Gum Olibanum (Boswellia)
Origin: Somalia, Ethiopia & OmanCrezantium: a leading exporter of Gum Olibanum from Somalia, Ethiopia & Oman. We supply bulk frankincense resin — from premium maydi (Boswellia frereana) tears to mixed-grade olibanum — to incense makers, perfumers and essential-oil distillers worldwide, sourced directly from harvest regions.
What Is Gum Olibanum?
Gum Olibanum is the aromatic resin of Boswellia trees. When the bark is tapped, the tree exudes a milky sap that hardens into translucent, amber-coloured "tears" — the frankincense of ancient trade routes, burned as incense for thousands of years. Grades vary by species, tear size and oil content: Somali maydi (Boswellia frereana) is the most prized, while Boswellia sacra and B. carterii supply the classic incense and distillation grades. Crezantium sources ours directly from harvest regions in Somalia, Ethiopia & Oman.
| Name | Common In |
|---|---|
| Olibanum | Trade & pharmaceutical name |
| Frankincense | English |
| Luban | Arabic / Somali |
| Boswellia resin | Botanical name |
Where It's Used
Perfumery & Incense — primary use
Olibanum's main use by volume: a fixative and base note in fine perfumery, and the classic raw material for incense, where its balsamic, citrus-resin aroma has been valued for millennia.
Essential Oils & Aromatherapy
Steam-distilled into frankincense essential oil for aromatherapy, skincare blends and natural fragrance.
Traditional Medicine
A staple of Ayurvedic, Unani and Middle Eastern herbal practice, with Boswellia extracts also used in modern joint-health supplements.
Religious & Ceremonial
Burned in churches, mosques and temples worldwide, and in the resin markets of the Gulf, where luban remains part of daily hospitality.
Buyer FAQ
None — they are the same resin. Olibanum is the trade and pharmaceutical name, frankincense the everyday English name, and luban the name used across the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa. All refer to the aromatic gum resin of Boswellia trees.
We export Somali and Ethiopian grades, from premium maydi (Boswellia frereana) tears to Boswellia sacra and mixed-grade olibanum, sorted by tear size, colour and oil content. Tell us your specification and we will match the right grade.
Its primary uses are as a fixative and base note in fine perfumery and as raw material for incense. The resin is also steam-distilled into frankincense essential oil for aromatherapy, and is used in traditional medicine across Africa, the Middle East and Asia.
Order quantity, destination country and preferred packaging help us respond with accurate pricing and lead times faster.
