Frankincense for Skin Disorders: Does It Work?
Does Frankincense help with skin disorders? It can play a supporting role, mainly where skin trouble involves inflammation or slow healing. Indian Frankincense, the resin of Boswellia serrata known in Sanskrit as Shallaki (Shallaki), is best known in Ayurveda as a joint herb, not a skin herb.
Its skin link comes from its classical actions. The Bhavaprakash Nighantu lists it as anti-inflammatory (Shothaghna), pain-relieving (Vedanasthapana), wound-healing (Vranaropana) and bleeding-stopping (Raktastambhana). Our knowledge graph connects it to skin disease (Kushtha) as an inference from those actions.
Two of those actions, calming inflammation and healing wounds, are directly relevant to inflamed or broken skin. Its bitter and astringent tastes also fit, since bitter is the taste Ayurveda considers most therapeutic for skin disease.
Keep expectations realistic. For established skin disease, blood-purifying herbs lead, and Frankincense is an addition rather than the centre of the plan.
How Frankincense Helps with Skin Disorders
The Charaka Samhita lists skin disorders among the diseases of the blood tissue (Rakta Dhatu). Frankincense is described as acting on the blood among its tissues, and on the circulatory channels, so it reaches the layer Ayurveda treats in skin disease.
Taste and qualities
The resin is bitter, pungent, astringent and sweet in taste, with dry, light and penetrating qualities. Bitter and astringent tastes clear and dry, which suits oozing, inflamed skin. The penetrating quality carries the herb deep into the tissues.
Calming inflammation and healing tissue
Its classical anti-inflammatory and wound-healing actions are the most relevant to skin. In modern terms, its boswellic acids inhibit 5-lipoxygenase, an enzyme that produces inflammatory leukotrienes. That research is mostly on joints and the gut; our sources do not report skin-specific trials.
Dosha fit
Sources differ on its potency, describing it as both heating and cooling. Its heating, penetrating side can aggravate acidity in Pitta-predominant people, so if your skin is red and hot, start low. Classically it is combined with other resins and Turmeric for inflammatory conditions where Kapha and Vata are aggravated.
How to Use Frankincense for Skin Disorders
For skin disorders, Frankincense is used mainly as an internal anti-inflammatory. Our sources do not give a skin-specific protocol, so the doses below are its general inflammation doses.
| Form | Dose | When to take | Notes for skin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standardized extract capsule (65 to 70% boswellic acids) | 300 to 400 mg, 2 to 3 times daily | With food | The most predictable form for inflammation |
| Purified powder (Shuddha Shallaki Churna) | 3 to 6 g daily, divided | After meals, with warm water or honey | The traditional, milder form |
| Topical oil or cream | 2 to 3 times daily | Applied to the area | Patch-test first; rare contact dermatitis is reported |
What to combine it with
Classical practice combines Frankincense with Guggulu, Myrrh and Turmeric for inflammatory conditions with Kapha and Vata aggravation. Turmeric is itself linked to skin disease in the Charaka Samhita, Chikitsasthana 7.
How long
Frankincense builds with daily use rather than working as needed. Skin tissue changes slowly, so expect to use internal herbs for 8 to 12 weeks for chronic skin conditions.
If you apply it to the skin, test a small patch first and avoid broken or weeping areas unless a practitioner advises otherwise.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Frankincense the same as Shallaki or Boswellia?
Yes. Shallaki, Boswellia and Indian Frankincense all refer to Boswellia serrata, whose resin is the medicine. Its use for skin disorders rests on its anti-inflammatory and wound-healing actions.
Can I apply Frankincense to my skin?
Topical oils and creams are used, but rare contact dermatitis has been reported with topical Boswellia. Patch-test a small area before wider use, and avoid broken or weeping skin without professional advice.
Frankincense vs Turmeric for skin disorders?
Turmeric is the better single choice for skin, since it is linked to skin disease in the Charaka Samhita and is a staple of Ayurvedic skin care. Frankincense targets a different inflammation pathway, and the two are often combined.
