Frankincense

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Frankincense from Boswellia sacra which has more of a citrus than pine aroma
Frankincense from Boswellia sacra which has more of a citrus than pine aroma
Countries in which Boswellia papyrifera is found
Countries in which Boswellia papyrifera is found
Frankincense
Frankincense
Indirect burning of frankincense on burning coal
Indirect burning of frankincense on burning coal

Frankincense is resin from trees in the genus Boswellia, used primarily as incense, since at least the time of Ancient Egypt. Frankincense's main use is as smoldering incense. It is valued worldwide for use in churches and temples. Other closely related incense trees are myrrh, Commiphora myrrha,[1] balsam, and several other incense trees belong to Burcereacea. In North and South America, the related Burseracea genus Bursera inhabits tropical North America and is used for its resin, which is called Copal.

Contents

Types of Frankincense

Types of frankincense include:

Frankincense essential oil
Frankincense essential oil

Variations in Aroma

As far as aroma is concerned, Boswellia sacra with its citrus smell seems to be preferred in the Middle East, but in churches and synagogues in Europe and in the U.S., other pine-like smelling frankincense resin species are often preferred.

Frankincense is traditionally burned on hot coal or charcoal, but it can also be heated so as to evaporate without burning. This may prevent the formation of carcinogenic compounds.

Medical Uses

Frankincense
Frankincense

In India, some people treat babies in the first year of life with frankincense smoke to keep malaria carrying mosquitos away.[6]

The chemical composition of frankincense varies greatly from species to species, from tree to tree and even from season to season. It turns out that about 80 g of boswellic acid per 1 kg of frankincense can be extracted in the laboratory.[7] This makes for a concentration of about 8% boswellic acid in at least some frankincense.

Boswellia serrata, Indian frankincense, is used for treating arthritis. Indian frankincense, Boswellia serrata, contains boswellic acids which are similar in structure to corticosteroids. A type of standardized concentrated Boswellia serrata frankincense extract in tablet form is produced in India called "shallaki."

History

Drawing of stone relief on Ancient Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut's tomb depicting her expedition of cargo ships carrying 31 frankincense trees from Punt, Africa to Egypt
Drawing of stone relief on Ancient Egyptian Queen Hatshepsut's tomb depicting her expedition of cargo ships carrying 31 frankincense trees from Punt, Africa to Egypt

An Ancient Egyptian lady pharaoh Hatshepsut (1508–1458 BC) mounted an expedition to the Land of Punt in what is now believed to be Somalia to bring back frankincense and frankincense trees, among other items.

In Ancient Egypt, smoke from burning frankincense was used as insecticide to protect wheat silos from insects such as the wheat moth.[8] Modern Arabs use frankincense smoke to help protect them from mosquitos and sand flies.[9]

The Ancient Egyptian lady pharaoh Hatshepsut (1508–1458 BC) mounted an expedition to the Land of Punt in what is now believed to be Somalia to bring back frankincense and frankincense trees, among other items. The trees were brought via the river Nile back to Egypt by barge and planted in Thebes (Luxor). On her tomb is inscribed pictures of men carrying a frankincense tree.[10]

Production

Frankincense in Dhofar, Oman.
Frankincense in Dhofar, Oman.
Frankincense harvest in the 1500's A.D.
Frankincense harvest in the 1500's A.D.

Frankincense forms naturally on Boswellia trees around cracks or wounds in the tree's papery bark. Commercial harvesting is done by using a chisel-like tool to make a horizontal cut across the stem, taking off a small amount of bark about 10 cm in diameter. The harvester returns in about 2 weeks to collect the dried sap in a basket. This is done preferably during the hottest part of the summer, taking a break midsummer when the rains start. After the frankincense is havested, it is often stored in caves to dry for about 12 weeks.

