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Quick answer: frankincense and myrrh are aromatic tree resins, from Boswellia and Commiphora trees that grow mainly in the Arabian Peninsula, the Horn of Africa and India. Both have been traded and burned as incense for thousands of years and are still used in religious ceremonies, perfume and aromatherapy. Their essential oils are steam distilled from the resin and are used diluted on skin or in a diffuser. Most of the research on frankincense’s possible anti-inflammatory effects involves oral resin extracts, not the essential oil, so treat health claims for the oil with caution.
Few scents carry as much history as frankincense and myrrh. The resins were valued enough to travel thousands of miles on ancient trade routes, and many people know them first as two of the gifts brought by the Magi in the Gospel of Matthew. Today they turn up in church services, perfumes, skin creams and diffuser blends.
This guide separates the long history from the modern claims. It covers what the resins are, how the essential oils are made, what scientists have actually studied, and how to use both oils safely at home. For the general rules that apply to every essential oil, including dilution and storage, see our beginner’s essential oils guide.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre, Land of Frankincense (Oman); National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), Aromatherapy: What You Need To Know; Bongers et al., “Frankincense in peril,” Nature Sustainability (2019); IUCN Red List entry for Boswellia sacra; Tisserand and Young, Essential Oil Safety (2nd edition); Herodotus, Histories (Book 2) on Egyptian embalming; ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. This article is general information, not medical advice. Checked October 2026.
What Are Frankincense and Myrrh?
Both are oleo-gum resins: sticky mixtures of resin, water-soluble gum and aromatic oil that ooze from trees when the bark is cut. The resin hardens in the air into the lumps, or “tears,” sold as incense.
Frankincense
Frankincense, also called olibanum, comes from trees in the genus Boswellia. The species most often seen on essential oil labels are:
- Boswellia sacra from Oman, Yemen and Somalia, the species most associated with the ancient trade
- Boswellia carterii from Somalia and Ethiopia (many botanists now treat it as the same species as B. sacra)
- Boswellia frereana from northern Somalia, sometimes sold as “Maydi”
- Boswellia serrata from India, also known as Indian frankincense or salai guggul
- Boswellia papyrifera from Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan
Harvesters make shallow cuts in the bark and return days or weeks later to collect the hardened tears. The scent of the oil varies by species, from bright and lemony to deep and woody.
Myrrh
Myrrh comes mostly from Commiphora myrrha, a thorny shrub or small tree that grows in dry regions of Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Yemen and Oman. It is harvested the same way, by cutting the bark and collecting the reddish-brown resin. Myrrh smells warmer, earthier and more bitter than frankincense.
A Short History of Two Precious Resins
The incense trade
For centuries, frankincense and myrrh moved by camel caravan from southern Arabia to the Mediterranean world. UNESCO lists the Land of Frankincense in Oman as a World Heritage Site; it includes frankincense trees in Wadi Dawkah, the remains of a caravan oasis and the trading ports of Khor Rori and Al-Baleed, which together show how important the trade was to the region for many centuries.
Ritual and medicine
The resins were burned in temples across the ancient world. The Greek historian Herodotus described myrrh as one of the substances used in Egyptian embalming. In Christian tradition, the Gospel of Matthew lists gold, frankincense and myrrh as the gifts of the Magi, and frankincense is still burned in many churches today. Myrrh also appears in traditional Chinese medicine and Ayurveda, and Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata) has a long history in Ayurvedic practice.
Perfume and skin care
Both resins have been ingredients in perfume for a very long time. Frankincense is often used as a base note that adds depth to blends, and myrrh gives a warm, resinous character. Modern skin creams sometimes include them for their scent and their association with “mature skin” care, though the evidence for anti-aging effects is not established.
How the Essential Oils Are Made
Frankincense and myrrh essential oils are usually made by steam distilling the resin. Steam carries the volatile aromatic compounds out of the resin; the gum and heavier resin acids stay behind. Some myrrh and frankincense products are also made by CO2 extraction or as resinoids (solvent extracts), which contain more of the heavier compounds.
