The spiritual benefits of frankincense come from thousands of years of use in prayer, worship and meditation. Its warm, resinous scent has long been used to quiet the mind, slow the breath and mark a space or moment as sacred. Below I'll share where that tradition comes from, how I use frankincense essential oil in my own quiet time, and three simple recipes.
The Spiritual Meaning of Frankincense
Frankincense is the dried resin of Boswellia trees, which grow in the dry, rocky lands of southern Arabia, the Horn of Africa and India. For most of history it was burned as incense, and few natural materials have been tied so closely to prayer. To learn how resin becomes an essential oil, see what are resin essential oils?
In Ancient Temples
Ancient Egyptians burned frankincense in their temples, and Queen Hatshepsut's famous expedition to the land of Punt brought back living frankincense trees, a journey carved into the walls of her temple at Deir el-Bahari. The old trade routes that carried the resin north from Oman and Yemen are now protected as the UNESCO World Heritage site "Land of Frankincense."
In the Bible and Christian Worship
Frankincense was one of the ingredients of the holy incense described in Exodus 30, and it was one of the three gifts the Magi brought to the infant Jesus, along with gold and myrrh. Psalm 141 asks that prayer rise "as incense," and that picture of prayers rising with the smoke is still part of Catholic and Orthodox worship today.
Across Other Traditions
In Oman and across the Arabian Peninsula, frankincense is burned at home to welcome guests and freshen the house. In India, Boswellia serrata resin has long been part of temple incense. In modern aromatherapy and energy work, many practitioners associate frankincense with the crown chakra and with feeling connected to something larger than yourself.
How Frankincense Supports a Spiritual Practice
I don't think frankincense does the spiritual work for you, but in my experience it makes it easier to show up. Here's what I notice, and what many of my readers tell me:
- It slows the breath. The deep, warm scent naturally invites longer, slower breaths, which is where most meditation and prayer begins.
- It signals "this time is different." When you use the same scent every time you sit down to pray or meditate, the scent itself becomes a cue to settle.
- It's grounding. Frankincense is a base note, and it has a steady, centering quality that's comforting during grief, worry or a heavy season.
- It connects you to a long history. There's something meaningful about using the same aroma people have used in prayer for thousands of years.
For the full oil profile, types and safety, see my frankincense essential oil guide.
Which Frankincense Is Best for Meditation?
There's no single "spiritual" frankincense. Choose the one whose scent draws you in:
- Carterii (Boswellia carterii): sweet and lightly citrusy, the easiest to find
- Sacred frankincense (Boswellia sacra): rich and sweet, from Oman
- Frereana (Boswellia frereana): soft and lemony, one of my favorites for meditation
- Serrata (Boswellia serrata): drier and more herbal, budget-friendly
A Simple Frankincense Ritual for Prayer or Meditation
My 5-minute frankincense routine
- Start the diffuser 10 minutes before you sit down, or roll a little blend onto your wrists.
- Set an intention: a word, a prayer, or simply "be still."
- Take three slow breaths, letting each exhale be longer than the inhale.
- Sit in prayer, meditation or silence for as long as feels right.
- Close with a word of thanks, and turn the diffuser off.
New to meditating with oils? Read how to use essential oils for meditation.
3 Frankincense Recipes for Meditation and Prayer
1. Quiet Prayer Diffuser Blend
All ages, diffused lightly in a ventilated room
- 3 drops Frankincense
- 2 drops Atlas or Virginian Cedarwood
- 1 drop Sweet Orange
Add to your diffuser with the water it calls for, and diffuse for 30 to 60 minutes. More ideas in my frankincense diffuser blends and meditation essential oil blends.
2. Be Still Meditation Roller
Adults, 3%
- 3 drops Frankincense
- 2 drops Lavender
- 1 drop Vetiver
- Jojoba or fractionated coconut oil to fill a 10 ml roller
Roll onto your wrists or over your heart before you sit down. For kids 6+: use 1 drop Frankincense and 1 drop Lavender (1%).
3. Frankincense and Myrrh Anointing Oil
Adults, 1%. Not for pregnancy or breastfeeding.
- 1 tablespoon olive, jojoba or sweet almond oil
- 2 drops Frankincense
- 1 drop Myrrh
Mix in a small dropper bottle. Many people use a drop on the forehead or hands for prayer, a blessing or a special occasion. If you're pregnant or nursing, leave out the myrrh and use 3 drops of frankincense instead. Learn more in myrrh spiritual benefits.
Safety Tips
- Dilute before using on skin: 1% for the face and kids, 2 to 3% for everyday adult rollers, and frankincense at 2% or less.
- Patch test on your inner arm and wait 24 hours.
- Diffuse in short sessions in a ventilated room. Here's how long to diffuse essential oils.
- Keep diffusers away from cats, and make sure dogs can leave the room.
- Avoid myrrh during pregnancy and breastfeeding, and check with your provider before using any oils. See my list of essential oils for pregnancy.
- Never swallow essential oils. Store them cool and dark, since oxidized frankincense is more likely to irritate skin.
More Frankincense Recipes
- Frankincense Essential Oil: Uses, Types and Safety
- Frankincense and Myrrh Roller Recipes
- Frankincense and Elemi Roller Recipe
- What Blends Well With Frankincense and Myrrh?
- Frankincense, Vetiver and Helichrysum Grounding Blend
Try my rollerball remedy kits, or grab a free essential oil guide.
Essential Oil Guide for Beginners - Getting Started
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