Elemi is a fresh, lemony-resinous note distilled from the oleoresin of Canarium luzonicum, a tall tropical tree native to the Philippines. Bright, peppery and slightly balsamic, with a hint of dill and fennel, it belongs to the resinous and fresh spicy families and gives an uplifting sparkle to incense and woody compositions.

What does Elemi smell like?

Elemi essential oil smells like a blend of citrus peel and fresh resin: lemon and lime zest, a green, almost herbal note of fennel and dill, a peppery edge and a light balsamic warmth underneath. It is far brighter than frankincense and much less sweet than benzoin or myrrh. As the oil dries down it reveals a softer, woody-incense tone, which is why perfumers often use it to link a citrus opening to a resinous base. Resinoids are heavier and more balsamic than the oil, keeping some zest but adding sweetness and staying power, while the raw resin, warmed or burned, gives a lighter, cleaner incense than frankincense.

Where Elemi comes from

Most perfumery elemi is Manila elemi from the Philippines, where the resin is tapped from wounds in the bark of Canarium luzonicum. A whitish oleoresin oozes out and is collected by hand, often by forest communities, as the tree continues to exude for weeks; left to stand, it loses its volatile oils and hardens into a yellowish, waxy lump. The fresh, soft oleoresin is steam-distilled into essential oil; it can also be solvent-extracted into a resinoid for fixation.

• Also known as: Manila elemi, Philippine elemi, Elemi resin, Elemi oil
• Fragrance family: Resinous, fresh spicy
• Type: Natural
• Main origins: The Philippines (Luzon)
• How it's obtained: Steam distillation of the oleoresin; solvent extraction to a resinoid
• Key aroma molecules: Limonene, alpha-phellandrene, elemol, elemicin

Elemi in perfume history

Elemi entered European trade centuries ago and was used in varnishes, lacquers, printing inks and ointments before perfumers became interested in it. The name was once applied to several tropical resins, but Manila elemi became the reference grade. In fragrance it was a behind-the-scenes material for much of the 20th century, used to freshen incense, amber and woody accords. Its profile rose with the popularity of incense and "church" themes in niche perfumery from the late 1990s.

Elemi in modern perfumery

Elemi is widely used in niche and designer compositions, especially fresh spicy and incense fragrances, and it pairs naturally with frankincense to create an airy, peppery resin effect. Artisanal and incense makers still use the raw resin. The Philippine industry depends on smallholder tappers, and fragrance houses have worked on traceable, community-based supply chains to secure quality.

How Elemi wears and what it pairs with

Elemi works at the top and heart, fresh at first and then resinous; its brightness fades within a few hours unless anchored by heavier resins. It pairs with frankincense, myrrh, pink pepper, lemon, bergamot, cardamom, vetiver, cedar, sandalwood and labdanum.

Safety and regulation

Elemi oil contains limonene, which must be declared as a fragrance allergen on EU labels above set thresholds.