Where Frankincense Grows – Oman & Puntland

Most of us have not seen a frankincense tree. We described in a previous blog, “Exotic Frankincense from Puntland,” how Lotus Spring frankincense is harvested, sorted, shipped, and distilled. We also blogged on “Where your Frankincense Grows – India, Ethiopia & Puntland”. Let’s focus our attention on some very intriguing species of frankincense gum-resins.

These prized frankincense trees grow wild in the coastal mountains that receive the summer monsoon rains in southwestern Oman and northeastern Yemen. Harvests of the gum-resin are performed by local Shahra and Mahra tribesmen who have maintained these harvest rights for 5000 years.

Only about 100 tons of gum-resin are collected each year. Export sales of the gum-resin and essential oil of Oman frankincense are closely controlled by the Sultanate government in order to ensure quality and purity. This is accomplished with a strict ban on import sales of other frankincense gum-resins.

Many companies sell Boswellia carterii essential oil “from Oman”. The reason is that if they market it “from Oman” then it is more valuable (they can charge you more). There is only one species of frankincense that grows in Oman – Boswellia sacra. Trust the companies that show you their distillery operation in Oman.

As described before, the carterii trees grow wild in the upper hills of Puntland. The region is called Puntland because the ancient Egyptians called frankincense “punt” over 5000 years ago. Today about 1900 tons of Boswellia carterii frankincense gum-resin is harvested each year.

We chose Puntland frankincense because we can be certain of its single-species identity from harvest, camel caravan, sorting, labeling, shipping, and hydro-distillation. You will agree that Lotus Spring frankincense essential oil has a premium, natural aroma. That’s part of our Earth Natural™ pledge of quality.