Frankincense: Ancient Healing, Modern Wellness Benefits

At Christmas, there’s often a quiet invitation beneath the noise — to slow down, reflect, and reconnect with what truly matters.

Frankincense has been part of this season for thousands of years. Known as the “king of oils,” it was offered as a gift of deep value — not just materially, but symbolically — representing reverence, healing, and inner wisdom.

And while frankincense is often associated with spirituality and tradition, it also has a powerful place in modern, functional wellness.

What Is Frankincense?

Frankincense comes from the resin of the Boswellia tree. When the bark is carefully tapped, a milky sap is released and hardens into resin “tears,” which are then distilled into essential oil.

This resin has been used historically for:

• Sacred rituals and meditation

• Wound care and immune support

• Inflammation and pain

• Emotional grounding and nervous system regulation

Today, research continues to explore its anti-inflammatory, immune-modulating, and neuro-supportive properties.

Frankincense Through a Functional Lens

From an FDN perspective, frankincense is not a “quick fix.” It’s a supportive tool — one that works best when layered into a bigger picture of healing.

Here’s where I see it fit most beautifully:

Nervous System & Stress Regulation

Chronic stress keeps the body stuck in fight-or-flight, disrupting digestion, hormones, immune function, and sleep.

Frankincense:

• Promotes a sense of calm and grounded focus

• Supports parasympathetic (rest-and-digest) activity

• Can be helpful during breathwork, meditation, or prayer

Try diffusing it during moments of stillness — journaling, yoga, or even while preparing meals.

Inflammation & Immune Support

Many of the symptoms I see in my practice — fatigue, joint pain, gut inflammation, autoimmune patterns — are rooted in chronic, low-grade inflammation.

Frankincense contains compounds that:

• Support healthy inflammatory pathways

• May help modulate immune response

• Complement foundational work like mineral balance, gut repair, and blood sugar regulation

It’s not a replacement for labs or protocols — but it can be a gentle ally along the way.

Emotional & Mindset Support

Healing is never just physical.

Frankincense has a long-standing reputation for helping people:

• Feel more connected and present

• Quiet mental noise

• Access clarity and intuition

This matters — because the body often won’t heal until it feels safe.

A Christmas Ritual (Simple & Grounding)

If you’re feeling called to slow down tomorrow, try this:

1. Place 1 drop of frankincense in your palms

2. Rub hands together and cup over your nose

3. Take 5 slow breaths

4. Ask yourself: What does my body need more of right now?

Sometimes the answer isn’t another supplement or plan — it’s rest, permission, or support.

A Note on Sourcing

People sometimes wonder whether harvesting essential oils is environmentally responsible. This is an important conversation.

While I won’t go deep here, I do choose to work with doTERRA because of their co-impact sourcing model, which focuses on sustainable harvesting practices and supporting the communities who have worked with these plants for generations.

Ethics matter — especially when we’re using the earth’s resources for healing.

Bringing It All Together

Frankincense reminds us that healing doesn’t always come from doing more.

Sometimes it comes from:

• Slowing down

• Listening inward

• Supporting the body gently and consistently

If you’re navigating fatigue, hormone shifts, digestive issues, or chronic stress, this oil can be a beautiful companion — but lasting change still comes from addressing root causes: nutrition, minerals, gut health, nervous system regulation, and belief patterns.

That’s the work I do as an FDN — helping people move from symptom management to true balance.

May this season bring you moments of peace, clarity, and deep nourishment — for body and soul.

If you’re looking for a high-quality frankincense I personally use and trust in my own home, you can find it through my doTERRA referral shop here: Link to Store. (In December, you get this free with a 200 point value order. Check out my recent blog for Holiday Gift Giving for ideas.

✨
Linda