Boswellia
Encyclopedia
Boswellia is a genus
of tree
s known for their fragrant resin
which has many pharmacological uses particularly as anti-inflammatories
. The Biblical
incense
frankincense
was probably an extract from the resin of the tree, Boswellia sacra
.
There are four main species
of Boswellia which produce true frankincense and each type of resin is available in various grades. The grades depend on the time of harvest
ing, and the resin is hand sorted for quality.
s that are a component of the resin
it produces have shown some promise as a treatment for asthma
and various inflammatory
conditions In West Africa
, the bark
of Boswellia dalzielii is used to treat fever
, rheumatism
and gastrointestinal problems. Boswellia incense may even relieve depression.
Genus
In biology, a genus is a low-level taxonomic rank used in the biological classification of living and fossil organisms, which is an example of definition by genus and differentia...
of tree
Tree
A tree is a perennial woody plant. It is most often defined as a woody plant that has many secondary branches supported clear of the ground on a single main stem or trunk with clear apical dominance. A minimum height specification at maturity is cited by some authors, varying from 3 m to...
s known for their fragrant resin
Resin
Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...
which has many pharmacological uses particularly as anti-inflammatories
Anti-inflammatory
Anti-inflammatory refers to the property of a substance or treatment that reduces inflammation. Anti-inflammatory drugs make up about half of analgesics, remedying pain by reducing inflammation as opposed to opioids, which affect the central nervous system....
. The Biblical
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
incense
Incense
Incense is composed of aromatic biotic materials, which release fragrant smoke when burned. The term "incense" refers to the substance itself, rather than to the odor that it produces. It is used in religious ceremonies, ritual purification, aromatherapy, meditation, for creating a mood, and for...
frankincense
Frankincense
Frankincense, also called olibanum , is an aromatic resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia, particularly Boswellia sacra, B. carteri, B. thurifera, B. frereana, and B. bhaw-dajiana...
was probably an extract from the resin of the tree, Boswellia sacra
Boswellia sacra
Boswellia sacra is a tree in the Burseraceae family. It is the primary tree in the genus Boswellia from which frankincense, a resinous dried sap, is derived. Some literature identifies B. sacra as growing in Oman and Yemen, and B. carterii as growing in Somalia. The latest scientific opinion is...
.
There are four main species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of Boswellia which produce true frankincense and each type of resin is available in various grades. The grades depend on the time of harvest
Harvest
Harvest is the process of gathering mature crops from the fields. Reaping is the cutting of grain or pulse for harvest, typically using a scythe, sickle, or reaper...
ing, and the resin is hand sorted for quality.
Medicinal uses
Boswellia has long been used in Ayurvedic medicine. Recently, the boswellic acidBoswellic acid
Boswellic acids are a series of pentacyclic triterpene molecules that are produced by plants in the genus Boswellia. Like many other terpenes, boswellic acids appear in the resin of the plant that exudes them; it is estimated that they make up 30% of the resin of Boswellia serrata.-Structure:The...
s that are a component of the resin
Resin
Resin in the most specific use of the term is a hydrocarbon secretion of many plants, particularly coniferous trees. Resins are valued for their chemical properties and associated uses, such as the production of varnishes, adhesives, and food glazing agents; as an important source of raw materials...
it produces have shown some promise as a treatment for asthma
Asthma
Asthma is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath...
and various inflammatory
Inflammation
Inflammation is part of the complex biological response of vascular tissues to harmful stimuli, such as pathogens, damaged cells, or irritants. Inflammation is a protective attempt by the organism to remove the injurious stimuli and to initiate the healing process...
conditions In West Africa
West Africa
West Africa or Western Africa is the westernmost region of the African continent. Geopolitically, the UN definition of Western Africa includes the following 16 countries and an area of approximately 5 million square km:-Flags of West Africa:...
, the bark
Bark
Bark is the outermost layers of stems and roots of woody plants. Plants with bark include trees, woody vines and shrubs. Bark refers to all the tissues outside of the vascular cambium and is a nontechnical term. It overlays the wood and consists of the inner bark and the outer bark. The inner...
of Boswellia dalzielii is used to treat fever
Fever
Fever is a common medical sign characterized by an elevation of temperature above the normal range of due to an increase in the body temperature regulatory set-point. This increase in set-point triggers increased muscle tone and shivering.As a person's temperature increases, there is, in...
, rheumatism
Rheumatism
Rheumatism or rheumatic disorder is a non-specific term for medical problems affecting the joints and connective tissue. The study of, and therapeutic interventions in, such disorders is called rheumatology.-Terminology:...
and gastrointestinal problems. Boswellia incense may even relieve depression.
Species
- Boswellia ameeroBoswellia ameeroBoswellia ameero is a species of plant in the Burseraceae family. It is endemic to Yemen. Its natural habitat is subtropical or tropical dry forests.-References:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 August 2007....
- Boswellia bullataBoswellia bullataBoswellia bullata is a species of plant in the Burseraceae family. It is endemic to Yemen. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and rocky areas.-References:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 August 2007....
- Boswellia dalzielii
- Boswellia dioscoridesBoswellia dioscoridesBoswellia dioscorides is a species of plant in the Burseraceae family. It is endemic to Yemen. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and rocky areas.-References:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 August 2007....
- Boswellia elongataBoswellia elongataBoswellia elongata is a species of plant in the Burseraceae family. It is endemic to Yemen. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...
- Boswellia frereanaBoswellia frereanaBoswellia frereana is native to northern Somalia where the locals call it "Maydi" or the king of all frankincense. It is also known as the Yigaar tree and by the common name for all frankincense, Luban. It is reported to be cultivated in Yemen , but this could be based on an 1870 record by...
Birdw. - Boswellia nanaBoswellia nanaBoswellia nana is a species of plant in the Burseraceae family endemic to Yemen's Soqotra Island. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and rocky areas.-References:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 August 2007....
- Boswellia neglecta S. Moore
- Boswellia ogadensisBoswellia ogadensisBoswellia ogadensis is a species of plant in the Burseraceae family. It is endemic to Ethiopia.-References:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 20 August 2007....
- Boswellia pirottaeBoswellia pirottaeBoswellia pirottae is a species of plant in the Burseraceae family. It is endemic to Ethiopia. It is threatened by habitat loss.-Source:* World Conservation Monitoring Centre 1998. . Downloaded on 20 August 2007....
- Boswellia papyriferaBoswellia papyriferaBoswellia papyrifera is a species of flowering plant that is native to Ethiopia, Eritrea and Sudan.-References:Information presented at the Tropentag 2002 on [Boswellia papyrifera] in Ethiopia...
- Boswellia popovianaBoswellia popovianaBoswellia popoviana is a species of plant in the Burseraceae family.-References:* Miller, A. 2004. . Downloaded on 20 August 2007....
- Boswellia rivae
- Boswellia sacraBoswellia sacraBoswellia sacra is a tree in the Burseraceae family. It is the primary tree in the genus Boswellia from which frankincense, a resinous dried sap, is derived. Some literature identifies B. sacra as growing in Oman and Yemen, and B. carterii as growing in Somalia. The latest scientific opinion is...
Flueck. syn. Boswellia carteri Birdw. - Boswellia serrataBoswellia serrataBoswellia serrata is Indian frankincense or Salai. It is found in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh & Andhara Pradesh in India.- Medical usage :...
Roxb. ex Colebr. - Boswellia socotranaBoswellia socotranaBoswellia socotrana is a species of plant in the Burseraceae family. It is endemic to Socotra, Yemen. Its natural habitats are subtropical or tropical dry forests and subtropical or tropical dry shrubland.-References:...
Balf. f.