What’s the Deal with Frankincense? Oil vs. Resin, and Why it’s Worth Knowing

What’s the Deal with Frankincense? Oil vs. Resin, and Why it’s Worth Knowing

Frankincense might sound like something out of an ancient Bible story (and, honestly, it kind of is)… but it’s also something many natural health lovers are reaching for today—and for good reason.

If you’ve ever wondered what frankincense actually is, how it’s used, or whether it really does anything useful (spoiler: it does!), keep reading. Let’s break it down together.

🌿 What Is Frankincense, Anyway?

Frankincense is a resin—a thick, sticky sap—that comes from trees in the Boswellia family. These trees grow in dry, mountainous regions like Somalia, Oman, India, and Yemen. When the bark is cut, the tree “bleeds” a milky resin that hardens into golden drops. That hardened resin is frankincense.

It’s been used for thousands of years in spiritual ceremonies, traditional medicine, and even skincare. You might recognize its earthy, slightly citrusy scent if you've used frankincense essential oil before—but that’s just one form it takes.

✨ Frankincense Resin vs. Essential Oil: What’s the Difference?

Here’s where it gets interesting:

  • Frankincense resin is the raw, whole form—the actual sap from the tree. You can grind it, infuse it into oil, burn it like incense, or use it in salves and skincare.
  • Frankincense essential oil is made by steam-distilling the resin. It smells wonderful and has benefits—but some of frankincense’s most powerful compounds don’t make it into the essential oil.

That’s because heavy-hitting compounds like boswellic acids are too heavy to be captured in steam distillation. So if you're using only essential oil, you're missing some of frankincense’s best features.

Products made with resin-infused oil—like some of our balms and salves—are much more likely to contain these beneficial compounds.

💚 What Are the Benefits of Frankincense?

Traditionally, frankincense has been used for all kinds of things—spiritual grounding, wound healing, skincare, immune support, and calming the mind.

Modern research is now beginning to support many of these traditional uses. Some of the known or suggested benefits include:

  • Reducing inflammation – helpful for joint pain, sore muscles, or inflammatory skin issues
  • Supporting healthy skin – may help with tone, texture, and reducing the appearance of scars or blemishes
  • Soothing stress or anxiety – that grounding scent may help calm the nervous system
  • Supporting immune health – especially when used regularly in a natural routine

📚 Do Any Studies Back Up These Claims?

Yes—and the research is growing!

  • Boswellic acids, found in the resin (not essential oil), have been shown to reduce inflammation, support joint health, and even show potential in cancer research.
  • One review found frankincense may help people with arthritis, asthma, and digestive issues like Crohn’s disease—especially in supplement form.
  • Some studies suggest frankincense helps manage oxidative stress, which contributes to aging and chronic inflammation.

That said, many of these studies are small, and more research is still needed—especially in humans. But what we can say is this: there’s growing scientific support for what traditional medicine has known for centuries—frankincense is powerful stuff.

Final Thoughts

If you’ve been curious about frankincense, especially in natural skincare or wellness products, now you know why we love it so much. It’s ancient, earthy, and packed with plant power—especially when used in its whole, resin form.

We use resin-infused oil in some of our formulas to make sure you’re getting the full benefits—not just the scent. Boswellic acids and all.

Want to see it in action? Check out our herbal salves and oils, or follow along as we share more about how we work with this amazing ingredient.

 

References

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