Lately, I have received a lot of requests for my old blog post on extracting the Boswellic acids from Frankincense. Here it is, in a form that is updated by a few more years of experience and knowledge.
What is a Frankincense resin extract?
Frankincense resin extract is a name I use to describe the pure resin leftover after distilling Frankincense for its essential oil. It is an easy product to collect if you distill your own Frankincense or if you know a distiller of Frankincense from whom you can get the spent Frankincense resin. And yes, as far as essential oils are concerned, this material is spent. But in light of the treasure trove of potent therapeutic resin acids that are now concentrated and accessible in the material, there is nothing spent about it.
Resins vs Oleo-Gum Resins
Most types of Frankincense and Myrrh are oleo-gum resins. They exude as a white emulsion from the tree. A homogeneous blend of water-soluble and oil-soluble compounds. This means that unlike Pine, Spruce and Elemi resins, they will not dissolve completely in oil or other solvents. They are thus termed oleo-gum-resins. In this tutorial, I will show you a simple method to remove the water-soluble gum from the resin so you can make a pure Frankincense resin product that will easily dissolve in warm oils or alcohol.
Frankincense and Myrrh appear as an emulsion and a homogeneous, inseparable blend of water-soluble gum and oil-soluble resin. It will not dissolve completely in any one solvent.
Why do we want to make a Resin Extract from Frankincense?
The resin portion of Frankincense contains very valuable therapeutic compounds called resin acids. You won't find them in the water-soluble gum, and you will not find them in the essential oil of Frankincense. We cannot use these resin acids to their fullest extent until we liberate the resin from the gum portion.
Serums and medicated oils are some of the many valuable therapeutic and cosmetic products one can make with a Frankincense resin extract.
Frankincense Resin Acids
Most types of Frankincense contain about 35% water-soluble gum, 55% resin acids, and 10% essential oil on average. The resins in Frankincense are generally composed of 60% Boswellic acids only found in Frankincense and 40% other resin acids that are also found in other plants and trees, such as Abietic acid, which is found in and named after Spruce trees, Abies. The balance and composition of the Boswellic acids varies with each species of Frankincense. Every batch and harvest of Frankincense differs from the next depending on species, growing environment, weather conditions, and whether it was from the first, second, or third harvest of the season.
Alpha and Beta Boswellic acids and AKBA
There are many kinds of Boswellic acids in Frankincense resin. Though big pharma has heavily researched one of them (Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), due to its potential profitability as a marketable molecule), they are all valuable, therapeutic, and likely to work together much better than alone. In laboratory tests, Boswellic acids are anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer, among other things. Boswellic acids have also been shown to pass the blood/brain barrier. If we can liberate these oil-soluble resin acids and free them from the water-soluble gum, we can more easily harness and use their therapeutic compounds for many different products.
Boswellic acids- What are they good for?
Frankincense is traditionally used to address arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, asthma, bronchitis, ulcerative colitis, bronchial issues, and various cancers and as an ingredient in skincare, anti-aging and beauty products and, so much more. It can be made into an oil, lotion or creme for external applications. You can access many studies online examining Frankincense's traditional uses from West Africa, East Africa, Arabia, India, and China. Do some research and learn more about the therapeutic applications of Frankincense and how they may suit your needs. You can also read my post for more information-Frankincense as medicine. Truth, myth and misinformation
A starting material for cosmetic and therapeutic products
A cosmetic creme is one of many products we can make with a Frankincense resin extract.
Because the isolated resin acids dissolve in warm oils, you will be able to make beautiful and efficacious oils, salves and cremes for medicinal and cosmetic applications to help yourself and others. Products that deliver the full range of therapeutic compounds found in Frankincense, including AKBA and the rest of the Boswellic acid family. These will be products that deliver much more than just the essential oil of Frankincense. In fact, you will not have to add essential oils for their aroma, your resin extract reintains its own aromatic molecules even after distillation.
Royal Frankincense Balm is made with pure Frankincense resin extract, a carrier oil and just enough Beeswax to thicken it.
How to make a resin extract of Frankincense with Boswellic acids
This method is straightforward and can be performed in any kitchen with everyday pots and tools. However, do not use your best cooking pot; always use a dedicated spoon for apothecary work and a separate spoon for cooking food.
We will imitate the process of distilling Frankincense for its essential oil. The only difference is that we will use an open pot, allowing some of the essential oils to evaporate. We will not collect and condense the vapours.
- We must boil the Frankincense tears in enough water to absorb the gum easily. I suggest a minimum ratio of 1 part Frankincense tears to 10 parts water by weight. For instance, 100 grams of Frankincense tears to 1 Kilogram (1Litre) of water. A higher ratio of water will not hurt. Just make sure to leave enough space for the water to boil without splashing out of the pot.
- Bring the water to a rolling boil. Sprinkle in your frankincense tears. Keep the pot simmering throughout the process while stirring the contents.
- When you no longer see whole Frankincense tears floating and instead see only globules of Frankincense, then the operation is done.
- If you continue boiling the water for a few minutes more, the tiny globules will cluster into larger pieces, which will be easier to manage later.
- Have a large bucket of cold water containing two to three times as much water as you added to the pot. Make sure the bucket can easily accommodate the cold water and all the material in the cooking pot with lots of room left over. A bigger bucket is always better.
- Carefully pour the hot water into the cold water. The frankincense resin extract bits will solidify.
- When the water in the pail is cool, and the resin extract is solid, pour the contents of the bucket through a kitchen sieve and collect the resin extract in the sieve. If you have a lot of super-fine resin particles, use a finer mesh sieve.
- Let the material dry.
Cleanup of resin residue
Gird yourself with the knowledge that scouring pads and Olive oil, followed by warm soap and water, will remove all sticky and brittle resins from most kitchen utensils, appliances, and floors.
Removing residual Bark from the resin
Most Frankincense types contain at least a modicum of bark. This is just the nature of the material and method of harvest. I have found that the simplest, cleanest, and easiest method for removing the bark is to run it through a metal-mesh coffee filter once the resin extract has been dissolved in a carrier oil. (See my post-How to make an oil extract of Frankincense)
An oil infusion of Frankincense resin extract in a carrier oil is a starting point for many products.
And remember
Always take clear notes!
Your future self will thank you.
Dan
Here are some different forms your resin extract can take.
