Botanical Name: Boswellia occulta
Botanical Family: Burseraceae
Extraction Method: Steam distillation
Part of Plant Distilled: Resin
Country of Origin: El Afweyn, Somaliland
Cultivation Method: Wild harvested
Composition: 100% Boswellia occulta
Consistency: Translucent yellow mobile liquid
Scent Description: Decipherable Frankincense resinous aroma with otherworldly airy-ozone notes that are prettily petrichor. Slightly sweet, slightly crisp, slightly warming whiffs of balsamic basenote.
Blends well with: Grapefruit, Opopanax, Frankincenses, Firs, Spruces, Hyssop, Marjoram, Inula, Rose Otto, Fragonia, Myrrh, Seabuckthorn, Immortelle, Ylang, Sandalwood, Palo Santo, Yarrow, Vetiver, Myrtle, Bergamot, and Chamomiles.
Use: This finespun Frankincense pacifies apprehension, melts tension, while the aroma takes you to another dimension. A superhero in skincare. Dab on fine lines, scars, blemishes, and signs of skin imbalance. Awesome for oral care. Divine to diffuse awakens the muse. A classical bathing beauty. Satisfying in salt pipes. Mindful in mediation. Manna for muscles and massages… and the rest is yet to be ascertained with our newfound Frankincense friend.
Constituents: Fascinatingly unique methyl esters (methoxyalkanes and methoxydecanes), serratol, α-pinene, α-thujene, limonene, sabinene, myrcene, β-caryophyllene, and p-cymene. The chemical composition of hydrodistilled Boswellia occulta oleogum resin is comprised mainly by these rare, never known botanically, methyl ethers (34.5%-62.6%), 1-methoxydecane (26.6%-47.9%) and 1-methoxyoctane (3.6%-8.6%). Other major components include the diterpene alcohol serratol (2.7%-31.8%) and the sesquiterpene alcohol 4,10-di-epi-guaiol (up to 15.1%). Occulta contains a touch of monoterpene hydrocarbons and oxygenated monoterpenoids (0.3%-11.6% and 0.1%-1.0%, respectively). Skin-loving sesquiterpenoids are slightly higher in concentrations of 1.2% to 23.0% sesquiterpene hydrocarbons and 1.9% to 28.6% oxygenated sesquiterpenoids.
This newly discovered species of Frankincense has been hiding in plain sight. Aptly named Occulta Frankincense, it is as ancient as all other Boswellia, yet it remained hidden from botanists until recently. This fabulous new find has been mystifying Somali Sacra, Carterii, and Frereana Frankincense distillers for decades as rare compounds that were previously unknown in the plant world would inexplicably pop up as a constituent in their essential oils. Unknowingly, they had collected resin from unidentified Occulta trees that have a phenomenal phyto-chemistry.
Occulta Frankincense is morphologically distinct from all other Boswellia species, set apart by the presence of rare methoxyalkanes and methoxydecanes (methyl esters), normally found in the insect world with spider silks and millipedes. These esters act as a chemical raincoat to protect bugs from water saturation, and the same esters may have evolved in Occulta Frankincense to protect it from desert-desiccation by trapping the water inside the plant material. The naturally sweet, fresh air scent of these methyl esters is evident in Occulta’s resinous aroma - an unexpected atmospheric and aqueous essence that may be best described as perfume of petrichor.
This formidable Frankincense tree grows on hillsides in the arid west-facing limestone boulders in the El Afweyn area of northwest Somaliland. Its botanical uniqueness amongst Boswellia species also extends to its phenotypic traits; varying from other Boswellia, Frankincense Occulta has wavy, pinnate leaves with a terminal leaflet and white tubular flowers that transform into smaller sized fruits.
Occulta Frankincense is a fortifying tonic, a plant pharmacopeia, and a new ancient ablution to beautify the body. Savor the scent and its soothing, moving effects with satisfying salt pipe inhalations, diffusing to amuse the creative forces. Dab neat on bumps and blemishes and drop into serums to tap into trapping the skin’s hydration with the extra emollient and singularly splendid methyl esters of this newfound Frankincense friend. What a blessing to find fresh strands of these ancient telegrams!
“I want to be with those who know secret things or else alone.” ~ Rainer Maria Rilke
