Also known as olibanum, frankincense is an aromatic resin commonly used in incense and perfumes, which is obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia, particularly Boswellia sacra (frankincense tree). There are 4 main species of Boswellia that produce true frankincense, with the resin from each available in various grades, depending on the time of harvesting. Boswellia sacra trees are considered unusual for their ability to grow in such unforgiving environments. The trees have been known to grow out of solid rock at times, for example, the trees on the Somali coast grow out of polished marble stones, attached by a thick, bulbous, oval mass of substances resembling a mixture of lime and mortar, which acts like an anchor preventing the tree from being ripped out in violent storms. The trees start producing resin when they are about 8 – 10 years old.
These trees grow in Oman, Yemen, and the Horn of Africa (including Somalia and Ethiopia). Frankincense is harvested through a procedure known as “tapping”. The tree is ‘stripped’ or opened using a traditional chisel-like tool to peel off a narrow strip of bark, from which a milky white sap leeches out of the hole, forming ‘tears’. This first sap is not collected, as it is thought to cleanse the wood of impurities. Once the sap dries, the hole is enlarged and deepened, from which sap leeches out, dries, and is collected approximately a few days to a few weeks later. This process is repeated several times at several points throughout the year.
The highest quality frankincense is silvery and clear, or with a possible green tinge, while the lower grade sap is a brown-yellow colour and is the cheapest.
Unfortunately, Boswellia trees are in decline, partially due to over-tapping, as well as climate change. Studies suggest that the number of these trees could decline by 90% in the next 50 years. Botanists have suggested, after performing extensive studies, that there should be a maximum of 9 tapping spots in each tree, with some trees in Ethiopia containing up to 27 tapping spots due to high demand. Heavily tapped trees produce seeds that germinate at only 16% while the seeds of trees which have not been tapped germinate at more than 80%. In addition, burning, grazing, and attacks from the longhorn beetle have reduced the tree population.
The word frankincense is derived from the Old French term franc encens, meaning high-quality incense. The word franc in Old French also meant noble or pure.
Frankincense was traditionally burned as an incense, and was also charred and ground into a powder to produce kohl, the heavy eyeliner commonly used by Egyptians. The essential oil of frankincense is obtained by steam distillation of the dry resin. The oil has a woody, spicy, earthy, and slightly fruity aroma which is calming and relaxing. It is said to be sweeter, fresher, and cleaner in aroma than frankincense resin.
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