\n\r\nFrankincense can alleviate muscular and rheumatic pain and spasms due to its anti-inflammatory and inflammation regulatory properties and is also used to treat menstrual cramps and epigastric pain, applied topically; for example, in a massage oil dilution (<\/span>7,12<\/span>).<\/span>","into_the_heart_of":"[caption id=\"attachment_348493\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"513\"]\"Frankincense Frankincense (Boswellia sacra<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n\r\nOne of the most renowned spiritually-used herbs, frankincense is referenced multiple times in the bible and its use dates back to ancient Egypt where its resin (or \u2018tears\u2019) were considered to be the \u201csweat of the gods\u201d, and burned both as incense and its char used as a cosmetic (kohl) (<\/span>12,17,18<\/span>). <\/span>Boswellia<\/span><\/i> spp. resin is still one of the most widely used forms of incense today; its aroma can be smelled in a variety of religious settings (3).\u00a0<\/span>\r\n\r\nThe resin of frankincense, when burned or heated, releases the semi-volatile compound incensole acetate, a psychoactive compound that activates TRPV3 receptors \u2014 ion channels in skin cells that react to heat or certain molecules (<\/span>4,19<\/span>). These are also present in the brain, and can influence emotional or neural signalling, which explains why frankincense affects the central nervous system (CNS) and has mood-enhancing effects when heated (19\u201321). Its affinity, then, is overwhelmingly for the nervous system, with its spiritual and neurological effects most valued.<\/span>\r\n\r\nIn traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), <\/span>B. sacra <\/span><\/i>is associated with the elements of fire and metal, with a neutral to warm quality, and a rising, circulatory effect (22). Tonifying the <\/span>qi<\/span><\/i> (vital force) and strengthening the <\/span>shen<\/span><\/i> (spirit), it is supportive in cases of fatigue (both mental and physical) and can help to alleviate depression, insomnia, grief and confusion (12,22). Its respiratory actions are also recognised in TCM \u2014 it helps expel phlegm and diffuse Lung <\/span>qi<\/span><\/i>, along with its pain-relieving qualities for the musculoskeletal system (22).<\/span>\r\n\r\nAyurveda mainly uses <\/span>Indian frankincense<\/span><\/a> which has a higher monoterpene content, and whilst it has some similar actions to East African frankincense, is mainly given for its inflammatory regulating and <\/span>analgesic<\/span><\/a> properties, and is considered drying and astringing for kapha constitutions (22,23). <\/span>B. sacra<\/span><\/i> is understood to balance the base, solar plexus, throat, third eye and crown chakras (<\/span>10).<\/span>\r\n<\/span>","tradtional_uses":"The name frankincense comes from the French, <\/span>franc incens<\/span><\/i>, which means \u201cpure incense\u201d (22). It has a rich history of cultural and therapeutic uses dating from Ancient Egypt where it was a main ingredient in the sacred incense blend, Kyphi (22). <\/span>\r\n\r\nIt was the first perfume due to its complex and intoxicating aroma, and was understood to connect humankind with spirit, hence its long use as incense in religious and spiritual settings (<\/span>3,10<\/span>). It is still used to purify spaces, including synagogues and mosques, and was used as a skincare and cosmetic ingredient by the Sumerian civilisation which dates back to 4500\u20134000 BCE (22,24).<\/span>\r\n\r\nOften the first choice of essential oil for deepening meditation practice, it is thought to \u201cpave the way to the higher self\u201d (10). It is understood to achieve this by connecting the lower and upper energetic centres \u2014 interestingly, its history of use for connecting people to spirit reflects this upper\/lower link on a macro scale (10,22<\/span>).<\/span>","what_practioners_say":"

\"NervousNervous system<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\r\nFrankincense essential oil is used to treat the nervous system in massage or inhalation blends, since the olfactory pathway has a uniquely direct neural connection to the limbic system, bypassing the thalamus and allowing rapid modulation of mood, memory and neuroendocrine responses(25). Whilst its chemical composition is very variable, it contains a high level of monoterpenes which are known for their anti-inflammatory, stimulating effects (<\/span>13<\/span>). <\/span>\r\n\r\nBoth stimulating and balancing, it is beneficial as a steadying, pacifying herb in times of transition, change, anxiety or in cases of low self-esteem (<\/span>9,13,18<\/span>). It also slows the breathing rate which further aids its calming action, since it stimulates the parasympathetic \u2014 or rest and digest \u2014 nervous system (13,26).<\/span>\r\n

