Where to Buy Frankincense and Myrrh: Your Comprehensive Guide

Frankincense and myrrh, two aromatic resins with histories dating back thousands of years, remain popular today for their therapeutic properties and cultural significance. Whether you're seeking these ancient resins for aromatherapy, religious ceremonies, or medicinal purposes, knowing where to purchase high-quality frankincense and myrrh is essential. This guide explores various sources, forms, and considerations to help you find authentic products.

Understanding Frankincense and Myrrh

Before diving into where to purchase frankincense and myrrh, it's important to understand what these substances are. Both are aromatic tree resins harvested from specific species. Frankincense comes from Boswellia trees, primarily found in Somalia, Yemen, and Oman. Myrrh is derived from Commiphora trees native to Northeast Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula.

These resins have been valued for millennia for their aromatic properties, medicinal benefits, and use in religious ceremonies across multiple cultures. Today, they're sought after for aromatherapy, traditional medicine, perfumery, and spiritual practices.

Online Retailers for Frankincense and Myrrh

Specialty Herb and Resin Shops

Several online specialty shops focus on herbs, resins, and aromatherapy products:

• Mountain Rose Herbs - Offers organic and sustainably harvested resins
• Starwest Botanicals - Provides various grades of frankincense and myrrh
• Frontier Co-op - Features fair trade options

Marketplace Platforms

Major online marketplaces provide convenience and variety:

• Amazon - Numerous vendors offering different qualities and forms
• Etsy - Artisanal and small-batch options, often directly from harvesters
• eBay - Various grades, including collector-quality pieces

Aromatherapy and Essential Oil Retailers

Shops specializing in aromatherapy often carry high-quality resins:

• Plant Therapy
• Edens Garden
• Aromatics International

When shopping for essential oils and aromatherapy supplies, you can find additional guidance in this comprehensive guide to purchasing essential oils, which covers similar purchasing considerations.

Physical Stores to Purchase Frankincense and Myrrh

Health Food and Natural Product Stores

Many brick-and-mortar options exist for those who prefer to see and smell products before buying:

• Whole Foods Market and similar natural grocery chains
• Local health food stores
• Co-ops with bulk herb sections

Metaphysical and New Age Shops

These specialty stores often carry frankincense and myrrh for spiritual uses:

• Local crystal and metaphysical supply shops
• New Age bookstores with supply sections
• Shops specializing in incense and ritual supplies

Cultural and Religious Supply Stores

Depending on your location, you might find:

• Middle Eastern and African grocery stores
• Religious supply shops (particularly Orthodox Christian, Catholic, or specialized Judaic stores)
• International markets in diverse neighborhoods

For those interested in specialty containers for storing these precious resins, this guide to finding quality glass bottles offers excellent options that help preserve their aromatic properties.

Forms of Frankincense and Myrrh Available

When purchasing frankincense and myrrh, you'll encounter several forms:

Raw Resin Tears

The most traditional form, these are the dried resin droplets harvested directly from trees. They vary in color, size, and aroma depending on species and quality. Premium tears are translucent with a consistent color.

Powdered Resin

Ground resin is convenient for making incense blends or for use in cosmetic formulations. It burns more quickly than tears when used as incense.

Essential Oils

Concentrated extracts offer the aromatic benefits in a form suitable for diffusers, personal care products, and aromatherapy. Quality varies significantly based on extraction methods.

For those who enjoy working with these resins for incense purposes, specialized trays designed for handling aromatic materials can be incredibly helpful for containing the resins during preparation and preventing mess.

Quality Considerations When Buying

Not all frankincense and myrrh are created equal. Consider these factors when making a purchase:

• Species identification - Different species offer varying aromas and therapeutic properties
• Color and clarity - Higher grades tend to be more translucent with fewer impurities
• Aroma - Fresh, potent resins have strong, characteristic scents
• Sustainability concerns - Overharvesting threatens some species, particularly Boswellia
• Fair trade practices - Ethical sourcing ensures harvesters receive fair compensation

Similar quality considerations apply when sourcing other natural materials. For example, this guide on purchasing mica powder and raffia discusses quality verification for natural craft materials.

Uses and Applications

Aromatherapy and Incense

The most common modern use involves burning the resins as incense or extracting their essential oils for diffusion. Frankincense offers a woody, spicy scent believed to promote relaxation and meditation, while myrrh provides an earthier, slightly bitter aroma associated with grounding and emotional balance.

Medicinal and Therapeutic

Both resins have traditional medicinal applications:

• Frankincense has anti-inflammatory properties and is studied for potential benefits in arthritis treatment
• Myrrh has been used as an antiseptic and for oral health applications
• Both appear in traditional medicine systems including Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and various folk healing traditions

Spiritual and Religious

Many religious traditions incorporate these resins:

• Used in Christian churches, particularly Orthodox and Catholic traditions
• Incorporated in various meditation practices
• Utilized in purification rituals across multiple spiritual traditions

For those interested in creating fragrance blends with these resins, this resource on sourcing essential and fragrance oils provides complementary information about finding quality aromatic materials.

Future Sourcing Trends for Ancient Resins

The market for frankincense and myrrh continues to evolve. Conservation concerns are driving changes in how these resins are harvested and sold. Sustainable harvesting initiatives are emerging to protect wild Boswellia and Commiphora trees, while some companies are investing in cultivation projects to reduce pressure on wild populations.

Additionally, blockchain technology is beginning to appear in premium frankincense supply chains, allowing consumers to trace their purchases from tree to shelf. This transparency helps ensure both quality and ethical sourcing. As research into the medicinal properties of these resins continues, we may also see more standardized extracts appearing in the wellness market.

Whether you're purchasing frankincense and myrrh for spiritual practices, aromatherapy, or their potential health benefits, understanding where to buy quality products ensures you'll experience the full value of these ancient resins that have captivated humanity for thousands of years.