Frankincense CO2, India
Details
- Botanical Name: Boswellia serrata Roxb. ex Colebr.
- Origin: India
- Process: CO2 Select Extract
- Plant Part: Resin
- Cultivation: Wild Grown
- Use: Aromatherapy / Natural Perfumery / Incense. Always dilute.
- Note: Base Note, Excellent Fixative
- Aroma Families: Resinous, Woody
- Aroma: Warm, resinous, smooth, rich musky/earthy yet subtle aroma; has a slight licorice-like undertone and a light pine-like topnote. Excellent fixative properties.
- Contraindications: Skin sensitization if oxidized; please see Safety Considerations below.
Certificate of Analysis (COA)Safety Data Sheet (SDS)
Overview
Wild Grown Indian Frankincense CO2 Select Extract
This beautiful Frankincense CO2 from India is highly prized in perfume formulas as an outstanding fixative and for providing good tenacity. The aroma is warm, resinous, smooth, rich musky/earthy yet subtle, deep, and complex with a slight licorice-like undertone. Its slightly pine-like top note provides 'lift' in perfume formulas. The Indian-sourced Boswellia serrata species of Frankincense is known for its high alpha-thujene content, lending to its warmly pungent aromatic qualities. In addition to perfumery, it is a favorite in massage blends, chest rubs, and skincare applications.
Frankincense, along with other prized aromatics, spices, precious stones, rare woods, feathers, animal skins and gold, was transported by caravans on the Incense Route and enjoyed a flourishing trade from Yemen and Oman in the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean for nearly 500 years.1 Egyptians used Frankincense extensively, and the pharaohs believed that burning it allowed them to commune with the gods.2 Its Arabic name, Olibanum, is derived from al Luban, which means milk, a reference to the milky sap that exudes from the wound in a tree after an incision is made in the bark. The sap serves a purpose for the tree as it seals the incision from the elements; this exudate forms resinified ‘tears’ from which Frankincense oils are extracted.2
Once a rare and precious commodity used for millennia by many religious, shamanistic and secular cultures, Frankincense oil, like Myrrh, offers many different beneficial possibilities. It is especially valued for use in skincare preparations (with Patchouli or Neroli), in diffusers (with Lemon or Pine), for massage (with Palmarosa or Lavender),3 and in meditation blends (with Sandalwood or Orange). Frankincense is legendary in its traditional and sacred uses and its ability to calm and elevate the spirit. 4,5
Each Frankincense oil that we offer is of exceptional quality, possessing unique features and characteristics distinct from one another. From a traditional view, one might choose one of our steam distilled Frankincense essential oils, particularly for aromatherapy purposes. However, both of our Frankincense CO2 oils offer the natural botanical perfumer a more complete aromatic profile with higher, brighter top notes and deeper, more complex bottom notes than the steam distilled Frankincense oils.
Not sure which Frankincense to choose? Please see our Resinous Aroma Family to order samples (you can uncheck the ones you don’t want to receive). For a complete list of our Frankincense offerings, click here.
For information regarding the attributes of Frankincense, please see:
- L’Aromathérapie Exactement, Pierre Franchomme and Dr. Daniel Pénoël, 1990, p. 328.
- Aromatherapeutic Blending – Essential Oils in Synergy, Jennifer Peace Rhind, 2016, pp. 214-5.
- CO2 Extracts in Aromatherapy: 50+ Extracts for Clinical Applications, Madeleine Kerkhof, 2018, pp. 80-5.
- The Complete Guide to Aromatherapy, 3rd ed., Salvatore Battaglia, 2018, pp. 305-312.
For information regarding the use of Frankincense in natural perfumery, please see:
- Aftel, Mandy, Fragrant – the Secret Life of Scent, 2014, pp. 123-157.
Aromatic Profile: Warm, resinous, smooth, rich musky/earthy yet subtle aroma; has a slight licorice-like undertone and a light pine-like topnote. Excellent fixative properties.
Appearance: Pale golden yellow, slightly viscous, transparent, mobile liquid.
Use: Aromatherapy, Natural Perfumery, Incense.
Blending Suggestions: Dilute and add drop by drop to your blends until the desired effect is achieved.