Respiratory system<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\r\nWith its affinity for the nervous system, frankincense is useful in respiratory conditions where there is a neurological or stress trigger (11). Aromatherapists Ingrid Martin and Gabriel Mojay recommend it in particular for use in a massage blend for stress-triggered <\/span>asthma<\/span><\/a> due to its <\/span>anxiolytic<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>antispasmodic<\/span><\/a>, immunostimulant and mildly <\/span>expectorant<\/span><\/a> properties (<\/span>11,12).\u00a0\u00a0<\/span>\r\n

Immune system<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\r\nFrankincense has <\/span>immunomodulatory<\/span><\/a>, immunostimulant actions which have been demonstrated <\/span>in vitro<\/span><\/i> lab testing, with over 90% lymphocyte transformation in one study, in which human lymphocytes from a blood sample were exposed to frankincense essential oil and 90% of lymphocytes proliferated (27). This data supports the clinical use of frankincense in the treatment of patients experiencing recurrent respiratory infections, especially in those who are immunocompromised due to HIV, for example (11).<\/span>\r\n\r\nAs such, it has been posited as a potential cancer treatment, and some studies have shown promising results with frankincense <\/span>in vitro<\/span><\/i>, although human trial data is currently insufficient to draw full conclusions as to its efficacy (28<\/span>).<\/span>\r\n

Musculoskeletal system<\/span><\/a><\/h3>\r\nBeing powerfully anti-inflammatory and somewhat analgesic, frankincense is a useful addition in topical balms and oils for treating <\/span>arthritic<\/span><\/a> conditions, musculoskeletal swelling or pain (12,22<\/span>).\u00a0<\/span>","research":"[caption id=\"attachment_348487\" align=\"alignright\" width=\"513\"]\"Frankincense Frankincense (Boswellia sacra<\/em>)[\/caption]\r\n

The effect of inhaler aromatherapy on pain and anxiety in patients undergoing shock wave lithotripsy<\/h3>\r\nA placebo-controlled prospective double-blind study of 120 patients undergoing shock wave lithotripsy, a non-surgical medical procedure using high-energy shock waves to break up calculi found in the kidneys or urinary tract. <\/span>\r\n\r\nThe study aimed to determine whether inhalation of aromatherapy (essential oils of either frankincense (<\/span>Boswellia sacra<\/span><\/i>) or <\/span>lavender<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>Lavandula angustifolia<\/span><\/i>), diffused by nebuliser) had any effect on patients\u2019 pain or anxiety during the shock wave lithotripsy (SWL) treatment. The study concluded that while frankincense reduced anxiety (STAI-I score) more significantly than lavender essential oil (p = 0.030), neither of the oils had an effect on pain scores (29<\/span>).<\/span>\r\n

The effects of inhalation aromatherapy with Boswellia carterii<\/i> essential oil on the intensity of labor pain among nulliparous women<\/h3>\r\nA 2018 study of 126 pregnant women (with their first child) aimed to evaluate the intensity of labour pain before and after patients were treated with aromatherapy (via inhalation) with <\/span>Boswellia carterii <\/span><\/i>essential oil. Women were randomly allocated to either a placebo (n = 63) or intervention (n = 63) group, with pain recorded at three cervical dilation stages: 3\u20134 cm early first stage, 5\u20137 cm active first stage, and 8\u201310 cm transition stage. <\/span>\r\n\r\nP values across all three stages were p < 0.001, p < 0.001 and p < 0.05 \u2014 the intervention maintained lower levels of pain across the three stages, indicating that frankincense was an effective analgesic via inhalation, especially in the early stages of labour (30<\/span>).<\/span>\r\n

Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri<\/i> induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity<\/h3>\r\nA 2009 <\/span>in vitro<\/span><\/i> study examined viability of cancerous (J82) bladder cells and normal (UROtsa) bladder cells after <\/span>Boswellia carteri<\/span><\/i> was administered. Frankincense essential oil was found to reduce the viability of cancerous bladder cells but not the normal cells. <\/span>\r\n\r\nAfter gene expression analysis was conducted, the researchers confirmed that frankincense oil activates genes responsible for cell cycle arrest, cell growth suppression, and apoptosis \u2014 discerning between healthy and cancerous cells. As such, frankincense oil could represent an alternative intravesical (directly administered into the bladder) treatment for bladder cancer, though more modern research is required to confirm this (31).<\/span>","did_you_know":"It is said that the Phoenix rises from the ashes of aromatic resins, including frankincense (<\/span>3).<\/span>","additional_information_right":{"illustration":348486},"additional_information_left":{"botany":"A tree or shrub, growing 1.5 to 8 metres tall (<\/span>2<\/span>).\u00a0 Leaves are oblanceolate and 10\u201325 cm in length with lanceolate, oblong, elliptic or ovate leaflets (<\/span>2<\/span>). <\/span>\r\n\r\nIts flowers grow in small clusters with branches, and can be smooth or with tiny hairs (<\/span>2<\/span>).<\/span>","common_names":"