Why the method matters
This difference is important when you read health claims. Much of the scientific interest in frankincense centers on boswellic acids, a group of compounds found in the resin. Boswellic acids are large, heavy molecules that do not travel with steam in meaningful amounts, so a steam-distilled frankincense essential oil contains little or none of them. Research on oral Boswellia extracts, which are made differently and standardized for boswellic acids, cannot be applied to a bottle of frankincense essential oil.
What the oils contain
| Oil | Common main components | Scent profile |
|---|---|---|
| Frankincense (B. sacra / B. carterii) | Alpha-pinene, limonene and other monoterpenes | Fresh, lemony, resinous |
| Frankincense (B. frereana) | Alpha-thujene and alpha-pinene | Peppery, bright |
| Frankincense (B. serrata) | Alpha-thujene, alpha-pinene and others | Sharp, slightly spicy |
| Myrrh (C. myrrha) | Sesquiterpenes such as furanoeudesma-1,3-diene and curzerene | Warm, earthy, bitter |
Composition varies with species, region and harvest, which is why a reputable supplier can give you a batch test report (GC/MS analysis).
What the Research Says
NCCIH notes that aromatherapy research in general is limited, and that many studies are small or poorly controlled. That applies here too.
Frankincense
- Oral Boswellia serrata extracts have been tested in small clinical trials for osteoarthritis and some inflammatory conditions, with mixed results. These are standardized supplement extracts, not essential oil, and they can interact with medicines, so talk to a doctor or pharmacist before taking them.
- Frankincense essential oil has been tested in laboratory and animal studies for effects on inflammation and cells. Lab results like these are a starting point for research and do not show that applying or inhaling the oil treats any disease.
- Aromatherapy and mood. Some small studies have included frankincense in aromatherapy blends for relaxation, often mixed with other oils, which makes it hard to tell what effect any one oil had.
Myrrh
Myrrh has a traditional reputation for mouth and gum care, and myrrh tinctures appear in some herbal mouthwashes. Research is limited and mostly involves extracts, not the essential oil. Do not use myrrh essential oil in your mouth without professional guidance.
Claims to be careful about
You will find frankincense oil promoted online as a cancer treatment. There is no clinical evidence that frankincense essential oil treats cancer in people. Relying on it instead of medical care can be dangerous. If you are in cancer treatment and want to use aromatherapy for comfort, ask your care team; many cancer centers offer integrative therapy programs that can advise you.
How to Use Frankincense and Myrrh Safely
Both oils are generally considered gentle compared with oils such as cinnamon or clove, but “gentle” still means diluted, patch tested and used in moderation.
Dilution
For most adults, a 1 to 2 percent dilution for body use is a sensible starting point. Using the common estimate of about 20 drops per milliliter:
| Strength | Drops per 10 mL of carrier oil | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| 1% | 2 drops | Face, sensitive skin, daily use |
| 2% | 4 drops | Body oils, massage |
| 3% | 6 drops | Short-term use on a small area |
Light carrier oils such as jojoba or sweet almond suit these resinous oils well. Our comparison of jojoba, sweet almond, coconut and fractionated coconut carrier oils can help you choose. Patch test on your inner forearm for 24 to 48 hours before using a new blend more widely.
Oxidation
Frankincense oil is rich in monoterpenes such as alpha-pinene and limonene. Tisserand and Young note that oils high in these compounds oxidize as they age and are exposed to air, and oxidized oils are more likely to cause skin sensitization. Keep the cap tight, store the bottle in a cool, dark place and replace old oil whose scent has turned harsh.
Pregnancy, breastfeeding and medical conditions
There is little safety research on frankincense or myrrh oil during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and some aromatherapy references advise avoiding myrrh in pregnancy. Ask your doctor or midwife first. If you take prescription medicines, especially blood thinners or diabetes medication, ask your pharmacist before using Boswellia or myrrh supplements; our article on herb-drug interactions explains why these questions matter.
