WHAT IS FRANKINCENSE?

Natural ingredient for perfumery overview

Frankincense is obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia (family Burseraceae), particularly from the species B. frereana, B. sacra, B. papyrifera, and B. serrata.

Olibanum is a natural oleo-gum-resin. It is formed as a physiological liquid product in the bark of various Boswellia species. These are small trees originating in the mountainous areas of western India, southern Arabia and northeastern Africa. The trees are not cultivated, and collection of the olibanum is made where the trees are most abundant, i.e. Somaliland and Somalia, rarely in south Arabia (near the limestone mountains of Fartak). At least four different species of Boswellia are recognized as parent plants of the commercial Olibanum. (S. Arctander)

Olfactive description

Its odor is strongly diffusive, fresh-terpeney, almost green-lemon-like or reminiscent of green, unripe apples (peel), but not terebinthinate. A certain pepperiness is mellowed with a rich, sweet-woody, balsamic undertone. Depending upon the method of distillation of the oil (time, vapor pressure, etc.) the odor is more or less tenacious with an almost cistus-like, ambre-type, balsamic dryout note. (S. Arctander)

Where it grows

These are small trees originating in the mountainous areas of western India, southern Arabia and northeastern Africa. The trees are not cultivated, and collection of the olibanum is made where the trees are most abundant, i.e. Somaliland and Somalia, rarely in south Arabia (near the limestone mountains of Fartak). At least four different species of Boswellia are recognized as parent plants of the commercial Olibanum. (S. Arctander)

Method of extraction

An essential oil is obtained in a good yield by steam distillation of the crude botanical material (see Olibanum). The oil is distilled exclusively in Europe and the U.S.A., occasionally in India for local use. No oil is produced in the countries of origin of the botanical material (except the Indian production). (S. Arctander)

The sample provided has beed distilled in Turkey, and has been submitted for analysis from Goymen Oil.

How or when to use it

Olibanum Oil is used in fine perfumery, it gives delightful effects in citrus colognes where it modifies the sweetness of bergamot and orange oils. A similar effect is obtained in the rather difficult “fresh” perfume notes such as verbena, citrus, etc. where olibanum and citral form useful bases for further modifying work. Olibanum oil in itself is a base for all the “incense” or “olibanum” type perfumes and specialties, and it is an important ingredient in many Oriental bases, ambres, “powder” type perfumes, floral perfumes, citrus colognes, spice blends, violet perfumes, “men’s fragrances”, etc. (S. Arctander)

Appearance

[oil] mobile liquid, pale yellow or pale amber-greenish in color.

Britannica, T. Editors of Encyclopaedia (2020, January 14). Frankincense. Encyclopedia Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/frankincense
Perfume and flavor chemicals, S. Arctander, Denmark 1969.

FRANKINCENSE OIL