Frankincense
Boswellia carterii
【Overview】
Origin | Somalia
Plant Family | Oleaceae
Plant Aroma | Sweet resinous fragrance, creating a dynamic balance that evokes the sacred woody aroma of ancient history.
Extraction Site | Resin
Extraction Method | Distillation
Preferred sourcing from the warm and dry region of Galgayo, Somalia.
Located in East Africa, Galgayo, Somalia, falls under a subtropical and tropical desert climate with high temperatures and low rainfall throughout the year. Such climatic conditions foster the resilience of the Frankincense grown in this region.
The Frankincense trees in Somalia adapt to the arid environment, exuding milky-white resin from their bark, which emits a fresh and distant aroma akin to the storytelling of a profound sage narrating the depths of history.
【Main Benefits】
◇ Main Components | Monoterpenes
Somali Frankincense contains a substantial amount of monoterpenes, mainly α-pinene, which instantly enhances breathing and has a protective effect on mucous membranes. Another component, α-phellandrene, exhibits excellent anti-inflammatory effects. The high content of various esters can deepen and relax breathing, leading to a sense of calm and harmonious relaxation for the body, mind, and soul. Moreover, Somali Frankincense can help with promoting blood circulation, resolving blood stasis, and has relatively long-lasting effects when applied to the body.
➢ According to data provided by Bowles (2003), the main components of Frankincense include 34.5% α-pinene, 14.6% α-phellandrene, and 14% caryophyllene. All three are monoterpenes and are generally believed to have properties that promote respiratory health and alleviate pain.
【Component Analysis】
1. α-Pinene)
◇ Pharmacokinetics
Numerous studies have shown that α-pinene has anti-inflammatory effects (Gil et al., 1989) and supports respiratory health (bronchodilator) (Falk et al., 1990). Data also suggests that it has a good effect against a wide range of microorganisms (Nissen et al., 2010). Its convincing utility lies in its ability to enhance memory, prevent dementia, and function as an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor, among other effects.
• Benefits: Sedative, anxiety-reducing, tension-relieving, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, analgesic (similar to camphor), skin repair, antibacterial.
• Uses: Aromatherapy, massage oil, skincare.
➢ Comparing the differences between Somali Frankincense and Indian Frankincense.
➢ Frankincense exhibits different effects depending on its origin.
➢ Frankincense products can be categorized into medicinal and non-medicinal types (the latter containing minimal amounts of boswellic acids). The main varieties of medicinal Frankincense are:
1) Boswellia carterii Birdw., distributed in Oman, Yemen, and Somalia.
2) Boswellia sacra Fluck., distributed in Somalia.
3) Boswellia papyrifera (Del) Hochst., distributed in Ethiopia, Sudan, Eritrea, Nigeria, Uganda, Cameroon, and the Central African Republic.
4) Boswellia serrata Roxb., distributed in India. Frankincense is graded based on color, purity, age, aroma, shape, and origin.
➢ Due to its relatively high price, Frankincense may be adulterated with similar resins like copal or storax, along with starch, resulting in fake and inferior products. In a 2012 sampling of 50 Frankincense samples, 23 were found to be counterfeit, with 22 containing rosin acid and 13 containing starch. In a 2017 inspection of Frankincense sold in five different regions (Bozhou, Hangzhou, Chengdu, Shanghai, Chongqing), it was found that all samples were from Ethiopia, meeting the standards, but with varying degrees of adulteration with rosin acid. Though the content of rosin acid in rosin is less than 0.1%, it is slightly toxic and can pose long-term risks to the human body, making the examination of rosin acid in Frankincense necessary.
【Market Applications】
◇ Uses / Characteristics
• Relaxation, pain relief, calming the nervous system, emotional balance.
• Anti-inflammatory, helping with qi circulation, restoring complexion, skincare.
• Facilitating respiratory health, assisting memory enhancement.a
1. Skincare Products
Benefits: Cleansing and antimicrobial, purifying the skin, suitable for inflammation relief, regulating free radicals, and skin aging.
Examples: Facial soaps, cleansing mousses, toners, serums, lotions, skin tonics, creams, eye creams, etc.
2. Body Care Products
Benefits: Antimicrobial, reducing inflammation on sensitive skin, regulating free radicals, and skin aging.
Examples: Shampoos, body washes, etc.
3. Personal Care Products
Benefits: Alleviating inflammation, calming the nervous system, emotional balance, pain relief, anti-depression, providing peace and comfort.
Examples: Massage oils, essential oil sprays, diffusers.
