Frankincense is known as the “king of oils”, it is renowned as one of the most prized essential oils. Spend enough time around essential oil people and you will hear the phrase, “when in doubt, use Frankincense. Frankincense can be used to improve the appearance of skin imperfections and it can also be used in a veggie capsule to support healthy cellular function. It is known for supporting healthy cellular, immune, nervous, and digestive function when used internally. It can also be diffused to create a peaceful and satisfying aroma.

This ancient oil has been cherished for thousands of years. By all accounts, Cleopatra was a real beauty. She was described as having eternal youth and immortality. Her secret? Frankincense! 

 

One of the ways that I use Frankincense for healthy skin is by adding a drop to my Verage Moisturizer from doTERRA and apply it to my skin every night, especially around my eyes to help reduce the appearance of fine lines. 

 

For cellular support, you can add a drop of Frankincense under your tongue every day to help promote homeostasis within your body. You can also put Frankincense on your feet to support grounding. 

 

You can read more about the physical benefits of Frankincense in the Modern Essentials Handbook.  

 

 

Frankincense is the oil of truth. It allows you to let go of lower vibrations, lies, deceptions, and negativity. It creates new perspectives based on light and truth and recalls the memory of spiritual understanding, gifts, wisdom, and knowledge. 

 

All essential oils have both physical and emotional benefits. You can read more about the emotional benefits in the Essential Emotions book.  

 

Our Frankincense essential oil is a proprietary blend of four species of frankincense resin: Boswellia carterii, B. papyrifera, B. frereana, and B. sacra. Different frankincense trees thrive in different environments and soil types. For example, B. carterii trees grow best in sandy soils, while B. frereana trees grow best on dry, rocky terrain. B. frereana trees also produce the largest resin tears of the species.

We source from multiple locations to ensure we’re harvesting resin where each Boswellia species grows best—reducing environmental pressure on any single species.

Frankincense has been a highly valued commodity for millennia, dating back to ancient Egypt, Assyria, and more. The precious resin comprises the oldest global supply chain.

The essential oil comes from the resin tears of the frankincense tree. Harvesters typically make shallow cuts in the bark, from which resin seeps out. The resin is left for two weeks to crystallize into “tears,” which are then scraped off the tree. This process repeats over multiple weeks throughout the harvesting season. Resin tears are carefully cleaned and organized by size and color by women before distillation.

Our Frankincense essential oil comes from the Sanaag region of the Cal Madow Mountain range in Somaliland. Approximately a third of Somaliland’s population lives in this region, and frankincense harvesting is a main source of employment. The trees are passed down through generations, and harvesters have access to specific regions by tribal rite.

Normally, the resin is harvested, sold to shopkeepers (who then sell it to intermediaries and consolidators), and eventually exported. However, this system often takes advantage of the harvesters, who end up being paid the lowest wage for the hardest work.

In contrast, we go directly to the people who harvest and sort the resin. We’ve even contributed significantly to the construction of warehouses where the resin is collected, sorted, and stored (again, primarily by women), which provides important employment opportunities in these remote areas. These warehouses function like a cooperative, organizing harvesters and shopkeepers into a network.

Working at the source provides improved transparency, fairness, employment opportunities, and security for those participating in the supply chain and adding the most value. Our efforts are made possible by the Co-Impact Sourcing traceability model.

Read more about the Co-Impact Sourcing Model: Co-Impact Sourcing with doTERRA | What Makes doTERRA Essential Oils Different

 

Our Co-Impact Sourcing initiative for Frankincense essential oil provides harvesters with fair wages and on-time payments (including food and cash prepayments spread out during the year) by working directly with those who harvest and sort. This arrangement provides a stabler, more reliable income to harvesters.

We’re also proud to support research and sustainability initiatives protecting frankincense trees through our Responsible Frankincense Strategy (RFS). Many frankincense trees have been overharvested, which means the trees have too many cuts or the cuts are too deep. As part of RFS, we’ve partnered with local universities in these sourcing countries and international organizations to carry out two initiatives.

First, traceability systems have been established to oversee harvesting and land management. Traceability includes identifying each harvested tree and monitoring its health status by evaluating depth and frequency of cuts.

In Somaliland, our research team is collecting GPS information for satellite imagery. In Ethiopia, overharvesting isn’t the primary threat to the longevity of frankincense trees; land conversion is. The solution is to propagate frankincense seedlings and cuttings in protected environments.

Nurseries for propagation are part of the second initiative. In Erigavo, the Frankincense Sustainability Research Center is a recently built nursery with two greenhouses. It’s an experimental site that evaluates optimal growing conditions for cuttings and seedlings.

