Frankincense trees in Oman (Wikipedia)

Frankincense comes from a small, scraggy tree native to Africa and the Middle East. The Latin name for the tree, boswellia carterii or boswellia thurifera, is also used for the resin and the oil.

Frankincense trees are extremely hardy and often grow in very inhospitable environments. The trees have very deep roots and are capable of growing on bare stone to which they attach themselves by means of a sucker-like 'foot'. They often have to withstand violent desert storms.

Trees growing in the harshest environments often produce the highest quality resin. Soil and climate also influence resin quality.

There are many varieties of Frankincense tree, each producing a slightly different type of resin.

'Tears' of Frankincense resin (Wikipedia)

An incision is made in the bark allowing the resin to seep out. It then hardens into lumps called 'tears'.

The essential oil is produced by steam distillation of the dried resin.

It is also know as olibanum, which may be derived from 'oil of Lebanon', where a great deal of the resin and oil was traded.

Absolute Aromas Frankincense Essential Oil is distilled in France from top quality resin. Oils distilled in Europe are often of better qualilty than oils distilled where the resin originates.

Frankincense is the most prized of essential oils in many diverse cultures.