The History and Use of Frankincense

Very interesting article about Frankincense at the site of Abibitumi Kasa Afrikan Language and Liberation Institutes.

Here are the excerpts:

The Clash of Names

One of the most difficult areas of research had to do with what plant deserves the title “frankincense.” It is accepted that frankincense is a member of the family Burseraceae, and the genus Boswellia. What has remained is a muddy mix-up over which species is the “Real” frankincense. From all of the sources accessed, a few front runners emerged: Boswellia sacra, Boswellia carteri, Boswellia serrata, and Boswellia thurifera…

Acquisition and Processing

The collecting of frankincense requires that a deep, longitudinal incision is made in the trunk of the tree and below it a narrow strip of bark 5 inches in length is peeled off. As a result of the incision, a milk-like substance, oleo resin, is produced which hardens due to exposure to the air. The incision is then deepened. After about three months the resin hardens into yellowish “tears” which are harvested by scraping them off the tree. The inferior resin which has run down the base of the tree is collected separately. Collecting lasts from May until the middle of September, when the onset of rain prevents further collecting for the year…

Of Historic Importance

Although much has been made of the differences between the different species of Boswellia, it is universally agreed that historically, frankincense was an economically important plant. Most Westerners will recognize frankincense as one of the gifts of the three wise men at the birth of Jesus. What most people don’t recognize, however, is that the frankincense and myrrh were more valuable than the gift of gold…
It was the use of the camel and improved land routes around 11th century BCE when frankincense and other trade items where carried from Qana to Gaza (in Egypt). By sea these goods went straight from Qana to India. By 1000 BCE, myrrh and frankincense had already made its impact on the ancient world. Babylon, Assyria, Egypt, Rome, Greece, and China all had use for this rare resin. Its natural oil content and pleasant smell made it desirable to be used in temples as incense and as well as for its medicinal properties.
It was on the basis of the rich spice trade, and more specifically, the frankincense trade, that led the first century Greek writer, Pliny the Elder, claim “that control of the frankincense trade had made the south Arabians the richest people on earth.”… Read more »