In Oman, our sourcing partner runs the largest private frankincense nursery and plantation, with hundreds of trees ranging from four to eight years old and thousands of smaller trees now growing well. The research and initiatives we support ensure these trees and ecologies thrive and continue supporting communities and livelihoods.

Moving to the fun part – actually using your Frankincense oil! 

This is one of my favorite blends for occasional respiratory distress. This blend can be used to clear airways, soothe mild coughs, and help reduce phlegm. 

Topically: Combine 3-5 drops of Frankincense, Lime, Breathe to a 10ml roller, combine carrier oil. Apply to chest as needed. 

Aromatically: Add 3-5 drops of each in your diffuser 

 

One of Frankincense’s most powerful benefits is its ability to promote health, specifically cellular function. Try taking Frankincense oil internally by adding one to two drops in a Veggie capsule. This natural supplement will help support healthy cellular function while boosting your immune system. 

 

Day 3- F.L.O.O.M (Frankincense, Lemon, Oregano, On Guard, Melaleuca aka Tea Tree) Blend 

This is our go-to anytime our bodies need some big guns to fight off more of the intense environmental threats. What makes this FLOOM bomb so powerful is the blend of oils it uses. FlOOM is an immunity boosting blend of essential oils. It can be taken internally or used in a roller bottle. 

These oils have many different properties that help support the immune system and many other systems in the body. 

 

Are you looking for a blend to boost and uplift your mood? Look no further, this combo of oils not only helps to uplift you spirits, but it also helps to release negative emotions you may be hindering deep down inside. 

Topically: Combine desired drops to a 10ml roller, apply to wrist and over your heart to combat negative emotions. 

Aromatically: Combine 2-3 drops of each and diffuse throughout the day. 

 

Do you have a difficult time staying focused, have a big project coming up for work, maybe you have children in school who need some extra support to focus on the task at hand? Whatever the case may be this blend can help to your mind and body stay on tasked and focused. 

Topically: Combine desired drops (see dilution chart above for recommendations) to a 10ml roller, apply to back of neck and wrist as needed. 

Aromatically: Diffuse 2-3 drops of each oil to increase productivity. 

 

The three gifts had a spiritual meaning: gold symbolizing virtue, frankincense symbolizing prayer, and myrrh symbolizing suffering. What better way to celebrate the Gift of Magi than during the Christmas Season. 

Topically: Combine desired drops (see dilution chart above for recommendations) to a 10ml roller, apply to back of neck, spine, and feet. 

Aromatically- Diffuse 2-3 drops of each to clear stagnate energy. 

 

This gentle detox is an excellent way to gently detox and rid your body from toxins, also to soothe tired muscle. 

Combine 2-3 drops of each oil with 1⁄4 cup of Epsom salt to soothe joints and muscles, and to gently detox your system. 

 

If you have kids of any age boo-boos are inevitable. This is an amazing spray to not only cleanse the area of need, but also soothe any irritation. 

Combine 10 Drops of each essential oil in spray bottle, fill a little bit with FCO and add rest with water. Spray as needed. 

 

So many individuals need extra support when it comes to the thyroid, this is a perfect blend. 

Combine 7 drops of each in a 10 ml roller, fill the rest with FCO roll over thyroid day and night. 

 

Antioxidants are substances that can prevent or slow damage to cells caused by free radicals, unstable molecules that the body produces as a reaction to environmental and other pressures. This combination of essential oils can help to reduce oxidative stressor but rejuvenating the cells. 

Take 2-3 drops internally of each in a veggie capsule daily or as needed. 

 

Childbirth is such a blessing; however, the birthing process can be traumatizing. Having safe holistic tools to heal the body after bringing a new life into this world is such a blessing. 

In a spray bottle combine 10 drops of each fill half with FCO and the rest with water. Spray during the birthing process and after to ease discomfort and promote healing. 

 

As a women it’s important to have routine check-ups for breast support. This is an excellent 

blend to support and promote healthy breast tissue. 

Combine 5 drops of each in a 10ml bottle, fill the rest with FCO. 

After a strenuous workout combine these three products to soothe joint and muscle inflammation. 

 

Razor bumps can be irritating and can turn your morning shave into a day long frustration. Even though shaving may be essential, razor bumps are not. Provide relief to your skin with this combo. The serum will benefit the irritated skin by soothing the sensitive razor bumps for an all-day appearance and feel your skin will love. 

In a 10ml roller combine 2-3 drops of each, fill the rest with FCO. Apply as needed after a nice shave. 

This is one of my favorite blends when you have mild to moderate joint inflammation. 

Combine 10 drops of each in a 10ml roller fill the rest with FCO. 

