295. Olibanum.—Frankincense.
Botanical name:
295. OLIBANUM.—FRANKINCENSE. A gum-resin exuding from incisions into the bark of Boswel'lia carte'rii Birdwood. Habitat: Eastern Africa and Southern Arabia. In tears of various shapes, generally rounded; yellowish or pale brown, thickly covered with a white dust; fracture dull, waxy, pale yellowish or reddish; softens when chewed; odor agreeably aromatic, stronger on heating; taste terebinthinate, somewhat bitter, but not unpleasant. Contains a volatile oil, a gum resembling gum arabic, and a resin, forming with water a pure white emulsion. Rarely used medicinally; mostly used for fragrant fumigations and pastilles, and as an altar incense.
