Exotic Frankincense from Puntland

Frankincense tree resin was used historically by kings, queens, emperors, pharaohs, and princes. Over 5000 years ago the Egyptians used frankincense resin to embalm their royalty. The ancient Israelites, Mesopotamians, Syrians, Greeks, Persians, and Romans prized frankincense resin for their homes, communities, and religions. The resin was used for its exotic aroma – an aroma that refreshes the spirit and calms the mind. It was transported to these empires by donkey or camel caravans and also by ships on the ocean from a land known as Puntland.

Frankincense resin comes from the northern independent regions of Somalia known as Puntland and Somaliland. It is collected as a semi-hardened pitch or gum-resin flowing from frankincense trees of the species Boswellia carterii. Today, the tribes of Puntland and Somaliland collect frankincense resin twice each year, yielding about 1 kg (roughly 2 lbs.) per tree. The tribesmen mildly score the tree bark then return every two weeks to collect the resin.

Camel caravans are used to carry the large sacks of dried frankincense resin down from the mountains to the coastal sorting warehouses. Tribeswomen sort out any residual bark from the gum-resin before placing them in clean sacks for transportation. The sacks are labeled with the correct single species: Boswellia carterii. The sacks are then shipped to the distillery.

Frankincense essential oil is distilled from the gum-resin using a process known as hydro-distillation. This is a method of mildly boiling the frankincense gum-resin in hot water to release the natural frankincense essential oil. In the process the frankincense essential oil vapors and steam are directed to cooling condensers that convert them into liquid frankincense essential oil and liquid water.

We don’t alter or dilute our frankincense essential oil. It frankincense doesn’t contain vegetable oils, petroleum oils, or fragrance chemicals. Ours frankincense is single-species (Boswellia carterii), not a mixture of 2 or 3 species.

We focus on supplying only the best quality essential oils available. We are confident you’ll find our 100% pure Earth Natural™ frankincense essential oil very relaxing and pleasing!