Children and pets
Keep both oils out of reach of children, and never let anyone swallow essential oils. Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222 if a child swallows any amount. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center advises caution with essential oils of all kinds around pets, especially cats and birds; diffuse only in a room the animal can leave, and never apply oils to pets without veterinary advice.
Burning resin indoors
Burning incense, including frankincense resin, produces smoke and fine particles. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency lists incense as a source of indoor air pollution. If you burn resin, open a window, never leave it unattended and keep it away from anyone with asthma.
Ways to Use Them at Home
In a diffuser
Add 3 to 5 drops of frankincense, alone or with a citrus oil such as sweet orange, to an ultrasonic diffuser and run it for 30 to 60 minutes, then turn it off. Myrrh is thick and can clog some diffusers; blend one or two drops of it with a thinner oil.
In a body oil
Mix 4 drops of frankincense and 2 drops of lavender into 15 mL of jojoba for about a 2 percent body oil. Use it after a shower when skin is still slightly damp. Our guide to lavender essential oil uses and safety covers the second oil in this blend.
For quiet rituals
Many people use frankincense during prayer, meditation or a wind-down routine, simply because the scent signals a pause. That is a fine reason to use it, as long as the expectations are about atmosphere rather than treatment.
Buying Frankincense and Myrrh
Read the label
- Latin name and species. “Frankincense” alone is not enough; look for Boswellia sacra, carterii, frereana, serrata or papyrifera.
- Plant part and method. Resin, steam distilled (or CO2 extracted, if that is what you want).
- Country of origin. Somalia, Oman, Ethiopia, India and Kenya are common.
- Batch testing. A GC/MS report helps confirm the oil is what it claims.
- Price. Unusually cheap “frankincense” may be diluted or blended with other oils.
Sustainability
Frankincense has a real supply problem. A 2019 study in Nature Sustainability by Bongers and colleagues found that many Boswellia populations in the Horn of Africa were not regenerating, with few young trees to replace old ones, and projected that frankincense production could fall by half within about 20 years. Over-tapping, cattle grazing, fire and insects all play a part. The IUCN Red List classifies Boswellia sacra as Near Threatened.
If this matters to you, buy smaller amounts, use the oil sparingly and ask sellers how their resin is sourced and whether harvesters are paid fairly. Some suppliers describe sustainable tapping programs; ask for specifics rather than accepting a label word.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between frankincense and myrrh?
Both are tree resins from the same plant family (Burseraceae), but they come from different trees. Frankincense comes from Boswellia trees and smells fresh and lemony-woody; myrrh comes from Commiphora trees and smells warm, earthy and bitter.
Does frankincense essential oil contain boswellic acids?
Very little, if any. Boswellic acids are heavy compounds that mostly stay behind in the resin during steam distillation. Research on Boswellia supplements does not apply to the essential oil.
Can I put frankincense oil directly on my skin?
Dilute it first, at about 1 to 2 percent in a carrier oil for most adults, and patch test. Undiluted oils are more likely to irritate skin, and old, oxidized frankincense oil can cause allergic reactions.
Is frankincense safe for dogs and cats?
Pets are more sensitive to essential oils than people. Keep oils out of reach, diffuse only in rooms a pet can leave and never apply oils to an animal without your veterinarian’s advice.
Why are frankincense trees in trouble?
Researchers report that over-tapping, grazing, fire and insect attacks are preventing many Boswellia populations from regenerating, which threatens future supply.
The Bottom Line
Frankincense and myrrh offer a direct line to some of the oldest traditions in perfume and ritual. Their essential oils are pleasant, relatively gentle choices for diffusing and diluted body oils. Keep expectations grounded: most of the research behind frankincense’s reputation involves oral resin extracts, not the oil in your diffuser. Buy carefully, use a little at a time and talk with a clinician before using either resin for a health purpose.
