Elemi Oil: Scent, Origin, Uses & Blends

Elemi oil is the insider tip among resin oils: fresh, bright and slightly lemony, with a warm, resinous depth underneath. While almost everyone knows frankincense and myrrh, essential elemi oil is barely known – undeservedly so. Here you'll learn what elemi oil is, where it comes from, how it smells and how to use it for room fragrance, the sauna and your own blends.

What is elemi oil?

Elemi oil is the essential oil from the resin of the elemi tree (Canarium luzonicum), often called Manila elemi. The tropical tree is native to the Philippines, which is also where our oil comes from. When the bark is scored, a pale, fragrant resin seeps out and hardens in the air. The oil is obtained from this resin by steam distillation.

The elemi tree belongs to the torchwood family (Burseraceae) – the same family as the frankincense and myrrh trees. Elemi resin has a long trading history: in Europe it was used for centuries in incense, varnishes and lacquers. As an essential oil, however, it has remained a speciality for scent lovers and perfumers to this day.

Elemi and frankincense – what's the difference?

Both oils come from the resins of trees in the same family, but they smell different. Frankincense oil is balsamic, slightly smoky and solemn. Elemi oil is brighter, fresher and more lemony – a kind of "frankincense with sunlight". That's why the two complement each other so well in blends.

The scent: fresh, resinous, lemony

Elemi oil belongs to the resin and balsam fragrance family with a distinctly fresh twist. The top note is clear, zesty and lemony, almost like lemon peel with a hint of pepper. In the heart, its resinous, slightly spicy side comes through, recalling conifers and fresh resin. The dry-down leaves a soft, balsamic warmth.

If you like citrus scents but want a little more depth, elemi is a great choice. It combines the freshness of lemon with the calm of a resin, bridging bright and dark notes. Perfumers like to use elemi to lighten heavy resin and wood accords. For you at home, that means one or two drops of elemi make a dark wood blend airier, and give a pure citrus blend more body.

Ways to use elemi oil

• In a diffuser: 3–5 drops for a clear, fresh and resinous room fragrance in living and working spaces. More on dosing in our diffuser guide.
• In an oil burner: add 2–4 drops to the water in the bowl. Caution: elemi oil is flammable – never put it directly on the flame or into a hot, dry bowl.
• In a room spray: 10 drops of elemi oil and 10 drops of lemon oil in 100 ml water with a splash of high-proof alcohol. Shake before spraying.
• In a sauna infusion: 2–3 drops per litre of infusion water, stirred well and never undiluted onto the hot stones. More in our sauna guide.
• As a massage oil blend: 2–3 drops per 10 ml of jojoba oil or almond oil, after a patch test.

Scent blends with elemi oil

Elemi goes well with citrus, conifers, resins and even florals. Three recipes for your diffuser:

• Resin & citrus: 2 drops elemi oil, 1 drop frankincense oil, 4 drops lemon oil
• Forest walk: 2 drops elemi oil, 2 drops spruce needle oil, 2 drops cedarwood oil (Virginia), 2 drops grapefruit oil
• Gentle bloom: 2 drops elemi oil, 1 drop ylang-ylang oil, 2 drops lavender oil, 2 drops bergamot oil

Prefer a ready-made blend? In our Blossom Magic blend, elemi meets ylang-ylang and lemon. And if you'd like to explore resin scents, you'll find elemi together with frankincense, patchouli, ho wood and juniper in the Woods & Resins set.

Safety information

• Highly concentrated: never apply elemi oil neat to the skin. It can cause skin irritation and allergic skin reactions. Always dilute (2–3 drops per 10 ml of carrier oil such as almond oil or jojoba oil) and do a patch test first.
• Flammable: liquid and vapour are flammable. Keep away from open flames, sparks and hot surfaces.
• Ventilate well: use only in well-ventilated rooms; do not breathe in vapour or aerosol directly.
• Do not ingest: may be fatal if swallowed and enters airways. In an emergency, immediately call a poison centre or a doctor; do not induce vomiting.
• Children: store locked up and out of the reach of children.
• Pregnancy and breastfeeding: talk to a qualified professional first.
• Pets: cats in particular are sensitive to essential oils. More in our guide Essential oils and pets.
• Environment: very toxic to aquatic life – do not pour leftovers down the drain.

Buying elemi oil: what to look for

• Botanical name: the label should say Canarium luzonicum.
• Plant part and extraction: resin, steam-distilled.
• 100% pure: no carrier oil, alcohol or synthetic fragrance.
• Origin and batch number should be stated.
• Amber glass: protects against light. Storage tips in Storing essential oils.

Read more criteria in Buying essential oils: how to recognise quality. Our elemi oil is 100% pure, steam-distilled from the resin of Canarium luzonicum from the Philippines, hand-filled in Germany and available in amber glass in 10, 50, 100, 500 and 1000 ml.

Frequently asked questions about elemi oil

What does elemi oil smell like?
Fresh, resinous and slightly lemony, with a soft, balsamic warmth in the dry-down.

Where does elemi oil come from?
Our elemi oil comes from the Philippines. It is steam-distilled from the resin of the elemi tree, Canarium luzonicum.

Can you use elemi oil for cooking?
No. Our essential elemi oil is intended for room fragrance and diluted external use and is not for consumption. Elemi isn't a kitchen spice either – for cooking, use fresh herbs and spices instead.

How many drops of elemi oil for a diffuser?
3–5 drops on their own; in blends 1–2 drops alongside other oils.

What blends well with elemi oil?
Frankincense, lemon, grapefruit, bergamot, spruce needle, cedarwood, lavender and ylang-ylang.

Can I use elemi oil in the sauna?
Yes: 2–3 drops per litre of infusion water, stirred well and never undiluted onto the hot stones.

🌿 Casse-Q – Natural oils with character
A fresh resin note from the Philippines: discover our elemi oil or the Blossom Magic blend.