Frankincense: The Incense of Kings

Frankincense (from the Boswellia genus of trees) has been used for thousands of years as a religious and magical incense. The aromatic smoke produced by smoldering Frankincense resin upon a hookah-style charcoal is thought to be spiritually cleansing and is used as an aid for meditation and sanctifying areas of prayer. It is also commonly burned for its antidepressant, insect repelling and medicinal properties.

Out of the 28 recognized species of Boswellia, we have 10 available for sale. Try all of them in our Frankincense sample set. Boswellias are found primarily in the Arabian Peninsula and on the northeastern coast of Africa, however the genus is also known throughout greater Africa and extends far east throughout southern Asia.

Pictured above:
A. Boswellia carteri - 'Beyo' (Common Frankincense from Somalia)
B. Boswellia dalzielii - 'Cricognimu' (West African Frankincense from Burkina Faso)
C. Boswellia elongata - 'Hammaderoh' (Sweet Frankincense from Soqotra)
D. Boswellia frereana - 'Maydi' (Coptic Frankincense from Somalia)
E. Boswellia neglecta - 'Dakkara' (Black Frankincense from Ethiopia)
F. Boswellia papyrifera - 'Makker' (Church Frankincense from Ethiopia)
G. Boswellia rivae - 'Matabut' (Sweet Ogaden Frankincense from Ethiopia)
H. Boswellia sacra - 'Hojari' (Superior White Frankincense from Oman)
I. Boswellia serrata  - 'Salaai Gugul' (Olibanum from India)
J. Boswellia socotrana - 'Zama'ano' (White Frankincense from Soqotra)

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