This Frankincense essential oil is from the most rare of the three species of Boswellia trees from which our Frankincense oils are distilled: Boswellia sacra.

Of the three species from which Frankincense essential oil is derived, the B. sacra oil comes uniquely from the desert trees of Oman. This species is notoriously tough to acquire, so we’re elated that we're able to offer it. It is certainly what we've found to be the most exquisite distillation available.

The trees in the Dhofar region of Oman are revered as a gift from God. This particular species also called, Sacred Frankincense, is regarded as having a superior phytochemical profile, as well as therapeutic value, when compared to other steam or hydro-distilled Frankincense oils. When distilled using the same process, Sacred Frankincense will contain greater amounts of aromatic terpenes, di- and sesqui-terpenes ~ though it is important to consider the distillat

How the species grows has a lot to do with it. The sacra trees are considered unusual for their ability to tolerate environments so unforgiving, they can literally sprout out of chalky soil from near solid rock. One finds them in high altitudes of 4,000 ft. on rocky slopes and in deep ravines. The Frankincense resin "tears" tapped from these enduring shrubby, trees are considered the world's finest due to the highly fragrant aroma.

The essential oil is specially prepared, using a technique unique to the distiller. It is a combination of hydrodistillation and CO2 extraction, ensuring the best therapeutic value, and in our minds, aromatic value, to be had from this important oil.

Why is this process important? Some folks enjoy the aroma of steam distilled Frankincense (really, a personal preference), and it is the CO2 extracted oil considered to have the most important therapeutic value. Specifically, because the CO2 oil naturally contains heavier-weight molecules not found in the steam distlled oil, and an overall larger percentatge of the oil is also of these molecular forms. So in this Frankincense essential oil, you get the best of both worlds: the bright, sweet notes of a steam distillation, and the heavier molecular weight compounds found in a CO2 extract.

It is the heavier-weight molecules which the first en-vivo study of the anti-cancer activity of Frankincense oil discovered have the greatest anti-cancer activity. It is important to note that Frankincense resin from ALL THREE Olibanum tree species (Boswellia carteri, seratta AND sacra) have been shown effective at causing the death of cancer cells in laboratory research. It is simply the sacra in which the first animal studies have been performed.

In this research, tumors of cancer cells of a pancreatic cancer cell line were implanted in mice. (Note that we in no way condone animal testing ~ however, it is really the only way human research will eventually be performed). Frankincense was injected to the tumor location, diluted in PBS (phosphate-buffered-saline). Controls were injected only with the saline solution. It was found that the Frankincense oil make very marked reductions in tumor size in only 12 days!

There have been numerous studies regarding the anticancer activity of Frankincense, and ALL have shown Frankincense to be a potent anticancer agent, causing aptosis (natural cell death, otherwise not seen in cancer cells). In this study, the same Boswellia sacra was shown to both cause the death of, and inhibit further proliferation of, 3 different lines of breast cancer cells.