ABSTRACT
Olibanum oil is the essential oil obtained from the wood exudate of the olibanum tree, Boswellia sacra Flueck. and other Boswellia species. Boswellia sacra Flueck. is a small deciduous tree, which reaches a height of 2 to 8 meters, with one or more trunks. It is native to Somalia, Ethiopia, Oman and Yemen and is cultivated in Somalia and Oman for the production of a gum oleoresin. The essential oil of olibanum is obtained by steam-distillation of the olibanum oleoresin and is one of the most commonly used oils in aromatherapy practice where it is employed against respiratory disorders such as asthma, colds, cough, bronchitis, and laryngitis. Olibanum oil is a mobile, colorless to yellowish, sometimes slightly green liquid which has a balsamic, slightly terpenic, spicy warm and tender sweet odor. The yield of essential oil from the wood exudate of several Boswellia species generally varies from 4 to 10 per cent.
