Frankincense
Frankincense is an aromatic gum resin used in incense and perfumes. It is obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae.[1]
Frankincense is tapped from the trunks of trees through the process of striping (slashing the bark). The resin then bleeds out and hardens. The hardened streaks of resin are called tears.
In Christianity, frankincense is one of the gifts brought by the Biblical Magi, otherwise known as the Three Wise Men,[2] along with myrrh and gold.
Frankincense Media
Boswellia carteri tree that produces frankincense, growing inside Biosphere 2
Flowers and branches of the Boswellia sacra tree
Structure of β-boswellic acid, one of the main active components of frankincense
Indirect burning of frankincense on hot coal
Frankincense olibanum resin
- Olebanum
Frankincense is often prepared inside a censer, such as the meerschaum dabqaad traditionally used in Horn of Africa.
Frankincense (Boswellia carteri) essential oil
- ↑ "Frankincense | Definition, Tree, History, Uses, & Facts | Britannica" (in en). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/frankincense. Retrieved 2026-03-16.
- ↑ "Magi | Definition, Scripture, Names, Traditions, & Importance | Britannica" (in en). Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/Magi. Retrieved 2026-03-16.