Frankincense resin, also known as olibanum, is an aromatic gum-resin exuded from trees of the Boswellia genus, particularly Boswellia sacra and Boswellia serrata. It is harvested by making small incisions in the bark, allowing the sap to flow out and harden into teardrop shapes. Dating back to at least 1500 BC, ancient civilizations like Egypt utilized it in religious rituals and for medicinal purposes. The resin is valued for its complex chemical composition, which includes volatile essential oils, water-soluble gum, and triterpenoid compounds like boswellic acids.
Selecting and Preparing Raw Resin
The quality of frankincense resin is determined by its species, harvest method, and grading, which involves sorting by color, size, and clarity. High-quality resin, such as Omani Hojari from Boswellia sacra, is prized for its pale, translucent appearance, often described as silver or white. These higher grades offer a cleaner, sweeter, and more complex aromatic profile featuring citrus and pine notes. Before use, inspect the raw resin tears for residual tree bark or debris, which must be carefully removed.
The preparation method depends on the intended use. For topical infusions, the hard resin must be broken down. Freezing the tears overnight makes the resin brittle and easier to crush into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or a dedicated grinder. For burning, the tears can be left as small, pea-sized chunks to allow the aroma to release slowly when heated.
Methods for Aromatic Use
Charcoal Burning
A traditional method for releasing the resin’s full, intense fragrance involves using a quick-lighting charcoal tablet in a heat-safe censer. Hold the charcoal disk with tongs and light it until it sparks and glows red, then place it in the censer, preferably on a bed of sand or ash to insulate the heat. Once the charcoal is covered in a thin layer of white ash, place a small piece of resin, about the size of a grain of rice, directly on the surface. This high-heat method burns the resin, releasing a rich, smoky, and potent aroma that quickly fills a larger space.
Electric Burner
For a more controlled and subtle aromatic experience, an electric incense burner offers a cleaner, smoke-free alternative. These devices allow for temperature regulation, which is important because the volatile oils are released at a lower temperature than the gum portion of the resin. Start the burner on a low to medium setting, around 113°C (235°F), to gently warm the resin without scorching it. This lower-temperature heating process coaxes out the resin’s nuanced fragrance over a longer period, preventing the acrid, charred smell that occurs when the gum is burned too rapidly.
Preparing Topical Applications
To create a topical product that capitalizes on non-volatile compounds like boswellic acids, the resin must be infused into a carrier oil. These beneficial acids are oil-soluble and are not present in frankincense essential oil, making the resin infusion valuable for skin and muscle applications. Begin by finely grinding the prepared frankincense tears into a powder to maximize the surface area for extraction. A common ratio is one part resin powder to two to three parts carrier oil by weight, using stable oils like jojoba or fractionated coconut oil.
The infusion is best achieved using a slow, gentle heat method, such as a double boiler or a crockpot set on low for 3 to 24 hours. This steady warmth dissolves the resin components into the oil without degrading the compounds. After heating, allow the mixture to cool and rest for at least 24 hours, which lets any undissolved sediment settle. The final step involves straining the oil through a fine-mesh filter, such as a coffee filter or cheesecloth, to achieve a clear, ready-to-use infused oil.
Internal Consumption Guidelines
Frankincense resin can be consumed internally, but it is imperative to use only high-grade, food-safe resin and exercise caution. One straightforward method involves chewing a small piece of the raw resin tear, roughly the size of a chickpea, similar to chewing gum. This traditional process releases the resin’s compounds, though the taste is often bitter.
Alternatively, create a water-based extract by crushing a small amount of the tears and allowing them to soak in water overnight. This water, containing beneficial compounds, can then be consumed, sometimes with honey or lemon to improve the flavor. Certain species, such as Boswellia carterii and Boswellia serrata, contain compounds that may act as blood thinners. Due to the potential for drug interactions, consultation with a healthcare professional before consuming frankincense resin is a mandatory precaution.