Antonio Mcgowan
Frankincense is a type of incense, specifically, an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes. It is obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae. The word frankincense comes from the Old French expression franc encens, meaning 'true incense' or 'high-quality incense'. The term incense, on the other hand, is a broader term that can refer to any material used in making incense, including opoponax, elemi, myrrh, labdanum, calamus, cedars, sandalwoods, and more. While frankincense is a specific type of incense, not all incense contains frankincense.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | Frankincense is a type of incense or incense material. |
| Definition | Incense is a broad term for anything that is used in making incense. |
| Materials | Frankincense is specifically olibanum, an aromatic resin used in incense. |
| Materials | Incense can be made with a variety of materials, including opoponax, elemi, myrrh, labdanum, calamus, cedars, sandalwoods, and more. |
| Fragrance | Frankincense has a distinctive fragrance that can be described as woody, dry, bitter, smoky, or with notes of citrus, mint, eucalyptus, or honey. |
| Fragrance | Incense can have a wide range of fragrances, including vanilla, apple pie, agarwood (oud), and cannabis. |
| Form | Frankincense can be used alone as a resin on a hot plate or ember. |
| Form | Incense can take various forms, including sticks, pastes, balls, cones, fragrant woods soaked in oils, and loose blends of resins. |
| Usage | Frankincense is used in religious ceremonies, perfumes, natural medicines, and essential oils. |
| Usage | Incense is used for creating fragrances, in religious ceremonies, and for aromatherapy. |
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What You'll Learn
Frankincense is a type of incense
Frankincense is also known as olibanum and was one of the gifts given by the Biblical Magi to Jesus at his nativity. It has been used in religious ceremonies, as well as in natural medicines and perfumes. The resin is hand-sorted for quality and is available in various grades, depending on the time of harvesting.
There are around 25 different kinds of frankincense trees that produce resin, and within them, there are different grades and colour variations. The lighter/green resin is the first to come from the tree, while the darker brown to black resin is produced last. The darker resin is usually a result of high moisture and is considered a lower grade, although some types may contain a high rate of essential oil. The lighter resins tend to have a more citrusy scent, while the darker resins are often sweeter, with honey-like notes.
Frankincense is burned as incense, with the resin placed on a hot plate or embers. It can also be used in combination with other resins or woods, or fragrant woods soaked in oils or mixtures.
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Incense is a broad term
Frankincense is just one of the many types of incense available, and it has a distinctive woody and smoky aroma. It has been used for thousands of years in religious ceremonies, medicine, and perfumes. The trees start producing resin when they are about eight to ten years old, and the resin is hand-sorted and graded based on factors such as colour and aroma. Lighter-coloured resins, such as green, are considered higher quality, while darker resins are often lower grade and have a more complex aroma, such as honey or woody notes.
The process of extracting frankincense involves tapping the trees two to three times a year, with the final taps producing the highest-quality resin due to their higher concentration of aromatic compounds. Today, the majority of frankincense comes from the Horn of Africa, specifically the border communities of Somalia and Ethiopia.
Frankincense is also known as olibanum, and it is a key ingredient in many fragrances and incense blends. However, it is important to note that not all incense contains frankincense. There are various other natural resins used, such as myrrh, as well as synthetic fragrances that are burned to produce a pleasant aroma.
In summary, while frankincense is a specific type of incense with a long history and cultural significance, incense is a broader term encompassing a wide range of materials and fragrances that are burned to create a desired scent. The distinction between the two lies in the specificity of frankincense as a standalone ingredient, whereas incense can be made from a multitude of ingredients and fragrances.
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Frankincense is a resin
There are several species of Boswellia that produce true frankincense, including Boswellia sacra (B. bhaw-dajiana, B. carteri), B. frereana, B. serrata (B. thurifera), and B. papyrifera. Resin from each species is available in various grades, depending on the time of harvesting. The English word frankincense is derived from the Old French expression franc encens, meaning 'true incense' or ''high-quality incense'.
