Latin Name : | Boswellia carterii, (other varieties) Boswellia sacra, Boswellia thurifera |
English Name : | Frankincense, Olibanum, Mastic tree |
French Name : | Oliban, encens |
Family : | Burseracea |
Origin : | Somalia |
History and Origin
This sacred resin comes from a small tree originating from the boundary of Red Sea, namely Somalia and Arabia. To collect the resin, the bark is slashed to let out numerous drops of resin, which harden as generous yellow and smelly nuggets. Offered to baby Jesus by the Three Kings, this resin represents a tribute to divineness. Renowned for its capacity to help inducing a meditative state, it has long been used in religious ceremonies in Orient, North Africa and around the Mediterranean Sea.