Boswellia sacra
Frankincense tree
Boswellia sacrra, commonly known as sacred frankincense, is a majestic tree native to the arid landscapes of Oman. Renowned for producing aromatic resin, it has been cherished for centuries in traditional medicine. This potent botanical is highly valued for its powerful anti-inflammatory properties and its ability to support holistic wellness.
- Scientific name: Boswellia sacra
- Family: Burseraceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae, order Sapindales, and family Burseraceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Boswellia, specifically the species Boswellia sacra.
| 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 sacra, is recognized by various regional names across different languages. In Polish, it is called kadzidla Cartera, while in Russian, it is referred to as Ладанное дерево. It is known in French as Arbre à encens and in Croatian as Tamjan, and in Lithuanian, it goes by the name Smilkalinė bosvelija.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pl | kadzidla Cartera | Wikidata |
| ru | Ладанное дерево | Wikidata |
| fr | Arbre à encens | Wikidata |
| hr | Tamjan | Wikidata |
| lt | Smilkalinė bosvelija | Wikidata |
| ar | شجرة اللبان | Wikidata |
| gu | લોબાન | Wikidata |
| cs | kadidlovník pravý | Wikidata |
| ml | ബോസ്വെല്ലിയ സാക്ര | Wikidata |
| ko | 유향나무 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a specific distribution spanning across Northeast Tropical Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. In the African region, its presence is notably documented within Somalia. Moving into the Arabian Peninsula, it can be found throughout the various Gulf States. The species also maintains a significant range within the country of Oman. Finally, its geographical reach extends into the territory of Yemen.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northeast Tropical Africa | Somalia | WCVP |
| Arabian Peninsula | Gulf States | WCVP |
| Arabian Peninsula | Oman | WCVP |
| Arabian Peninsula | Yemen | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Boswellia sacra, is highly valued for the various medicinal components derived from its structure, particularly the exudates produced from its trunk. The most significant part utilized is the oleo-gum resin, which is harvested after making incisions in the bark. This substance is often categorized more broadly as a gum resin or simply as resins, depending on its specific chemical composition and consistency. Within these resins, various bioactive compounds are stored that provide therapeutic benefits. Additionally, certain traditional applications may involve the use of the underbark, which contains concentrated botanical properties, as well as the purified resin extracted directly from the tree's wounded tissue.- Total parts
- 11
- Scientific sources
- 20
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| resin | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| oleo-gum resin | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| resins | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gum resin | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| underbark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| resin exudates of the trunk | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gums | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gum-resin of the trunk | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| essential oil | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| aromatic gums | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Boswellia sacra has 13 reported phytochemicals identified across 14 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include AKBA, 1-octanol, 11-keto-boswellic acid, 3-acetyl-11 keto-boswellic acid, Acetyl acetate.
- Total chemicals
- 13
- Scientific sources
- 14
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| AKBA | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 1-octanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 11-keto-boswellic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| 3-acetyl-11 keto-boswellic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Acetyl acetate | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| KBA | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| alpha-pinene | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| ethanol | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| incensole | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| linalool | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Boswellia sacra has 6 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antidiabetic, Antihyperglycemic, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antibacterial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antidiabetic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antihyperglycemic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Irritant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Boswellia sacra has 29 reported medicinal uses identified across 31 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, oxidative stress, Alzheimer disease, Alzheimer's disease, Aspergillus flavus.
- Total uses
- 29
- Scientific sources
- 31
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| inflammation | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| oxidative stress | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Alzheimer's disease | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aspergillus flavus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aspergillus niger | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Aspergillus ochraceus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Candida albicans | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |