FRANKINCENSE Tears | Boswellia carterii

Frankincense Resin Tears

Boswellia carterii

100% pure, natural tree resin

The Frankincense tree is native to desert areas in Arabia and Africa.
It is a member of the Burseraceae plant family, together with Myrrh, and Palo Santo.

Where the tree bark is cracked, aromatic resin bleeds out of the tree, and dries while still on the bark.
During the process resin and tree bark seal together, and produce Frankincense tears.

There are many different grades of Frankincense resin available on the commercial market, and they are priced accordingly.

The determining factors are cut size of the material, aroma, color and country of Origin.

• Very small, granular siftings, typically from Somalia/Ethiopia, carry the lowest price, and the price increases with the size of whole resin tears.
• The most expensive grade is Omani Frankincense , which comes in the following colors: green, white, tan/amber
•  Maydi from Somalia is another high grade of frankincense , which is harvested from Boswellia frereana, native to Somalia’s North.
• Frankincense of Indian origin, Boswellia serrata, is yet another type. It is lower grade, and often incorporated in Ayurvedic recipes

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Frankincense does not grow in cultivation, and is always harvested from isolated, wild plant stands, making this a highly valued, precious botanical raw material.

Frankincense resin is always wild collected, as the tough desert dwelling tree does not thrive under any cultivation.

Demand exceeds supply, which results in over-harvesting the trees.

Please use sparingly and conscientiously.

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When exposed to heat, Frankincense releases an aroma which creates a sacred environment during religious ceremonies. It facilitates meditation as it cleanses the entrance to the spiritual realm, and has been used by many different cultures throughout history.

The warm, balsamic, pleasant aroma of Frankincense is reputed to relieve stress and tension, to repel insects, alleviate depression, and to deodorize a room.

It has been traded in North Africa for over 5000 years.

To burn the sacred incense, fill a fire proof vessel with sand. A metal or soapstone bowl is preferable.

Light a quick-light charcoal tablet by holding it over a candle flame with a pair of tongs. This is best done outside, or in a well ventilated area such an near an open window, as the charcoal is treated with lighter fluid, which exudes fumes during the lightening process.

Once enough amber glow has developed, place  burning charcoal onto sand bed and fan until charcoal is fully light.  A large feather is a traditional fanning tool, but any other fanning method will suffice. Use tongs to place incense onto burning charcoal.

Never leave burning charcoal, resin or candle unattended.  Keep vessel on fire proof surface during the incense burning ritual. Use sand to extinguish the charcoal or burning resin.

Do not throw incense into fireplace/wood burning stove, as the precious, fragrant smoke will escape unnoticed together with the wood smoke. Do not use BBQ charcoal for incense burning.