Gum Olibanum (Incense)

Introduction

Gum Olibanum is the dried, gummy exudation obtained from various species of Burseraceae trees. The main species are Boswellia carteri, Boswellia frererana, Boswellia papyrifera and many others. Main producing countries are Somalia, Ethiopia, Southeast Arabia, and India. The Olibanum trade knows three principal origins: Aden/Somalia, Eritrea, and India.

Properties

Gum Olibanum is available in small tears or lumps of white-yellowish or yellow-reddish colour. Gum Olibanum has a slight smell. It is available in different qualities from dust, siftings, peasize, to tears.

A typical composition of Gum Olibanum can be as follows :

Oil content: approx. 5 to 9 % (Composition and chemical characteristics depend on origin)
Resin acids: approx. 13-17 %
Etherunsoluble residue: approx. 20 to 30 % (Polysaccharides)
Ethersoluble residue: approx. 40 to 60 % (Boswellic acid)

Applications

• Incense
• Fumigation agent for religious purposes
• Fixatives
• Chewing gum and others.
• Flavours and fragrances
• Perfumery
• Pharmaceutic: tooth paste, plasters.
• Recent studies have found positive influence of Olibanum on Rheumatism.
  In the classical Indian medicine, Gum Olibanum is used as an anti-inflammatory remedy.

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