Frankincense and myrrh are mentioned together so often that many buyers assume they are variations of the same material. They are not. Although both are aromatic tree resins from the same botanical family, they come from different trees, smell distinctly different, and behave differently in a formulation. For any business sourcing these materials at scale, understanding the contrast is the first step to buying well.
This guide explains where each resin comes from, how they differ in aroma and chemistry, where they are used across industries, and what to consider when buying frankincense and myrrh in bulk.
What are frankincense and myrrh?
Both resins are produced as a tree's natural response to a wound in its bark. Harvesters make careful incisions, the tree exudes a milky sap, and that sap hardens in the air into the solid "tears" that reach the market. Technically these are oleo-gum-resins: a mixture of water-soluble gum, alcohol-soluble resin, and volatile essential oil.
Frankincense: the resin of Boswellia
Frankincense is tapped from trees of the genus Boswellia, which grow in the dry regions of the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, as well as parts of India. Several species are commercially important, including Boswellia sacra, Boswellia carterii, Boswellia frereana, and Boswellia papyrifera. Each yields resin with a slightly different colour, aroma, and character, which is why species matters so much at the buying stage.
The aroma of frankincense is generally bright and fresh, with citrus and pine notes when cold that deepen into something warm and balsamic when the resin is gently heated.
Myrrh: the resin of Commiphora
Myrrh is tapped from trees of the genus Commiphora, most notably Commiphora myrrha. These trees grow in similar arid regions across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Myrrh tears tend to be darker, ranging from amber to a deep reddish-brown, and the resin is harder and more brittle than many frankincense grades.
Where frankincense is bright, myrrh is warm, earthy, and distinctly bitter. That bitterness is one of its defining characteristics and a large part of why it has been valued for thousands of years.
Frankincense vs. myrrh: the key differences
The two resins differ in several practical ways that matter to a buyer:
- Botanical source: Frankincense comes from Boswellia; myrrh comes from Commiphora. Both sit within the Burseraceae family.
- Aroma: Frankincense is citrus-piney and lifting; myrrh is warm, smoky, and bitter.
- Colour: Frankincense ranges from pale, almost translucent tears to golden amber; myrrh is typically darker and redder.
- Behaviour when heated: Both release fragrance on a heat source, but their scent profiles develop differently, which is why they are often blended.
- Typical price position: Premium, pale frankincense grades and certain myrrh types can command higher prices, but pricing depends heavily on species, grade, and origin rather than on the resin type alone.
A useful way to think about it: in a blend, frankincense lifts and myrrh grounds. Understanding that relationship is the foundation for using either one well.
How frankincense and myrrh are used
Both resins are versatile raw materials rather than finished products, which is what makes them interesting to manufacturers.
In perfumery, frankincense (often as the essential oil or a resinoid) contributes a fresh, slightly green top note and acts as a bridge in oriental and woody compositions, while myrrh works as a warm base note and fixative that helps a fragrance last. In incense, whole resin tears are burned on charcoal or milled into sticks and cones. In cosmetics and skincare, extracts and oils are used for their aroma and traditional reputation. In aromatherapy and wellness, the steam-distilled essential oils are valued for their grounding, contemplative scent. And in religious and ceremonial goods, the two resins remain a classic pairing for liturgical incense.
For a deeper look at sector-by-sector applications, see our guide to common uses of frankincense and myrrh across industries.
How to buy frankincense and myrrh in bulk
Buying resin at trade volumes is different from buying a small retail bag. The same species can vary widely in quality, so precision in your order specification protects you.
Grade and quality
Resin is generally graded on colour, clarity, size of the tears, and cleanliness — that is, how free it is from bark, sand, and debris. Paler, cleaner frankincense tears usually sit at the top of the range, while well-formed myrrh with consistent colour is preferred for milling and extraction. Knowing which grade suits your process prevents you from overpaying for cosmetic qualities you do not need, or underbuying for a premium retail line.
What to specify when ordering
When placing a wholesale order, it pays to specify the species (for example, Boswellia carterii rather than simply "frankincense"), the grade, the form (whole tears, selected tears, or milled), the cleanliness standard, and your expectations on batch consistency. Reliable suppliers will be able to speak to all of these and provide documentation on origin.
If you are early in the process, our buyer's guide to sourcing wholesale frankincense walks through grades and origins in more detail.
For trade buyers: if you are comparing frankincense and myrrh for a new product line and want consistent, graded resin you can rely on batch to batch, request a wholesale quote and tell us about the volumes and grades you are considering.