This is long post. If you don't have time to read my musings about frankincense, but just want some recommendations on where to buy it, skip to the end. You're busy, I get it. But if you have time to read some of what I have learned about frankincense over the years, please enjoy this post and read it all! :)
Ah....beloved frankincense. I honestly don't know where to begin, how to proceed, and where to end.
The Boswellia trees are amazing and their wound defense produces a sap that turns into a prized resin. This resin is turned into other prized products, including essential oils.
Speaking of essential oils, I have explored the best lavender and tea tree essential oils. The other day, I researched (again!) the frankincense essential oils my favorite brands carry because November is the most economical time to buy essential oils. "The Best Frankincense Essential Oils of 2024" will be at the very bottom of this post.
But I must preface all of this retail information with a warning. My obsession with the wonders of frankincense has opened my eyes to the stark, often dark realities of the frankincense trade. Even companies, (like mega doTerra) who say they are trading ethically, are often tarnished, whether they know it or not. The most important parts of the trade (cutting and harvesting) are basically unregulated. The next paragraph will eloborate on why I would say this.
Hardworking, third-world persons face the harsh elements (including hiking and climbing long distances) to strategically cut the trees to trigger the Boswellia trees to send their sap to fix their wounds. Then they wait (often camping nearby) for the frankincense resin to be hard enough to collect. Then the collection begins. With their precious resin collected, these persons sell it. Then the resins go through many, many trading hands before they end up on your doorstep. From the first cut to landing on your blessed doorstep, this resin is full of mystery. Were the trees treated sustainably? Were the harvesters paid a fair price? Was the resin transported well? And since most of this happens in third-world areas (see Figure 1, image D for a super cool map) of Africa and Asia, the answers vary in complexity and intensity.
This is partly why I deeply respect individuals who try to push the limits on where the Boswellia species can be grown. This would not only preserve the varied Boswellia species, but would also give African resin collectors a more accurate sense of better wages associated with the first stages (tree stewardship and resin harvest) of frankincense production. Most people think that Boswellia trees can only (or should only) grow in the spots where they naturally grow and multiply in Africa or Asia. In Africa, the land on which Boswellia grows is passed on through families and also managed by that family as best as they can. This is their tribal way of protecting the trees. As much as I respect this honorable tradition, I also feel that Boswellia trees should be actively cultivated. Did you know that Boswellia trees are growing successfully in Arizona and Florida? I predict they could also be grown in the deserts of California, Texas, Mexico, Brazil, Corsica, and South America.
Now getting back to what brought you here is the first place, buying frankincense.
The Best Frankincense Resin Sellers of 2024:
Boswellness: My number one recommendation to buy the frankincense resins of Carterii and Frereana is Boswellness. Boswellness is actually making a difference in Somaliland. That is something that Somaliland desperately needs after doTerra's corrupt EX-supplier Barkhad Hassan of Asli Maydi massively ripped off any tribe of Somiland that he traded with, and then fled the country.
Apothecary’s Garden: Dan Riegler is a thousand times more knowledgeable and in love with frankincense than I will ever be! He sells 17 different types of frankincense resins. If your looking to expand your resin collection past the typical Carterii, Frereana, and Sacra, then Dan's the man! He also is one that freely shares his knowledge of how to use these resins.
Mountain Rose Herbs: For frankincense resins of Sacra.
"The Best Frankincense Essential Oils of 2024":
I need to preface this by letting you know that if you are buying frankincense for any illness related to inflammation, you would be better served to utitlize the whole resin, as the essential oil does not retain any boswellic acids.
The only companies I am including in this showdown are Plant Therapy, Revive, and Edens Garden (they offer free shipping and can compete with Amazon). These calculations are based on the gc/ms reports of what they currently have in stock. For a time, I was wary of Revive, but they are now being tested by Robert Pappas once again, so are back on my good side. Other companies that I would trust include Nature's Gift, Eden Botanicals, Kokokahn, Desrosiers International, and Rocky Mountain Oils.
Frankincense Serrata Winner: Tie between Edens Garden and the organic version Plant Therapy.
Frankincense Carterii Winner: Tie between Revive (not the certified one) and Edens Garden.
Frankincense Sacra Winner: Revive
Frankincense C02 is another realm entirely, and I don't know how to effectively judge those. But the one from Edens Garden had 20.38% Serratol, which is jaw-dropping and almost scary medically.