Raw Materials

Frankincense Olibanum

10/04/11 12:07:20

By: Naheed Shoukat Ali

Common name: Frankincense, Olibanum, Luban

Plant family: Burseraceae
Genus: Boswellia

Specie: With respect to frankincense, Boswellia Sacra is the most common

Uses: Incense, medicine, toothpaste, embalming, insect repellent, fragrance
"…and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh"

The Three Wise Men: The traditional telling of the Christmas story includes a key moment where Wise men from the East arrive and present the Christ child with gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This brief mention of frankincense is usually the first and most common encounter that most people have with this special substance.

Frankincense, also called Olibanum, Levonah, Luban and Khunk, is an aromatic, congealed, resinous sap from a specific variety of trees in the genus Boswellia of the family Burseraceae. Most of the trees in the Boswellia genus are aromatic, and many of them produce a scented resinous sap. Some of the known species are B. Sacra (grows in Oman and Yemen), B. Carterii (Somalia), B.Thurifera (Africa, Yemen and countries around the Red Sea), B. frereana (northern Somalia), B. Papyrifera (Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan) and B.Serrata (India). According to the latest scientific opinion both B.Sacra and B.Carterii are the same and should be correctly called B.Sacra. Boswelia sacra produces the highest grade of frankincense.

Frankincense trees grow to about 20 ft. in height (8m) with branches often beginning near its base. The common Oman, Aden (Yemen), and Somalia species, B. sacra / B. carteri, produce small yellow-white colored flowers with five petals, while the African B. papyrifera and B. thurifera produce small pale-red flowers. Each are a favorite among bees and produce small fruits which are fed to livestock. But it's the trees' resin that's been treasured for thousands of years for its aromatic and medicinal uses.

The 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 mostly found growing on rocky hillsides and cliffs, or in the dried riverbeds below.

How is Frankincense resin harvested and distilled?

The highest quality Frankincense essential oil is distilled from the resin. The resin comes from inside the tree, under the bark. To collect frankincense properly, a slow and carefully executed process must be followed. The process can only take place twice a year—once in the spring (March to May) and then again in the fall (September to October) and takes two weeks.

Harvesting the resin requires a specially designed knife. A week before the harvest begins, strategic slashes are made in the outer bark which allow the liquid resin to ooze out. Another harvesting method used is to simply scrape away portions of the bark without making deep incisions and allowing the resin to flow from this wound. When the resin hits the oxygen, it starts to crystallize and harden.

These hardened resins are called tears. The longer it is left on the tree, the harder it gets. It takes about a week for the resin to harden up enough to be cut it off as a hardened resin crystal. It takes another week to come back and collect the crystal resin. This process produces different types and grades of frankincense resins. Frankincense quality is based on color, purity, aroma, age, and in some cases, where it is grown affects the quality. The first grade of frankincense resin is the most common. It is a brownish resin that has a great deal of bark particles in it.

After all the above processes, the crystal resin goes into the distillery where it is crushed into powder, put into an oil bath, and steam distilled to extract the oil from the crystal resin.

The gum resin of Frankincense contains Boswellic acids and other pentacyclic triterpens, which have a chemical structure that closely resembels that of steroids.

The Highest Grade of Frankincense

The rarest and the purest of the all frankincense is Boswellia sacra. It is considered the highest grade of frankincense. It grows in the Dhofar region of Oman and this very special frankincense was reserved just for the kings and queens. This species has a higher content of the constituent alpha pinene.

Uses

The most common use of frankincense is as an incense and that is why many refer to it as incense, rather than frankincense.

The aromatic qualities of frankincense have been used in a variety of ways over the centuries, including use in religious ceremonies, burial rituals and embalming. The smoke from burning frankincense is effective for driving away mosquitoes and other pests, thereby reducing incidences of malaria.

The Egyptians took the aromatic qualities of frankincense even further and used it in the embalming process. Part of the process of mummification involved the removal of the viscera, which were then placed in special containers. Large quantities of frankincense were then packed into the body cavities to prevent decomposition, and to mask the odor.

It is also used as deodorant, as toothpaste, as a flavoring for food and drink. The granules of frankincense, the frankincense smoke, and frankincense dissolved in water are all used in various forms to treat a variety of ailments including nausea, indigestion, chest coughs, hypertension, and post-childbirth recovery.

Frankincense has been shown to cause anti-depressive behavior in mice. It activated the poorly understood ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety and depression.

