Frankincense and myrrh have travelled together for so long — in trade caravans, in scripture, in the same gift boxes — that many people assume they’re two versions of the same thing. They aren’t. They come from different trees, smell nothing alike, and are used quite differently.
Two trees, two resins
Frankincense is the resin of Boswellia trees, which grow in the Horn of Africa and southern Arabia. The tapped sap dries into pale, translucent “tears” that range from near-white to amber.
Myrrh comes from Commiphora trees, mostly Commiphora myrrha, which grow in the same dry regions of Somalia, Ethiopia, and Yemen. Its resin dries darker — reddish-brown to almost black — and tends to form irregular, rougher lumps rather than clean drops.
How they smell
Frankincense is bright and lifting: warm and balsamic with a lemon-pine top note and a soft, honeyed base. It reads as clean and “open.”
Myrrh is the opposite register: earthy, bitter, smoky, faintly medicinal, with a dark sweetness underneath. It sits low and heavy. On its own it can feel sombre; that’s part of why it has long been associated with mourning and anointing rather than celebration.
How they burn
Frankincense melts quickly on charcoal and throws a generous, fragrant smoke that fills a room in minutes. Myrrh melts more slowly, bubbles, and produces a thicker, darker smoke that can turn acrid if the coal is too hot. Myrrh also leaves a stickier residue on the burner.
How they’re used
Frankincense is the everyday resin: prayer, meditation, clearing a room, simply enjoying the scent. Myrrh is more often used in smaller amounts — in blends, in traditional perfumery, and in ceremonies where its grounding, heavier character is wanted.
Burned together, they balance each other. Two parts frankincense to one part myrrh is the classic ratio: frankincense carries the top and middle, myrrh anchors the base. Start there and adjust.
Which one should you start with?
If you’re new to resin, start with frankincense. It’s more forgiving to burn, more universally liked, and pleasant on its own. Add myrrh later if you want depth. We sell only Grade I Boswellia carterii frankincense — the bright half of the pair. The Resin →