Useful links
Scientific and Academic
The evolving scientific research into frankincense and myrrh covers many disciplines relating to the ecosystems, botany, communities, supply chains, resins production, essential oils and different products, biochemistry, bioactivity, possible medicinal uses and more.
There are many gaps in accurate knowledge. Challenges include limited access to the tree ranges and resources for governments to map them. This can result in uncertainties about species and varieties, (Burseraceae can hybridise and vernacular names can differ from scientific nomenclature), current tree health, regeneration and harvesting practices. Lab scientists may not pick the resin themselves and the appearance, aroma and composition of resin and oil from the same tree and species can vary across different ranges, seasons, climates and ecologies, frustrating those looking for fixed standards. Communities and private businesses do not share their volumes, sources or data. Knowledge of supply chains and local and international trade is often outdated and limited. Below are just a few links to sites where you can find a range of papers from which to start exploring.
Frankincense and Myrrh research project (FRAME) is based mostly in Ethiopia across the Horn of Africa, sponsored through Wageningen University, Netherlands. This long term project has studied some of the reasons for previously undocumented tree population decline and confirmed the urgent need for community capacity building and ownership, set aside and good practices to allow for tree regeneration. A short reference list is here.
University of Nizwa Natural and Medical Sciences Research Center is a centre of excellence in the study of Frankincense, the trees’ hormonal response to stress and in particular the biochemistry and bioactivity of Boswellic acids and related tree organisms and compounds, link
Bibliography of some papers Bibliography for UoN
Follow the centre on twitter: link
Dr. H P Ammon’s site shares updates on a wide range of articles on Boswellia resins and Boswellic Acids, link
Save Frankincense’s work with B. carteri, B. occulta, B frereana in Somaliland and B.dalzieli in West Africa is catalogued here, link
Jason Eslamieh has 30 years’ experience on cultivating, propagating and hybridizing Boswellias and Commiphoras. His four books on the genera Boswellia, Commiphora, Bursera can be found here, link
Mats Thulin’s recent book on the Genus Boswellia (Burseraceae) with three new species and a possible fourth from Soqotra can be bought here, link. Please find a recent interview with Mats Thulin on his work with Boswellias.
Ermias Dagne’s work includes Frankincense and Myrrh, link
Abstracts
IFCMP- Abstracts Book ICFMP2018
Other
Management guide for the sustainable production of Frankincense, link
Sustainable harvesting in Oman report by the Environmental Society of Oman
Sustainable Harvesting of Frankincense Trees – 2014
Sustainable Harvesting of Frankincense Trees – 2017
Sustainable Frankincense Production Systems in Somaliland, link
Myrrh and Frankincense, link
Frankincense and Myrrh. An ethical nightmare?
The Disappearing Frankincense Forests
Frankincense Trees Declining Overtapping
Maharashtra State forest department (India) prioritised plants brochure: Boswellia serrata, link
Community owned Commiphora wildii in Namibia, link
CITES report link
WildCheck: Assessing Risks and Opportunities of trade in wild Plant Ingredients link