Sacred Incense – Frankincense – Olibanum (Boswellia carterii) Resin, Cut & Sifted from Sudan, 35 grams

More about Sacred Incense Frankincense

Frankincense description

The word “incense”, meaning originally “the aroma given off with the smoke of any odoriferous substance when burnt”. It has been gradually restricted almost exclusively to Frankincense, also known as Olibanum. It has always been obtainable in Europe in greater quantity than any other of the aromatics imported from the East. The botanical origin of Frankincense is Boswelia carteri, although other Boswelia species are used as a source of Frankincense. In use for over 5000 years, this fragrant desert resin has been prized by many cultures around the world for its therapeutic and spiritual properties. It has become the most important ingredient of incense used in the catholic church.

Other names: Olibanum, Olibano, Boswellia carteri, Boswellia, Encens, Gum Thus, Incienso, Weihrauch, Wierook.

History of Frankincense

Frankincense was one of the most highly praised substances of the ancient world. It was traditionally produced in Yemen and Oman, and by 1000 BC, Frankincense was already a rare and important product. Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, Rome, Greece, and China, all made use of this resin. The oldest written record of incense was found in the tomb of queen Hathsepsut from the 15th century BC. Frankincense was an important trade product. Plinius the Elder wrote that control of the Frankincense trade had made the south Arabians the richest people on earth. For this reason, the Romans later tried to conquer the Frankincense producing regions, but they did not succeed. In those days, Frankincense was more precious than gold. Frankincense is also named “Olibanum”, derived from “Al Luban”, the Arabic word for milk.

The kohl, or black powder with which the Egyptian women paint their eyelids, is made of charred Frankincense, or other odoriferous resins mixed with Frankincense. It is also melted to make a depilatory, and it is made into a paste with other ingredients to perfume the hands. A similar practice is described by Herodotus as having been practiced by the women of Scythia and is alluded to in Judith x. 3 and 4. In cold weather, the Egyptians warm their rooms with a brazier whereon incense is burnt, Frankincense, Benzoe (Styrax benzoe) and Aloe wood (Aquilaria agallocha) being chiefly used for the purpose.

Frankincense, the ceremonial incense of middle east

The ceremonial incense of the Jews was compounded of four “sweet scents”, of which pure Frankincense was one, pounded together in equal proportion. It is frequently mentioned in the Pentateuch. Pure Frankincense formed part of the meet offering and was also presented with the shew-bread every Sabbath day. With other spices, it was stored in a great chamber of the House of God at Jerusalem. According to Herodotus, Frankincense to the amount of 1000 talents weight was offered every year, during the feast of Bel, on the great altar of his temple in Babylon. The religious use of incense was as common in ancient Persia as in Babylon and Assyria, and the modern Parsis of Western India still preserve the ritual of incense.

Frankincense became the most important incense burned in catholic churches around the world. Of course, Frankincense played an important role in catholic history. It is said that the three wise men who travelled to Bethlehem to worship the newborn child, Jezus, had with them three gifts: Gold, Myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) and Frankincense.

Plant Info

Native to the Red Sea regions and growing wild throughout North East Africa, Frankincense is produced mainly in Somalia, China and South Arabia and to a lesser extent India. Boswellia belongs to the Burseraceae or Copal family.It is a small tree or shrub with abundant pinnate leaves and white or pale pink flowers. The plant has a distinctive woody, spicy aroma with a hint of lemon.

From this leafy forest tree the natural oleo gum, is obtained by making deep incisions in the trunk and collecting the gum given off. This gum, the Frankincense, soon solidifies into tear-shaped amber to orange brown lumps about 1 to 4 cm. The clear lumps are gathered first. The portion which has run down the side of the tree or has fallen to the ground, constitutes an inferior sort. The season for gathering lasts from May till the middle of September. When the first shower of rain puts a close to the gathering for that year.

Boswellia carterii contents

The scent of Olibano