Updated October 2026
Frankincense and myrrh blend well with citrus oils like sweet orange and bergamot, florals like lavender and rose, woods like sandalwood and cedarwood, and a touch of warm spice like cardamom. Both are base notes, so they anchor lighter oils and help a blend's scent last longer. Below is a pairing chart, my blending tips, and six frankincense and myrrh diffuser blends.
Frankincense and Myrrh: The Ancient Resin Pair
Frankincense (Boswellia species) smells sweet, resinous and lightly woody. Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) is earthier, smokier and slightly bitter. Both are steam distilled from tree resins and have been burned together as incense for thousands of years. Learn more in what are resin essential oils?, my frankincense guide and what blends well with myrrh.
What Blends Well With Frankincense and Myrrh?
| Family | Oils | Why It Works |
|---|---|---|
| Citrus | Sweet orange, bergamot FCF, lemon, grapefruit, mandarin | Brightens the deep, smoky resins and keeps blends cheerful. |
| Florals | Lavender, rose, geranium, ylang ylang | Softens the resins for calm, gentle, romantic blends. |
| Woods | Sandalwood, cedarwood, cypress | Adds depth and a grounding, outdoorsy feel. |
| Spices | Cardamom, clove, cinnamon leaf, black pepper | A warm, cozy twist. Use just 1 drop. |
| Earthy | Vetiver, patchouli | Rich and grounding. A little goes a long way. |
| Fresh | Peppermint, eucalyptus, rosemary | A clearing lift. Mind the age limits for kids. |
Blending Tips
- Let frankincense lead: myrrh is strong and smoky, so I use about 2 or 3 drops of frankincense for every 1 drop of myrrh.
- Add a bright top note: citrus or lavender keeps resin blends from feeling heavy.
- Give it time: base notes unfold slowly, so smell a new blend again after 30 minutes.
- Keep the cap clean: wipe the myrrh bottle rim after each use so the drying resin doesn't seal it shut.
Frankincense and Myrrh Diffuser Blends
For a standard ultrasonic diffuser (about 100 ml of water). Diffuse for 30 to 60 minutes at a time. Resin oils are thick, so clean your diffuser often.
Sacred Calm
- 3 drops Frankincense
- 1 drop Myrrh
- 2 drops Lavender
Soft and peaceful for prayer, meditation or bedtime.
Ancient Path
- 3 drops Frankincense
- 1 drop Myrrh
- 2 drops Sandalwood
Warm, creamy and grounding.
Citrus Resin
- 3 drops Sweet Orange
- 2 drops Frankincense
- 1 drop Myrrh
Cheerful and cozy, a great everyday blend.
Winter Spice
- 3 drops Frankincense
- 1 drop Myrrh
- 2 drops Sweet Orange
- 1 drop Cardamom
A festive blend for the holidays.
Forest Temple
- 2 drops Frankincense
- 1 drop Myrrh
- 2 drops Cypress
- 1 drop Cedarwood
Woodsy and calm, like a walk among tall trees.
Clear Morning
Adults and kids 6+ (contains peppermint)
- 3 drops Frankincense
- 2 drops Lemon
- 1 drop Peppermint
A bright, clearing start to the day, with no myrrh.
Using Frankincense and Myrrh on Skin
For roller blends, keep frankincense at 2% or less and the total blend at 3% or less for the body, and 1% for the face. Find five recipes in my frankincense and myrrh roller recipes.
Safety Tips
- Avoid myrrh during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Frankincense alone is a gentler choice; check with your provider.
- Kids: skip myrrh for children, skip peppermint under 6 and eucalyptus under 10.
- Never swallow essential oils, and always dilute before using them on skin.
- Pets: keep oils away from cats, and diffuse only where dogs can leave the room.
More Frankincense Blends
- Frankincense Diffuser Blends
- Frankincense and Cedarwood Blend
- Frankincense, Orange and Sandalwood Blend
- Frankincense and Elemi Roller
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