What Is Frankincense Made From?
What is Frankincense? Frankincense is a dried resin (tree sap) with a natural aroma that comes from trees in the Boswellia genus. Trees that produce frankincense are common in northeastern Africa, such as Somalia, and tend to be small and scraggly but able to endure in tough terrain. Frankincense occurs naturally as the trees age and produce resin. When resin bleeds out of the tree, it eventually hardens, often in a teardrop shape. Frankincense is produced by trees of different species, and even by trees in different regions or physical conditions can vary significantly in color and aroma. The quality and value of frankincense is determined largely by its fragrance and color. Obtaining Frankincense While frankincense occurs naturally and may be collected in its natural form, its value has caused humans to seek other ways to make trees produce it in greater quantities. Typically, a tree will be tapped by scraping the bark, which allows larger amounts of the resin to bleed from the tree
