The Pricey Fragrance: The Story of Frankincense and Myrrh

🌲Frankincense and myrrh come from the bursaraceae family of trees and have been valued for their aromatic sap for thousands of years.

💰The high price of frankincense and myrrh is due to their limited availability and the labor-intensive process of harvesting and extracting the resin.

🔥Environmental dangers like wildfires and unregulated harvesting practices pose a significant threat to the survival of frankincense and myrrh trees.

🌍The incense trade routes, dating back to 300 BC, played a crucial role in the transportation of frankincense and myrrh across the Mediterranean.

💼In addition to their religious and historical significance, frankincense and myrrh have gained popularity as essential oils, contributing to their economic value.

What are frankincense and myrrh?

—Frankincense and myrrh are aromatic resins derived from specific species of trees known as boswellia and comethora.

Why are frankincense and myrrh so expensive?

—The high cost of frankincense and myrrh can be attributed to their limited availability and the laborious process of tapping the trees and collecting the resin.

What are the main uses of frankincense and myrrh?

—Frankincense and myrrh have been traditionally used as incense in religious ceremonies. They are also sought after for their medicinal properties and as ingredients in perfumes and skincare products.

How are frankincense and myrrh harvested?

—Frankincense and myrrh are harvested by making incisions or taps in the bark of the trees, allowing the resin to ooze out. The resin is then collected and dried before being processed for various uses.

What are the conservation challenges facing frankincense and myrrh trees?

—Frankincense and myrrh trees face environmental dangers such as wildfires and the risk of over-harvesting. Inadequate regulations and enforcement further contribute to the threats faced by these tree species.

00:02Frankincense and myrrh have been valued for over 6,000 years, known for their biblical connotations.

01:26The process of extracting frankincense and myrrh involves making incisions in the bark of the trees, allowing the resin to be collected.

02:36Frankincense is graded based on its quality, with first grade A being clear white resin without impurities.

03:38The Roman Catholic Church alone uses an estimated 50 metric tons of frankincense annually.

04:18Frankincense essential oil alone generated more than $190 million in 2018, with its popularity expected to rise.

04:28Frankincense trees are categorized as near threatened, with the lack of regulations making their conservation challenging.

05:25The over-harvesting and damaging tapping process of frankincense trees pose a serious threat to their sustainability.

06:04The conservation of frankincense and myrrh trees is crucial to protect these ancient fragrances from extinction.