Chewable frankincense: benefits, taste, uses, and traditions

In the Gulf countries and North Africa, chewing frankincense is as natural as chewing gum. This golden amber resin, harvested from Boswellia trees, is simply placed in the mouth and chewed slowly. The taste is unique: slightly bitter at first, then sweet and lemony with resinous notes.

But chewing frankincense is not just a culinary curiosity. Behind this ancient practice lie real benefits for digestion, oral health, memory, and overall well-being. This guide explains everything: how to chew it, what quality to choose, what benefits to expect, and what science has to say about it.

Reading time: 10 minutes

What is chewable frankincense?

Chewable frankincense is food-grade incense resin, pure and free of additives, derived from the Boswellia tree (mainly Boswellia sacra from Oman or Boswellia carterii from Somalia). In Arabic, it is called louban dakar (لبان ذكر, literally "male incense") or al kandar.

Caution: not all frankincense is suitable for chewing. It is important to distinguish between food-grade frankincense (light-colored, pure grains without impurities) and frankincense intended solely for fumigation (lower quality, darker in color, sometimes treated). For chewing, it is essential to choose high-grade frankincense: the grains should be white-green to light yellow in color, a sign of purity and superior quality.

The different grades of frankincense

Grade	Color	Taste	Usage
Hojari Premium	White to light green	Mild, lemony, slightly bitter	Chewing gum, frankincense water
Amber Hojari	Light brown/honey	Balsamic, slightly bitter	Chewing, infusion
Average quality	Yellow to amber-red	More bitter, warm notes	Fumigation, aromatherapy
Low quality (Shaabi)	Brown to black	Bitter and heavy	Fumigation only

 

Simple rule: The lighter the color of frankincense, the higher its quality and the better its taste.

The 6 benefits of chewing frankincense

1. Aids digestion

This is the most well-known and immediate benefit. Chewing frankincense after a meal helps relieve bloating, heartburn, and stomach aches. The boswellic acids contained in the resin have anti-inflammatory properties that soothe the digestive tract. Studies on Boswellia serrata extracts have shown favorable results in the treatment of ulcerative colitis and irritable bowel syndrome (Gupta et al., 1997; Riva et al., 2019).

Boswellic acids are the key active ingredient in this resin. To learn more about how they work, check out this article.

2. Oral health

Frankincense resin has antibacterial and antifungal properties antibacterial and antifungal properties . Chewing frankincense regularly helps cleanse the mouth, prevent cavities, reduce plaque, soothe gingivitis, and fight canker sores. It is a natural chewing gum that disinfects instead of simply masking odors.

3. Fresh breath

Unlike industrial chewing gum, which temporarily masks bad breath with menthol, frankincense acts at the source: its antiseptic properties eliminate the bacteria responsible for unpleasant odors. Breath stays fresh longer, with slightly citrusy and woody notes.

4. Memory and concentration

In Arab tradition and prophetic medicine, frankincense is known to "drive away forgetfulness" and "strengthen reason." Science is beginning to explore this avenue: a study (Asadi et al., 2019) showed an improvement in motor memory in elderly men after 4 weeks of consuming frankincense. A clinical trial on mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (Ghorat et al., 2024) tested the chewing of frankincense resin, although the results are still preliminary. Incensole, an active compound in frankincense, activates TRPV3 channels in the brain (Moussaieff et al., 2008), which could explain its soothing and pro-cognitive psychoactive effects.

5. Anti-stress and soothing

Slowly chewing the resin is in itself a soothing gesture, comparable to meditation. Combined with the gradual release of incensole, it promotes a state of calm and mental clarity. This is why frankincense is traditionally chewed during sessions of studying or memorizing the Quran.

6. Cleaning teeth

Chewing frankincense helps remove tobacco and coffee stains from teeth. The slightly abrasive texture of the resin, combined with its antiseptic properties, provides gentle yet effective mechanical and chemical cleaning.

How to chew frankincense: a practical guide

Preparation

1. Choose 1 to 3 food-grade olibanum grains (light color, Hojari or Amber grade).

2. Place them in your mouth. The taste will be slightly bitter at first; this is normal.

3.Chew slowly. After 1-2 minutes, the resin softens and becomes pliable like chewing gum.

4.The taste evolves towards sweet, lemony, and resinous notes.

5.Chew for 10 to 20 minutes to fully enjoy the benefits.

6.Spit out the resin once it has lost its flavor. Do not swallow it.

Tips for reducing bitterness

•With honey: soak your frankincense grains in honey for a few hours before chewing them. The taste will be much more pleasant.

