Is Frankincense Oil Safe to Ingest? Let’s Cut Through the Wellness Bros. B.S. First
Let’s start with the most obvious, no-fluff answer here: for 99% of people, no, you should not ingest frankincense oil. I know, I know—you’ve seen TikTok gurus chugging a drop of it with a spoon, or ads for “therapeutic grade” edible oils promising to fix your anxiety or joint pain. But here’s the thing: most of that stuff is straight-up misinformation, and if you take my advice, you’ll stop listening to anyone who tells you it’s totally fine to swallow essential oils without a second thought.
Let me preface this by saying I’ve spent years working with aromatherapy products, and I’ve trained under certified aromatherapy professionals. So I’m not just some random person ranting on the internet. I’ve seen the good that intentional, safe use of essential oils can do—but ingesting them? That’s a line almost no one should cross, unless you’re under the direct care of a trained expert.
First off: Why Do You Want to Ingest Frankincense Oil Anyway?
Before we even talk about safety, let’s hit pause and ask the real question: why do you want to take this oil internally? Is it because you saw a blog post that said it helps with inflammation? Or a friend told you it cures gut issues? Let’s be real—most of the claims you see about ingesting essential oils are not backed by solid, peer-reviewed science.
Let’s take frankincense specifically. There’s some research on frankincense extract—like the resin from the tree, not the highly concentrated essential oil—that shows anti-inflammatory properties. But that’s not the same thing as inhaling or swallowing pure frankincense oil. And even then, most of that research is done on lab animals or in small human trials, not the large, double-blind studies you’d need to prove a supplement works safely and effectively.
Here’s a quick reality check: if you’re scrolling a random wellness site and they’re like “just drop a drop of frankincense oil into your water every morning!” that’s not a credible source. Those sites make money by pushing trendy, unregulated products, not by telling you the truth that most of these claims aren’t proven. I see this all the time, and it drives me crazy—people get hurt because they trust this garbage.
Wait, What About Frankincense Essential Oil vs. Frankincense Extract?
This is a super important distinction that almost no one talks about. Frankincense extract is usually made by steeping the tree’s resin in a solvent or oil to pull out its active compounds, and it’s much less concentrated than pure essential oil. Pure frankincense essential oil is made through steam distillation, which cranks out a super potent, volatile liquid that’s 70-90% made up of chemical compounds like alpha-pinene and limonene.
When someone talks about ingesting “frankincense oil,” they’re almost always talking about the distilled essential oil, not the milder extract. And that’s a huge difference—those concentrated chemicals can cause serious harm if you take them straight, no dilution, no medical supervision.
The Big Problem With Labeled “Frankincense” Oil
Here’s another huge red flag: there are more than six different species of frankincense trees, and each one has a totally different chemical makeup. Some common ones are Boswellia sacra (the most popular, from Oman and Yemen), Boswellia serrata (from India), and Boswellia carterii.
Each of these species has different levels of the active compounds that people claim have health benefits. If someone just sells you a bottle labeled “frankincense oil” without telling you exactly which species it is, that’s a dead giveaway that they don’t know what they’re talking about. And if that same person tells you it’s safe to ingest? Run, don’t walk, away from them.
How am I supposed to know how much of a certain chemical is in that oil? I can’t, unless the manufacturer lists the exact species and the full chemical profile. Most big box store or cheap online essential oil brands don’t do that, because they cut corners and don’t test their products properly. So even if you wanted to ingest it safely, you have no way of knowing what’s actually in the bottle.
When Would Someone Ingest Frankincense Oil? The Rare, Super Controlled Cases
Okay, let’s be fair—there are extremely rare situations where a trained aromatherapist might recommend ingesting a tiny amount of frankincense oil. But let’s break down exactly what that would look like, because it’s nothing like chugging a drop straight out of the bottle:
- First, the oil has to be exactly the right species, tested for purity and chemical makeup
- It has to be diluted to an almost unnoticeable amount—like just a few milligrams, mixed into a base like olive oil or a capsule
- It has to be in an enteric-coated capsule, so it doesn’t break down in your stomach and cause irritation
- You have to be under the direct supervision of a licensed, trained medical professional or certified aromatherapist
- They’ll monitor you closely for any adverse reactions, because even tiny amounts can cause issues for some people
Let me repeat that: this is not something you can do at home. You can’t just buy a random bottle of frankincense oil, grab a pill capsule, and dump some oil in it. You don’t know if it’s pure, you don’t know the right dosage, and you definitely don’t know if it will interact with any medications you’re taking.
