Frankincense 1

Frankincense
Frankincense, also called olibanum (Arabic language:
‫لبٌان‬, lubbān), is an aromatic resin obtained from trees
of the genus Boswellia, particularly Boswellia sacra
(syn. B. carteri, B. thurifera), Boswellia frereana,
Boswellia bhaw-dajiana (Burseraceae). It is used in
incense as well as in perfumes.

There are four main species of Boswellia which

produce true frankincense and each type of resin is
available in various grades. The grades depend on the
time of harvesting, and the resin is hand sorted for
quality. Anyone interested in frankincense would be
well advised to first obtain a small sample of each type
Frankincense from Yemen
from a reputable dealer in order to ascertain the
difference between each resin.

Description
Frankincense is tapped from the very scraggly but hardy Boswellia tree by scraping the bark and allowing the exuded
resins to bleed out and harden. These hardened resins are called tears. There are numerous species and varieties of
frankincense trees, each producing a slightly different type of resin. Differences in soil and climate create even more
diversity of the resin, even within the same species.
Frankincense trees are also considered unusual for their ability to grow in environments so unforgiving that they
sometimes seem to grow directly out of solid rock. The means of initial attachment to the stone is not known but is
accomplished by a bulbous disk-like swelling of the trunk. This disk-like growth at the base of the tree prevents it
from being torn away from the rock during the violent storms that frequent the region they grow in. This feature is
slight or absent in trees grown in rocky soil or gravel. The tears from these hardy survivors are considered superior
due to their more fragrant aroma.
The trees start producing resin when they are about 8 to
10 years old.[1] Tapping is done 2 to 3 times a year with
the final taps producing the best tears due to their
higher aromatic terpene, sesquiterpene and diterpene
content. Generally speaking, the more opaque resins are
the best quality. Omani frankincense (from Boswellia
sacra)[1] is said to be the best in the world, although
fine resin is also produced in Yemen and along the
northern coast of Somalia.

Recent studies have indicated that frankincense tree

populations are declining due to over-exploitation.
Heavily tapped trees have been found to produce seeds
Flowers and branches of the Boswellia sacra tree, the species from
that germinate at only 16% while seeds of trees that had which most frankincense is derived
not been tapped germinate at more than 80%.
Frankincense 2

History
Frankincense has been traded on the Arabian Peninsula
and in North Africa for more than 5000 years.[2]
Frankincense was found in the tomb of the ancient
Egyptian King Tutankhamen, who died in 1323 BC.[3]
Frankincense was reintroduced to Europe by Frankish
Crusaders. Although it is better known as
"frankincense" to westerners, the resin is also known as
olibanum, which is derived from the Arabic al-lubān
(roughly translated: "that which results from milking"),
a reference to the milky sap tapped from the Boswellia
tree. Some have also postulated that the name comes
from the Arabic term for "Oil of Lebanon" since
Lebanon was the place where the resin was sold and
traded with Europeans. Compare with Exodus 30:34,
where it is named levonah, meaning either "white" or
"Lebanese" in Hebrew.

The lost city of Ubar, sometimes identified with Irem in Indirect burning of frankincense on a hot coal

what is now the town of Shisr in Oman, is believed to

have been a centre of the frankincense trade along the recently rediscovered "Incense Road". Ubar was rediscovered
in the early 1990s and is now under archaeological excavation.
The Greek historian Herodotus was familiar with Frankincense and knew it was harvested from trees in southern
Arabia. He reports, however, that the gum was dangerous to harvest because of venomous snakes that lived in the
trees. He goes on to describe the method used by the Arabians to get around this problem, that being the burning of
the gum of the styrax tree whose smoke would drive the snakes away.[4] The resin is also mentioned by Theophrastus
and by Pliny the Elder in his Naturalis Historia.

