09/22/2026
Food grade frankincense
People are asking me how do I purchase food grade frankincense.?
Just so you know, there is no food grade frankincense resin that is a marketing tool.
As per the essential oil:
• GRAS = Generally Recognized as Safe (FDA designation for food additives)
• Some essential oils (such as lemon, peppermint, cinnamon) are on this list due to their common use as flavorings and preservatives, and these are essential oils generally recognized as safe by the FDA.
• Note: GRAS status is based on small, food-grade amounts—not therapeutic dosages
Some essential oils are generally recognized as safe by the FDA and are classified by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as GRAS—”Generally Recognized as Safe”—for use as food additives. This designation means they are commonly used in food and beverages for flavoring or preservation, and are generally considered safe when used in small amounts, not to be used therapeutically.
AS per the resin, in some cases, it is approved by FDA as Food Additive / Natural Flavoring Substance but not for therapeutic usage.
Depending on what it’s used for it’s categorize as a cosmetic.
If a product containing frankincense resin makes structure-function or disease .treatment claims (e.g., claiming it "cures arthritis" or "treats cancer"), the FDA immediately categorizes the product as an unapproved new drug. The FDA has not formally reviewed or approved frankincense resin to treat or prevent any medical condition.
Some resins for a traditional usage like Boswellia sacra or frereana, maybe chewed and ingested in small pieces to be used therapeutically.
The essential oil should not be ingested because it’s extremely concentrated meaning it takes pounds of resin to make one bottle of the essential oil. This can cause quite harm to the inside of your body.. and if you’re going to even consider trying this, you should be working with a medical Doctor Who is certified in aromatherapy.
