Boswellia frereana: 3 Grades of Maydi
Boswellia frereana: 3 Grades of Maydi
This is a collection of the top three grades of the “The King of Frankincenses” coming from Puntland, Somalia.
Boswellia frereana is gathered by harvester clans and is the pride of Somalia. The Coptic church exclusively burns this and due to demand harvests are often sold pre-season to Arabia and Africa as a desired medicine, chewing gum, and incense ingredient. It's not well known in the West. With high oleoresin content and low water solubility, its the choice gum for chewing and blending with alcohol, oils, or waxes. There isn't boswellic acid in this species, but its traditionally used as an antiseptic or anti-inflammatory for urinary tract and gastrointestinal issues.
Grade 1: Mushaad: larger (approx. 1") clearer pieces lacking bark.
Grade 2: Mujarwaal: slightly smaller (approx. 1/2" to 1/4") and often difficult to distinguish from #1 grade.
Grade 3: Fas Kabir: sorted, clean, smaller (approx. 1/4"), darker tones, chewable, and often used in cosmetics.
Burn profile: warm spiced amber notes with honey & light musk.
Boswellia spp.
A brief overview of the frankincense family: There are approximately 20 species of this incense tree & around 12 are commercially valuable. The oleoresin is prized for high boswellic acids & aroma. Uses date back to 1500 BC. The classic species are sourced in the dry season after sections of bark are scarred to induce a gummy weep. Solidified drops, or tears, are often indigenously collected & harvests are regularly sorted by color, shape, & size. Sustainability concerns are at a heightened state due to the age of essential oils & a misunderstanding of the oleoresin properties. Boswellia essential oil is marketed for perfumery & therapeutic properties, but when the resins are distilled health benefits are lost as the boswellic acids are discarded. Often, sustainable resin is what is needed, not essential oil.
Medical Disclaimer: TGH expertise lies in incense making and fragrance. All information provided is solely for educational purposes. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Contraindications may exist. Consult expert medical advice before use. Use at your own risk. Keep away from children & pets.
Recommended Use: Burn these resin tears on top of charcoal that sits inside a dish or traditional burner. It is easiest if you use incense tongs to handle the charcoal. Uses and tools can be found here.
Amounts of resin in photographs have not been weighed & do not reflect amounts that will be received.
