Many Westeners are with frankincense through the Christmas story of the Three Wise Men.
The Boswellia sacra is to people by its common name, frankincense. The tree played a significant biblical role as well, most notably as an offering given by one of the Three Wise Men. Frankincense continues to be used today for both its aromatic sap and traditional medicinal proprieties, although growing one in the United States can be quite challenging.
Appearance
Although technically a tree, the Boswellia sacra is low-growing and shrub-like. Specimens top out at 25 feet, although most grow no taller than 6 feet to 10 feet. What they lack in height they make up for with a bushy and top-heavy growth, similar to acacias and other plants of the African savanna. The bark is pale and filmy, not unlike the skin of a ginger root, while the leaves are a flat green that gradually turns yellow with exposure to heat and drought.
Habitat
The Boswellia sacra is native to North Africa and the Middle East, and because of this, it is notably drought-resistant and heat-loving. This makes frankincense ideal for the American Southwest, particularly areas such as Arizona and West Texas. By the same token, it struggles in cooler regions and will have trouble growing in places such as Maine. If planted in a pot and kept at a regular temperature indoors, the Boswellia sacra can survive in northern climes, though you must keep it near a window with day-long exposure to sunlight, as this desert survivor needs ample light to grow and propagate.
Medicinal and Spiritual Use
Ancient Israelis harvested frankincense sap and converted it to incense for prayer services. It was used as a spiritual offering, and plays a prominent role in the biblical story of the Three Wise Men. Other cultures used it primarily for medicinal purposes, and for the ancient Egyptians, it was a prized anti-inflammatory. Placing frankincense on an infection was believed to stimulate the body's natural defenses and promote healing. Today, these claims are partially backed up by research, although more rigorous studies have yet to be undertaken. In addition to its anti-inflammatory properties, researchers have begun to consider Boswellia sacra for asthma treatment and even the alleviation of some cancer symptoms.
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