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Frankincense

Boswellia spp.

Incense, Olibanum, Ru Xiang (Traditional Chinese Medicine) Shallaki (Ayurvedic)

Native to

India, Arab Peninsula, Africa

A majority of the Witchlist's Garden include naturalized species that now live across the globe, for history's sake we include it's nativity.


Parts Used

  • Resin is created by stripping the bark of a branch and exposing the sap to the air, Frankincense takes about 3 months to dry into what one might call "golden tears"

Medicinal Actions

Note: This information is for historical and ceremonial use only, this information is not FDA-regulated or approved. When considering the Medicinal properties, do not forget that the species, application, and parts used are critical. And please read all warnings.

  • Analgesic: Pain reliever

  • Antibacterial: Stops or slows the spread of bacteria

  • Anti-Fungal: Stops or slows the spread of fungi

  • Anti-Inflammatory: Reduces inflammation/swelling

  • Antimicrobial: Slows or stops the spread of microorganisms, particularly those that spread pathogens

  • Antiseptic: Stops the growth of disease-spreaders

  • Cardiotonic: Strengthens cardiovascular muscles and encourages oxygen flow to the heart

  • Carminative: Relieves gas... Farts, specifically.

  • Diuretic: Makes you pee

  • Hemostatic: Stops bleeding, typically used in surgeries to keep excessive bleeding at bay

  • Hypoglycemic: aids in the secretion of insulin and uptake of glucose

  • Hypolipidemic: Aids in the lowering of cholesterol

  • Parasiticide: Kills parasites

  • Stimulant: Help to boost brain function and energy

  • Stomachic: Promotes appetite and aids in digestion

Divinities & Mythos

  • Ra (Egyptian)

  • Baal (Canaanite)

Plant Energies

Over the course of millenia, various religions, physical sciences, diviners and star gazers, etc. have come to assign energies. This is perfectly synopsized by JD Walker in A Witch's Guide to Wildcraft:

Plants can be hot, cold, wet, or dry. They are assigned to or governed by one of seven (or nine [by including the Moon and Sun], depending on your outlook) heavenly bodies. People assigned these characteristics based on where a plant grew, what it looked like, and what effect it had on the humans and animals that came in contact with the plant.

  • Planet(s): Sun

  • Element(s): Fire, Air

  • Gender: Masculine

Warning: Do not ingest! + Pregnancy

Frankincense is meant to be used exclusively as a poultice, steam, or incense. Any other uses are not advised as Frankincense is toxic when ingested.


The reviews are mixed on whether frankincense can cause complications for pregnant women. It is probably best to avoid it.

Copy of The Bat & Raven.png

The Bat & Raven offers these products that utilize the properties of Frankincense.

Magical Properties

  • Blessing

  • Consecration

  • Exorcism

  • Happiness

  • Luck

  • Meditation

  • Protection

  • Psychic Powers

  • Purification

  • Spiritual Awakening & Growth

  • Wealth

Talk to your Doctor/Medical Professional before adding any Supplements, herbal teas, Infusions, etc.

Part of the reason that we list medical jargin is because many plants can interfere with or even counteract medications we already take or it can exacerbate ailments we already have. 

When talking to your Medical Professional, we suggest asking what "actions" an herb might do to interfere 
with your health, either positive of negative. For example, if you suffer from heartburn, a Cholagogue which creates more bile may not be advantageous. Too much of a good thing, eh?

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