At dōTERRA, Frankincense essential oil represents a bridge between ancient tradition and modern responsibility. Behind every bottle is a story of commitments to responsible sourcing, long-term partnerships, and a duty to protect these precious species for generations to come.
Frankincense comes from Boswellia trees, which grow in some of the world’s most remote and arid regions, mostly around the Horn of Africa. These trees take years to mature, and their resin is harvested by hand through precise tapping.
What sets frankincense apart is not just where it grows, but how slowly it can recover.
Improper harvesting can weaken trees, reduce resin production, or even kill the tree. Unlike annual crops, Boswellia trees cannot be quickly replanted or replaced. Damage done in a single season can impact supply for decades.
At the same time, frankincense populations face increasing pressure from climate change, land use shifts, and unmanaged harvesting. In this context, unsustainable sourcing decisions don’t just affect one harvest—they shape the future of the species itself.
For frankincense, sustainability isn’t optional. It’s a necessity.
A key focus of the dōTERRA Frankincense sourcing journey is our collaboration with globally recognized organizations, including the FairWild Foundation. Through this work, Co-Impact Sourcing® standards are strengthened to protect natural resources, support local communities, and help set benchmarks for responsible wild harvesting. This collaborative approach is especially critical in regions where fragile ecosystems and livelihoods depend on responsible, long-term stewardship.
Frankincense trees grow in some of the world’s vulnerable landscapes. Without careful oversight, overharvesting can threaten individual trees and entire ecosystems. Sustainable sourcing requires partnership and commitments to:
Unlike initiatives that focus on a single point in the supply chain, organizations such as the FairWild Foundation take a holistic, landscape-level approach. Auditors assess not only the health of frankincense trees but also the surrounding environment, monitoring impacts on plant life, wildlife, and broader ecosystems. Harvesting techniques are evaluated to confirm that they align with scientifically established regeneration limits.
Certified suppliers also act as first responders for environmental change. Harvesters and local managers are trained to observe and report early warning signs—such as habitat disruption or ecosystem stress—particularly in remote areas where formal monitoring may be limited.
Equally important is the human side of sustainability. Establishing standards and verification mechanisms intended to support that harvesters are paid fairly, either through wages that exceed minimum standards or pricing models developed collaboratively with collectors. Payments that are done regularly, documented, and adjusted to reflect real costs of time spent in collection activities.
In the Horn of Africa, for example, one of dōTERRA’s certified suppliers uses formal contracts and identification systems to verify collected quantities and support accurate payments. In Oman, harvesters are employed directly through structured payroll systems, providing stability and accountability.
Traceability is essential. Every bag of certified resin can be traced back to specific landscapes and harvesting communities, ensuring transparency and accountability at every step. This level of third-party oversight reinforces trust within the supply chain and with every person who uses frankincense as part of their wellness routine.
Sustainability doesn’t stop at responsible harvesting. One of the most important strategies for protecting frankincense is propagation—the active planting and nurturing of new Boswellia trees.
doTERRA supports research, nurseries, and propagation programs to increase young tree populations and assist natural regrowth, strengthening frankincense forests while reducing pressure on mature trees. Through long-term partnerships—including work with our partner in Oman, who operates the country’s largest frankincense nursery—we are helping expand seedling cultivation and forest restoration efforts. While the latest figures on seedlings and maturing trees are still being finalized, these initiatives are paired with training harvesters on best practices for tapping and tree care, ensuring resin extraction supports long-term tree health. By combining education, replanting, scientific monitoring, and trusted local partnerships, doTERRA is empowering communities to create a future where frankincense forests can thrive.
For thousands of years Frankincense has bridged cultures, continents, and generations. Today, its story continues to evolve, shaped by the choices we make to protect it. Through certification, propagation, and long-term partnerships, doTERRA is helping ensure that frankincense is not only honored for its history but safeguarded for its future. doTERRA Frankincense represents a commitment to sustainability, transparency, and care—a promise to the trees, the ecosystems, the communities that make this precious oil possible, and to the generations who will continue to benefit from its wellness properties.
