Frankincense
Overview
The modern classification of the plant species from where these resins originate:
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• Boswellia carterii, producing resinous incense lumps or tears, Gum Olibanum, collected from northern Somaliland |
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• Boswellia papyrifera, characterized by a fresh lemon-pine scent, a species native to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan. |
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Both tree species’ resins have major roles to play from an environmental and medicinal point of view. It is also a source of food for livestock and bee fodder and offers employment opportunities for many rural farmers and herders (both men and women) who are involved in either tapping and collecting or sorting and grading. |
Process
The tree trunk is lightly scraped off with a specially designed knife called a mengaf, at adequately timed intervals. Once the exuded sap is hardened into resins, these are stored in dry mountain caves for maturation before being transferred to collection sites for expertly selective sorting and grading steps.
Then final packing and storage are completed with special sealing to ensure significant proportions of volatile compounds are not lost due to transport.
Sources
Then final packing and storage are completed with special sealing to ensure significant proportions of volatile compounds are not lost transport.
Grades
We carry several grades:
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Frankincense / fine fragrance: Cleaned Grade 1, Un-graded |
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Frankincense / indoor scent & ritual: Grade 1, Pea-size, Sifings |
Seasons
For sustainable harvests, trees must be tapped from April to October, outside which overharvesting could damage the resource.
Uses
Essential Oil
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The essential oil produced by steam distillation is used in the fragrance industry |
Skincare Treatments
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The essential oil offers many health benefits in the field of skincare, aromatherapy and when it comes to antibacterial and anti-inflammatory purposes. It also provides a source of relief when it comes to gastro-intestinal irritation and discomfort. |
Perfumes
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When it comes to scents, an aromatic resin is used in burning incense and perfumes. |
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It is commonly used in the catholic church to burn incense and is characterized by a balsamic-spicy, slightly lemon fragrance with a conifer-like undertone. |
