North of Somalia is the world’s most abundant source of high quality Boswellia carterii and Boswellia frereana Frankincense resins and their unique fragrance profiles are highly sought after by the cosmetic, personal care, aromatherapy and fine fragrance industries. Our resins are wild harvested from the mountain regions of Somaliland, sample-distilled and sample-tested at source before being hand sorted into the finest grades. This guarantees the highest quality and purity. When you buy from Maydi, you are buying directly from source. There are no middlemen involved. This means that you are getting the most competitive pricing on the market. And the traceability and sustainability of our products is absolutely guaranteed
THE ADVANTAGES OF STEAM DISTILLATION
GRADE 1
BOSWELLIA CARTERII
This is the best and most carefully selected grade of white colour, and is used for distillation.
Frankincense tears from Somalia (Boswellia carterii) are wonderful white, amber and brown resins. Used throughout the ages to enhance spirituality, mental perception, meditation, prayer and consciousness, frankincense soothes the spirit as it slows and deepens breathing. Certified organic.
Looking for the Boswellia carterii essential oil? Click here.
Medical Disclaimer: Our expertise lies in incense making and fragrance. Information contained on these pages is solely for your enjoyment. We can not provide medical advice or recipes as we are not health professionals. Before ingesting anything that is not food, we strongly suggest seeking counsel from a licensed health practitioner.
GRADE 2
BOSWELLIA CARTERII
This is darker and reddish in colour, can contain some particles of bark, and is used for ceremonial burning.
GOJUNO
MAYDI FRANKINCENSE
These are the largest pieces of slabs and are sold at the highest prices, usually as chewing gums in Middle Eastern markets
GRADE 2
BOSWELLIA FREREANA
These are the smaller pieces of the resin slabs, and are used for essential oil distillation
GRADE 3
BOSWELLIA FREREANA
These contain fragments of bark and are used mainly for ceremonial burning in Coptic churches
Known locally as “Beyo”, the Boswellia carterii tree is native to Somaliland, Southern Yemen, and Oman. This species was named after the English surgeon H.G. Carter who was the first to discover it in 1846. In 1876, the Swiss chemist and botanist Flüeckiger re-examined the same species and mistakenly described it as a new species calling it Boswellia sacra. Three years later, the English botanist Birdwood examined the specimens collected earlier by Carter and Flüeckiger and concluded that they were the exact same species. This means that the so-called “Sacred Frankincense” being marketed in western markets based on the Omani Boswellia sacra, is in fact identical to Somaliland Boswellia carterii because they are the same species!
Boswellia carterii resin occurs in small tears varying from 0.5 to 3 cm in length and either ovoid, pear-shaped or club-shaped. The tears are usually whitish or pale yellowish in colour, semi-translucent and covered with a dull white dust, the surface of the tear being dull even after the dust has been removed.
Once the collection season is completed, the raw Frankincense is allowed to cure for three months before being processed into 2 commercial grades:
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Grade 1 (distillation): is the best and most carefully selected grade of white colour, and is used for distillation
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Grade 2 (burning): is darker and reddish in colour, can contain some particles of the bark, and is used for ceremonial burning
Known in North of Somalia as “Maydi” (which is where our company name comes from) Boswellia frereana resin is considered to be superior to other frankincense varieties in Somalia and the Middle East. Historically the main market for Boswellia frereana resin has been Saudi Arabia where it is sold as a highly regarded chewing gum. However western markets are now waking up to the unique attributes of Boswellia frereana and an increasing percentage of our exports are now to Europe and the USA. It is found only on the steep vertical slopes of the highlands of Somalia. There have been attempts to introduce the species to Kenya and Southern Yemen but with limited success due to the specific environmental conditions required to successfully grow Boswellia frereana; hot climate, decent precipitation and soils rich in limestone.
Boswellia frereana trees are not cut, but are harvested as a natural excresence. The resin is not collected until towards the end of the season – around 8 months after the tree starts to exude. As a result Boswellia frereana resin occurs in larger slabs compared to the smaller tears of Boswellia carterii, and is processed into 3 grades:
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Grade 1 (chewing gum): are the largest pieces of slabs and are sold at the highest prices, usually as chewing gums in Middle Eastern markets
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Grade 2 (distillation): are the smaller pieces of the resin slabs, and are used for essential oil distillation
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Grade 3 (burning): contains fragments of bark and are used mainly for ceremonial burning in Coptic churches
