Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes, obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae.
Quick Facts
- Botanical Name: Boswellia sacra (also B. carteri, B. frereana, B. serrata)
- Common Name(s): Olibanum, Luban
- Energetics: Warming, Drying
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) Perspective
- TCM Name: Rǔ Xiāng (乳香)
- Meridians Influenced: Heart, Liver, Spleen
- Therapeutic Actions: Invigorates Blood, promotes the movement of Qi, stops pain, relaxes the sinews, promotes tissue regeneration.
- TCM Diagnosis Patterns: Blood stagnation, Qi stagnation.
- Common TCM Uses: Commonly used to treat pain from trauma or arthritis and is a key ingredient in the formula Huo Luo Xiao Ling Dan.
Traditional Uses Frankincense has been a prized substance for thousands of years across numerous cultures, valued highly in ancient Egypt for incense, skincare, and embalming rituals. In Ayurvedic medicine, it is known as Salai guggul and used to support joint health and purify the air. It also holds deep spiritual significance in Christian and Islamic traditions, famously being one of the gifts brought by the Magi and used as incense to foster a connection to the divine.
Allopathic Medicine (Western) Yes, it is used in Western medicine, though primarily in supplemental and therapeutic contexts rather than as a prescription drug. Extracts of Boswellia serrata, in particular, are widely studied and used for their anti-inflammatory properties, specifically the boswellic acids. These extracts are commonly found in over-the-counter supplements aimed at supporting joint health and managing inflammatory conditions like osteoarthritis.
Preparations Frankincense is most commonly used as a resin to be burned as Incense. It is also frequently steam-distilled to produce an essential oil for Topical or aromatic use. Internally, it can be taken as a Capsule or tincture, and the raw resin is sometimes used in traditional preparations.
Commonly Grown where?
- Country: Primarily sourced from Oman, Yemen, Somalia, and other parts of the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula.
- Climate: Arid, desert climates.
Final Thoughts, or Fun Fact or Mythology A fun fact about frankincense is how it's harvested. The process, called "stripping" or "tapping," involves carefully slashing the bark of the Boswellia tree, which then "weeps" the milky-white resin. These resin "tears" are allowed to harden on the tree for several months before being collected, a labor-intensive practice that has remained unchanged for millennia.