Frankincense gum

Listing ID #4331153

About Frankincense: Frankincense or Olibanum (from the Arabic worl al-lubban meaning ‘white’) is a fragrant gum resin extracted from several species of Boswellia trees, most commonly the Boswellia sacra.  It consists of small, white chunks and beads which are easily ground into a powder.  It emits a balsam like odor when burned.  An important component of religious services, the gum was originally imported from Arabia to Palestine where it was probably produced in the central district of Hadramaut (Isa. 60:6; Jer. 6:20).

The scent is described as being balsamic sweet or spicy, slightly lemon, fragrance of incense with a conifer-like undertone. It was one of the major ingredients of the incense holy unto the Lord (Exod. 30:34-38).  The use of this incense for purposes other than those specified in the priestly legislation was forbidden.  Stores of frankincense were kept in the Jerusalem temple (1 Chr. 9:29; Neh. 13:5, 9).  It was one of the gifts offered to the baby Jesus by the Wise Men (Matt. 2:11). When mixed with other gum resins the end substance is called ‘guggals’.

Frankincense has been traded in Arabia and North Africa for more than 5000 years. It has been described in the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud and in the Old Testament.