Why we do not use Frankincense resin or oil in our products.
Boswellia Carterii tree
Frankincense resin
Frankincense resin and essential oil
Frankincense oil is typically made through the steam distillation of the dried resin from the Boswellia Carterii tree. Both the resin and oil are sold. The tree is found in the Horn of Africa: Somalia and Ethiopia.
The trees start producing resin when they are about 8 to 10 years old.
The resin is extracted by making a small, shallow incision on the trunk or branches of the tree or by removing a portion of the crust of it. The resin is drained as a milky substance that coagulates in contact with air and is collected by hand.
For more information please view these two You Tube videos.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tLrlyrv3OGo
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoKY3IIaBp8
We have noted the following points/questions:
1. The Boswellia Carterii tree is an endangered species and therefore its sap and associated products are rare. Current market prices do not reflect this.
2. Often they grown on the side of rock faces and are difficult to access.
3. It has a limited harvesting period
a. Which puts into question how much is supplied worldwide? And the vast amounts available – is it really frankincense oil?
b. Are businesses advertising pure Frankincense oil or cutting it with other product to augment their supply?
c. Because the workers aren’t paid well are they overharvesting to make up the money they would earn if they were paid properly?
4. Are the people that are buying directly from the harvesters paying them properly? are they being paid fairly? Or are they being exploited because they are paid too little.
5. If they were paid properly the price of Frankincense should be much higher than it is, which means the supply chain is not fair trade!
6. Low selling price, which means harvesters will over harvest the tree to make more money because they are taken advantage of.
7. Over harvesting of the tree damages and eventually kills the tree.
Delizia Naturally cannot confidently purchase this oil knowing all of the points above. Unless we can support someone’s livelihood fairly and directly through a fair-trade arrangement, we will not use Frankincense in our products.
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