Frankincense has a long history of use in various cultures and religions. In ancient Egypt, it was used in the mummification process, while in Persian medicine, it is believed to be beneficial for diabetes, gastritis, and stomach ulcers. In Abrahamic religions, the oil is used to cleanse a house or building of negative energy and is also used in exorcisms and blessings. Frankincense is also mentioned in the Christian Bible as one of the gifts given to Jesus by the Magi.
There are around 25 different kinds of frankincense trees that produce resin, and these resins can vary in colour, grade, and aroma. For example, the Boswellia sacra variety includes green, white/yellow, amber, and brown/black resins, each with its own distinct scent. The different aromas can range from oily-bitter to fruity sweet, to citrusy, minty/eucalyptus, or even varnish notes, often combined with a typical resinous frankincense scent.
In summary, frankincense is a specific type of incense that is derived from the resin of Boswellia trees. It has been valued for its aromatic and therapeutic properties in various cultural and religious traditions throughout history and continues to be an important resin in the modern world.
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Incense can be made from a variety of materials
Frankincense is a type of incense, but not all incense is made of frankincense. The term "incense" can be used to refer to any material that is used to make incense. These materials include opoponax, elemi, myrrh, labdanum, calamus, cedars, sandalwoods, and more. Incense can also be made from fragrant woods soaked in other oils or mixtures.
Frankincense, on the other hand, is specifically olibanum, an aromatic resin used in incense. It is obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae. There are several species of Boswellia that produce true frankincense, including Boswellia sacra, B. frereana, B. serrata (B. thurifera), and B. papyrifera. The resin from each species is available in various grades, depending on the time of harvesting.
The word "frankincense" comes from the Old French expression "franc encens," meaning "true incense" or "high-quality incense." The French adjective "franc" meant "noble" or "true," and the term "frankincense" was used to refer to the quality of incense brought to Western Europe.
The variety of materials used to make incense allows for a wide range of scents. Incense can be made with almost any smell imaginable, from natural fragrances like agarwood (oud) and myrrh to more unusual scents like apple pie and vanilla. The different types of incense materials also produce varying aromas when burned, with some being more smoky or woody in scent.
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Frankincense has therapeutic benefits
Frankincense is a type of incense, specifically an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes. It is obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae. The name "frankincense" refers to the quality of incense brought to Western Europe, derived from the Old French expression "franc encens", meaning "true incense" or "high-quality incense".
Frankincense has been valued for its therapeutic benefits since ancient times. In the mummification process, the Egyptians used frankincense and natron to cleanse body cavities. Persian medicine employs it for diabetes, gastritis, and stomach ulcers. Frankincense is also used in Abrahamic religions to cleanse spaces of negative or evil energy and is burned as a holy offering in religious ceremonies.
The resin portion of frankincense contains valuable therapeutic compounds called Boswellic acids. These acids are not present in the water-soluble gum or essential oil of frankincense. Liberating the resin from the gum portion allows for the full utilization of these beneficial compounds.
There are around 25 different kinds of frankincense trees that produce resin, and they all smell different. The resins vary in colour, grade, and chemical composition, resulting in a range of aromas from oily-bitter to fruity sweet, citrusy, minty, eucalyptus, or varnish notes, often combined with the typical resinous frankincense scent.
The different types of frankincense also offer varying therapeutic benefits. For example, Boswellia dalzielii contains the highest percentage of therapeutic Boswellic acids and AKBA compared to other types. On the other hand, Boswellia frereana, locally called Maydi, has a unique chemical composition, lacking Boswellic acids but still possessing powerful healing and anti-inflammatory properties.
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Frequently asked questions
Frankincense is a type of incense, but not all incense is made of frankincense. The term incense can be used to refer to any material used in making incense, including opoponax, elemi, myrrh, labdanum, calamus, cedars, sandalwoods, and more.
Frankincense is an aromatic resin used in incense and perfumes. It is obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae.
Frankincense has a variety of scents depending on the type. The scent spectrum ranges from oily-bitter to fruity sweet, to citrusy, minty/eucalyptus or camphor notes, to varnish notes, often combined with a typical resinous frankincense scent.