Quality
Frankincense comes in many grades, and its quality is
based on colour, purity, aroma, and age. Silver and
Hojari are generally considered the highest grades of
frankincense. The Omanis themselves generally
consider Silver to be a better grade than Hojari, though
most Western connoisseurs think that it should be the
other way round. This may be due to climatic
conditions with the Hojari smelling best in the
relatively cold, damp climate of the Europe and North
America, whereas Silver may well be more suited to
the hot dry conditions of Arabia.

Local market information in Oman suggests that the

term Hojari encompasses a broad range of high-end
frankincense including Silver. Resin value is Frankincense
Frankincense 3

determined not only by fragrance but also by color and clump size, with lighter color and larger clumps being more
highly prized. The most valuable Hojari frankincense locally available in Oman is even more expensive than
Somalia's Maydi frankincense derived from B. frereana (see below). The vast majority of this ultra-high-end B.
sacra frankincense is purchased by His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said the ruler of Oman, and is notoriously
difficult for western buyers to correctly identify and purchase.

Uses
Frankincense is used in perfumery and aromatherapy.
Olibanum essential oil is obtained by steam distillation
of the dry resin. Some of the smell of the olibanum
smoke is due to the products of pyrolysis.
Frankincense was lavishly used in religious rites. In the
Book of Exodus in the Old Testament, it was an
ingredient for incense (Ex 30:34); according to the
book of Matthew  2:11, gold, frankincense, and myrrh
were among the gifts to Jesus by the Biblical Magi
"from out of the East."

The Egyptians ground the charred resin into a powder

called kohl. Kohl was used to make the distinctive Boswellia sacra tree, from which frankincense is derived, growing
black eyeliner seen on so many figures in Egyptian art. inside Biosphere 2

The aroma of frankincense is said to represent life and

the Judaic, Christian, and Islamic faiths have often used frankincense mixed with oils to anoint newborn infants and
individuals considered to be moving into a new phase in their spiritual lives.

The growth of Christianity depressed the market for frankincense during the 4th century AD. Desertification made
the caravan routes across the Rub al Khali or "Empty Quarter" of Arabia more difficult. Additionally, increased
raiding by the nomadic Parthians in the Near East caused the frankincense trade to dry up after about 300 AD.

Traditional medicine
Frankincense is edible and often used in various traditional medicines in Asia for digestion and healthy skin. Edible
frankincense must be pure for internal consumption, meaning it should be translucent, with no black or brown
impurities. It is often light yellow with a (very) slight greenish tint. It is often chewed like gum, but it is stickier
because it is a resin.
In Ayurvedic medicine Indian frankincense (Boswellia serrata) has been used for hundreds of years for treating
arthritis.[5]
Burning frankincense repels mosquitos and thus helps protect people and animals from mosquito-borne illnesses,
such as malaria, West Nile Virus, and Dengue Fever.[6]
Frankincense 4

Frankincense essential oil

The essential oil of frankincense is produced by steam
distillation of the tree resin. The oil's chemical
components are 75% monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes,
monoterpenoles, sesquiterpenols, and ketones. It has a
good balsamic and sweet fragrance, while the Indian
frankincense oil has a very fresh smell.

Perfume

Olibanum is characterized by a balsamic-spicy, slightly

lemon, and typical fragrance of incense, with a slightly
conifer-like undertone. It is used in the perfume as well
as cosmetics and pharmaceuticals industries.

Frankincense olibanum resin

Medical research
Standardized preparations of Indian frankincense from
Boswellia serrata are being investigated in scientific
studies as a treatment for chronic inflammatory
diseases such as Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and
osteoarthritis. Initial clinical study results indicate
efficacy of incense preparations for Crohn's disease.
For therapy trials in ulcerative colitis, asthma, and
rheumatoid arthritis there are only isolated reports and
pilot studies from which there is not yet sufficient
evidence of safety and efficacy. Similarly, the
long-term effects and side effects of taking
frankincense has not yet been scientifically
investigated. Boswellic acid in vitro antiproliferative Frankincense

effects on various tumor cell lines (such as melanoma,

glioblastomas, liver cancer) are based on induction of apoptosis. A positive effect has been found in the use of
incense on the accompanying specimens of brain tumors, although in smaller clinical trials. Some scientists say the
results are due to methodological flaws. The main active compound of Indian incense is viewed as being boswellic
acid.

