Frankincense carterii is a small, deciduous tree native to the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia and Ethiopia, and Yemen, thriving in dry, rocky environments. The essential oil is extracted from the tree’s resin through steam distillation, with the resin harvested by making cuts in the bark, allowing the sap to harden into gum. Known for its rich, woody scent with slightly citrusy and spicy undertones, frankincense has been used for centuries in religious rituals and traditional medicine. It has been traded for over 5,000 years, symbolising purification and divinity, and is perhaps most well-known as being one of the gifts brought to Jesus by the Three Wise Men. The tree grows slowly, can live for 100 years, and is vital to local economies, particularly in Somalia, where it is often referred to as the 'gold of Somalia'.
