• Frankincense
  • Frankincense

Frankincense

  • Scientific Name
    Boswellia carterii
  • Family
    Burseraceae
  • Origin
    Somalia, Ethiopia, Iran, Lebanon, China, Kenya, Moroccoetc.

CONTENTS

Plant description

Frankincense is the resin obtained from an evergreen shrub belonging to the Burseraceae family. This shrub has a distinctive characteristic of storing sap within its bark. When the bark is damaged, resin is collected, which can then be used to create essential oil. The Japanese term “Nyukou” is derived from the resin’s color, while the English name “frankincense” is derived from an old French word.  It has long been known as a very precious substance, renown for being one of the gifts presented at the birth of Jesus. Additionally, it has been utilized for both cosmetic and therapeutic purposes. Originating from the Middle East, Frankincense is found in various regions around the world, including China, Ethiopia, Iran, and Lebanon.

Essential oil composition

Fankincense

  • Fankincense

  • INCI
    BOSWELLIA CARTERII OIL
  • Parts of Plant Used
    Resin
  • Extraction Method
    Steam Distillation
  • Extraction Rate
    4 - 6%（dried）
  • Notes
    Middle - Base
  • Aroma Family
    Resin

Fankincense Essential Oil Properties & Uses

About 4-6% Frankincense essential oil is obtained by steam distillation from its dried resin, and has a pale yellow color. The main components are α-pinene, β-pinene, etc. which are often associated with the scents found in forest environments. Initially, the fragrance is fresh and reminiscent of a forest, but over time, it develops into a smoky, slightly sweet aroma with deep resinous notes reminicsent of pepper and citrus fruits. This fragrance is clear and pure, exuding a profound sense of divinity and tranquility. It blends harmoniously with a wide range of other essential oils, imparting a sophisticated character to the blend. It particularly complements deep and woody fragrances such as Petitgrain, Tea Tree, and Laurel. Additionally, it can be combined with citrus notes like Lemon and Grapefruit or invigorating scents like Eucalyptus for a clear and balanced aroma. Given its relatively mild scent, adding a bit more to the blend can help maintain a well-balanced scent.

Essential oil composition

Essential oil composition

※An example of one batch production is shown here.

  • α-Pinene　36.80%
  • Limonene　13.13%
  • α-Thujene　10.27%
  • Myrcene　8.27%
  • Sabinene　4.18%
  • p-Cymene　3.98%
  • β-Caryophyllene　3.15%
  • α-Phellandrene　2.18%
  • β-Pinene　1.30%
  • Other components　16.74%

Functions and Efficacies

α-Pinene

α-Pinene
  • IUPAC Name
    (+)-α-Pinene: (1R,5R)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
    (-)-α-Pinene: (1S,5S)-2,6,6-trimethylbicyclo[3.1.1]hept-2-ene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    (+)-α-Pinene: 7785-70-8
    (-)-α-Pinene: 7785-26-4
  • Structure
    Bicyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of α-Pinene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Anti-bacterial Effects ○
Anti-inflammatory Effects ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that brain tumors in mice that inhaled the fragrance of α-pinene became smaller. However, no melanoma cell growth was observed with the addition of α-pinene, indicating a potential psychological effect .1)

Anti-bacterial Effects

A study reported that α-pinene had an inhibitory effect on the growth of blue staining fungi, both when exposed to gas and when added to the culture medium2)

Anti-inflammatory Effects

It is known that the addition of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in RAW264.7 cells induces the production of nitric oxide (NO), a substance that causes inflammation. A study reported that the production of NO was suppressed by the addition of α-pinene.3)

  • 1)Kusuhara et al., Biomedical Research, 2012
  • 2)岡村、木材保存、
  • 3)Kwak et al., Journal of Exercise Rehabilitation, 2019

Limonene

Limonene
  • IUPAC Name
    1-methyl-4-prop-1-en-2-ylcyclohexene
  • Molecular Formula
    C10H16
  • Molecular Weight
    136.23 g/mol
  • CAS No.
    138-86-3
  • Structure
    Monocyclic monoterpene

Functions and Efficacies of Limonene

in slico in vitro ex vivo in vivo
Non-clinical Clinical
Mice Rats Guinea Pigs Insects Rabbits Human
Stress Reduction ○
Memory Improvement ○ ○
Anti-cancer Effects ○ ○ ○

Stress Reduction

A study reported that mice subjected to cold stress at 4°C (41°F) exhibited reduced elevations in blood corticosterone levels when treated with limonene. Furthermore, the same report demonstrated that limonene effectively lowered corticosterone levels in the blood of mice exposed to both physical and mental stress.1)

Memory Improvement

A study reported that when acetylcholinesterase reacts with acetylthiocholine in phosphate-buffered saline, the introduction of limonene inhibits the degradation by acetylcholinesterase. Acetylcholinesterase plays a role in the breakdown of acetylcholine, a hormone associated with memory and learning. In the same report, it was also noted that limonene suppressed memory impairment induced by scopolamine administration in rats.2)

Anti-cancer Effects

A report indicated that the consumption of limonene by breast cancer patients resulted in reduced expression of Cyclin D1, a protein crucial for cell division, within tumors.3)Furthermore, numerous other studies have also documented the anticancer properties of limonene.4)5)

  • 1)Fukumoto et al., Stress and Health, 2008
  • 2)Zhou et al., Nutritional Neuroscience,, 2013
  • 3)Miller et al., Cancer Prevntion Research, 2013
  • 4)Ajikumaran Nair S et al., Phytomedicine, 2018
  • 5)Chaudhary et al., Human & Experimental Toxicology, 2012

IFRA

Limonene：
Oxidized limonene can cause dermal sensitization. For essential oils with a high limonene content, it is advisable to use only when the level of peroxides is maintained at a minimum (20 mol/l) through the incorporation of antioxidants.

※Only information for selected components are shown here.

References
Jennie Harding [Handbook of Essential Oil and Plant Oil] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2010.
Shinichiro Otsuki/Yukiko Ozaki [Scientific Name Etymology Dictionary of Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2009.
Jennie Harding [Illustrated Reference Book of Herbs] Sancho Publishing, 2012.
Freddy Ghozland/Xavier Fernandez [L’Herbier Parfume] Hara Publishing, 2013.
Kyohei Mikami [Comprehensive Guide to Essential Oils] Fragrance Journal, 2010.
Yuzuru Ogura [Dictionary of Plants] Tokyo-do Publishing, 1957.
Nobuo Ohashi [Dictionary of Medical Herbs] Tokyo-do Publishing, 2016.
Wanda Sellar [The directory of essential oils] Fragrance Journal, 1992.
Aroma Environment Association of Japan [AEAJ Aromatherapy Certification Official Textbook grade1&2] Sekaibunka, 1999.
Robert Tissearand [Essential Oil Safety] Fragrance Journal, 2018.
Ayako Berg [Aromatherapy Essential Oil Dictionary] Seibido Shuppan, 2022.
Azusa Annells [Enjoying Fragrance: An Illustrated Book of Aromas with Characteristics]Natsumesha CO.,LTD., 2023
International Fragrance Association, Limonene, 1995.
(All written in or translated to Japanese.)
Supervisor
Yamamoto Perfumery co., ltd.

Back to essential oil list