Frankincense and myrrh have known health benefits. These tree resins, which come from the Middle East, have been used medicinally for thousands of years.
Now, they’re making a comeback. They’re being rediscovered by some researchers, as well as by the general public.
In ancient times, from what I understand, these resins were considered more precious than gold. They were a very fitting gift for a newborn King. That’s because people living in Biblical times knew the value of frankincense and myrrh. Both substances appear to have mood elevating properties, and also seem to function as health tonics. They also contain natural infection-fighting compounds.
In addition, frankincense and myrrh appear to have cancer-fighting potential. So far, the results look promising. However, it will be a long time, if ever, before these non-toxic treatments are used in a clinical setting, at least in the United States.
Currently, there seems to be little widespread interest in developing therapies utilizing these non-toxic resins. As natural substances, they can’t be patented. From what I can gather, only few scientists around the world are actively exploring how to turn frankincense and myrrh into medicines.
Right now, most of the information we have on the healing properties of frankincense and myrrh come from aromatherapists. These are practitioners who use these and other essential oils to treat diseases.
Frankincense Myrrh Essential Oil Benefits
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But a handful of researchers are exploring the anti-cancer potential of frankincense. One pediatrician in Oman is using frankincense on cancer patients in his clinical practice. This country is where some of the highest grades of frankincense are found, including the prized Sacred Frankincense oil from the Boswellia sacra, which grows only in this part of the world.
Another scientist at the University of Oklahoma, Dr HK Lin, PhD., is testing this resin in the lab. He sometimes combines it with a bit of myrrh, and has noticed this addition seems to enhance the cancer-killing action of the frankincense.
Perhaps combining these two Biblical resins is intuitive. Maybe they’ve been used together for centuries. Right now, you can find both of them in various all-natural pain formulas, such as the Wise Men Frankincense and Myrrh healing balm shown below.
Frankincense and Myrrh Pain Cream
How Do I Use Frankincense Oil?
Both frankincense and myrrh appear to have specific healing actions. As Dr. Lin has found, together, they seem to create a synergy. If you do use them on your skin, make sure to dilute them with a carrier oil.
Please understand that I’m not a doctor or a professional aromatherapist. So I can’t give medical advice. But I can share with you some of the ways people use these resins. These include:
Infection Fighting – Frankincense and other oils contain natural antimicrobial compounds. As an added benefit, they may also stimulate your immune system to get to work.
Skin Conditioner – Frankincense oil mixed with a carrier oil makes an excellent moisturizer. This resin is also noted for its ability to soften wrinkles and tone the skin. This is one of the natural cosmetics I often use on my own face. I love the results.
Female Remedy – This resin is often recommended to tone the female reproductive system, and to help regulate cycles. (However, it shouldn’t be used if you’re pregnant.)
Digestive Aid – Frankincense might help if you’ve eaten too much, or if you suffer from indigestion. A suggested use elsewhere would be to put a drop of frankincense oil in a teaspoon of carrier oil, and massage it into your abdomen.
Mood Elevator – Frankincense oil is considered one of the best for easing stress and helping you see difficult situations in a new light.
Where to Buy Frankincense Essential Oil?
A large number of companies sell frankincense oil. The pricing varies widely, because there are different types of resin, and also different grades. In his research, Dr. Lin uses Sacred Frankincense made by Young Living, a multi-level marketing company. Although I buy most of my oils outside of MLM networks, I make an exception for Sacred Frankincense. That’s because this oil is hard to produce. And I know Young Living has very strict standards.
Plant Therapy Frankincense Oil
However, if you plan to use frankincense for cosmetics reasons, or because you want a mental boost, buying another brand also makes sense. Plant Therapy sells 100 percent pure therapeutic grade oils. This is a family-run operation based in Twin Falls, Idaho that tests its oils both in house and independently.
This 10 ml bottle of Frankincense comes from the Boswellia serrata tree, which grows in India. I’ve found Plant Therapy products to be potent and effective. I’ve bought a number of my oils from this company.
