GET TO KNOW YOUR OILS
Frankincense (Frereana)
Boswellia frereana
Chemotype: alpha-thujene / alpha-pinene type
- PLANT PART
- oleo-gum resin
- EXTRACTION
- hydrodistilled
- AROMA NOTE
- base
LEARN AS YOU COMPARE
What’s inside this oil?
Constituents are the natural chemicals that give an oil its character. See the main ones, learn what they do, and explore differences between batches.
Meet the main constituents, then select one to see what makes it interesting.
FOLLOW YOUR SENSES
Aroma & character
A closer look at this oil's scent, strength, and staying power.
- Aroma intensity
- 72 / 100
- Note layer
- base
- Approximate tenacity
- 24–72 hours
If you like this scent, explore
A LITTLE CARE GOES A LONG WAY
Using it thoughtfully
Read the full safety context before bringing this oil into your routine.
- Cited dermal maximum · leave-on
- 0.05%
- Phototoxicity
- Not flagged in this profile
- Oxidation risk
- medium
A cited maximum is a limit, not a suggested dilution. Missing restrictions do not establish safety.
Contraindications & cautions
- minorOxidized frankincense oil may increase sensitization risk and should not be used topically once old or oxidized.
- minorAvoid topical use during the first 16 weeks of pregnancy.
Explore measured chemistry from supplier batches
A supplier report describes a particular sample. Open this workspace to investigate measured constituents and their original documents.
THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SCENT
Inside the oil
An oil's character comes from its natural chemical composition. Explore each constituent to understand the connections.
About this composition
The cited single-tree study reports Boswellia frereana essential oil as a single but variable chemotype dominated by alpha-thujene and alpha-pinene, with secondary sabinene, p-cymene, and beta-pinene. The authors explicitly conclude that the samples do not support separate alpha-pinene-dominant and alpha-thujene-dominant chemotypes, but rather one variable chemotype. Oil-level safety is anchored separately to a public IFRA certificate for Maydi frankincense (Boswellia frereana), which provides a numeric leave-on maximum for category 5A body products.
| Constituent | Typical amount | Reported range | Chemical family | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| alpha-thujene | 29.2% | 14.5–43.9% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceThe Chemical Composition of Single-Tree Boswellia frereana Resin Samples https://www.aromaticplant.org/uploads/pdfs/1934578x211043727.pdf - Abstract and Results: "alpha-thujene (14.5%-43.9%)" |
| alpha-pinene | 33% | 3–63% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceThe Chemical Composition of Single-Tree Boswellia frereana Resin Samples https://www.aromaticplant.org/uploads/pdfs/1934578x211043727.pdf - Abstract and Results: "alpha-pinene (3.0%-63.0%)" |
| sabinene | 5.65% | 3.3–8% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceThe Chemical Composition of Single-Tree Boswellia frereana Resin Samples https://www.aromaticplant.org/uploads/pdfs/1934578x211043727.pdf - Results: "sabinene (3.3%-8.0%)" |
| p-cymene | 7.35% | 1.7–13% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceThe Chemical Composition of Single-Tree Boswellia frereana Resin Samples https://www.aromaticplant.org/uploads/pdfs/1934578x211043727.pdf - Results: "p-cymene (1.7%-13.0%)" |
| beta-pinene | 2.2% | 0.3–4.1% | monoterpene hydrocarbon | View sourceThe Chemical Composition of Single-Tree Boswellia frereana Resin Samples https://www.aromaticplant.org/uploads/pdfs/1934578x211043727.pdf - Results: "beta-pinene (0.3%-4.1%)" |
Profile source: The Chemical Composition of Single-Tree Boswellia frereana Resin Samples; GAEA Royals: Oil By Oil – Specific Safety Precautions; Certificate of Conformity with IFRA Standards - Nikura Maydi Frankincense (Frereana) Essential Oil · https://www.aromaticplant.org/uploads/pdfs/1934578x211043727.pdf ; https://gaearoyals.com/safety-precautions-by-essential-oil/ ; https://nikura.blob.core.windows.net/pdfs/IFRA_Certificate_Frankincense_Frereana_Maydi_Essential_Oil_EO-FRAFR.pdf (page 1: IFRA category 5A maximum 0.05%)
A TRADITION OF BOTANICAL CURIOSITY
Traditional & reported uses
These uses reflect the profile's reported traditions and literature. They are not established treatment recommendations.
- traditionally used in aromatherapy and meditation practices for a calming, centering effect
- reported to support slow, deep breathing during relaxation practices
- used in skincare blends for a soothing, comforting facet
- traditionally associated with spiritual and ceremonial use, especially prized in Somali frankincense traditions
- used in perfumery for its bright, citrusy-resinous note distinct from other Boswellia species
For aromatherapy and wellness use only — not medical advice. Effect statements are traditional/reported associations, not treatment claims. The Synergy Rating scores blend craft, harmony and safety, not medical efficacy. Read the safety framework.
What we're still learning · 2 data gaps
Good decisions start with knowing what is — and isn't — in the evidence.
- Odor intensity 72 is an archive normalization from qualitative public aroma descriptions for Boswellia frereana such as Edens Garden's 'spicy, woody, and balsamic' and 'earthy, bright, and resinous with citrus undertones', not a native published 0-100 measurement.
- No public source reviewed in this pass provided directly measured volatility-rate or tenacity-hour values for Boswellia frereana; the current values remain a draft inference inherited from the prior record.