Frankincense tree

Frankincense Tree is a tree species from which the aromatic resin, Frankincense, is derived. The tree is native to the Arabian Peninsula and northeastern Africa.

Description

The Frankincense Tree, also known as Boswellia sacra, is a small, deciduous tree that grows up to 5 meters in height. It has one or more trunks and the bark is paper-like, thin and peels away in strips. The leaves are compound, with leaflets that are oval with pointed tips. The tree produces small, white flowers that are followed by fruit capsules.

Habitat

The Frankincense Tree is native to the Arabian Peninsula (Oman, Yemen) and northeastern Africa (Somalia). It grows in dry, rocky soils in areas of low rainfall.

Uses

The primary use of the Frankincense Tree is for the production of Frankincense, a resin that has been used for thousands of years in religious rituals, in traditional medicine, and as a perfume. The resin is collected by making incisions in the tree's trunk, which causes the resin to bleed out and harden into "tears".

Cultivation

Frankincense Trees are grown from seeds. They require a sunny location and well-drained soil. They are drought-tolerant once established.

In Traditional Medicine

In traditional medicine, frankincense has been used for its anti-inflammatory properties. It has been used to treat conditions such as arthritis, asthma, and ulcerative colitis.

Conservation Status

The Frankincense Tree is not currently listed as threatened or endangered. However, overharvesting of frankincense resin and habitat loss due to agriculture and urbanization are putting pressure on wild populations.

See Also

• Boswellia
• Resin
• Traditional Medicine

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