Frankincense vs Neem for itchy, infected skin?
Neem is the leading Ayurvedic herb for infectious skin conditions, used inside and out. Frankincense has no recorded antimicrobial role in our sources, so Neem is the clearer choice there.
Can I take Frankincense with blood thinners?
Use caution. Frankincense has mild blood-thinning activity, so tell your doctor if you take warfarin, aspirin or clopidogrel, and stop it before surgery.
Recommended: Start Frankincense for Skin Disorders
If you want to start using Frankincense for skin disorders, here is the simplest starting point.
Best form: a standardized Boswellia extract capsule (65 to 70% boswellic acids), 300 to 400 mg twice daily with food. It gives the most predictable dose of the anti-inflammatory compounds.
Pair it: Frankincense is classically combined with Turmeric for inflammatory conditions, and Turmeric has its own classical link to skin disease. Taking both covers more ground than either alone.
Dosha fork: if your skin is red, hot and acid-prone (Pitta), start at a low dose, since the resin's heating, penetrating side can aggravate acidity. For oozing, inflamed skin (Kapha), its dry, light, bitter profile is a good fit.
Find Frankincense on Amazon ↗ Turmeric Powder ↗
Safety: avoid Frankincense in pregnancy, and check with your doctor first if you take blood thinners or immunosuppressants or have surgery coming up.
Safety & Precautions
Shallaki has one of the cleanest safety profiles in the joint-support category, notably better than NSAIDs, which are its main competitor. That said, it is not side-effect-free, and some interactions matter. The higher the AKBA concentration, the more carefully these apply.
Common Mild Side Effects
- Mild GI upset: Some users report nausea, heartburn, or loose stools, especially at higher doses or when taking it on an empty stomach. Taking it with food resolves this in most cases.
- Acid reflux: Shallaki's heating and penetrating qualities can aggravate pre-existing acidity in Pitta-predominant individuals. Start at a low dose if this is a concern.
- Skin dermatitis (topical use): Rare contact dermatitis has been reported with topical Boswellia creams. Patch-test before broad application.
Drug Interactions to Know
- Anticoagulants and antiplatelets (warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel): Shallaki has mild blood-thinning activity. The interaction is modest but real, watch for easy bruising or prolonged bleeding, and inform your doctor before surgery.
- Immunosuppressants (cyclosporine, tacrolimus, methotrexate): At higher doses, Shallaki modulates immune pathways in ways that could oppose the goal of immunosuppression. Transplant patients and those on biologics for autoimmune disease should consult their specialist before using it.
- NSAIDs: Can be combined (they work on different pathways), but the combination may increase bleeding risk slightly. Often, people successfully reduce or eliminate NSAID use after a few weeks on Shallaki, do this with your doctor, not unilaterally.
- Leukotriene inhibitors (montelukast): Theoretically additive. No documented problem, but awareness is sensible.
Pregnancy and Nursing
Classical texts describe Shallaki's resin as having an emmenagogue effect, it can stimulate uterine activity. It should therefore be avoided during pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. The contraindication in the Bhavaprakash Nighantu is specifically framed around Shallaki's vigorous moving quality, which is not what you want in a stable pregnancy. During nursing, data is limited; wait until post-weaning for any therapeutic course.
AKBA Extracts: More Is Not Always Better
Standardized high-AKBA extracts (10-30% AKBA) are more potent and are what research trials typically use, but they also generate more GI side effects. If you are sensitive, start with a classical 65-70% boswellic acid extract before stepping up. Whole-herb powder has the mildest profile but is also the least potent.
Who Should Skip Shallaki Entirely
- Pregnant or actively trying to conceive
- Active peptic ulcer or severe GERD (start with very low dose if at all)
- Organ transplant recipients on immunosuppression
- Scheduled for surgery within two weeks (stop it in advance due to mild anticoagulant effect)
- Known allergy to Boswellia or other resins
Other Herbs for Skin Disorders
See all herbs for skin disorders on the Skin Disorders page.
