Olibanum (rivae) EO Organic
Origin: Ethiopia

• Details and product description

  Introduction:

  Frankincense is a natural oleoresin also called oliban or olibanum.                      The name olibanum comes from the Latin “olium libanum” which means “oil of Lebanon.” The Frankincense or Boswellia tree is a small twisted tree 3 to 6 meters high, which can grow to a height of up to 10 meters. It usually has a very branchy base.        It has alternate, compound, pinnate leaves that grow in clusters at the ends of the branches. It has small white flowers. The inflorescences are long upright axillary clusters. The fruit is a trigonal dehiscent drupe.        The bark has a paper-like appearance and is naturally exfoliating. The deep bark contains secretory canals or ducts of resin.         

  History:

  The very ancient usage of frankincense by the Egyptians is associated with that of myrrh and it is said that the three wise men placed it at the foot of the manger. "From the land of Arabia exhales an odor of a wonderful sweetness. It is the only country which produces frankincense " wrote Herodotus, who was mistaken, because the Pharaohs procured it in Africa, in the land of Punt (today’s Sudan among other countries). Since the domestication of the camel in the 13th century BC, caravans followed “the incense route.” It was burnt to obtain the carbonized resin used to give the distinctive black color around the eyes (Kohl). It was also used in medicine and in religious and funerary rituals. The Old Testament refers to ceremonies where gum was burned, because the inhaled aromas induced slow and regular respiration and gave a feeling of calm enabling the spirit to concentrate better on meditation and prayer. Enormous quantities were consumed for this use: 2.5 tons of gum per year in just the temple of Baal in Babylonia. Cultural significance:                                         It is the most celebrated of all the sacred fragrances in the history of religions and beliefs. Considered as “heavens resin,” it was used to awaken and purify the spirit to make it more open to meditation.

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