Yearly production cycle of frankincense in Arabia:[10]

December–February: "Shita-," harvest

March–May: "Qayz," harvest

June–August, "Kharif," rains, storage

September–November: "Garb," selling

Sustainability

Boswellia sacra
Boswellia sacra

Frankincense trees can all too easily be overgrazed by too many camels or livestock, potentially limiting the tree's existing range.

Almost all frankincense is harvested from wild trees (2010). Over-harvesting of frankincense is detrimental to the tree population. Frankincense, which is essentially dried tree sap, seeps out as little teardrops from cracks in the tree bark. It serves to act as a barrier for the tree to microorganisms.

Human made cuts and abrasions are used to facilitate the production of frankincense, but thas has its costs, because the tree loses some of its sap.[11] This may further affect the survivability of frankincense trees in some parts of their growing range. Some of the problem is from camels, goats and elephants overgrazing the leaves of the trees. Frankincense leaves are one of the camel's favorite foods. Another problem is improper cutting of frankincense trees, whereby the tree is cut too deeply.

Some sources say that every 4th year the tree should be given a rest and not be "tapped."

One source says that, in Oman, good trees make about 10 kg of frankincense per tree per year over a span of about 30 years.[12] Many other sources say that the average tree produces about 2–3 kg of frankincense per year.

Endangered Status of Frankincense Tree Species

Boswellia sacra, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Boswellia sacra, Miami, Florida, U.S.A.
Boswellia sacra

Oman: Critically endangered[13]

Somalia: Lower Risk near Threatened[14]

Boswellia papyrifera

Ethiopia and Sudan: Endangered[14]

Boswellia freriana and Boswellia serrata (India) seem to be the best source of incense for protecting endangered Boswellia incense trees.[14]

Identification

Quick and reliable tests using thin layer chromatography exist that can be used to tell from which species of tree a given frankincense resin was harvested.[15] Boswellia sacra, Boswellia serrata and Boswellia papyrifera resins, for example, can easily be differentiated from one another using this method.[15]

Gallery

Alpha-boswellic acid, an antiinflammatory compound in frankincense

Incensole acetate, an antidepressant, anti-anxiety compound present in some Boswellia trees

References

Frankincense in Dubai
Frankincense in Dubai
  1. ↑ Commiphora myrrha information from NPGS/GRIN (www.ars-grin.gov)
  2. ↑ Boswellia serrata information from (www.ars-grin.gov)
  3. ↑ Botanical: Boswellia sp. (www.salugenecists.com)
  4. ↑ www.fao.org
  5. ↑ ICS-UNIDO - MAPs (www.ics.trieste.it)
  6. ↑ India- Frankincense Keeps the Mosquitos Away
  7. ↑ Lernphase - Weihrauch als Heilmittel (www.lernphase.de)
  8. ↑ Al- Hakawati (www.al-hakawati.net)
  9. ↑ Frankincense Information (www.scents-of-earth.com)
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 A Video About Frankincense and Myrrh by John Simpson, Nigel. 21 December 2005
  11. ↑ Frankincense Trees Overexploited For Christmas Scent (www.sciencedaily.com)
  12. ↑ Frankincense still a precious stock in Oman (dallasnews.com)
  13. ↑ Updated List of Threatened Aromatic Plants Used in the Aroma & Cosmetic Industries. v 1.04 Feb 2008. Assembled from several Cropwatch sources. Copyright © Tony Burfield for Cropwatch 2003 - 2008. (www.cropwatch.org)
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 Frankincense (www.making-incense.com)
  15. ↑ 15.0 15.1 SEPASAL Database (www.rbgkew.org.uk)

External Links

Stone relief showing men carrying one of 31 frankincense trees from Punt to Ancient Egypt for planting
Stone relief showing men carrying one of 31 frankincense trees from Punt to Ancient Egypt for planting

History

Stone Relief of Hatshepsut's expedition to the Land of Punt
Stone Relief of Hatshepsut's expedition to the Land of Punt

Videos

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