•With sugar: add a pinch of powdered sugar when you put the beans in your mouth.

•Gradually: start with a single bean. Your palate will adjust within a few days, and the bitterness will seem less and less intense.

When should you chew frankincense?

•After meals — to aid digestion and prevent bloating.

• In the morning on an empty stomach — an Arab tradition to start the day with a clear mind.

•Before a study session —to promote concentration and memorization.

•After coffee —to clean your teeth and freshen your breath.

Chewable frankincense vs frankincense water: what are the differences?

Criterion	Chewing	Frankincense water (infusion)
Preparation	None — put directly in the mouth	Steep for 30 minutes to overnight in water.
Key benefits	Digestion, mouth, teeth, breath	Memory, immunity, detox
Taste	Bitter then lemony — powerful	Light, slightly milky
Duration of action	Immediate (during chewing)	Progressive (throughout the day)
Quantity	1-3 grains per session	1-2 grains per 250 ml of water
Our advice	After meals, every day	In the morning on an empty stomach, as part of a treatment program

 

The two uses are complementary. Many people chew frankincense after meals and drink frankincense water in the morning. Frankincense is also used in cosmetics: applied to the face, it offers remarkable anti-aging benefits and brightens the complexion. Discover these benefits in this article.

Chewing frankincense in Arab and Muslim tradition

Chewing frankincense is a practice deeply rooted in Arab culture and prophetic medicine. Ibn al-Qayyim's reference work, "The Authenticity of Prophetic Medicine," promotes the use of frankincense to strengthen memory and dispel forgetfulness.

Traditionally, frankincense is described as beneficial for "wiping away the heat of the heart," "strengthening reason," "purifying the mind," and "clarifying the gaze." In Oman and the Gulf countries, offering frankincense to chew to guests is a common gesture of hospitality, just like coffee and dates.

 

Precautions and contraindications

•Food grade quality is mandatory. Never chew frankincense that is intended solely for fumigation. Choose a Premium or Amber grade, which is light in color.

•Do not swallow the resin. Chew it and then spit it out, like chewing gum.

•Pregnant and breastfeeding women: as a precaution, avoid chewing frankincense. Consult your doctor.

•Children under 7 years of age: not recommended (choking hazard and general precautions).

•Start gradually: 1 grain per day for the first week, then increase if necessary.

•Storage: Keep your beans in an airtight bag, away from heat and light. Shelf life: 12 to 18 months.

Our Oman frankincense: the ideal quality for chewing

At Real and Roots, we offer Premium Hojari frankincense from the Dhofar Mountains in southern Oman. Our grains are white-green in color, a sign of the highest quality. Harvested by hand using traditional methods, without chemical treatment, they are perfect for chewing, infusing, and fumigation.

Their taste is particularly refined: sweet, lemony, and delicately resinous, with a slight bitterness that quickly fades. This is the quality preferred by Omani connoisseurs for culinary use.

 Discover Olibanum alba, our premium Hojari frankincense from Oman.

Frequently asked questions: chewable frankincense

 

What does frankincense taste like when chewed?

Slightly bitter at first, the taste evolves within 1-2 minutes into sweet, lemony, and resinous notes. Hojari Premium quality is the least bitter. To reduce the bitterness, dip your beans in honey or add a pinch of sugar.

Can frankincense be swallowed?

No, it is not recommended to swallow the resin. Chew it like gum and then spit it out. However, olibanum water (resin infused in water and then filtered) can be drunk without any problems.

How many grains should you chew per day?

1 to 3 grains per session, 1 to 2 times per day. Start with a single grain if it's your first time, to get your palate used to it.

Is chewing frankincense good for your teeth?

Yes. Its antibacterial and antifungal properties help cleanse the mouth, prevent cavities, reduce plaque, soothe gums, and remove coffee and tobacco stains.

What is the difference between louban dakar and chewing oliban?

It's the same thing. Louban dakar (لبان ذكر) is the Arabic name for edible frankincense. It is also called al kandar, frankincense, or simply louban.

Does chewing frankincense really help memory?

Tradition has said so for centuries, and science is beginning to confirm it. Preliminary studies show an improvement in motor memory in older adults (Asadi et al., 2019). Incensole, a compound found in frankincense, activates brain receptors involved in cognition. The results are encouraging, but larger studies are needed.

Where can I buy high-quality chewable frankincense?

Choose Hojari Premium grade frankincense from Oman (white to green grains) from a reputable supplier that guarantees food-grade quality. Avoid very cheap or dark-colored frankincense, which is often intended solely for fumigation. Real and Roots offers Hojari Premium frankincense harvested by hand in Dhofar.