resin is collected from the younger trees as they exude the most valuable resin. The trees probably produce the resins as a response to trauma, with the resin acting as a temporary dressing for damaged bark. A single tree may yield several kilograms of resin each year.
India and the Far East have always been the biggest exporters of the resins, and Europeans once referred to frankincense as ‘Indian incense’.
History
Both frankincense and myrrh have been prized by most of the great ancient civilizations around the world. The resin of both of these incenses has been collected for over 5000 years. Frankincense and myrrh were both once ranked along with gold, ivory, spices and textiles as valuable commodities for trade, reflecting the scarcity of these resins.
Both frankincense and myrrh were important resins for use in ceremony, religious and non-religious, as well as for use in medicine, beauty, and to warm and scent the home. The first documented use of these resins is from Egypt where both frankincense and myrrh were used for purification, which was achieved by standing over the burning incense. However, both resins were also used by the Chinese, Hindu, Bantu and Bactrian cultures where the incenses had religious significance.
Egyptian women used frankincense to enhance their beauty. They painted their eyelids with the black kohl made from charred frankincense. This resin was also melted and used as a hair removal product. Combined with other ingredients in a paste, frankincense was used as a perfume. In cold weather, the Egyptians burnt frankincense in a brazier (large metal container) to warm their rooms.
Early Egyptian legend describes frankincense