Perfume recommendations:

Chant d'Aromes Guerlain
Aoud Damascus Montale
 Louban Montale  
Aqaba Classic  
Arome d'Egypte DSH  
Monsieur mon Amour Atelier Flou
 Song of Songs Ayala Moriel
Avignon by Comme des Garcons
Zagorsk by Comme des Garcons
Oliban Keiko Mecheri
Messe de Minuit Etro
Frankincense-Myrrh-Rose Maroc Regina Harris
Frankincense and Myrrh Czech & Speake
05 Incense Extreme Tauer Perfumes
Incense Oud by Kilian

Author: Naheed Shoukat Ali (naheed)
Fragrantica Writer

RobbieX

Absolutely fascinating article!!

Oct
23
2011

CDGfan

I was going to add to what Chander has said , Frankincense has been used in Ayurveda for 3000 years, going by the name Louban. Not to be confused with Guggal loban, which is Indian Myrrh. Mixed with Benzoin , it used in Mosques and some Hindu temples .

Oct
23
2011

cshekhar

Dear Nido.......
Article is very interesting and informative. But in India, Adulterants of Frankincense have been sold in market as frequently. you can add chemical constitutes of Luban (Frankincense)to understand the purity. I think it is not directly used as toothpaste, as a flavoring for food and drink. Luban has spiritual importance and utilized in various occasions specifically in mosque.
All the Best

Oct
13
2011

nada

i love burning pure frankinsnce to give house that eternal smell, reminds me of church...:)

Oct
11
2011

loru

Hi Naheed,
it's been a pleasure reading your article on incense. I've spent 5 years living in Yemen and have used a lot of frankincense myself in my everyday life there!chewing the resin as a chewing gum could remove the taste of garlic in one's mouth , leaving a very fresh incense aromatic breath!
Since then I've become quite addicted to every smell that reminds me of that very special country !
My favourites are Avignon and Zagorsk (Comme Les Garcons)and Eau Trois (Dyptique).
Thanks!!!

Oct
07
2011

Mary

Such a great article! :) Thanks a lot, Naheed, I feel a bit smarter now!

Oct
06
2011

Thank you for the article. Olibanum is also used in Kate Moss "Velvet Hour"

Oct
06
2011

happychub

love it

Oct
06
2011

RobbieX

Again, a brilliant and interesting article. Thanks a lot!!

Oct
05
2011

rainbow.owl2

I learn so much from these articles & I really enjoy reading them, thank-you!

Oct
05
2011

naheed

Thank you so much, dear all. As of the beautiful layout, Elena makes my articles just beautiful with amazing photos and attractive colours. And thank you again for enjoying the read.

Oct
05
2011

Alchimiste

Congratulations!
As usual very interesting article!

Oct
05
2011

Chapeau Clack

Thank you, Naheed, for yet another great article! I was lucky to purchase some Omani frankincense not long ago, and it's a truly divine scent. I love it as a note in perfumes as well.

Oct
05
2011

L'Homme Vert

*Frankincense* is possibly my most favorite essential oil, at present I have about 50 mls of precious steam distilled wild collected oil from Somalia. It seems lighter in texture than others I've had before and it gives off the most beautiful lemony/incense aroma. Thank's for the great information as I was unaware that Sacra & Carterii were both from the same genus. Boswellia Serrata (East Indian) B. Frereana are slightly heavier distillates with more of the terpene aromatic qualities and less of the delicate citrus in the initial top notes. I like to sprinkle my bed linen periodically, the effect is so calming & also helps to overcome insomnia. I'm never without this wonderful aromatic compound, Thank you for your review !

Oct
04
2011

SNOOPY

I always enjoy your informative and well written articles.Just wanted to say thank you.I had no idea it was used to treat depression.

Oct
04
2011

dina

As usual very informative... I love your articles Naheed!

Actually, here in Egypt, we have 2 varieties: one that is dark yellow and very solid, usually soaked in water and used as a remedy for cough, rather inexpensive and another type which comes in smaller resins, transparent and extremely expensive, used usually in food: soup, rice milk, etc... I'm not sure which is used in perfumery?

Oct
04
2011

dianthus

Love to read your next article Naheed:) It seem everyone should have some frankincense not only in the bottle of perfumes but also in medicine cupboard of the bathroom :D After reading i have to get some :) thank you for frankicense knowledge!

Oct
04
2011

jeca

Dear Naheed, thank you for your work! I love the note of Frankincense in perfumes. My favorite mono-theme incense perfumes are: Avignon Comme des Garcons, Oliban Keiko Mecheri and Messe de Minuit Etro. Olibanum is great with flowers, I absolutely adore it in Prada Fleur d'Oranger.

Oct
04
2011