Frankincense Ingredients & Drug Interactions
by doTERRA
What is this page for?
First and foremost: checking Frankincense against your medications. The heart of this page is the interaction checker and the full interaction report — how this product’s ingredients may interact with prescription and over-the-counter medicines you may be taking.
Around that, we add a pharmacist’s high-level view of the product as a whole — what’s inside, the evidence for its stated use, how transparent the label is, and what safety data exists — so you can see the full picture in one place. It’s educational information from our licensed clinical databases and the clinical staff at HelloPharmacist — not medical advice — and we don’t sell or endorse products. Our editorial policy
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.
What’s inside
Full disclosure
This product contains one active ingredient: frankincense, a resin from the Boswellia tree that's been used in traditional medicine for centuries. It's formulated as a liquid, which typically means it's concentrated and can be diffused, inhaled, or applied to skin depending on the product instructions.
Does it work?
Not established
The evidence for frankincense's effectiveness is insufficient to make a reliable call on several uses — acne, aging skin, back pain, cancer-related fatigue, and radiation dermatitis all fall into that gap. That means the research either isn't robust enough yet or hasn't been done to show it really works for those purposes.
We can't say it will or won't help.
How safe is it?
Well-documented data
Topically and by inhalation, frankincense essential oil is generally well tolerated. The most common side effects when applied to skin are dermatitis, irritation, and itching.
Rarely, some people have had allergic skin reactions — one case involved contact dermatitis after frequent diffusion and nightly application. Quality and dosing vary widely between products, so that's worth keeping in mind.
There isn't enough safety information to use frankincense during pregnancy or while breastfeeding; the safety data advises against it in both cases.
Meds to double-check
No known interactions
No interactions are documented in our data for the ingredients we could check. That said, run your exact medications through the search tool on this page just to be sure.
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.
Frankincense is generally well tolerated for topical use and inhalation, but the evidence that it actually works for common claims — like acne or back pain — isn't strong enough yet to rely on. If you have sensitive skin or a history of skin reactions, watch for irritation.
Talk with your pharmacist or doctor before using it during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
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 Sep 22, 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
General information
Key facts about Frankincense, straight from the product 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
| Ingredient | Amount | % DV |
|---|---|---|
| Frankincense | 60 mg | -- |
Tap any ingredient to jump to its full detail below.
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.
Consult your doctor if pregnant or in treatment.
Avoid contact with eyes, inner ears, and sensitive areas.
Sample - Not for resale
Formula
Pure essential oil from Boswellia carterii, sacra, papyrifera, and frereana species of frankincense.
Boswellia Essential Oil
FDA Statement of Identity
Essential Oil Supplement
Seals/Symbols
CPTG Certified Pure Therapeutic Grade
General Statements
Peel back for more information.
Is this label outdated? Report a formula or label change and our pharmacy team will review it.
Frankincense by doTERRA label
The label scan from the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database. Tap to enlarge.
Label images are published by the NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database for the version of this product on file. Always read your actual product label.
View the full label (PDF)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 container42 Amounts shown are per serving.
Frankincense
No knowninteractions
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 & interactionsFrankincense 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.
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
Frankincense by doTERRA: Common Questions
Does Frankincense by doTERRA interact with any medications?
How can one product interact with so many drugs?
Where does this information come from?
Is frankincense essential oil safe to apply directly to my skin?
Can I use this while I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Does frankincense really help with acne or aging skin?
What form is this product, and how do I use it?
What's frankincense, anyway?
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.
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.
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 & 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.
- NIH Dietary Supplement Label Database (DSLD) — The official product label on file for this supplement.
- Natural Medicines (Therapeutic Research Center) — Evidence-graded clinical reference behind the ingredient interaction data.
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
- 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.
- Buonomo M, Hylwa S. Allergic contact dermatitis from Boswellia carterii (frankincense) oil. Contact Dermatitis 2021;85(4):465-467.
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