Boswellia papyrifera
Boswellia papyrifera, commonly known as papyrus frankincense, is a majestic tree native to the Horn of Africa. Renowned for its aromatic resin, it has been used for centuries in traditional medicine to combat inflammation, support digestive health, and promote skin healing, making it a vital botanical treasure.
- Scientific name: Boswellia papyrifera
- Family: Burseraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Sapindales, it is classified under the family Burseraceae and the genus Boswellia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Sapindales | WCVP |
| Family | Burseraceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Boswellia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Boswellia papyrifera, is referred to by various common names depending on the language and region. In Amharic, it is called ቀይ እጣን, while in Arabic, it is identified as لبان حبشي and also written as لبان حبشى in Egyptian Arabic. In Chinese, the plant is known as 紙皮乳香樹, and in Simplified Chinese, it is written as 纸皮乳香树.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| am | ቀይ እጣን | Wikidata |
| ar | لبان حبشي | Wikidata |
| zh | 紙皮乳香樹 | Wikidata |
| arz | لبان حبشى | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 纸皮乳香树 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 纸皮乳香树 | Wikidata |
| zh | 蘇丹乳香 | Wikidata |
| ar | طوس | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a diverse distribution across several key regions of the African continent. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted within the borders of Nigeria. Moving into West-Central Tropical Africa, the species can be found in both the Central African Republic and Cameroon. The distribution extends further into Northeast Tropical Africa, where it inhabits the territory of Chad. Finally, its geographical range reaches into Eritrea, marking its presence in the northeastern portion of the continent.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Central African Republic | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Chad | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Eritrea | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Ethiopia | WCVP |
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Sudan-South Sudan | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Uganda | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Boswellia papyrifera, is highly valued for its medicinal properties, which are primarily derived from its specialized exudates. The most significant part used for therapeutic purposes is the oleo-gum resins, which are harvested directly from the tree. These substances are obtained by making incisions in the stem bark, allowing the liquid to seep out and harden. Once collected and processed, this resin serves as the foundational source for various traditional and modern treatments, particularly for its potent anti-inflammatory effects.- Total parts
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| stem bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oleo-gum resins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Resin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Boswellia papyrifera has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 13 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, 3alpha-acetoxy-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, 3alpha-acetoxy-27-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-24-oic acid, beta-Sitosterol, beta-amyrin.
- Total chemicals
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 13
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3alpha-acetoxy-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3alpha-acetoxy-27-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-24-oic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-Sitosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-amyrin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-amyrone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-boswellic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-elemonic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| beta-sitosterol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| boswellic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Boswellia papyrifera has 10 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Madurella mycetomatis, Multiple sclerosis, angiogenesis, eumycetoma, fatigue.
- Total uses
- 10
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Madurella mycetomatis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Multiple sclerosis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| angiogenesis | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| eumycetoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fatigue | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| functional performance | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| mycetoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| nocturia | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| scotoma | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tremor | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |