Honestly, the first thing I reach for at the end of a long day is frankincense. I put a drop or two on before bed and something in me just settles. It is one of those things that is hard to explain until you experience it yourself.
But what I love most about frankincense is that it is not just calming. It is ancient. It is biblical. And the more I learned about where it comes from in Scripture, the more I understood why it has always felt like more than just an oil to me.
This is not a wellness trend. This is history. And it is rooted firmly in the Word of God.
What Does the Bible Say About Frankincense?
The word frankincense appears over a dozen times in the Old and New Testaments. God Himself commanded its use. In Exodus 30:34-36, the Lord said to Moses: "Take fragrant spices — gum resin, onycha and galbanum — and pure frankincense, all in equal amounts, and make a fragrant blend of incense, the work of a perfumer. It is to be salted and pure and sacred."
Pure frankincense was placed before the Ark of the Covenant in the Tent of Meeting. This was not decoration. It was obedience. God designated it as holy.
In Leviticus 2:1-2, frankincense was part of the grain offering brought before the Lord. The priests were instructed to burn it as a memorial offering, a pleasing aroma to God. In Psalm 141:2, David prays: "May my prayer be set before you like incense." The fragrant smoke of frankincense rising was understood as a picture of prayer ascending to heaven.
And of course, in Matthew 2:11, the Magi opened their treasures and presented gifts to the Christ child: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. These were not random offerings. Each gift carried profound prophetic weight.
Frankincense represented His priestly role. Gold, His kingship. Myrrh, His suffering and death. Three gifts that told the whole gospel before He ever spoke a word.
What Does the Bible Say About Myrrh?
Myrrh is one of the most significant aromatic substances in all of Scripture. The Hebrew word for myrrh comes from marar, meaning to be bitter. It was obtained by slicing the bark of the Commiphora tree and letting the resin weep out in drops called tears. Sweet to smell, bitter to taste. That contrast runs through every appearance of myrrh in the Bible.
In Exodus 30:23-25, myrrh was the first ingredient God commanded for the sacred anointing oil: "Take the finest spices: of liquid myrrh 500 shekels..." This holy anointing oil was used to consecrate the Tabernacle, the ark, and the priests themselves. Myrrh was not incidental. It was foundational.
In Esther 2:12, women were purified for twelve months before appearing before the king, with six months using oil of myrrh. In Psalm 45:8, describing the anointed king: "All your robes are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia." In Song of Solomon, myrrh is mentioned repeatedly as the fragrance of the beloved.
And at the cross, myrrh appeared again. In John 19:39, Nicodemus brought a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about seventy-five pounds, to prepare Jesus' body for burial. Myrrh that had pointed toward suffering at His birth now accompanied Him in death. And in the resurrection, that same myrrh-soaked body rose. Death could not hold what myrrh had touched.
How Christians Are Using Frankincense and Myrrh Today
Using biblical essential oils in your home is not mysticism. It is not new age practice. It is simply bringing something ancient, something Scripture-rooted, into your daily life with intention and gratitude. You are not claiming any supernatural power from the oil itself. You are creating an environment that helps you turn toward the One who is holy.
Here are simple, grounded ways believers are using frankincense and myrrh today:
1. Diffuse During Prayer and Scripture Reading
Add 3 to 4 drops of pure frankincense to your diffuser before you open your Bible or begin your prayer time. The warm, resinous aroma creates a sensory cue that tells your body and mind: this time is set apart. Many believers find it helps them settle into a quieter, more focused place before the Lord.
2. Anoint Your Home and Family
There is a long tradition in the Church of anointing homes and doorposts as an act of dedication and prayer. Dilute 2 drops of pure myrrh in a teaspoon of carrier oil such as fractionated coconut or sweet almond oil. Use it to anoint doorframes, pray over your children, or dedicate a space to the Lord. This is not a ritual that carries power in itself. It is an outward act of an inward surrender.
3. Use Together as a Worship Blend
Our Frankincense and Myrrh blend combines both into one grounding, worshipful aroma. Many people use it during home church services, family devotional time, or quiet Sabbath rest. The combination is ancient. The Magi carried both for a reason.
4. Create a Morning Altar Moment
Before the noise of the day begins, diffuse frankincense and spend five minutes in silence before the Lord. No agenda. No list. Just presence. The oil marks the moment. Over time, a single breath of it can bring you back to that place of stillness with God.
5. Wind Down at the End of the Day
Frankincense has one of the most naturally settling aromas of any oil. A drop or two diffused in the evening, or diluted and applied to your wrists or the soles of your feet, is a beautiful way to close the day. It is a small, intentional act of caring for yourself as a temple of the Holy Spirit. Always dilute before applying to skin and keep away from eyes.
Are All Frankincense Oils the Same?
They are not, and this matters. The market is flooded with adulterated oils, synthetic blends, and products that contain less than 5% of actual Boswellia resin. If an oil does not smell complex, layered, and genuinely resinous, it is likely not pure.
At deSensua, our pure frankincense is sourced from Boswellia carterii in Oman, steam distilled to preserve its full aromatic profile, and contains no fillers, additives, or synthetics. Our pure myrrh is sourced from Commiphora myrrha in Kenya and Somalia, the same ancient trade routes that supplied the biblical world.
If you want to start with both, our Frankincense and Myrrh Gift Set is a beautiful way to experience them together and makes a meaningful gift for a believer in your life.
A Note on Discernment
We want to be clear about something. Essential oils are not a substitute for prayer, for Scripture, for the Holy Spirit, or for medical care. They are gifts from a generous Creator, tools that can support a life of worship and wholeness. Use them with gratitude, with wisdom, and with your eyes on the One who made the trees they come from.
The same God who commanded frankincense to be placed before His presence in the Tabernacle also designed your body to respond to aromatic compounds. None of that is an accident. It is all His.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does frankincense smell like?
Frankincense has a warm, woody, slightly citrusy and balsamic aroma. It is complex and resinous. Many people describe it as deeply settling and calming. The aroma shifts slightly as it dries down, becoming sweeter and more resinous over time.
Can I apply frankincense directly to skin?
Always dilute before applying to skin. A safe starting dilution is 2 drops per teaspoon of carrier oil such as fractionated coconut oil or sweet almond oil. Do not apply near eyes. Consult your healthcare provider before use if pregnant or nursing.
What is the difference between frankincense and myrrh?
Frankincense is lighter and more citrusy, associated in Scripture with priesthood, prayer, and intercession. Myrrh is darker and more earthy, associated with anointing, purification, and the suffering and triumph of Christ. Together they create a rich, layered aroma that has anchored worship for millennia.
Is using essential oils compatible with Christian faith?
Absolutely. God created aromatic plants and throughout the Old and New Testaments, fragrant oils and incense were used in worship and daily life. The key is intention. Using an oil to create an environment for prayer and worship, to care for your body as a temple of the Holy Spirit, or to anoint with a prayerful heart is fully consistent with biblical faith. The oil itself holds no power. God does.
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. deSensua essential oils are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult your healthcare provider before use if you have a medical condition, are pregnant, or are nursing.