Frankincense Frereana, known as Frankincense 'Maydi', the King of Frankincense, grows at higher elevations than its sister species, Boswellia carterii. Our hydrodistilled Frankincense Frereana from Somalia has a very fresh, diffusive, clear, pine-like aroma without any harsh notes, an intense, deep woody/resinous undertone, and a slight citrus/coniferous top note. 

The owners of the company who supply our organic Frankincense Frereana are firmly committed to a mission of sustainable business practices for their harvesting co-op by achieving organic certification and by following fair trade and living wage principles. They also reinvest revenue back into the harvesting community to improve access to drinking water, education, and healthcare. This organic Frereana is a superior Frankincense oil we truly feel good about – both aromatically and philosophically.

Frankincense, along with other prized aromatics, spices, precious stones, rare woods, feathers, animal skins and gold was transported by caravans on the Incense Route and enjoyed a flourishing trade from Yemen and Oman in the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean for nearly 500 years.[1] Egyptians used Frankincense extensively, and the pharaohs believed that burning it allowed them to commune with the gods. Its Arabic name, Olibanum, is derived from al Luban, which means milk, a reference to the milky sap that exudes from the wound in a tree after an incision is made in the bark. This sap serves a purpose for the tree as it seals the incision from the elements; this exudate forms resinified 'tears' from which Frankincense oils are extracted.[2]

Once a rare and precious commodity used for millennia by many religious, shamanistic and secular cultures, Frankincense oil, like Myrrh, offers many different beneficial possibilities. It is especially valued for use in skincare preparations (with Patchouli or Neroli), in diffusers (with Lemon or Pine), for massage (with Palmarosa or Lavender),[3] and in meditation blends (with Sandalwood or Orange). Frankincense is legendary in its traditional and sacred uses and its ability to calm and elevate the spirit. [4, 5]

Each Frankincense oil that we offer is of exceptional quality, possessing unique features and characteristics distinct from one another. From a traditional view, one might choose one of our hydrodistilled Frankincense essential oils, particularly for aromatherapy purposes. However, both of our Frankincense CO2 oils offer the natural botanical perfumer a more complete aromatic profile with higher, brighter top notes and deeper, more complex bottom notes than the distilled Frankincense oils.