Essential Nose Frankincense Carterii
Boswellia carterii
Boswellia carterii is the most commercially traded frankincense species, sourced primarily from Somalia and Ethiopia, and its essential oil displays pronounced chemical variability — GC-MS analysis has identified at least three distinct chemotypes including an alpha-pinene-rich, an alpha-thujene-rich, and a methoxydecane-rich form depending on harvest location and conditions.[1] The oil's warm, balsamic aroma with a bright citrusy top note comes from a complex of monoterpenes alongside octyl acetate, and it retains incensole acetate among its minor constituents, linking it to the anxiolytic activity documented for the Boswellia genus.[2]
- Also Known As
- Olibanum, East African Frankincense, Somali Frankincense
- Family
- Resinous
- Perfumery Note
- Base
- Intensity
- Medium
- Extraction
- Steam Distillation
- Plant Parts
- Resin
- Origins
- Somalia, Oman, Ethiopia
- Effect
- Calming & Relaxing, Grounding & Centering
- Aroma
- Woody, Balsamic, Earthy
- Applications
- Aromatherapy, Perfumery, Skincare, Medicinal, Massage
- Price
- $$$$Wild-tapped from Boswellia carterii trees across Somalia and Ethiopia; the most widely traded frankincense species, keeping price moderate despite the entirely manual resin harvest
References
- [1]Chemical Variation in Essential Oils from the Oleo-gum Resin of Boswellia carteri: A Preliminary Investigation — DeCarlo A et al. Chemistry & Biodiversity, 2018
- [2]Incensole acetate, an incense component, elicits psychoactivity by activating TRPV3 channels in the brain — Moussaieff A et al. FASEB Journal, 2008