Proven Health Benefits of Frankincense Essential Oil
Frankincense essential oil has an earthy, woody, spicy and fruity aroma. Frankincense oil has many uses and health benefits and it has been used in cosmetics, fragrances and in many health remedies.
Frankincense essential oil is extracted from the resin of Boswellia trees, which are located in Somalia, Yemen, Oman and Ethiopia. Several days after the white sap is extracted from the tree bark, it hardens and is scraped off in droplets.
High quality frankincense is silver and clear with a green tint. Lower quality varieties have a brownish-yellow color.
Frankincense has been used in Judaism and Christianity for centuries as well as by the Greeks and Romans and has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula and in North Africa. Today, frankincense essential oil is used to reduce stress and anxiety, pain and inflammation, boost immunity and even fight cancer.
There are many other health benefits and uses for Frankincense oil which you’ll discover in this article. Later on you will find out how to use frankincense essential oil.
Frankincense Essential Oil Uses and Benefits
1. Immune Booster
Frankincense oil may be able to boost the immune system.
A 2009 study published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine concluded that frankincense appears to distinguish cancerous cells from normal bladder cells. Furthermore, frankincense may also be able to suppress cancer cell viability. (1) Another study from 2014 found that frankincense essential oil contain different mechanisms leading to bladder cancer cell death. (2)
A study published on 2013 discovered that frankincense and myrrh essential oils have anti cancer effects in lab trials. (3) Another study from 2012 found that Frankincense essential oil induces human pancreatic cancer cell death in lab cultures. (4)
A 2002 study found that frankincense has anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and anti-leukotriene activity, which may be useful in the treatment of autoimmune disorders. (5)
Although there are some promising results on the use of frankincense essential oil in cancer treatment, more research needs to be carried out.
2. Antimicrobial Effect
An in-vitro study from 2012 tested the combination of frankincense and myrrh essential oils which have been used together since 1500 BC. The study confirmed their antimicrobial effect in combination against various pathogens. (6)
You can therefore use these oil to disinfect cuts or wounds, disinfectants instead of chemical household cleaners, or diffuse them to disinfect the air at home.
3. Promotes Oral Health
Frankincense has antiseptic qualities that may help prevent gingivitis, cavities, bad breath, mouth sores, toothaches and other oral infections.
A 2011 study published in Daru Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences found that frankincense was a safe and inexpensive herbal medicine that could be used to treat inflammation associated with plaque-induced gingivitis. (7)
Read my other related articles about oral health:
- How to Treat Gum Infection (Gingivitis) Naturally
- How to Remove Plaque Naturally
- Proven Ways to Treat Bad Breath Naturally
4. Supports Digestion and Anti-Inflammatory
Frankincense can be used to detox the body, reduce cramping in the stomach, relieve nausea and bloating, and reduce premenstrual pain.
A 2013 study published in the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found that frankincense has wound healing, anti-ulcer and anti-diarrheal properties that are effective in the treatment of Ulcerative Colitis, a form of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) that causes bleeding ulcers in the intestine. (8)
Frankincense is also an anti-inflammatory, which helps reduce inflammation and symptoms in IBS and other inflammatory disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, Crohn’s disease and asthma. (9, 10)
Frankincense essential oil is also one of the top 20 essential oils to relieve pain and inflammation and one of the best essential oils for allergies.
5. Stress and Depression Relief
Frankincense essential oil can be used to reduce stress and anxiety when inhaled and it is one of the best essential oils for anxiety and depression.
A study on mice published on the FASEB journal discovered that a receptor in the brain was reacting to a component of Frankincense resin called incensole acetate. This had anti-depressive effect and reduces anxiety. (11)
Unlike most prescription medications, frankincense oil is safe and does not produce unwanted drowsiness and other side effects.
6. Skin Health and Anti-Aging
Using frankincense essential oil on your skin is a great idea. Frankincense soothes the skin while improving elasticity and tone. It has antiseptic properties that can help protect against bacteria and acne while lifting skin to reduce the appearance of aging. (12)
Frankincense can also be used to reduce the appearance of marks and scars associated with acne, wounds and pregnancy, as well as heal dry skin.
Frankincense oil is one of the best essential oils for eczema, for reducing scars, for acne, and to combat wrinkles naturally.
7. Improves memory
The Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine found that frankincense might have a potential ability to be used as an alternative natural medicine for brain and memory disorders. It was found that rat mothers that consumed frankincense during their pregnancy produced offspring with better learning and memory performance. (13)
You can diffuse frankincense oil at your workplace or at home to improve your memory and learning abilities, or simply sniff it straight from the bottle. You can add to the diffuser rosemary oil which has also been shown to increase brain function.
How to Use Frankincense Essential Oil
Because of its natural antiseptic properties, frankincense essential oil can be used as a natural cleaner for your home. Add a few drops of frankincense essential oil to a spray bottle with water and apply to kitchen counter tops to kill bacteria and germs. You can also find another recipe in my article on how to make sanitizing natural household cleaner using essential oils.
It can also be used to gently repel bacteria in skincare products. Adding a few drops of frankincense essential oil mixed with a tablespoon of carrier oil to a hot bath can reduce stress and help you sleep at night.
A hot soak in a frankincense oil bath can also reduce joint pain and inflammation as well as improve skin health.
If you don’t have time for a bath soak, try massaging a few drops of frankincense essential oil mixed with a carrier oil into sore muscles.
You can enjoy the benefits of frankincense’s scar reducing and wound healing properties further by adding a few drops to your favorite lotion and applying to stretch marks or other problematic areas.
For a restful night’s sleep, try diffusing frankincense essential oil in your bedroom at night. You can find exciting health boosting essential oil recipes for your diffuser in my previous article.
Frankincense Essential Oil – Side Effects
In rare cases, frankincense has been associated with digestive distress, skin rashes, stomach pain, nausea and hyperacidity.
Because of its blood thinning effects, frankincense may cause abnormal bleeding in people taking anticoagulant medications.
Frankincense can stimulate or increase menstrual flow; therefore, pregnant and nursing women should not use this oil as it can be dangerous for the unborn fetus. Consult a physician before giving frankincense to children under the age of six.
If you are interested to learn more about essential oils you can find useful information in my e-book Magical Aromatherapy. This e-book will help you to discover the power of essential oils and the most effective ways to use them.
Related articles:
Proven Essential Oils & Carrier Oils To Combat Wrinkles (Science Based)
Health boosting essential oil recipes for your diffuser
Proven Benefits and Uses of Tea Tree Oil (Melaleuca Oil) – Science Based