As of May 2008 FASEB Journal announced that Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University of Jerusalem
have determined that frankincense smoke is a psychoactive drug that relieves depression and anxiety in mice.[7] The
researchers found that the chemical compound incensole acetate (see structure here [8]) is responsible for the
effects.[7]
In a different study, an enriched extract of "Indian Frankincense" (usually Boswellia serrata) was used in a
randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study of patients with osteoarthritis. Patients receiving the extract
Frankincense 5

showed significant improvement in their arthritis in as little as seven days. The compound caused no major adverse
effects and, according to the study authors, is safe for human consumption and long-term use.[9]
It should be noted that the study was funded by a company which produces frankincense extract,[3] and that the
results have not yet been duplicated by another study.
In a study published in March of 2009 by the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center it was reported that
"Frankincense oil appears to distinguish cancerous from normal bladder cells and suppress cancer cell
viability.""Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity. [10]".
www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.

Chemical composition
These are some of the chemical compounds present in frankincense:
• "acid resin (56 per cent), soluble in alcohol and having the formula
C20H32O4"[11]
• gum (similar to gum arabic) 30–36%[11]
• 3-acetyl-beta-boswellic acid (Boswellia sacra)[12]
• alpha-boswellic acid (Boswellia sacra)[12]
• 4-O-methyl-glucuronic acid (Boswellia sacra)[12]
• incensole acetate
• phellandrene[11]
Structure of β-boswellic acid, one of the
main active components of frankincense
See also
• Desi Sangye Gyatso
• Frankincense Trail
• Incense
• Incense Route
• Myrrh
• Nabataeans
• Pliny the Elder
• Resin
• Theophrastus

References
• The Road to Ubar: Finding the Atlantis of the Sands — Clapp Nicholas, 1999. ISBN 0-395-95786-9.
• Frankincense & Myrrh: A Study of the Arabian Incense Trade — Groom, Nigel, 1981. ISBN 0-86685-593-9.
• Gold, Frankincense, and Myrrh: An Introduction to Eastern Christian Spirituality — Maloney George A, 1997.
ISBN 0-8245-1616-8.
• Tapped-out trees threaten frankincense [13], Foxnews.com science (citing a study co-authored by botanists and
ecologists from the Netherlands and Eritrea and published in The Journal of Applied Ecology, Dec. 2006.)
• Frankincense Provides Relief for Osteoarthritis [14]
Frankincense 6

External links
• Phytochemical Investigations on Boswellia Species [15]
• Boswellia Serrata [16]
• Omani sites on the world heritage list [17]

Articles
• Atlantis of the Sands [18] — Archaeology Magazine May–June 1997
• Frankincense in Oman article [19]
• Spices Exotic Flavors and Medicines [20] — UCLA Louise M. Darling Biomedical Library Spice Exhibit
Frankincense and Myrrh 2002
• [21] - Incense is psychoactive: Scientists identify the biology behind the ceremony. May 2008
• Scents of Place: Frankincense in Oman [22]

Related sites
• History of Frankincense (www.itmonline.org) [23]
• Chemical compounds found in Boswellia sacra [24] (Dr. Duke's Databases)
• UNESCO [25] Frankincense Trail Dhofar Province, Oman.
• Trade Between Arabia and the Empires of Rome and Asia [26], Metropolitan Museum of Art.
• Lost City of Arabia [27] Interview with Dr. Juris Zarins, Nova, September 1996.
• Frankincense and Oman [28], Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center.
• The Indian Ocean in World History: Educational website [29] Learn about the frankincense trade throughout
history on this interactive website.
• Short review of recent studies about incense as medicine now and in ancient times [30], Short review of recent
studies about incense as medicine now and in ancient times.
• Traditional Chinese medical use of frankincence [31]

