Elemi: a resinous oil that smells of lemon and pepper

Elemi from the Philippines is a fresh, citrusy resin, a sort of lighter frankincense. How to dose it, what to blend it with and why to keep track of how long the bottle has been open.

In brief: Elemi is a resinous oil from the Philippine tree Canarium luzonicum. It smells fresh, citrusy and lightly peppery, so it is a "lighter frankincense" for a diffuser (2–4 drops) and for facial blends (1–2%). On the skin only fresh: oxidised oil may irritate and sensitise.

Latin name	Canarium luzonicum, elemi
Plant part and extraction	resin, steam distillation (our oil: Philippines)
Main components	(+)-limonene, elemol, α-phellandrene, elemicin, p-cymene
Scent	fresh, citrusy, resinous, peppery-spicy
Dilution on the skin	1–2%: 2–4 drops per 10 ml, 6–12 drops per 30 ml; maximum according to Tisserand & Young 6.7%
Shelf life	after opening about 1–2 years; rich in limonene, oxidises easily

Elemi stands a little in the shadow of frankincense and myrrh, even though it belongs to the same family, Burseraceae. Anyone who smells it for the first time is usually surprised: they expect a heavy resin and get lemon, pepper and fresh wood. That is precisely why elemi is a good "bridge" between citrus and resins.

In this article you will find how elemi smells, how to dose it in a diffuser and in a facial oil, what to blend it with and why, with it more than with others, you should keep track of the age of the bottle.

Lemon, pepper and resin: how elemi smells

Our BIO Elemi oil is yellow to orange-brown and thinner than myrrh. The first impression is fresh and citrusy, because limonene predominates, the same substance that smells in orange peel. Beneath it is a balsamic resin and a dry, peppery-spicy note. In a blend, elemi "opens up" heavier oils and gives them air.

It gets on well with:

frankincense and Frereana frankincense – elemi emphasises their fresh side,
myrrh – it lightens its bitterness,
lemon and bergamot – for a bright, morning scent in a diffuser,
lavender – for an evening blend that is not heavy,
fir – resin and forest, suited to a winter home.

Elemi in a diffuser and oil burner

For an ultrasonic diffuser in a small room (10–15 m²) use 2–4 drops, in a medium one 4–6 drops, even in a blend. For an oil burner 2–3 drops are enough. Diffuse for 20–30 minutes and then ventilate. More detailed dosing by room is in the article how many drops for a diffuser and oil burner.

Blends with elemi

A clean start to the day (diffuser): 2 drops of elemi, 2 drops of lemon, 1 drop of fir.
Light frankincense (diffuser): 2 drops of elemi, 2 drops of frankincense, 1 drop of lemon. The product page also recommends this combination.
Calm evening (oil burner): 1 drop of elemi, 2 drops of lavender.
Resin trio (oil burner): 1 drop of elemi, 1 drop of myrrh, 1 drop of Frereana frankincense.

How to compose scents by notes (top, heart, base) is explained in the article how to combine essential oils.

For the complexion and in a massage oil

Elemi is traditionally added to facial oils and balms, often together with frankincense. Tisserand and Young give a dermal maximum of 6.7% for elemi, because of a possible content of methyleugenol. For ordinary care you do not need such a figure, however: 1% is enough for the face, 1–2% for the body.

Carrier oil	1% (face)	2% (body)
10 ml	2 drops	4 drops
30 ml	6 drops	12 drops

Facial oil with elemi and frankincense

Add 3 drops of elemi and 3 drops of frankincense (1%) to 30 ml of jojoba oil.
Mix and leave to rest for a day so the scents combine.
Do a test on the forearm and watch the skin for 24 hours.
Use 2–3 drops in the evening and use up the blend within 2–3 months.

Do not apply the oil to skin after shaving, to irritated areas or to mucous membranes. For a bath, add it only mixed into a spoonful of carrier oil. General principles of dilution can be found in the article essential oils for the complexion.

Why the age of the bottle matters more than usual

Limonene and α-phellandrene, which make up a large part of elemi, oxidise in air and light. Oxidised terpenes give rise to substances that irritate the skin and may cause allergy. Tisserand and Young therefore expressly warn that oxidised elemi should not be used at all.

Close the bottle straight after use and store it in the cool and dark, even in the fridge.
On the skin use the oil within roughly 1 year of opening, in an oil burner within 2 years at the latest.
When the oil thickens, darkens or starts to smell sharply "turpentine-like", do not put it on the skin any more.

Tradition, sustainability and what is documented

Elemi resin was traditionally used in rituals, scent blends and cosmetics. Today elemi is mainly a perfumery and aromatherapy raw material. Laboratory studies deal with the antimicrobial activity of oils from the Burseraceae family, but these are test-tube experiments, not evidence that elemi treats anything. Take it as a scent and an ingredient of cosmetics, not as a medicine, and never swallow it.

Canarium luzonicum is listed on the IUCN Red List as a Near Threatened species, so gentle harvesting of the resin matters. Buy oil with the botanical name and origin stated.

Who should be careful

Children: do not use elemi under 2 years. For older children at most 1 drop in a blend in a diffuser, and on the skin only dilution according to age (2–6 years 0.5–1%, from 6 years up to 1%). More in the article essential oils and children.
Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Tisserand and Young state no special contraindication for elemi; nevertheless, for this period we recommend only a diffuser and low doses, and on the skin only after consulting a doctor.
Cats: elemi is rich in limonene like the citrus oils, which are risky for cats. Do not diffuse it in a room with a cat unless it can leave. Details in the article essential oils and pets.
Sensitive skin: anyone who reacts to citrus oils or perfumes should do a test on the forearm and start at 0.5%.

Frequently asked questions

What is elemi essential oil used for?

For scenting a space, in meditation and evening blends with frankincense, and as an ingredient in facial oils and balms. In aromatherapy it is used mainly for its fresh resinous scent; therapeutic effects have not been proven.

Is elemi similar to frankincense?

It belongs to the same family and has a resinous side in its scent, but it is more citrusy and more peppery. Anyone who likes frankincense but finds it heavy can try elemi or a blend of the two.

How many drops of elemi for a diffuser?

2–4 drops for a small room, 4–6 for a medium one. In a blend with frankincense or lemon, count the drops together, not each oil separately.

How long does elemi oil last?

After opening, roughly 1–2 years, if it is kept in the cool and dark and tightly closed. On the skin use only fresh oil; oxidised oil irritates.

Sources

Tisserand R., Young R.: Essential Oil Safety, 2nd edition, Churchill Livingstone 2014 (Elemi profile, p. 272).
AromaWeb: Elemi Essential Oil, composition, safety and IUCN threat status – aromaweb.com
Tisserand Institute: How to Use Essential Oils Safely – tisserandinstitute.org

Updated: 27 September 2026

Author: Jana Vránová, the editorial pen name of the Pěstík.cz team. She writes about the garden, herbs and essential oils. We take safety and dosage information from specialist literature and official sources, which we cite in every article.