Common Name

Standardized: frankincense
Other: bible frankincense, incense, olibanum

Botanical Name

Boswellia papyrifera Plant Family: Burseraceae

Overview

Introduction

Frankincense and the oil produced from it has been known for its healing powers and its ability to improve communication with the creator in the Middle East for thousands of years before it was made a gift of to Christ by the Magi. There are over 52 references to it in the Bible. Egyptian records show a great many references to it including its use in cosmetics, perfumes and as an embalming agent. The Chinese used it as part of a treatment for leprosy. Grown predominantly on the Somali coast and parts of the Arabian Peninsula, the resin is obtained by making deep cuts in the trunk of the tree lengthwise. Below this incision a narrow strip of bark is peeled off allowing the sap to run out, and as it touches air it begins to harden. It takes approximately three months to harden into the yellow "tears" that we are used to seeing will be sold at market. The sap is gathered from May until the rain showers start in September.

Constituents

The venerable herbalist Mrs. Grieve noted that the constituents of frankincense as follows: resins (65%), volatile oil (6%), water soluble gum (20%), bassorin (6-8%), and plant residue (2-4%). The resins contain boswellic acid and alibanoresin.

Parts Used

Dried resin, collected from stems and trunk.

Typical Preparations

Powdered resin added to water, tincture, and very rarely as a tea.