When people think of frankincense, most think first of the church: censers, fragrance, and holidays. But the resin of the frankincense tree is much older than any of these traditions. For thousands of years, it was one of the world's most valuable commodities, and was chewed, burned, and used in the traditional medicine of many cultures.
In this guide, you'll learn where frankincense comes from, how the resin is harvested, what boswellic acids are, and what to look for in frankincense capsules.
What is frankincense? A resin, not an herb
Frankincense is the dried resin of various trees in the genus Boswellia. They belong to the Burseraceae family, which also includes myrrh and the guggul tree. What they have in common is that their bark contains resin canals.
The most important species are Boswellia serrata from India, Boswellia sacra from Oman and Yemen, as well as Boswellia papyrifera and Boswellia carterii from northeast Africa. The trees grow in barren, rocky soil, remain small, and need very little water. The species differ in fragrance and resin composition.
Frankincense in history and religion
The oldest records of frankincense come from India and are several thousand years old; texts dating back around 3,500 years have been found in Egypt. The resin traveled from southern Arabia to the Mediterranean along the Incense Route and was traded there at a price comparable to gold. In Egypt it was part of the embalming process; for the Romans, Jews, and later Christians, it was part of religious rituals. In Buddhism, fragrances are considered food for the gods.
But frankincense was not only burned. The resin was also chewed, making it one of the world's oldest "chewing gums." It also had a place in traditional Indian and European medicine. This long history is culturally fascinating, but it is not scientific proof of an effect.
Harvesting: how the resin is collected
To harvest the resin, the tree's bark is scored with a special knife. A milky sap seeps out at the cut, hardens in the air, and forms droplet-shaped pieces called resin tears. After two to three weeks, they are scraped off by hand, and then the same cut is reopened.
Traditionally, resin from the first cut is considered inferior, so resin from later cuts is mainly used. This is also where sustainability comes into play: Scoring the trees too often and too deeply weakens them, and populations are declining in several growing regions as a result. Older trees tolerate the process better than younger ones.
The ingredients: what's in frankincense resin
Frankincense resin is a mixture of resin acids, mucilage, and essential oils. The essential oils are responsible for the characteristic fragrance when the resin is burned, and vary considerably by species.
Boswellic acids
The compounds of greatest interest to researchers are boswellic acids. They belong to the triterpenes, a group of fat-soluble compounds, and in this form are found only in Boswellia resin. Two are studied particularly often: KBA (11-keto-β-boswellic acid) and AKBA (3-O-acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid).
Why choose an extract instead of resin
Raw frankincense resin barely dissolves in water, so tea offers little benefit. To make extracts, the boswellic acids are dissolved from ground resin using a solvent. The solvent is then removed and the extract is dried. Standardization indicates the percentage of boswellic acids in the finished extract; 65 and 90 percent are common.
What the research investigates
Frankincense extracts and boswellic acids have been studied for decades, including in relation to joints and the gut. Much of the research comes from laboratory and animal studies, while studies in humans are generally small and inconsistent. These findings cannot establish an effect in humans and are no substitute for medical treatment.
How to identify good frankincense capsules
- Species listed: Is the botanical name on the label, for example Boswellia serrata? "Frankincense" alone doesn't tell you which species it is.
- Standardization: What percentage of boswellic acids does the extract contain? Without this information, the milligram amount tells you little.
- Extract amount: How many milligrams of extract does each capsule provide?
- No unnecessary additives: Ideally, the ingredients list should contain only the extract and capsule shell.
- Lab testing: Reputable manufacturers have their batches tested for heavy metals.
Directions for use and safety
Follow the recommended serving on the package and take the capsules with a meal and plenty of liquid. Occasional gastrointestinal complaints have been reported.
Check with your doctor before taking them if you regularly take medication, especially blood thinners, or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Frankincense extract is not intended for children.
Frankincense from Vitalplant
Our Frankincense Capsules contain 600 mg of extract from Boswellia serrata resin per capsule, standardized to 90 percent boswellic acids. The resin comes from trees that are at least ten years old. The capsule contains nothing but the extract and a vegan shell made from hydroxypropyl methylcellulose. It comes in an amber glass bottle, and every batch is lab-tested for heavy metals. Interested in related resins? Our Guggul Extract.
comes from the same plant family. → Explore Frankincense Capsules