4. Environmental Cleaning Products
Benefits: Inhibiting microbes, cleaning.
Examples: Cleansing sprays, hand soaps, perfume compounds.
【Product Description】
◇ Formula Application / Usage
• Solubility: Lipophilic
• Method of Mixing:
- Add at room temperature, no need for additional heating to avoid prolonged exposure to high temperatures.
- Add the oil phase to the cosmetics for dissolution before emulsification.
◇ Precautions
• Please adjust the usage ratio according to individual skin conditions.
• This product is a raw material, it is recommended to dilute before use.
• Perform a patch test on a small area of skin before using on the face.
• Please use in normal dosages.
Reference｜
1. Kazemian A, et al. Evaluating the efficacy of mixture of Boswellia carterii, Zingiber officinale, and Achillea millefolium on severity of symptoms, anxiety, and depression in irritable bowel syndrome patients. J Res Med Sci. 2017; 22: 120.
2. Yang, H.; Woo, J.; Pae, A.-N.; Um, M.-Y.; Cho, N.-C.; , J.; Lee, C.-J.; Cho, S. (2016). "α-Pinene, a major constituent of pine tree oils, enhances non-rapid eye movement sleep in mice through GABAA-benzodiazepine receptors". Molecular Pharmacology. 90 (5): 530–539.
3. Mahmoudvand, H.; Sheibani, V.; Keshavarz, H.; Shojaee, S.; Esmaeelpour, K.; Ziaali, N. (2016). Journal of Parasitology. 11 (2): 177–185
4. Mohamed, A. A., Ali, S. I., Kabiel, H. F., Hegazy, A. K., Kord, M. A., & EL-Baz, F. K. (2015). Assessment of Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activities of Essential Oil and Extracts of Boswellia carteri Resin. International Journal of Pharmacognosy and Phytochemical Research, 7, 502-509.
5. Potentiating Antidepressant Action of Boswellia Serrata in Acute Models of Depression: A Preclinical Study. January 2013
6. Rafie Hamidpour, Frankincense (Frankincense Rǔ Xiāng; Boswellia Species): From the Selection of Traditional Applications to the Novel Phytotherapy for the Prevention and Treatment of Serious Diseases J Tradit Complement Med. 2013 Oct-Dec; 3(4): 221– 226.
7. Prabhakar Adake 1*, Chandrashekar R 2 , S.N. Rao 3 .Preclinical evaluation of antidepressant activity of Boswellia serrata by Tail Suspension Test. Journal No: 7725 Vol. 2 No. 5 2013.
8. Russo, E. B. (2011). "Taming THC: potential cannabis synergy and phytocannabinoid-terpenoid entourage effects". British Journal of Pharmacology. 163 (7): 1344–1364.
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10. Nissen, L.; Zatta, A.; Stefanini, I.; Grandi, S.; Sgorbati, B.; Biavati, B.; et al. (2010). varieties (Cannabis sativa L.)". Fitoterapia. 81 (5): 413–419.
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13. Kimmatkar N et al. Efficacy and tolerance of Boswellia serrata extract in treatment of osteoarthritis of knee--a randomized double blind placebo controlled trial. Phytomedicine. 2003 Jan;10(1):3-7.
14. Pungle P, et al. Immunomodulatory activity of boswellic acids of Boswellia serrata Roxb. Indian J Exp Biol. 2003 Dec;41(12):1460-2.
15. Gerhardt H. et al. Therapy of active Crohn disease with Boswellia eseratta extract. Z Gastroenterol. 2001; 39: 11-17.
16. Gupta I. et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with ulcerative colitis. Eur J Med Res 1997 Jan; 2(1): 37-43.
17. Gupta I. et al. Effects of Boswellia serrata gum resin in patients with bronchial asthma: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled, 6-week clinical study. Eur J Med Res 1998 Nov 17;3(11): 511-4.
18. Study on the origin of frankincense (Ⅱ). Characters, microscope, TLC and HPLC identification techniques to analyze three kinds of frankincense. Wang Zhao, Sun Lei, Kang Shuai, etc. Chinese Materia Medica 2014, 37(6): 981-984. 19. Commodity survey and quality testing method research of frankincense. Zhong Mingcheng, Rao Weiwen, Xiao Cong. Chinese Modern Applied Pharmacy 2012, 26(5): 409-414. 20. Quality evaluation of frankincense commercially available in 5 different regions and inspection of rosin which is easily adulterated. Zhai Xin, Pang Kejian, Tang Hui, etc. Shi Zhen Guo Yi Guo Yao 2017, 28(8): 1866-1869.
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