Frankincense

About Frankincense

Frankincense, also called olibanum, is the name for aromatic resin from trees of the genus Boswellia and for its scent. In Japanese it is known as nyuko (乳香). The gum-resin exudes from the bark and hardens into small drops often called tears.

Scent Profile

Warm resinous and woody facets can be accompanied by lemony brightness, green nuances and a peppery edge. Essential oil is generally fresher and more citrus-like than the resinoid, offering a different impression from the smoke of burning resin. Some heat-treated materials develop a pronounced warm, leathery character.

Use in Perfumery

Frankincense gives resinous depth to amber and woody compositions and connects with spicy or citrus notes. Perfumers may use an essential oil, a resin extract or a composition suggesting incense smoke. The note name alone does not identify the tree species or extraction method, and not every frankincense fragrance smells strongly smoky.