Where to Buy Pure Frankincense and Myrrh

If you’ve been on a quest for pure frankincense and myrrh, your search may have felt like an adventure. These ancient resins, prized for their medicinal, aromatic, and spiritual properties, hold a deep cultural significance. Whether you’re seeking them for wellness, spiritual practices, or as natural perfumes, it’s crucial to find trustworthy sources. But where do you start in a market saturated with synthetic alternatives and impure blends?

Frankincense and myrrh have been used for thousands of years, from ancient Egypt to the biblical stories of the three wise men. Their ability to heal and provide an aromatic atmosphere has made them highly sought after even today. But the market is often flooded with products that don’t live up to their promises. So, how do you ensure you’re purchasing the purest forms?

The answer lies in sourcing from specialized retailers and authentic traders. These are often found either online or in local markets, particularly in areas where frankincense and myrrh naturally grow, such as Oman, Somalia, and Ethiopia. However, not every store selling these products guarantees purity.

1. Online Specialty Stores

In today’s digital age, specialized online stores offer a convenient way to buy frankincense and myrrh. Some stores specifically deal in essential oils, resins, and incense. Here are a few recommended platforms:

• Mountain Rose Herbs: This retailer is known for its organic products and has been a trusted name for years. They offer pure frankincense and myrrh resins and essential oils, perfect for those seeking high-quality, unadulterated products.
• Etsy: Though it’s a marketplace for various vendors, Etsy is a fantastic place to find artisanal sellers who focus on purity. Always check reviews, seller information, and the product descriptions carefully.
• Stillpoint Aromatics: Specializing in therapeutic-grade essential oils, Stillpoint Aromatics sources high-quality frankincense and myrrh essential oils. Their products are tested and verified for purity, making them a go-to for wellness enthusiasts.
• Amazon: While Amazon might seem like an obvious choice, the key to purchasing on such platforms is being highly selective. Look for products with detailed descriptions about their origins, organic certifications, and positive customer reviews.

The beauty of these online platforms is that they often provide detailed product descriptions, including the sourcing location, method of extraction, and whether the product is certified organic.

2. Physical Stores and Local Markets

Purchasing frankincense and myrrh in person allows you to experience their scent, texture, and appearance firsthand. Look for stores that specialize in natural wellness products, apothecaries, or spiritual supplies. In particular, you can find these products in health food stores, holistic healing centers, or cultural markets that import items directly from regions like Africa or the Middle East.

For the purists, traveling to the source is the ultimate way to ensure authenticity. If you happen to be in places like Oman or Ethiopia, local markets sell freshly harvested resins. These marketplaces provide an immersive experience, where you can see the difference between high-quality and low-quality frankincense or myrrh.

3. Direct from the Source in Africa and the Middle East
Countries like Oman and Somalia are renowned for producing the highest quality frankincense, while Yemen and Ethiopia are major producers of myrrh. When buying directly from these regions, you get the freshest, most potent resins, sometimes straight from the tree. Some well-established exporters and traders sell these products online or via direct contacts, ensuring their purity and authenticity.

Key points when buying:

• Transparency: Always choose a retailer who provides detailed information about where the resin was harvested and its processing method.
• Certifications: If buying essential oils, check for certifications like USDA Organic or ECOCERT, which verify the purity and natural status of the product.
• Customer Reviews: Online, customer reviews can be extremely telling. Products with consistently positive feedback from buyers are often a safer bet.
• Testing: Look for retailers who offer third-party testing of their products for contaminants like heavy metals or synthetic additives.

What to Watch Out For

Buying frankincense and myrrh is not always straightforward. Synthetic resins, which might look similar but are made of artificial components, are often sold at a fraction of the price. The smell, however, is usually a dead giveaway. Pure frankincense and myrrh offer complex, earthy, and slightly spicy aromas, unlike the flat, one-dimensional smell of synthetic alternatives.

Uses and Benefits of Pure Frankincense and Myrrh

Once you’ve sourced pure frankincense and myrrh, the next step is enjoying their incredible benefits. Frankincense is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it useful in skincare routines and natural remedies for conditions like arthritis. Myrrh, on the other hand, has powerful antimicrobial properties, making it effective in oral care and healing wounds.

How to use them:

• Essential Oils: Add a few drops of frankincense or myrrh essential oils to a diffuser to enjoy their calming and grounding effects.
• Burning Resins: If you prefer the traditional route, burn the resins on charcoal to create a rich, aromatic smoke perfect for meditation or spiritual rituals.
• Skin and Beauty: Mix frankincense essential oil with a carrier oil like jojoba for a potent anti-aging skin serum. Myrrh can be added to homemade toothpaste or mouthwash for its oral health benefits.

How to Ensure You’re Getting a Good Deal

The prices for pure frankincense and myrrh can vary greatly depending on the type, origin, and vendor. As a rule of thumb, if the price seems too good to be true, it probably is. High-quality frankincense and myrrh are worth the investment due to their potency, health benefits, and rarity.

Price guide:

• Frankincense: Prices range from $10 to $40 per ounce, depending on the grade and source. Boswellia sacra (royal green hojari) is the highest grade of frankincense and fetches a premium price.
• Myrrh: Slightly cheaper than frankincense, you can find myrrh resin for about $8 to $25 per ounce. However, certain types like Commiphora myrrha, which is the most potent, can cost more.

Buying from reputable sellers and knowing what you’re looking for will save you money in the long run, ensuring that you’re not wasting funds on low-quality or diluted products.