Frankincense |
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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. The USDA Agriculture Handbook lists B. sacra and B. carteri as equivalent names for the same plant, and in the literature B. carteri is far more cited. Only one duel listing was found that raised the possibility that these are two separate species. In Frontier Herbs’ “Aromatherapy Notes, Vol. 10” B. sacra is cited as coming from southern Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and Oman, while B. carteri is from Somalia. B. serrata was listed under the common name Frankincense, but also as Indian Frankincense. B. thurifera was listed in many sources, but only in one, A Modern Herbal, was it listed as frankincense. With these complexities revealed, it became apparent that no research has been done on the economic impact of any single Boswellia species. To those who gather the resin in the wild, the differences have not proved important enough economically to differentiate between species.
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. (A Modern Herbal) The hardened resin can be burned, but for most modern purposes it is processed into oil. The resin is not water soluble, but can be dissolved by chemical solvents where the oil is steam distilled. This solvent extraction process can also produce a resinoid, a viscous substance. Resinoids can be dissolved in high grade, odorless alcohols which are then used in perfume manufacturing. (Aromatherapy, Vol, 10)
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.
The Boswellia species which produce frankincense are only found in a few areas around the horn of Africa; Somalia, the Hadhramaut region of Yemen, and Oman. (Britannica OnLine) Since the trade was based in this small geographic area, its demand far exceeded the trees ability to produce. Add to that the difficulty involved with distances and delivery of goods and a lucrative market was born.
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. (Arab Net) 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.” (ArabNet) It was because of the demand for this resin that the Romans sent Aelius Gallus in 25BCE to conquer the incense producing regions now found in Yeman and Oman. While they were initially successful, Gallus never made it to the incense producing regions - lack of water kept them in Yemen. (ArabNet)
The height of the frankincense trade occurred during the second century CE when some 3000 tons of frankincense were shipped each year from south Arabia to Greece, Rome and the Mediterranean world. After the 3rd century CE the trade went into its decline, although demand still supported Arabia for another 300 years. Even into the Middle Ages frankincense was an Arabian trading commodity. (Arab Net)
Although records have shown that frankincense was important to the ancient world, it wasn’t until recently that frankincense was found among archeological ruins. A 1500 year old site in southeastern Egypt, Qasr Ibrimin, revealed burnt frankincense far from where any Boswellia trees grow. This is a confirmation of extent of the trade routes of the time - and the importance of frankincense. (ABC News )
Traditional Uses
Mostly when people think of frankincense they think of the “incense” part. Egyptians used frankincense in their religious rites, as did the Babylonians and Assyrians. It was Herodotus who reported that “1000 talents weight was offered every year during the feast of Bel, on the great altar of his temple...” Frankincense was also used in Persia and again Herodotus states “that the Arabs brought every year to Daurius as tribute 1000 talents.” (A Modern Herbal) Frankincense was important in Jewish ritual, and later became important within the rites of the Catholic church. The Greeks and the Romans used frankincense as incense, but not as offerings. Instead it was used in everyday life - burning on the braziers that provided heat in the domicile. The earliest recorded use of frankincense was inscribed on a tomb of a 15th century BCE queen named Hathsepsut. The charred remains of the burnt frankincense was ground into a black powder called kohl. Kohl is the substance used in creating the distinctive black eyeliner found on the figures in Egyptian art. (Aromatherapy Notes)
Frankincense was commonly used for medicinal purposes. Pliny the Elder, (1st century) used frankincense as an antidote to hemlock poisoning. The Iranian physician Avicenna (10th century) thought that it was good for body ailments such as tumors, vomiting, dysentery and fevers. In China B. carteri is used for everything from leprosy, cancer, gonorrhea and carbuncles, and as an astringent.
Additionally, B. carteri is used as camel food. The roots are debarked and eaten raw or used in beverages. The inner bark is used to make a brown dye and can even be used as fish bait! The resin is used in wine as an additive. Some of the exudates are used as non-vertebrate poison and even as fuel. The soft wood is used in a variety of building/craft products. (Miller, Morris)
Western Uses Today
Today Western medicine does not promote/validate any of the historical or current Eastern medicinal practices. However, practitioners of aromatherapy believe in its power to reduce anxiety or stress. It is also promoted as an aid in meditation and prayer - a throwback to the times when it was the primary scent in the temple. In the East it is widely used as a medicinal.
Frankincense is still a main ingredient in many different types of incense. It is also popular in commercial incense mixtures - and the raw “tears” are readily available to burn directly on hot coals just as the ancients did.
It is also important in the perfumery industry as a scent and as a fixative. Oil from frankincense can take up to six hours to evaporate, making it an important ingredient in many perfumes. The current potpourri market has also found a niche for the “tears” and oil.
Economic Value to Somalia
Of all of the current countries that can and do produce frankincense for export - only Somalia has found it to have an impact on its market. Before the civil war, wood was exported - some 4.6 million cubic meters of frankincense and myrrh. (Arab Net) Since the civil war has torn most of the country’s industry base apart and virtually destroyed any central government, semi-nomadic people living off the land have found the harvesting of frankincense to be feasible. The harvesting of the resin (renewable) has become more desirable than the harvesting of the wood (non-renewable). Trials to plant new stands of Boswellia are currently underway. Due to the nature of the harvesting little or no data exists to show its impact on the economy. However, of the $86,000,000 exported to the US, 43.2% (or about $37.5 million) is listed as other - with frankincense one of the forestry products designated in this category. (Britannica OnLine) Somalia is one of the poorest and least developed countries in the world. Even without specific figures, it would be difficult to ignore the impact of this industry. Current interest in frankincense essential oil in the West has helped develop a small, but strong market for Somali frankincense. Current industry costs within the US market show the price for Somalian frankincense tears at $18.81/kg and for solid resin at a cost of $58.43/kg. (Price List - The Good Scents Company)
The End?
Frankincense has been with humanity for a very long time. With care and attention it will remain a renewable resource - bringing with every harvest the sweet smell of the future.
