According to a recent ecological study published by the British Ecological Society’s Journal of Applied Ecology, boswellia trees are facing 90% decline in the next 50 years if production/conditions are not altered.
Frankincense production could be cut in half over the next 15 years, the study observes.
Since I heard this last week, I keep trying to imagine what being in the middle of a frankincense forest must smell like…the resin’s aroma is so distinct and sweet, balsamic, and oh so much better than words can describe. Even in ancient times, it was considered precious (in the Biblical story of the Three Kings); it is devastating to think about this incredibly powerful botanical being so close to extinction. Yet it the study seems to be widely noted by the media already, so it is hopeful that actions will be taken to preserve the species.
Frankincense (boswellia spp.) is also a powerful natural medicine gaining more and more interest (and clincial trials) for use primarily as an anti-inflammatory.
It will be interesting to see how companies respond to this news; specifically those in the natural products industry who value sustainable sourcing; Europharma, for instance, uses boswellia as a key ingredient in the popular anti-inflammatory formula Curamin; Auracacia, producer of essential oils, offers a 100% pure frankincense oil. In the past, Auracacia has halted production of oils that cannot be sustainably sourced (such as Brazilian Rosewood).
For now, my fingers are crossed, and my mind is still trying to imagine that musky forest of boswellia trees.
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[originally published on Tumblr - Jan. 23, 2012]
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