▶ Classical Text References (4 sources)
) 48-49 ½ Mahamriga – big animals – वराहम हष य क रो हतवारणाः स ृमर चमरः ख गो गवय च महाम ृगाः Varaha (boar), mahisa (buffalo), nyanku (dog deer), rohita (big deer), ruru (swamp deer), varana (elephant), srmara (Indian wild boar), chamara (yak), khadga (rhinoceros) and Gavaya (goyal ox) are known as mahamriga (animals of huge body).
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
50 Apchara varga –(aquatic birds) : हंससारसकाद बबककार डव लवाः बलाको ोषच ा वम गु ौ चादयो अ चराः Hamsa (swan), sarasa (Indian crane), kadamba (grey legged goose), baka (heron), karandava (white breasted goose), palva (pelican), balaka (crane),utkrosa (mattard), chakrahva(ruddy Sheldrake), madgu (small cormorant), krouncha (pound heron) etc.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food
उपोदक अ तसाराय तलक केन सा धता Upodika (Indian spinach) processed along with sesame seed paste causes diarrhoea.
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Anna Raksha Vidhi
Pathya – food that can be consumed habitually (on daily basis, for a long time) – शीलये छा लगोधूमयवषि टकजा गलम ् सु नष णकजीव तीबालमूलवा तुकम ् प यामलकम ृ वीकापटोल मु गशकराः घत ृ द योदक ीर ौ दा डमसै धवम ् Shali (rice), Godhuma (wheat), Yava – Barley – Hordeum vulgare, Shashtika (rice maturing in sixty days), Jangala (meat of animals of desert like lands), sunisannaka, Jivanti – Leptadenia reticulata, Balamulaka (young radish), Pathya (Haritaki) Amalaka (Amla – Indian gooseberry), Mridwika – dr
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Food habits &
Tikta Gana – group of bitters :त तः पदोल ाय ती वालकोशीर च दनम ् भू न ब न ब कटुका तगरा गु व सकम ् न तमाला वरजनी मु त मूवाट पकम पाठापामागकां यायोगुडू चध वयासकम ् प चमल ू ं महा या यौ वशाल अ त वषावचा Patoli, Trayanti – Gentiana kurroa, Valaka, Usira – Vetiveria zizanioides, Chandana – Sandalwood, Bhunimba – The creat (whole plant) – Andrographis paniculata, Nimba – Neem – Azadirachta indica, Katuka – Picrorhiza kurroa, Tagara – Indian Valerian (root) – Valeriana wallichi, Aguru, Vatsaka – Hol
— Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
Source: Astanga Hridaya Sutrasthan, Annaswaroopa Food; Anna Raksha Vidhi; Food habits &; Rasabhediyam Tastes, Their
In order to clean the seat of kapha and amashaya, the patient should be given the decoction of pippali, sarsapa (yellow sarson/Indian colza/Brassica campestris) and nimba (neem tree/Margosa/Indian lilac/Azadirachta indica) added with powder of pinditaka (madanaphala/emetic nut/bushy gardenia/Randia dumetorum) and saindhava (rock-salt).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 20: Vomiting Treatment (Chhardi Chikitsa / छर्दिचिकित्सा)
The application of jambu (Syzgium cumini), Indian hog plum jujube, country willow, barks of five herbs (panchavalkal) and the herbs of panchamla group mixed with ghee over pericardial region, face are curative of fainting, giddiness and thirst.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 22: Thirst Disorders Treatment (Trishna Chikitsa / तृष्णाचिकित्सा)
Shali rice (Foeniculum vulgare), shashtika rice (Oriza sativa), common millet and Indian millet are recommended as diet and rock salt for salting purpose.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा)
The goat meat shall be prepared with peas, green gram or dadima (Pomegranate) and amalaka (Indian Goose berry).
