Working with Frankincense
A practical guide to using frankincense resin at home โ its traditional benefits, how to make an infused oil and a tincture, and ways to enjoy this ancient resin.
๐ฟ An Ancient Resin for the Modern Apothecary
Frankincense isn't a leaf or a flower โ it's a resin, the hardened, golden "tears" of sap that seep from the Boswellia tree. That makes it a little different to work with than the herbs in your garden, but no less rewarding. Once you've gathered good-quality resin, it can be gently melted into oil or steeped into a tincture, unlocking the prized compounds the ancient world treasured.
Here's a detail worth knowing: frankincense's most valued skin-and-body compounds, the boswellic acids, are found in the resin โ and they carry over when the resin is extracted into oil or alcohol, but not into steam-distilled essential oil. That's exactly why making your own frankincense infused oil and tincture is so worthwhile: you capture the gifts of the whole resin in a way a bottle of essential oil simply can't.
๐ What Frankincense Is Known For
Treasured for thousands of years across Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Ayurvedic, and traditional Chinese practice. Here is what tradition has most often turned to it for โ shared for educational interest, not as medical advice.
๐ฌ Key Properties & Constituents
A little of the "why" behind the tradition.
The compounds behind it: Frankincense resin is rich in boswellic acids (its prized anti-inflammatory, skin-firming compounds), aromatic terpenes like alpha-pinene, plus gums and other resin compounds. Remember the key point: boswellic acids live in the resin extract โ your infused oil and tincture โ not in steam-distilled essential oil. That's what makes your homemade preparations special.
โ๏ธ How to Make Frankincense Infused Oil
Because resin is sturdier than dried herb, it needs a higher, longer warm infusion to release its compounds into the oil. These are the Gathered Remedies settings.
๐ซ Frankincense Infused Oil
- Add your frankincense resin and olive oil to the Infuzium at the ratio above.
- Set to 160ยฐF for 6โ8 hours. The higher heat gently melts the resin and releases its compounds into the oil.
- Strain thoroughly โ use a fine mesh strainer lined with cloth to catch the fine particles.
- Expect a little sediment at the bottom; this is completely normal with resin oils.
- Bottle, label, and store in a cool, dark place.
๐ก Good to Know
Resin can leave a sticky residue on surfaces, so once your oil is finished and strained, store it in a dedicated jar reserved just for resin oils. The same method and settings work beautifully for myrrh resin, too โ so you can make both of the wise men's gifts right in your own kitchen.
๐ซ Making a Frankincense Tincture
Because boswellic acids dissolve well in alcohol, a tincture is another wonderful way to capture the gifts of the resin โ and many of frankincense's traditional compounds were first identified in alcohol extracts of the resin.
๐ถ Frankincense Resin Tincture
- Place your frankincense resin (tears or lightly crushed) into a clean glass jar.
- Cover completely with a high-proof drinking alcohol (such as a high-proof vodka or grain alcohol), filling the jar.
- Seal and store in a cool, dark place. Shake daily โ the resin will slowly dissolve and the liquid will turn golden.
- Allow it to extract for several weeks (4โ6 is traditional), shaking when you remember.
- Strain through fine mesh and cloth, bottle in amber glass, and label with the date.
๐ก Good to Know
A resin tincture is most often used externally or aromatically, or diluted well. As always with a new preparation, start small and patch-test first.
๐งด Ways to Use Your Frankincense Oil
Once you have a beautiful golden frankincense oil, it becomes the base for all sorts of lovely things:
Pairs Well With
Frankincense blends beautifully with other resins and skin herbs. A few classic companions:
๐ก๏ธ Safety & Considerations
- Frankincense preparations are generally for external and aromatic use; don't take homemade resin oil or tincture internally without guidance from a qualified practitioner.
- Always patch-test a new oil or tincture on a small area of skin before applying more widely. Keep it away from the eyes.
- If you are pregnant, nursing, or managing a health condition (or taking medications), check with a qualified healthcare provider before use.
- Use clean, food-grade resin from a trusted source, and label every preparation with its contents and date.
โ๏ธ Ready to Make Something?
Once you have your frankincense resin, here are the full method guides for everything you can make with it.
Herbal Infused Oils
The full Gathered Remedies method for infusing resin into oil, with Infuzium settings.
Read the Guide โHealing Salves
Turn your frankincense oil into a beautiful, spreadable salve with just one more ingredient.
Read the Guide โHerbal Tinctures
A step-by-step folk-method guide to making a frankincense resin tincture at home.
Read the Guide โFrankincense in Scripture
"They presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh." Discover the story, the verses, and the symbolism of this ancient resin of worship.