Blends Well With: Agarwood, Amber Oil - Fossilized, Ambrette, Basil, Bergamot, Black Pepper and other spice oils, Boronia, Cedarwood, Cinnamon, Cistus, Clary Sage, Clove, Coriander, Cypress, Elemi, Eucalyptus, Fir, Galbanum, Geranium, Ginger, Hay, Helichrysum, Jasmine, Juniper, Labdanum, Lavender, Lemon, Lime, Liquidambar, Litsea Cubeba, Lotus, Mandarin, Melissa, Myrrh, Neroli, Oakmoss, Opopanax, Orange, Orange Blossom, Osmanthus, Palo Santo, Patchouli, Petitgrain (Mandarin), Pine, Rose, Rosemary, Sage, Sandalwood, Spruce, Thyme, Tobacco, Tonka Bean, Turmeric, Vanilla, Vetiver, Ylang Ylang. “Gives delightful effects in citrus colognes… “incense” type perfumes… and is an important ingredient in many Oriental bases, ambres [sic], “powder” type perfumes, floral perfumes, citrus colognes, spice blends, violet type perfumes, “men’s fragrances”, etc.”6
Safety Considerations: Skin sensitization if oxidized; old or oxidized oils should be avoided.7 Dilute before using. A patch test should be performed before use for those with sensitive skin.
1 “Incense Route – Desert Cities in the Negev,” UNESCO, World Heritage List, http://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1107
3 Rhind, Jennifer Peace. Essential Oils – A Handbook for Aromatherapy Practice, 2012, p. 153.
4 Hoffman, David. The New Holistic Herbal, 1991, p. 14.
5 Mojay, Gabriel. Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit, 1996, pp.74-75, 138.
6 Arctander, Steffen. Perfume and Flavor Materials of Natural Origin, 1960, pp. 466-7.
7 Tisserand, Robert and Rodney Young. Essential Oil Safety, 2nd ed., 2014, p. 288.
The FDA has not evaluated the statements on this website. No claims are made by Eden Botanicals as to the medicinal value of any products from Eden Botanicals. The information presented here is for educating our customers about the traditional uses of essential oils and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. You are responsible for understanding the safe application of these products. If you have any questions, please call or email us for further information.
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Customer Reviews for Frankincense CO2, India
- Gorgeous! Review by Mary
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Rating Multilayered, smooth, crisp, soft and beautiful. I could smell this all day long. Eden does it again. Thank you.(Posted on 2/29/2016)
- Incredible smoky frankincense! Review by Nic
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Rating This is an incredible frankincense! Sweet and lasting, I detect notes of fall leaves, smoke, spices, and anise. Not as lemon-y or pepper-y as we are used to from frankincense-- I think this is better!(Posted on 9/23/2015)
- best ever Review by catmar
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Rating I have tried frankincense from various online sellers. Nothing can come close to Eden Botanicals. I wish shipping to Canada was less expensive.(Posted on 10/21/2013)
- Out of this world Review by Eleanor
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Rating Gently strong, bright, clear uplifting, rich, balsamic, out of this world aroma.(Posted on 3/1/2013)
I use this oil in various synergies: mature facial (with rose geranium, sea buckthorn and other oils), aches and pains, bath, emotional balance and sleep encouragers. Very nice with Spikenard and citrus.
- favorite frankincense oil Review by miket
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Rating I use frankincense CO2 oils in my ultrasonic nebulizer and applied to the arms/wrist. Really great smell, something very intoxicating and mellow, some citrus notes. Similar to the Somalia blend, I lean towards using this oil and would buy more of it in the future. Highly recommended.(Posted on 2/20/2013)
- Very True Frankincense Scent Review by Sky Prince
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Rating Frankincense has a very unique and distinguishable scent. It's a perfect oil for oriental blends and it has number of benefits when used in aromatherapy. I love the resin form of frankincense and the Omani is my all times favorite but it's really hard to find the true scent when you try the oils. Eden's Frankincense CO2 – India is an exception. Its smell is very much like the real resins and the depth that it adds to the blends is incredable. I think the CO2 distilation helped this oil to find that true character. Very nice alternative to Omani and highly recommended.(Posted on 2/16/2013)
