Frankincense and myrrh are natural resins, hardened sap harvested from trees that grow in the dry, hot regions of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Both have been used since at least 2800 BCE as medicine, incense, and perfume. They come from different tree species, contain different active compounds, and have distinct properties, but they’ve been paired together for thousands of years in religious rituals, embalming, and healing.
Where They Come From
Frankincense is the dried resin of trees in the genus Boswellia. Several species produce it, but the most widely known is Boswellia sacra (also called Boswellia carteri). These trees thrive in arid, rocky landscapes across Somalia, Ethiopia, Oman, and Yemen. They’re scrubby, hardy trees that can grow directly out of rock faces with almost no soil.
Myrrh comes from trees in the genus Commiphora, particularly the species Commiphora myrrha, C. malmal, and C. hadi. These trees share similar territory with Boswellia species across the drylands of East Africa. Both genera belong to the same plant family (Burseraceae), which is why the two resins are often mentioned together, but they look, smell, and behave differently once harvested.
How the Resin Is Harvested
Harvesters collect both resins through a process called tapping. Using a specialized knife, they cut shallow incisions into the bark, careful not to damage the living tissue underneath. The tree responds by bleeding a sticky, milky sap that seals the wound. Over several weeks, this sap hardens into tear-shaped lumps on the bark’s surface. These “tears” are then scraped off by hand.
A single tree is typically tapped multiple times per season, with collectors returning every few months to gather new resin. The first collection tends to produce the highest quality tears, with subsequent harvests grading lower. Each tree yields a modest amount of resin per year, which is one reason both substances have historically been expensive. In the ancient world, frankincense and myrrh were sometimes worth more than gold by weight.
What They Look, Smell, and Feel Like
Frankincense tears are pale, translucent, and range from whitish-yellow to amber. When burned as incense, frankincense produces a bright, piney, slightly citrusy smoke that’s clean and uplifting. It’s the scent most people associate with churches and temples.
Myrrh tears are darker, more reddish-brown, and slightly stickier. Burned myrrh has a deeper, earthier, more bitter aroma with a warm, resinous quality. The word “myrrh” actually comes from the Semitic root for “bitter.” The two resins are often blended together in incense, where frankincense provides the brightness and myrrh adds depth.
Thousands of Years of Use
Ancient Egyptian medical records from around 2800 BCE describe both resins being used as incense, perfume, and ingredients in mummification balms. The Papyrus Ebers, a collection of Egyptian prescriptions dating to roughly 1500 BCE, lists frankincense and myrrh together as treatments for skin sores and wounds. In traditional medicine systems across the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, both resins were prescribed for inflammation, urinary tract problems, teeth and gum conditions, and wound healing.
Their fame in Western culture comes largely from the Bible’s account of the three Magi bringing gold, frankincense, and myrrh to the infant Jesus. But these weren’t just symbolic gifts. At the time, frankincense and myrrh were genuinely precious trade commodities that sustained entire economies across Arabia and the Horn of Africa. Trade routes specifically built around incense connected southern Arabia to the Mediterranean world for centuries.
Active Compounds in Each Resin
Frankincense’s most studied active ingredients are a group of compounds called boswellic acids. The most potent of these blocks an enzyme involved in producing inflammatory molecules called leukotrienes. In lab studies, this compound suppresses leukotriene production in immune cells at very low concentrations. This mechanism is distinct from how common anti-inflammatory drugs like ibuprofen work, which is why researchers have been interested in frankincense as a complementary approach to managing inflammation.
Myrrh’s chemistry is different. Its active compounds are primarily sesquiterpenes and furanosesquiterpenoids, molecules that give myrrh its antimicrobial punch. Lab studies show myrrh essential oil is effective against several types of bacteria, including Staphylococcus aureus and bacteria that cause gum disease. A systematic review of clinical trials found that myrrh-based treatments produced a small but measurable reduction in dental plaque, though its effects on gum inflammation were less clear.
When the two resins are combined, they produce bioactive compounds that neither contains alone. Researchers have identified at least 12 major active components in combined frankincense-myrrh preparations, some of which show stronger anti-inflammatory activity than either resin produces individually. This may explain why traditional medicine systems so consistently paired them.
Modern Health Applications
Frankincense extract (usually sold as Boswellia serrata extract) is one of the more popular anti-inflammatory supplements. Clinical trials have tested doses up to 1,000 mg daily for as long as six months with no major safety concerns. Shorter trials have used up to 2,400 mg daily for a month. Most supplements are standardized to contain a specific percentage of boswellic acids, the active anti-inflammatory compounds.
People use Boswellia supplements most commonly for joint pain and osteoarthritis, though it also appears in products marketed for gut health and respiratory support. The evidence is promising but not definitive for most of these uses. One important caveat from lab research: the key anti-inflammatory compounds in frankincense bind heavily to proteins in the blood, which may limit how much active compound actually reaches inflamed tissues after oral supplementation.
Myrrh shows up more often in oral care products: mouthwashes, toothpastes, and tinctures for gum health. Its antimicrobial properties make it a natural fit for this application. Myrrh tincture applied directly to mouth sores is a traditional remedy that remains widely used. Both resins are also available as essential oils for aromatherapy, though essential oils should not be swallowed or applied directly to skin without dilution.
Safety Considerations
Both resins are generally well tolerated when used as supplements or topical preparations at typical doses. However, many herbal products can interact with blood-thinning medications like warfarin, and frankincense and myrrh are no exception. If you take anticoagulants or antiplatelet drugs, it’s worth checking with a pharmacist before adding either supplement. Myrrh in particular has traditionally been avoided during pregnancy, and most current guidelines recommend the same caution.
The supplement market for both resins varies widely in quality. Because resin products aren’t regulated the same way as pharmaceuticals, the actual boswellic acid or sesquiterpene content in a given product may not match what’s on the label. Third-party tested products from established brands tend to be more reliable.