incense (Ex 30:34) and in Matthew 2:11 gold, frankincense, and myrrh were among the gifts to
Jesus by the Magi. Egyptians ground the charred resin into a powder called kohl (which was also
the substance used by them as a black eyeliner).
A stem of Boswellia papyrifera in Ethiopia being tapped in order to collect frankincense, a gum-resin that the tree exudes when the bark is wounded. The resin, which is an important source of local income, is produced and transported by a network of canals that is limited to a narrow zone within the inner bark
Frankincense or Olibanum provides one of the most evocativescents in the long history ofaromatics. Its fresh, fruity, pine-lemon bouquet with delicately sweet, resinous and woody
undertones, slows and deepens breathing and has been used since ancient times to awaken higher
consciousness, and enhance spirituality, meditation, and prayer.
Frankincense has been one of the worlds most treasured commodities since the beginning of
written history. At its peak, its value rivalled that of gold, the rarest silks, and the most precious
gems. Ironically, it is a milky-white resin produced by a scrubby, unlikely looking tree, genus
Boswellia. There are twenty-five known species of Boswellia, each creating a water-soluble gum
resin with its own distinctive fragrance and medicinal properties.
Frankincense trees require an arid climate where moisture is provided by morning mist. The few
ideal environments in the world for this small prized tree are found in Southern Arabia (Oman and
Yemen), India and Northern Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Kenya). Further, frankincense
trees require a limestone-rich soil and are necessarily found growing on rocky hillsides and cliffs,
or in the dried riverbeds below. Harvesting can be a very dangerous task.
Frankincense trees grow to about 20 feet in height (8 metres) with branches often beginning near
its base. The common Oman, Aden (Yemen), and Somalia Species, B. Sacra / B. Carter, produce
small yellow-white colored flowers with five petals, while the African B. Papyrifera a B. Thurifera
produce small pale-red flowers. Each are a favorite among bes and produce small fruits which are
fed to livestock. But, it is the tree's resin that has been treasured for thousands of years for its
aromatic and medicinal uses.
Frankincense resin begins as a milky-white sticky liquid that flows from the trunk of the tree when
it is injured, healing the wound. The Arabic name is luban, which means white or cream. It is also
known as Olibanum and its essential oil is often called "Oil of Lebanon". Its currently recognized
western name Frankincense, is said to have originated from the Frankish (French) Knights of the
Crusades who treasured it in large quantities.
Frankincense resin flows when a tool called a mengaff is used to scrape a five-inch section down
the trunk of the tree. The tree is marked and the harvester returns in two weeks to scrape what has
become hardened frankincense resin from the tree. Resins which fall to the ground are collected on
large palm leaves placed (there) when first tapping the tree. The process repeats itself for about 3
months during harvesting.
Frankincense or Olibanum provides one of the most evocativescents in the long history of
aromatics. Its fresh, fruity, pine-lemon bouquet with delicately sweet, resinous and woody
undertones, slows and deepens breathing and has been used since ancient times to awaken higher
consciousness, and enhance spirituality, meditation, and prayer.
Frankincense has been one of the worlds most treasured commodities since the beginning of
written history. At its peak, its value rivalled that of gold, the rarest silks, and the most precious
gems. Ironically, it is a milky-white resin produced by a scrubby, unlikely looking tree, genus
Boswellia. There are twenty-five known species of Boswellia, each creating a water-soluble gum
resin with its own distinctive fragrance and medicinal properties.
Frankincense trees require an arid climate where moisture is provided by morning mist. The few
ideal environments in the world for this small prized tree are found in Southern Arabia (Oman and
Yemen), India and Northern Africa (Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, and Kenya). Further, frankincense
trees require a limestone-rich soil and are necessarily found growing on rocky hillsides and cliffs,
or in the dried riverbeds below. Harvesting can be a very dangerous task.
Frankincense trees grow to about 20 feet in height (8 metres) with branches often beginning near
its base. The common Oman, Aden (Yemen), and Somalia Species, B. Sacra / B. Carter, produce
small yellow-white colored flowers with five petals, while the African B. Papyrifera a B. Thurifera
produce small pale-red flowers. Each are a favorite among bes and produce small fruits which are
fed to livestock. But, it is the tree's resin that has been treasured for thousands of years for its
aromatic and medicinal uses.
Resin from a tapped tree.
Frankincense resin begins as a milky-white sticky liquid that flows from the trunk of the tree whenit is injured, healing the wound. The Arabic name is luban, which means white or cream. It is also
known as Olibanum and its essential oil is often called "Oil of Lebanon". Its currently recognized
western name Frankincense, is said to have originated from the Frankish (French) Knights of the
Crusades who treasured it in large quantities.
Frankincense resin flows when a tool called a mengaff is used to scrape a five-inch section down
the trunk of the tree. The tree is marked and the harvester returns in two weeks to scrape what has
become hardened frankincense resin from the tree. Resins which fall to the ground are collected on
large palm leaves placed (there) when first tapping the tree. The process repeats itself for about 3
months during harvesting.
Health Benefit of Frankincense
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