Boswellia carteri
“The words which express our faith and piety are not definite; yet they are significant and fragrant like frankincense to superior natures.”
– Henry David Thoreau
Family: Burseraceae
Parts used: Gum
Aroma: Resinous, balsamic, camphoraceous, subtle green-lemon note
Properties: analgesic, anti-bacterial, anticatarrhal, antidepressive, anti-infectious, astringent, calmative, carminative, cicatrisant, expectorant, immune tonic, vulnerary
Prepared from the resin of various boswellia species by steam distillation method, Frankincense essential oil, also known as olibanum, is a part of the traditional medicinal systems of Ayurveda, Traditional Chinese Medicine, and in certain other folklore remedies.
The origin of the term ‘Frankincense’ derives from the Old French word ‘franc’ – meaning ‘pure’ or ‘free’, and the Latin ‘incensium’ – ‘to smoke’. Frankincense has played an important role in the religious and domestic lives of Ancient Egypt, Persian, Hebrew, Greek and Roman civilizations.
“Until the day breaks and the shadows flee away, I will get me to the mountain of myrrh and to the hill of frankincense”. (The Song of Solomon) Continue Reading…