Boswellia sacra (Frankincense)

Boswellia sacra (Frankincense)

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Boswellia sacra, also known as frankincense or olibanum tree, is a species of tree in the Burseraceae family. It is native to the Arabian Peninsula (Oman and Yemen) and parts of northeastern Africa (Somalia). This small tree is known for its ability to grow in extremely arid and rocky environments. The tree produces a fragrant resin, commonly referred to as frankincense, which has been highly valued for thousands of years for its use in religious ceremonies, perfumery, and traditional medicine. Boswellia sacra typically grows to a height of 2-8 metres, with papery, peeling bark and compound leaves. The tree’s resin is harvested by making incisions in the bark, allowing the sap to flow and harden into tears. Recent scientific studies have investigated potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties of compounds found in the resin, though more research is needed to fully understand its therapeutic potential.

References:

Boswellia sacra was originally described and published in Lehrbuch der Pharmakognosie des Pflanzenreiches. 31. 1867. (as cited in Flückiger & Hanbury’s Pharmacographia). Freidrich A. Flückiger; Daniel Hanbury, F.R.S. (1874). Pharmacographia, a history of the principal drugs of vegetable origin, met with in Great Britain and British India. London: Macmillan and Co. p. 120. Retrieved November 24, 2012. Lehrbuch der pharmakognosie Flückiger Boswellia sacra.