 

Too much fun in the sun can lead to skin damage. This is an excellent blend to soothe mild skin irritations due to over sun exposure. The cooling sensation will leave your skin feeling cool and rejuvenated. 

Combine 5-10 drops of each in a spray bottle, fill half with FCO and the rest with water. Spray as needed. 

 

Dr. Hill’s whole-body capsule is a powerhouse combo to boost cellular function, increase immune response, supports a healthy inflammatory response in your body. Mixing these together and taking internally daily will give you a powerhouse of support. 

Take 2-3 drops in a veggie capsule daily. 

 

We have used this tried and true blend over and over to support our littles through the teething process. This combo helps to reduces inflammation while providing soothing relief. 

In a 10ml roller combine 3-5 drops of each oil, fill the rest with FCO. Apply along the jawline as needed. 

 

If you have ever experienced a tooth ache you will know the excruciating pain, you can feel. These two oils are excellent to reduce temporary pain and inflammation. 

You can apply these oils neat on area of need (note: clove is a hot essential oil so dilute as needed) 

 

I love the powerful effects essential oils can have on our moods. This uplifting blend will leave you singing “Because I’m Happy,” all day long. 

Combine 5 drops of each in a 10ml roller fill the rest with FCO. Apply as needed 

 

Are you wanting radiant, glowing and smooth skin? waiting for you in this comb! 

Apply daily to your face for best results.

 

Over the counter make up removers can leave your eyes irritated. This simple DIY recipe is gentle and works like a charm. 

Combine 1-2 drops of each oil on a cotton ball with FCO and use as needed. 

 

Did you know that one drop of Frankincense can service every cell in your body! One drop under your tongue gets that Frankincense into your blood stream, within 20-30 minutes working every cell, one drop can ease anxious feelings (excellent for baby blues), one drop supports proper cellular function, health inflammatory responses, and it can assist in boosting and supporting your immune system. 

Every morning put one drop of Frankincense under your tongue for your daily boost of Frankincense 

 

Babies skin can be so sensitive, and their little bums can become irritated from time to time. Ditch those harsh over the counter diaper creams and use this natural DIY spray to reduce mild skin irritations. 

In a spray bottle combine 10-15 drops of each, fill half with FCO and the rest with water. Spray at each diaper changing as needed. 

 

There are many factors that go into our metabolisms. Taking two drops of this blend daily can boost your Metabolism. 

Combine 2 drops of each in a veggie capsule, take twice daily for optimal results. 

 

Have you found that strenuous activity, sitting for long periods of time, or overextending yourself leads to your joints and muscles feeling achy and inflamed? Pre make this blend to have readily available to swipe and go. 

Combine 10 drops of each in a 10ML roller, fill the rest with FCO and apply as needed to area of need. 

 

Are you feeling overwhelmed, frustrated, defeated? Maybe you’ve had a hard time connecting spiritually to your inner calling. Whatever it may be, this is a perfect blend to release and reconnect. 

Add 3-5 drops of each oil into your diffuser, use during times of mediation, prayer and more. 

 

Do you feel overwhelmed, anxious, or are you an empathy who holds everyone’s emotions? This is an excellent combination to ease anxious feelings, to calm your nervous system down. 

 

Does your husband or the man in your life have a luscious beard they like to keep groomed? My husband loves this DIY beard oils. Not only does this keep his beard smooth and soft, it also helps to grow those luscious locks. 

In a spray bottle combine equal drops of tea tree, lavender and frankincense. Add FCO, and some water. Use daily to support those luscious locks. 

 

Oh the weather outside is frightful, but the fire is so delightful, this diffuser blend is truly magical. Want to have your home smelling all cozy and warm, diffuser this combo to get in the holiday spirit. 

Combine 3-5 drops of each in your diffuser. 

I don’t know about you, but I cherish sleep. It’s a time to allow the body to renew and refresh for a new day. This combination of oils helps your body and mind to unwind and relax. 

Combine 3-5 drops in your diffuser, or add 5-10 drops of each in a 10ml roller, fill the rest with FCO and use as needed for a restful night of sleep. 

Give you skin a special treat using my lotion bar recipe – try swapping out the Litsea essential oil for Frankincense in this lotion bar recipes: DIY Lotion Bars with Litsea Essential Oil.  

doTERRA almost always has a promo in December where you can get a free 15ml bottle of Frankincense with a 200 PV order (approximately a $200 order). Ethically harvesting Frankincense is tough, making it one of the rarer and more expensive oils, getting a free bottle is a really great deal. If you are reading this in December, make sure you are taking advantage of this deal. 

It is always my goal to help people discover the many uses of their essential oils. Frankincense can be a tough oil to figure out how to use, but with its many benefits it is an oil you must work into your daily routine. 

 

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