Ancient Medicinal Tree you Should be Growing | Frankincense

Boswellia sacra is a small tree that grows up to 20 feet tall, distinguished by peeling, papery bark prized throughout history for aromatic resin that exudes when the bark is cut. It is native to Ethiopia and Somalia in eastern Africa and to Oman and Yemen on the Arabian Peninsula. Natural frankincense forests are in decline due to over-tapping and are of near-threatened status.

While it grows best in warm frost-free climates, frankincense can be grown anywhere in containers and brought inside to protect it from freezing temperatures.
Frankincense has been used for thousands of years as a source of incense. Its value as incense and healing properties (most notably anti-inflammatory) have contributed to the demand for the resin. Coupled with its limited availability, frankincense resin commands high prices.

It is rare to find frankincense trees outside of their native climate; however, I have been growing the sacred frankincense variety, Boswellia sacra, over the past 10+ years. I also grow b. neglecta in my central Arizona backyard in the US near Phoenix in zone 9B.

This video goes through the history of frankincense, its uses, how the resin is extracted, how to grow the plant, how it is propagated, and seeing 4 examples. I highly encourage growing this amazing plant no matter where in the world you live to reap its health benefits, enjoy its rich history, and help prevent this plant from becoming extinct.

[LemmingsRun]

Nice. So nice to be able to grow your own. I use frankencense resin ( purchased) in tictures and salves and in a DMSO tincture topically for arthric joint pain.

[joekunin]

very cool! I've been wanting to grow one of these, in zone 9a. A sacred tree indeed.

[edibletropicaltrees]

Thanks for all the good information. I have one Boswellia Sacra Frankincense Tree I'm growing. Just started growing this tree a little over a year ago.

[shashakeeleh]

OMG, how magnificent! I don't see how it's possible to grow them in humid conditions. I live just north of Houston in 8B and we're more humid than Florida. I have my native figs in pots and have a pretty good draining soil. They're not nearly the number of figs you have, but I love them. If you decide to sell seeds and make a video on how to start them, I'm in!

[thegrstm]

Interesting video…always interested in medicinals… like fungi they contain terpenoids… I take Boswellia in conjunction with Turmeric to help with joint inflammation…
Hope you had good harvests…
🍻 John

[freyakitten]

This is my first time viewing your content. You did a great job on every angle, from the video shooting with close-ups and far-away shots to the historical and informational data taught about the species and how to grow it. I do not have a growers thumb but I'm starting to try more and more. While holistic living is near and dear to me, I feel it's time to start learning how to grow what I use. I live in a zone 9 area, so I have lots of opportunity to grow a variety but our soil is heavy with granite so it often makes it challenging for this newbie grower. Thank you for a well-done video and look forward to looking at more of your content! ❤🌱

[causeforchrist]

Awesome presentation! I love that you brought up the Biblical account in Matthew where frankincense was presented to Jesus. It must be a very special plant to be presented to the King of the world. I also reside in Zone 9B and am very interested in what you have learned as an AZ gardener.

[richardkasper]

What kind of stratification do the seeds require to break dormancy ? Do you sell seeds?

[TouchGrassGardening]

Hi Natasha. I love that you just put it in the ground to see if it would work in AZ because no one else had tried!
Couple questions...
is it deciduous? I know you said it has leaf growth primarily once monsoon season starts, but I'm curious how it looks in our winters.
On the seedling, why do you think it's so much slower growing? Do you think the seedlings are true to their parent as the cutting would be?
I'm resisting ordering a tree right now because we just redid our kitchen and went way over budget, but it will be on the top of my Christmas list. Thanks for this video!

[pibblesnbits]

Would you ship the seed pods within the US? I wanna try growing one of these trees Pretty cool!

[mikeymccarroll]

Hi, Miss enlightenment are you by chance selling any frankincense cuttings anytime soon?

[paulm]

Ditto your comments about growing from seed. It's been a long, slow process.

[jasonmaitoza]

Thanks for sharing! 😊

I was just curious if you can get Frankincense from other varieties like Elongata, Dioscoridis, Socotrana, Nana, etc.? Do they produce a different aroma, have different resin colors, health benefits or drawbacks? 🤔

[MrOrcslayer]

Have you ever kept Monastery bamboo in AZ 9b?

[Theelklands]

Where can I purchase a boswella sacra I have been looking for one for 4 yrs help me

[Rafsangani]

Hello, Thanks for posting your tree.
I live in north of peoria AZ,
I am very interested to getting one of thsoe tree, need source information.
I am willing to buy from you of you have extras.

Thanks you