Frankincense

Frankincense, name applied to various gum resins, containing volatile oils, that diffuse a strong fragrance in burning. Oriental frankincense, also known as olibanum, was esteemed by ancient peoples for use in embalming and as incense and is still the most important incense resin. It is obtained from several Oriental trees that grow in northeastern Africa and Arabia. The hardened, semitransparent yellowish material is still used widely as ceremonial incense. Common frankincense is obtained from the bark of the Norway spruce. When boiled in water and strained, the resin becomes Burgundy pitch, formerly used in making medicinal plasters. See Resins.