I’ve had friends ask me if they can try this, and I always tell them no. Even if you think you’re being careful, you’re playing with fire. Essential oils are powerful, concentrated substances—they’re not just “natural” so they’re automatically safe.
What Happens If You Accidentally Ingest Frankincense Oil?
Let’s talk about the scary stuff for a second. If you swallow a drop or two of pure frankincense oil, what can happen? Well, first off, it’s going to burn your mouth, throat, and stomach. You might feel nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea right away. In more severe cases, it can cause liver damage, kidney damage, or even central nervous system issues like dizziness or confusion.
I’ve heard stories from people who thought it was a good idea to put a drop of frankincense oil in their coffee, and ended up in the ER with severe stomach pain. Don’t be that person. Even if you don’t have an immediate bad reaction, repeated use can cause long-term damage to your digestive tract and organs.
And let’s not even get started on the skin issues. If you’ve ever put undiluted essential oil directly on your skin, you know it can cause redness, burning, and even blisters. Swallowing it is way worse, because it’s coming into contact with all the delicate lining of your digestive system.
The Best Way to Use Frankincense Oil: Stop Chugging It, Start Smelling It
Look, if you want to get the benefits of frankincense oil, the safest, most effective way to use it is through inhalation or topical application—with proper dilution, of course.
Let’s start with inhalation. All you have to do is add a few drops of frankincense oil to a diffuser, or put a drop on a cotton ball and hold it under your nose. Inhaling the oil’s volatile compounds can help calm your mind, reduce stress, and even ease respiratory issues like congestion. I use this every night when I’m feeling anxious—it’s such a gentle, grounding scent, and it doesn’t require any risky internal use.
If you want to use it topically, you have to dilute it first. Never put undiluted essential oil directly on your skin! Mix 2-3 drops of frankincense oil with a carrier oil like jojoba, sweet almond, or coconut oil, then rub it into your skin. This is great for joint pain, dry skin, or even as a natural perfume. I love mixing it with a little lavender oil for a relaxing bedtime massage oil.
Let me be clear: this is the way almost all certified aromatherapists recommend using essential oils. Ingestion is a last-resort, super controlled option that only a tiny number of professionals will ever recommend. Most of the time, you can get all the benefits without putting your health at risk.
Let’s Debunk Some Common Frankincense Oil Myths
I hear so many dumb myths about frankincense oil every single day, so let’s knock a few out right now:
- Myth 1: “All essential oils are safe to ingest if you dilute them.” No, that’s not true. Even diluted essential oils can cause irritation or damage if you ingest them, because they’re so concentrated. There’s no safe “dilution” for internal use unless a medical professional tells you otherwise.
- Myth 2: “Therapeutic grade” oil means it’s safe to ingest. “Therapeutic grade” is a marketing term, not a regulated standard. Any brand can call their oil “therapeutic grade” without proving it’s safe or effective. Don’t fall for that buzzword.
- Myth 3: “Frankincense oil cured my cancer/anxiety/diabetes.” There’s no peer-reviewed, large-scale research that proves essential oils can cure serious illnesses like cancer. Some small studies show promise for reducing symptoms, but that’s a long way from being a cure.
- Myth 4: “My grandma used to ingest essential oils and she was fine.” Just because someone else got away with it once doesn’t mean it’s safe. Everyone’s body is different, and what worked for your grandma might make you very sick.
Final Verdict: Don’t Ingest Frankincense Oil
At the end of the day, my advice is simple: don’t ingest frankincense oil, or any essential oil, unless you’re under the direct care of a trained, licensed aromatherapist or medical professional. The risks far outweigh the unproven benefits, and there are so many safe, effective ways to use essential oils without putting your health at risk.
If you’re curious about frankincense oil, start with a diffuser or a diluted topical blend. You’ll get the calming, grounding benefits without the danger. And if someone tries to tell you that chugging a drop of oil is good for you? Smile, nod, and walk away. They don’t know what they’re talking about.
Stay safe out there, folks. Your digestive tract will thank you.
