Why Frankincense And Myrrh Are So Expensive | So Expensive

Frankincense and myrrh are perhaps best known for their biblical connotations. But this tree sap has been prized across the world for over 6,000 years. These fragrant incense pieces come from the Burseraceae family of trees and are found across the Horn of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. But despite recent attempts to protect these trees, they could soon be headed for extinction. So what makes frankincense and myrrh so expensive?

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Why Frankincense And Myrrh Are So Expensive | So Expensive

[some]

The irony in the resin trying to protect itself is the reason for their extinction

[tiffanybaby]

This tree can grow in extraordinary circumstances (such as from a rock) but humans have been unsuccessful in producing it through seedlings? How is that possible? Nature is fickle

[alvinramsey]

I would think that it would be obvious that the trees are not reproducing or dropping seed because they're spending all of their effort in healing from damage versus dropping seed.

[Nghilifa]

We have myrrh here in Namibia, we don't harvest it until the resin detaches from the tree(s) and hit the ground. This way, we don't harm/injure the trees, thus ensuring that we use it sustainably, which we have done for centuries upon centuries. Smells heavenly!

[huarwe]

The best time to plant a tree is 20 years ago the second best time is today.

[astaridjatmiko]

Always. The resources are extinct and the locals are still not wealthy.

[Swagmaster]

There seem to be only three types of expensive items:
1-It's really hard to find/make
2-we killed them all and are still trying to sell it like the bastards we are.
3-We made the whole thing up and people are still buying.

[fuzzytigercat]

You need to mark a certain number of trees and not allow anyone to tap them so they produce seeds. Once enough new trees are produced from those trees, you can switch to a different area to repopulate.

[Automedon]

Killing the goose that lays the golden egg is a timeless story.

[MirabellaSantiagoChe]

How can it produce a new tree, it has to keep healing itself because of the continuous harvesting of its sap. How about you set aside a sample of trees you would not harvest from, and graft your next generation of tree to harvest sap from there?

[TheCaptainLulz]

2:55 - That warehouse has got to be one of the best smelling in the world. All that fresh resin, it would be strong.

[fred]

How does a tree grow out of a rock??!! that's insane...mother nature is truly beautiful

[ShhItsKelli]

“I brought you Frankincense.”
“Thank you.”
“And I brought you…Myrrh…”
“Thank you.”
“Myrrh….DER!!!”
“…! Judas, no!”

[nelenele]

Unbelievable, people don't know when to stop, or to do something, they just keep using it untill it is gone.

[canaan]

I watched this, not to find out why they're so expensive, but to find out what they are. As a kid no one I asked ever knew, and then i had forgot about it by the time the internet became a thing.

[canbiance]

pure and real francisense can literally get you high when burnt at the appropriate temperature. I don't know why nobody else talks about this. Its an amazing euphoric and relaxed feeling that is addicting like you can never get enough. Would love to see someone talk about this

[Onlineintrovert]

I never knew how frankincense was made growing up in a Somali household. It was just something that was just there. Sure the smell and aroma is wonderful but the harms caused to the trees is more important.

[oliverr]

The thumbnail made it look like it was about to be some fire ass bud! 😂🕊

[Hexsyn]

God bless the internet for not only reminding me that I have wondered about this on and off since childhood, but then also giving me a concise and informative answer.

[fivesteph]

I was cycling though Ethiopia in 2019, From Moyale, passed Mega, Gedeo Zone, Hawassa, Shashamane etc.

I could identify the smell of Frankincense everywhere and in every town or village. Though it wasn't called Frankincense it was called Etan. Took forever to figure that out lol.

Ethiopia is so beautiful, and the people are so kind.