No known drug interactions for the matched ingredients — not a guarantee none exist. Check your meds →
Dietary supplement

Frankincense Ingredients & Drug Interactions

by doTERRA

Liquid Category: Botanical
No known interaction
The interaction bottom line No known interaction

Frankincense is a dietary supplement by doTERRA with 1 active ingredient. Its ingredients are commonly taken for joint pain and osteoarthritis, inflammation, digestive complaints.We don’t currently list a known drug interaction for its mapped ingredients — but that doesn’t guarantee none exist, so always confirm with your pharmacist.

HelloPharmacist Scorecard of Frankincense by doTERRA

Our pharmacy team’s full take, with four database checks built into the cards below — a summary of what is known, not a grade of the product itself.

From our pharmacy team — supplement deep dive

What’s inside

Full disclosure
Ingredient Transparency · database check
Full

Every active ingredient lists its own amount on the label.

Why this rating?
  • The label discloses an exact amount for 1 of its 1 active ingredient.
  • No proprietary blends here — you can verify the dose of every single component.

This product contains one active ingredient: frankincense essential oil. There are no inactive ingredients listed.

Does it work?

Not established
Evidence for Intended Use · database check
By FDA rules, dietary supplements can’t claim to treat, cure, or prevent disease — so labels speak in careful marketing language. We discern each product’s intended use from its name, label claims, and label statements, then grade the clinical evidence for that use. How these ratings are computed
Not established

The graded evidence we hold for these ingredients covers different conditions than the ones this product is marketed for, so there's no established rating for its stated use — see Frankincense's own graded uses on its monograph.

Why this rating?
  • The label markets this product for: Aromatic and topical use.
  • We looked for evidence on: Osteoarthritis, Aging skin, Wound healing, Acne, Back pain, Radiation dermatitis — and 3 related terms.
  • The closest evidence on file: Frankincense is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Acne (Natural Medicines).
  • Also on file: Frankincense is rated "Insufficient Reliable Evidence To Rate" for Aging skin, Back pain, Radiation dermatitis, Osteoarthritis, and more.

The evidence for frankincense isn't established yet. Our data shows insufficient reliable evidence to rate it for acne, aging skin, back pain, cancer-related fatigue, and radiation dermatitis — the areas where it's most commonly used.

That doesn't mean it doesn't work; it means the research either isn't there or isn't strong enough to say either way.

The evidence, ingredient by ingredient Frankincense

How safe is it?

Well-documented data
Safety Information · database check
Well characterized

Adverse-effect, pregnancy, and general safety data are on file for most of these ingredients.

Why this rating?
  • We hold adverse-effect (side-effect) data for 1 of the 1 matched ingredient.
  • Pregnancy & breastfeeding safety ratings cover 1 of 1.
  • General safety write-ups exist for 1 of 1.
  • Remember: this measures how much safety information exists. Thin data is not the same as being safe.

Frankincense essential oil is generally well tolerated when you use it topically (on the skin) or inhale it. The most common side effects are dermatitis (skin inflammation), irritation, and itching — and these are uncommon.

Rarely, people have had allergic skin reactions to the oil itself. The safety data advises against use during pregnancy and while breastfeeding because there isn't enough information to know it's safe.

Keep in mind that quality and dosing vary widely between frankincense products, so what you get may differ from product to product.

Side effects, ingredient by ingredient Frankincense

Meds to double-check

No known interactions
Known Interaction Concern · database check
No known interactions

No medication interactions are currently documented for the matched ingredients — that isn't a guarantee none exist.

Why this rating?
  • None of the 1 matched ingredient has a documented medication interaction on file.

No interactions are documented for frankincense in our data. Still, run your medications through the checker below before you start.

The bottom line

Scorecard at a glanceFully disclosed formula with no established evidence rating for its marketed use. No medication interactions are currently documented, and safety information is well characterized.

If you're curious about frankincense for skin concerns or other uses, this oil is generally well tolerated topically and by inhalation. Because the evidence isn't solid yet, manage your expectations — it might help, or it might not.

Talk with your pharmacist before you start, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, or use any medications.

Educational only — not medical advice; always confirm with your pharmacist. Our editorial policy · How we use AI

Assessment coverage: 1 of 1 active ingredient matched to our full ingredient reviews (monographs). Based on the product label dated May 19, 2022.

This Scorecard evaluates available label information, ingredient evidence, and known medication-safety considerations. It does not independently verify product identity, purity, potency, contamination, or manufacturing quality. How these ratings are computed

At a glance

General information

Key facts about Frankincense, straight from the product label.

Brand doTERRA
Net contents 15 mL; 0.5 fl. Oz.
Market status On market
Date entered into DSLD May 19, 2022
DSLD ID 267309
Product type Botanical
Supplement form Liquid
Dietary claims / uses All Other
Intended target group(s) Adult (18 - 50 Years)
From the label
Everything in this section is reproduced from the manufacturer’s own product label — it’s the label speaking, not HelloPharmacist. We show it so you can see exactly what the maker states; we don’t verify or endorse those statements.

Supplement Facts

The label details for Frankincense by doTERRA, sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database.

Supplement Facts

Daily Value (DV) Target Group(s):
Adults and children 4 or more years of age
Minimum serving Sizes:
1 Drop(s)
Maximum serving Sizes:
1 Drop(s)
Servings per container
250
IngredientAmount% DV
Frankincense60 mg--

Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.

