10/17/2025
PHYTOCHEMICAL PHRIDAY!! FRANKINCENSE
This topic blurrs the lines between Phytochemistry Phriday and (history of) Therapy Thursday. Since we missed yesterday, this seems appropriate.
"Frankincense is nature’s fragrant gift, a resin born from the bark of ancient Boswellia trees that has carried the whispers of temples, sacred rituals, and healing hands for thousands of years. Its golden tears hold stories of devotion, medicine, and magic, bridging the sacred and the everyday across centuries and species." (see, I can use chatgpt, too)
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B. sacra – The Ancient Temple Resin
This is the classic “frankincense” of the Arabian Peninsula. Ancient Egyptians burned it in temples and used it in embalming rituals as early as 3000 BCE. The Middle East valued it as a spiritual gift, and it shows up in biblical accounts as a gift for kings. Humans prized it for its smoke, fragrance, and “purifying” effects. Modern research shows it contains aromatic terpenes and anti-inflammatory compounds—but back then, it was mostly sacred and symbolic. Wildlife like Arabian primates have been seen chewing it occasionally, probably for flavor, but humans definitely got first dibs.
B. carterii – The Smelly but Sacred Cousin
Closely related to B. sacra, B. carterii comes from Somalia and nearby regions. Its history mirrors B. sacra: burned for religious rituals and valued in trade. It was often exported alongside other resins across the Red Sea and into Europe, and later into modern aromatherapy. Not much evidence of use in animals—humans have dominated this one.
B. serrata – India’s Medicinal Marvel
This Indian frankincense has a long history in Ayurveda, dating back over 2,000 years. Known as “Salai” in traditional texts, it was used for arthritis, swelling, respiratory issues, and digestive health. Fast forward to today, and B. serrata is the go-to species for veterinary use. Horses get it for joints and tendons, dogs and cats for arthritis, and livestock sometimes get small doses for inflammation. Its anti-inflammatory triterpenoids are the reason modern science is so interested in it.
B. papyrifera – The African Trader
Native to Ethiopia and parts of East Africa, this species was traded across Africa and the Middle East for centuries. Humans burned it, chewed it for minor oral and digestive benefits, and exported it for religious ceremonies. Not widely used in veterinary contexts, but its chemical makeup is somewhere between B. serrata and B. sacra, so it’s sometimes included in modern herbal formulations.
B. frereana – The Rare “King of Frankincense”
Found in northern Somalia, this resin was historically valued for its quality and light aroma. Humans used it primarily in ceremonies and as high-end trade resin. Because it’s rare, it hasn’t really made it into veterinary or modern medicinal use, though anecdotal reports mention occasional livestock or primates chewing it.