Plant Therapy Frankincense Essential Oil
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How to Use Myrrh Essential Oil
Like Frankincense, myrrh has a very pleasing and soothing smell. It is woody and earthy, with hints of lemon. It’s been used for thousands of years by traditional healers for a variety of conditions, including:
- Infections – Myrrh contains very strong antibacterial agents. It’s an excellent oil to apply diluted to a closed wound to help it heal. It’s also good to have on hand for viral infections, as it contains anti-viral compounds. It makes an effective fungicide as well.
- Cough Remedy – This resin is often recommended when you’re congested. Rubbing some into your chest may help loosen phlegm.
- Health Tonic – Myrrh is considered good at helping to stimulate your digestive juices. When your digestive system is working properly, you feel better.
- Immune Problems – This essential oil is often used to boost the immune response.
- Inflammation – Myrrh is similar to other essential oils in that it contains substances that ease inflammation. This may be helpful for people with arthritis and other inflammatory conditions. I use myrrh, along with other oils, to help keep my chronic nerve pain from flaring.
I use myrrh oil frequently. The myrrh I currently own comes from Now Foods. It’s more than sufficient for my needs, even though it’s not full-strength myrrh. The bottle I own is already diluted with a carrier oil. However, it’s very aromatic and strong enough for my needs. All essential oils must be mixed with a bland carrier before applying them directly to the skin.
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Disclaimer
These statements have not been approved by the FDA. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. People with health concerns should discuss them with a doctor. Women who are pregnant or nursing should not take herbal remedies, unless under the direction of a health care professional.
I’m not a healthcare professional, so all of the above statements are my personal opinion, and are not intended as medical advice.
I was so happy to see your post on Frankincense and Myrrh! I had red about the possible cancer fighting properties after my Mom died of Pancreatic a year ago…I grabbed it one day.
I thought a lot about the historical connection and came up with exactly what you have posted!
It was so nice to get even more information in these oils! I have been diagnosed with RA and a CSF leak. I work so very hard to manage the RA without pharmaceuticals…nice to add something to my toolbox!
Thank you again!!!
Hi Jules, thank you so much for reading. Although I can’t make any claims, it’s nice to share information on this ancient remedies that are being studied again today.
What kind of carrier oil should I use to apply my Boswillia sacra and myrrh oils from young living EO?
Hi Michael, different carrier oils have different benefits, so this is something you’ll have to research on your own. Plus, different people have their own preferences. Fractionated coconut oil is very popular. The most important thing is that people don’t forget to use a carrier if they plan to use these oils topically for massage. Thanks so much for reading.
I purchased some shea butter from Apple today that was infused with frankincense and myrrh I know frankincense does it have a pleasant smell but I don’t know what her smells like this product smells very perfumy but all it says that is just shea butter frankincense and myrrh so I would like to know does mer have a perfume
Hi Sherree, the myrrh oil I own does have a distinct odor. To me it smells woody and musky with hints of lemon. I think it’s a really pleasant smell.
Enfluerage, Stillpoint Aromatics, and Edens Botanical also sell amazing sacred frank. Bonus, you can view their gc reports on their websites as well. And I would like to say thank you! Thank you for not saying frankincense OIL has been shown to fight cancer. Thank you for saying the resin. One of the biggest myths that people like me and others deeply entrenched in the aromatherapy and aromatic medicine industry have to combat is the frank kills cancer myth. Its heartbreaking to tell someone that the essential oil contains absolutely zero boswellic acid and that the single study about the steam distilled oil fighting cancer was a non peer reviewed study that has been debunked over and over and has non reproducable results. So thank you. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for keeping good factual info out there and available.
Danielle, there are many good brands of essential oils out there. This is a good thing for the consumer, because everyone should be able to own good quality essential oils. I hope we can see clinical trials in the very near future with frankincense and other aromatics that may have cancer-fighting potential. This is what we desperately need, so this potentially safe and non-toxic treatment will be readily accepted and widely available. However, I do need to add that I have the utmost respect for Dr. HK Lin, PhD and Dr. Suhail.
Can I use Hemp Oil as a carrier oil?
Hi Rita, Yes you can. In fact, Plant Therapy, where I buy a lot of my own oils, sells hemp seed carrier oil. Thanks so much for reading.