Label statements
These statements are the manufacturer’s wording, reproduced from the product label — the label is saying it, not HelloPharmacist. We don’t verify or endorse them.
Suggested/Recommended/Usage/Directions

For aromatic or topical use. Diffuse aromatically or, to apply topically, dilute with a carrier oil to minimize skin sensitivity.

For internal use dilute one drop in 4 fl. oz. of liquid.

Precautions

Caution: Possible skin sensitivity.

Keep out of reach of children.

If pregnant or under a doctor's care, consult your physician.

Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.

Formula

Pure essential oil from Boswellia carterii, sacra, papyrifera, and frereana species of frankincense.

Boswellia Essential Oil

FDA Statement of Identity

Essential Oil Supplement

Formulation

CPTG Certified Pure Tested Grade

See for yourself

Frankincense by doTERRA label

The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.

What’s inside

The Ingredients in Frankincense by doTERRA

This is the 1 active ingredient this product is made of. Select it to open its full monograph.

Serving size1 Drop(s) Dosage formLiquid Servings per container250 Amounts shown are per serving.

Frankincense

No known
interactions
60 mg per serving

Frankincense is the aromatic resin of the Boswellia tree and is best known for its boswellic acids, which may help with inflammation and joint pain. E...

Frankincense monograph & interactions
Interaction report

Frankincense by doTERRA Drug Interactions

We don’t currently list any known drug interactions for the mapped ingredients in Frankincense. This doesn’t guarantee none exist — always confirm with your pharmacist before combining a supplement with your medications.

The maker

Brand information

Manufacturer and brand details for Frankincense, from the product label.

doTERRA

See all doTERRA products
Name
doTERRA Intl, LLC
Street Address
389 South 1300 West
City
Pleasant Grove
State
UT
ZipCode
84062
Pharmacist Counseling Corner

Frankincense by doTERRA: Common Questions

Does Frankincense by doTERRA interact with any medications?
We do not currently list a known interaction for the mapped ingredients in Frankincense. This does not guarantee none exist, so confirm with your pharmacist.
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Frankincense contains a single active ingredient, and that one ingredient can interact with many different medications on its own. We check it against each medication and show the mechanism responsible.
Where does this information come from?
The product label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD); the interaction data is built on the Natural Medicines database and reviewed by HelloPharmacist pharmacists.
Is frankincense safe to use on my skin?
Topically, frankincense is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects are dermatitis, irritation, and itching — and they're uncommon. Rarely, people have had allergic skin reactions. If you develop a rash or itching after using it, stop and talk to a pharmacist or doctor.
Can I use frankincense if I'm pregnant?
The safety data advises against it. There isn't enough information to know whether it's safe in pregnancy, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Can I use frankincense while breastfeeding?
The safety data advises against it. There isn't enough information to know whether it's safe while breastfeeding, so talk with your doctor or pharmacist for personalized advice.
Does frankincense actually work for acne, skin aging, or back pain?
The evidence isn't established yet. We don't have enough reliable research to say whether it works for those uses. That doesn't mean it doesn't — it means the science just isn't there to back it up.
Is this product different from other frankincense oils?
Quality and dosing vary widely between frankincense products, so this doTERRA version may differ from others. Keep that in mind when comparing brands or reading reviews from other oils.

Written and reviewed by the HelloPharmacist editorial staff. Our editorial policy

Not sure if Frankincense is safe with your meds?

Our pharmacists answer your medication & supplement questions — free.

Ask a pharmacist

Label information is sourced from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database and reflects the product version on file; always read your actual product label. This page is for education only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Confirm with your pharmacist or doctor before combining supplements and medications.

Frankincense label
Go deeper

The Full Monographs Behind Frankincense’s Ingredients

Every ingredient we hold a full HelloPharmacist monograph for — uses, evidence, safety, and the complete interaction list.

Sources

Sources & How We Checked

Frankincense's label data comes from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database; the ingredient interaction data is from the Natural Medicines database, reviewed by our pharmacists.

Content is written and reviewed by licensed HelloPharmacist pharmacists. See our data sources and editorial standards for how this information is built and checked.

The 2 references behind this product’s interaction data

Every citation that drives the interaction findings for this product’s ingredients, from the evidence-graded Natural Medicines (TRC Healthcare) database. Open an ingredient to browse its citations — links open the study on PubMed or the publisher’s site.

Frankincense 2 references
  1. Acebo, E., Raton, J. A., Sautua, S., Eizaguirre, X., Trebol, I., and Perez, J. L. Allergic contact dermatitis from Boswellia serrata extract in a naturopathic cream. Contact Dermatitis 2004;51(2):91-92.
  2. Buonomo M, Hylwa S. Allergic contact dermatitis from Boswellia carterii (frankincense) oil. Contact Dermatitis 2021;85(4):465-467.

See these in context on the Frankincense monograph →

Parts of this content are provided by the Therapeutic Research Center, LLC.

DISCLAIMER: Currently this does not check for drug-drug interactions. This is not an all-inclusive comprehensive list of potential interactions and is for informational purposes only. Not all interactions are known or well-reported in the scientific literature, and new interactions are continually being reported. Input is needed from a qualified healthcare provider including a pharmacist before starting any therapy. Application of clinical judgment is necessary.

© 2021 Therapeutic Research Center, LLC

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