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)
Preparation of various saturating drinks, vegetable and meat soups with juice of grapes, Indian Gooseberry, dates and parushaka is advisable.
— Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)
Source: Charaka Samhita, Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 20: Vomiting Treatment (Chhardi Chikitsa / छर्दिचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 22: Thirst Disorders Treatment (Trishna Chikitsa / तृष्णाचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 23: Poison Treatment (Visha Chikitsa / विषचिकित्सा); Chikitsa Sthana — Therapeutic Principles, Chapter 24: Alcoholism Treatment (Madatyaya Chikitsa / मदात्ययचिकित्सा)
Also take five hundred Amalaki fruits (Emblica officinalis/Indian gooseberry).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations)
Chickpea flour (Besan) is a traditional absorbent used in Indian bathing practices (Ubtan).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application)
This was documented in European royalty and is here independently described in an Indian medical text.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 6: Health Anxiety and Hypochondria (Gadodvega Adhikara)
One should prepare a decoction of Shyama (Operculina turpethum, black variety), Ananta (Hemidesmus indicus, Indian sarsaparilla), Madhuka (Glycyrrhiza glabra, licorice), Trivrit (Operculina turpethum), both types of sandalwood (Santalum album and Pterocarpus santalinus), both types of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum and Amomum subulatum), and Dhatri (Emblica officinalis, amla), and drink the water.
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 13: Treatment of Tremors (Taradava Chikitsa) - Continued
Or one may drink a decoction of Shariva (Hemidesmus indicus, Indian sarsaparilla), with Sara (Alhagi camelorum) and Narasaraka, along with Shyama (Operculina turpethum), Ananta (Hemidesmus indicus), Katvi (Picrorhiza kurroa, kutki), and seeds of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris).
— Sharangadhara Samhita, Parishishtam, Chapter 16: Secondary Urinary Disorders (Aupasargika Meha)
Source: Sharangadhara Samhita, Madhyama Khanda, Chapter 8: Avalehakalpana (Confection/Electuary Preparations); Uttara Khanda, Chapter 11: Lepa Vidhi (Topical Paste Application); Parishishtam, Chapter 6: Health Anxiety and Hypochondria (Gadodvega Adhikara); Parishishtam, Chapter 13: Treatment of Tremors (Taradava Chikitsa) - Continued; Parishishtam, Chapter 16: Secondary Urinary Disorders (Aupasargika Meha)
This verse is widely quoted across Indian philosophical literature.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 4: Prabhashaniya Adhyaya - Exposition and Commentaries
Ancient Indian time measurement system, from the smallest unit (nimesha/eye-blink) to the largest (yuga).
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 6: Ritucharya Adhyaya - Seasonal Regimen
The six-season (shad-ritu) system of Indian climatology.
— Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 6: Ritucharya Adhyaya - Seasonal Regimen
Oil prepared with astringent and sweet herbs -- Madhuka (licorice), Ushira (vetiver), Hribera, Sariva (Indian sarsaparilla), Utpala (blue lotus), and Padmaka -- should be used for massaging the child.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 30: Shakunipratishedha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), Shringi, Sariva (Indian sarsaparilla), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), Sahe, and Vidari (Pueraria tuberosa) -- decoctions of these are beneficial for sprinkling.
— Sushruta Samhita, Uttara Tantra, Chapter 31: Revatipratishedha
Source: Sushruta Samhita, Sutra Sthana, Chapter 4: Prabhashaniya Adhyaya - Exposition and Commentaries; Sutra Sthana, Chapter 6: Ritucharya Adhyaya - Seasonal Regimen; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 30: Shakunipratishedha; Uttara Tantra, Chapter 31: Revatipratishedha
Medical Disclaimer: The information on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Ayurvedic treatments should be pursued under the guidance of a qualified practitioner (BAMS/MD Ayurveda). Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new treatment. Content is sourced from classical Ayurvedic texts and may not reflect the latest medical research.