Frankincense Olibanum Absolute — Boswellia carteri | Sacred Resin | H Reynaud Fils, Somalia/France

Part of our Professional Perfumers Range — curated for the discerning natural perfumer seeking exceptional depth and rarity.

Frankincense Olibanum Absolute — The Sacred Resin of the Ancient World

Frankincense is one of the oldest and most revered aromatic substances in human history — burned in temples, traded across ancient civilisations, and prized by perfumers for millennia for a quality of clean, luminous, slightly ethereal resinous character that no other material fully replicates. The absolute, produced in France by H Reynaud Fils, established 1898, from the oleo-gum resin of Boswellia carteri harvested in Somalia — one of the world's premier frankincense-producing regions — is a far richer and more complex material than the familiar distilled essential oil, capturing the full aromatic spectrum of the raw resin in concentrated form.

Somalia produces Boswellia carteri frankincense of exceptional quality — the dry, arid conditions of the Horn of Africa concentrating the resin's aromatic compounds into something of remarkable purity and character. H Reynaud Fils, with over 125 years of expertise in sourcing and processing the finest natural aromatics, selects and processes this material to the highest standard, delivering an absolute of genuine quality and consistency to the professional perfumer.

Scent Profile

The opening is clean, slightly citrus-fresh, and unmistakably frankincense — a luminous, slightly sharp resinous character with a distinctive green-lemony brightness that distinguishes Boswellia carteri from other frankincense species. As it develops, the warm, balsamic heart emerges — a rich, slightly smoky resinous depth with subtle woody and spicy facets that give olibanum absolute its characteristic meditative quality. The drydown is long, warm, and deeply balsamic — an outstanding fixative of great tenacity that anchors compositions with quiet authority over many hours.

Perfumery Applications

Frankincense olibanum absolute is one of the great base note materials in natural perfumery — an outstanding fixative and character note that functions across virtually every fragrance family with remarkable versatility. In oriental and incense compositions it is an indispensable centrepiece; in woody compositions it adds clean resinous depth; in florals it provides a luminous, slightly mystical base note that lifts the composition into something more refined; in masculine aromatics its clean resinous character adds sophistication and tenacity.

Its outstanding fixative properties make it valuable even at concentrations where it cannot be consciously identified — small amounts significantly extend the longevity of surrounding materials. Average use around 2-5% in a perfume compound.

Blending Suggestions

Pairs beautifully with myrrh, opopanax, labdanum, benzoin, cedarwood, sandalwood, vetiver, patchouli, rose absolute, jasmine, violet leaf, bergamot, lemon, clary sage, geranium, and soft musks. The classic accord of frankincense, myrrh, and labdanum is one of the great base note combinations in natural perfumery — timeless, deeply satisfying, and possessed of extraordinary tenacity.

Technical Details

• Botanical Name: Boswellia carteri Birdw.
• Common Names: Frankincense / Olibanum / Sacred Frankincense
• Botanical Family: Burseraceae
• Supplier: H Reynaud Fils, established 1898, France
• Origin: Somalia (resin); processed in France
• Plant Part: Oleo-gum resin
• Extraction Method: Solvent extraction (absolute)
• Classification: Base note — excellent fixative
• Appearance: Mobile liquid — supplied in DPG carrier for ease of handling, standard industry practice
• Odour Family: Resinous / Balsamic / Citrus / Woody / Incense
• Natural: Yes — 100% pure natural absolute

Packaging

1ml sample supplied in a 5ml clear flint glass bottle. 5ml, 10ml and 30ml supplied in amber glass bottles — all with inbuilt droppers and tamper evident caps.

Safety Information

For external use only. Avoid contact with eyes and sensitive areas. Not suitable for use on babies, children, pets or broken skin. Avoid use during pregnancy or whilst nursing. Always dilute properly and perform a patch test before first use.

Sample Policy

We recommend purchasing a 1ml sample first before committing to larger quantities. Please note that no refunds can be offered on opened items.

Photo images are for illustrative purposes only.