Organic African frankincense essential oil (formerly known as Arabian frankincense) has a resinous, sweet, balsamic scent; it has balancing, cleansing, and skin-soothing properties and helps regenerate the skin.
This essential oil (bot. Boswellia carterii) is used for skin care and has proven very effective for irritated skin. When an “astringent” effect is desired, African frankincense (formerly known as Arabian frankincense) is an important component of custom aroma blends—for example, for skin with enlarged pores or for leg care when dealing with heavy legs.
Its regenerative properties make this essential oil highly valuable in scar treatments. It is very popular in combination with organic myrrh as a skin-protecting balm for dry, cracked skin.
In aromatherapy for mental well-being, the scent of African/Arabian frankincense essential oil is also used in inspiring fragrance blends and promotes introspection.
The essential oil of African frankincense, formerly known as Arabian frankincense (bot. Boswellia carterii), is comparable in its main effects and constituents to Indian frankincense (bot. Boswellia serrata). The scent differs, however, as Indian frankincense has a fresher and less sweet aroma. African frankincense has a more balsamic scent. The botanical names Boswellia carterii and Boswellia carteri can be used interchangeably for African frankincense.
The essential oil is extracted from the resin of a balsam tree (Boswellia or olibanum tree) that grows in arid regions of Africa, India, and the Near East (e.g., Oman, Yemen). The region comprising Africa and the Near East is sometimes also referred to as “Arabia,” which is why this term can also be found in connection with these essential oils.
Different locations and climatic conditions influence the quality of the resin. The resin is collected, dried, and sorted. It is then either used as resin (e.g., for incense) or processed into essential oil or extracts.
The frequently mentioned boswellic acid is present in frankincense resin but not in the essential oil. During steam distillation or
water-boiling distillation, boswellic acid is not transferred to the essential oil. It is obtained through other extraction methods.
