Organic African frankincense essential oil (formerly Arabic) has a resinous, sweet, and balsamic scent. It has a balancing, purifying, and skin-soothing effect and promotes skin regeneration.
This essential oil (bot. Boswellia carterii) is used in skincare and has proven very effective for irritated skin. When its astringent properties are desired, African frankincense (formerly Arabic) is an important component of custom aromatherapy blends, for example, for large-pored skin or for leg care to relieve heavy legs.
Its regenerative properties make it highly valuable in scar oils. It is very popular when combined with organic myrrh as a protective balm for dry, cracked skin.
In aromatherapy for mental well-being, the scent of African/Arabic frankincense essential oil is also used in inspiring fragrance blends and supports introspection.
The essential oil of African frankincense, formerly known as Arabian frankincense (bot. Boswellia carterii), is comparable to Indian frankincense (bot. Boswellia serrata) in its main effects and constituents. The scent differs, however, as Indian frankincense smells fresher and less sweet, while African frankincense has a more balsamic fragrance. The botanical names Boswellia carterii and Boswellia carterii can be used synonymously 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 Western Asia (e.g., Oman, Yemen). The region of Africa and Western Asia is sometimes also referred to as "Arabia," which is why this name is also found in connection with the essential oils.
Different locations and climatic conditions influence the respective resin quality. The resin is collected, dried, and sorted. Afterwards, it is either used as a resin (e.g., for incense) or further processed into essential oil or extracts.
The frequently mentioned boswellic acid is present in frankincense resin, but not in the essential oil.
Boswellic acid does not transfer into the essential oil during steam or boiling distillation. It is obtained through other extraction methods.