References
[1] " Omani World Heritage Sites (http:/ / www. omanwhs. gov. om/ english/ Frank/ FrankincenseTree. asp)". www.omanwhs.gov.om. .
Retrieved 2009-01-14.
[2] Paper on Chemical Composition of Frankincense (http:/ / deposit. ddb. de/ cgi-bin/ dokserv?idn=975255932& dok_var=d1& dok_ext=pdf&
filename=975255932. pdf)
[3] " Chemical & Engineering News: Science & Technology - What's That Stuff? Frankincense And Myrrh (http:/ / pubs. acs. org/ cen/
whatstuff/ 86/ 8651sci2. html)". pubs.acs.org. . Retrieved 2009-01-11.
[4] Herodotus 3,107
[5] " JOINT RELIEF (http:/ / www. herbcompanion. com/ health/ JOINT-RELIEF. aspx?page=2)". www.herbcompanion.com. . Retrieved
2009-01-12.
[6] " Sultan Qaboos Cultural Center (http:/ / www. sqcc. org/ about_oman/ frankincense. htm)". www.sqcc.org. . Retrieved 2009-01-17.
[7] " Breaking News--The FASEB Journal (07-101865) (http:/ / www. fasebj. org/ Press_Room/ 07_101865_Press_Release. shtml)".
www.fasebj.org. . Retrieved 2008-05-20.
[8] http:/ / pubs. acs. org/ cen/ whatstuff/ 86/ 8651sci2. html
[9] " A double blind, randomized, placebo controlled study of the efficacy and safety of 5-Loxin for treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee (http:/
/ arthritis-research. com/ content/ 10/ 4/ R85)". Arthritis Research & Therapy. . Retrieved 2008-10-09.
[10] http:/ / www. ncbi. nlm. nih. gov/ pubmed/ 19296830?dopt=Citation
[11] " Olibanum.—Frankincense. (http:/ / www. henriettesherbal. com/ eclectic/ kings/ boswellia. html)". www.henriettesherbal.com. . Retrieved
2009-01-14.
[12] " Farmacy Query (http:/ / sun. ars-grin. gov:8080/ npgspub/ xsql/ duke/ plantdisp. xsql?taxon=168)". www.ars-grin.gov. . Retrieved
2009-01-14.
[13] http:/ / www. foxnews. com/ wires/ 2006Dec22/ 0,4670,DwindlingFrankincense,00. html
[14] http:/ / www. washingtonpost. com/ wp-dyn/ content/ article/ 2008/ 07/ 30/ AR2008073001481. html
[15] http:/ / deposit. ddb. de/ cgi-bin/ dokserv?idn=975255932& dok_var=d1& dok_ext=pdf& filename=975255932. pdf
[16] http:/ / www. fytokomplexy. cz/ en/ clanky/ Boswellia-serrata-1. html
Frankincense 7

[17] http:/ / omanwhs. gov. om/ Default. htm

[18] http:/ / www. archaeology. org/ 9705/ abstracts/ ubar. html
[19] http:/ / www. omanholiday. co. uk/ FRANKINCENSE-Trail-by-Tony-Walsh-for-Abode-Magazine. pdf
[20] http:/ / unitproj. library. ucla. edu/ biomed/ spice/ index. cfm?displayID=28. html
[21] http:/ / www. thinkgene. com/ incense-is-psychoactive-scientists-identify-the-biology-behind-the-ceremony/
[22] http:/ / www. saudiaramcoworld. com/ issue/ 200003/ scents. of. place-frankincense. in. oman. htm
[23] http:/ / www. itmonline. org/ arts/ myrrh. htm
[24] http:/ / www. ars-grin. gov/ cgi-bin/ duke/ farmacy2. pl
[25] http:/ / whc. unesco. org/ pg. cfm?cid=31& id_site=1010
[26] http:/ / www. metmuseum. org/ toah/ hd/ ince/ hd_ince. htm
[27] http:/ / www. pbs. org/ wgbh/ nova/ ubar/ zarins/
[28] http:/ / www. sqcc. org/ about_oman/ frankincense. htm
[29] http:/ / www. indianoceanhistory. org
[30] http:/ / www. life-of-science. net/ medicine/ misc/ incense-used-as-medicine. html
[31] http:/ / alternativehealing. org/ ru_xiang. htm
Article Sources and Contributors 8

