11 May 2026
tears of the incense tree
In this episode, we follow frankincense, a resin drawn from a small group of Boswellia trees in the Burseraceae family, growing across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. These trees thrive in rocky escarpments and dry Acacia woodlands where survival itself seems improbable, sometimes rooting directly into solid stone. In Ethiopia, one of the most valued species is Boswellia papyrifera, recognized by its flaking aromatic bark, compound leaves with serrated leaflets, and clusters of pale pink-white flowers that bloom before the leaves appear. Frankincense is not gathered passively. Harvesters wound the trunk deeply, forcing the tree to produce a milky sap that hardens into tear-shaped resin, much like a scab forming over human skin. Every stage of harvesting carries its own terminology, with resin collected in cycles over several weeks, beginning with the clearest and purest grades before gradually becoming darker and more bark-infused.
Its history stretches across some of the oldest trade routes in the world. Frankincense and myrrh moved through maritime and caravan networks linking northern Somalia, Ethiopia, Oman, and the Fertile Crescent, forming what became known as the incense trade routes. Some historians consider frankincense among the first substances traded on a near-global scale. Its significance appears repeatedly throughout history, from Ancient Egyptian rituals and embalming practices to the gifts presented to Jesus by the three wise men. The resin was burned to perfume temples, homes, and clothing, while charred forms of aromatic resins were also incorporated into cosmetics such as kohl, the dark eye pigment associated with ancient Egyptian beauty practices. Later, the Roman Catholic Church adopted frankincense extensively in liturgical ceremonies, a practice that continues today.
Across these histories, frankincense moves between ritual, medicine, and commerce. The resin is still burned as incense, while its essential oil is used in perfumes, aromatherapy, and traditional healing practices. In Ethiopia, the resin may be chewed to strengthen gums, ingested for digestive ailments, applied to wounds, or inhaled to ease bronchitis. Many of these uses are tied to boswellic acids, compounds associated with anti-inflammatory effects. Yet the growing global demand for frankincense oil and resin has intensified harvesting beyond sustainable levels. Although some scientists argue the trees should only be tapped a few times annually, harvesting often occurs far more aggressively, leaving the species increasingly vulnerable. As the market for frankincense continues to expand, the balance between economic value and ecological survival grows more fragile.
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