Article Sources and Contributors

Frankincense  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?oldid=335212542  Contributors: AdjustShift, Alcmaeonid, AlexR, Alexandrov, Andycjp, Andygriffith, Annarchy, Antandrus,
ArgentiumOutlaw, Arthur chos, Autodidactyl, Avalon, Avihu, Aziz1005, BD2412, Badagnani, Benoni, Blyonsstl, Bobbybuilder, Bobo192, BrerRabbit-at-Alices, CRGreathouse, Cacycle,
Campdavid, Carlossuarez46, Cblack2, Chowbok, Chris the speller, Churchlane, Chyel, Cjrutz, Counterboint, Csernica, DabMachine, DanMS, DanielCD, Das Baz, DaughterofSun, David Schaich,
Deconstructhis, Edgar181, Eleiser, Ewlyahoocom, Ffx, FocalPoint, Gaius Cornelius, Giftlite, Gilliam, Gruzd, Hakeem.gadi, HenkvD, HenryLi, Hohum, Husond, Hyphen5, Ihope127,
Infrogmation, IronGargoyle, Itai, Itami-chan, J.delanoy, JLaTondre, JaGa, Jacob Newton, Jamie C, Jmcorral72, JohnnyMrNinja, Kipala, Kric Cbith, LauraLizzie, Leandrod, Lexor, Li4kata,
Linmhall, Malrawas, Mani1, Mattis, Maxjthemax, Mervyn, Michael Hardy, Middayexpress, Millwonder, Nehushtan, Next-Genn-Gamer, Nihiltres, Nporiord, Oda Mari, Ohnoitsjamie, Peterlewis,
Pippu d'Angelo, Polylerus, Poor Yorick, PuzzletChung, Quadell, Ranveig, Rellis1067, Ringbark, Rjwilmsi, Rkitko, Roderick Mallia, Rosewelsh, Rotational, Scampus, Shizhao, Sjschen,
SkyCaptain, Snaxalotl, Snowdog, Sputnikcccp, Stalefries, Stan Shebs, Sullivand, Supine, TEB728, Tabletop, Taichi, Thppt, TicketMan, Trexpro, Ufinne, Wetman, Whitebox, Wikiedituser,
WriterHound, Wtmitchell, Yakudza, Yekrats, Zannah, Zelda, 167 anonymous edits

Image Sources, Licenses and Contributors

File:Frankincense 2005-12-31.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Frankincense_2005-12-31.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:snotch
File:Boswellia sacra.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Boswellia_sacra.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.0  Contributors: Scott Zona from USA
File:Weihrauch.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Weihrauch.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.5  Contributors: User:Spacebirdy/Myndir
File:Olebanum.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Olebanum.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution 2.5  Contributors: Nina-no
File:Boswellia-sacra-greenhouse.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Boswellia-sacra-greenhouse.jpg  License: Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike 2.0
 Contributors: Becky from Louissville, KY, United States
File:Olibanum resin.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Olibanum_resin.jpg  License: GNU Free Documentation License  Contributors: User:Pepre
File:Frankincense and matchbox.jpg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Frankincense_and_matchbox.jpg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:‫והיבא‬
File:Beta-boswellic acid.svg  Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=File:Beta-boswellic_acid.svg  License: Public Domain  Contributors: User:Fvasconcellos

License
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 Unported
http:/ / creativecommons. org/ licenses/ by-sa/ 3. 0/