Boswellia papyrifera
Details Top
| Internal ID | UUID64400d9b955d1338234298 |
| Scientific name | Boswellia papyrifera |
| Authority | Hochst. |
| First published in | Flora 26: 81 (1843) |
Ethnobotanical Use Top
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Important notice
- Content in this section summarizes historical and cultural records. It is not medical advice.
- Do not use plants for self-treatment. Safety, efficacy, and appropriate use are not established here.
- Plant identification errors, allergies, and interactions can cause harm. Consult qualified professionals for health questions.
- Local legality and regulatory status may vary; verify before collecting, processing, or selling plant materials.
In parts of northeastern Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and across parts of the Sahel, resin and bark from Boswellia papyrifera are prepared as simple drinks to soothe inflammation and ease coughs, while ground resin is used directly as a poultice. In Sudan, resin is “chewed or taken as a tea” for rheumatism, cough, and gastric upset (Bennett et al., 2015). In Ethiopia, resin teas or decoctions are consumed for dysentery and fevers (Balehegn, 2018), and the inflorescence is similarly used for fevers (Tefera and Kim, 2019). On the Arabian Peninsula, resin is sometimes taken as a mildly calming tea (Adams et al., 2007). Pounded resin is also applied as a poultice to inflamed joints and wounds in Sudan (Bennett et al., 2015) and as a compress for eye irritation in eastern Africa (Rouamba et al., 2016).
One practical preparation is a mild resin tea. Place 1–2 g of clean, dry Boswellia papyrifera resin in a small saucepan, add 250 ml of cold water, bring to a gentle simmer, and simmer 5–10 minutes. Let it cool until warm, then strain and drink. Start with 1–2 cups per day for cough or mild gastric upset. This is a traditional household preparation, not a standardized medicine (Bennett et al., 2015; Balehegn, 2018). Short-term, low-dose use is generally well tolerated, but resin is a strong immunomodulator and is best avoided in pregnancy and by individuals with known hypersensitivity to frankincense. Those on antiplatelet or anticoagulant drugs should use caution due to possible additive blood-thinning effects. Discontinue if stomach upset or allergy occurs and consult a qualified health professional.
The resin is rich in boswellic acids, notably 11-keto-β-boswellic acid, which are well documented as key anti-inflammatory constituents of frankincense species (Bennett et al., 2015). Terpenoid-rich resin is also intensely aromatic, with essential oils high in monoterpenes such as α‑pinene and sabinene, which contribute local irritating, warming, and expectorant actions (Ouhsoumane et al., 2018). These phytochemicals plausibly underlie the reported use of resin tea and poultice for coughs and inflammatory conditions.
Current research continues to explore boswellic acids for anti-inflammatory effects, though most clinical work centers on the better‑studied species Boswellia serrata. Boswellia papyrifera resin is still sold regionally in local markets and continues to be prepared in households as a simple tea and compress (Rouamba et al., 2016; Balehegn, 2018).
General Uses Top
Suggest a correction!Common products:
- Incised stem yields a pale yellow to whitish, brittle frankincense gum-resin that is steam-distilled into frankincense essential oil. Commercial-grade oleo-resin (“gum”) and oil are available as fragrance ingredients; they are used in fine fragrance, incense, and perfumed consumer products.
Industrial and craft applications:
- Gum-resin is used as a base material in incense and in some adhesive contexts for its cohesive, resinous properties; it is not a major adhesive source in industry.
- Oil is used as a fragrance component in soaps, detergents, and other toiletries via conventional oleoresin/essential-oil integration in fragrance formulations.
Food and beverages (non-medicinal):
- Not recorded as a food ingredient or beverage additive.
Colorants and tanning:
- Not recorded as a colorant or tanning agent.
Wood and fiber:
- No documented use.
Fragrance and cosmetics:
- The essential oil (derived from the gum-resin) is incorporated as a fragrance component in cosmetics and personal-care products in accordance with prevailing fragrance-regulatory standards; it is used in fine fragrance and incense bases for its resinous, balsamic profile.
Properties relevant to use:
- Gum-resin exhibits a high resin fraction typical of frankincense; steam distillation commonly yields 2–10% essential oil with a monoterpenes–sesquiterpenes profile rich in alpha-pinene, limonene, and related hydrocarbons, consistent with the characteristic top notes of frankincense oils and providing volatility appropriate for incense and fragrance applications.
Standards and regulation:
- Fragrance-grade use of Boswellia gum-resin/essential oil is regulated under industry fragrance standards (e.g., IFRA recommendations for frankincense oil) and general cosmetics compliance regimes (e.g., EU cosmetic regulation, national registration for fragrance substances).
Sustainability and sourcing:
- The species is tapped for gum in its natural range in the Horn of Africa. Reported exudate yields per tree are generally lower than those of some other frankincense species. Sustainable tapping practices (frequency, incision depth, and tapping-free periods) and community-based management have been promoted to maintain tree health and resin quality; it is listed in CITES Appendix II, with national measures governing exports in some range states.
Synonyms Top
| Scientific name | Authority | First published in |
|---|---|---|
| Ploesslia floribunda | Endl. | Nov. Stirp. Dec. : 40 (1839) |
| Amyris papyrifera | Caill. ex Del. | Voy. Méroé 4(prepr.): 99 (1826) |
| Boswellia chariensis | Guillaumin | Mém. Soc. Bot. France 8: 33 (1908) |
| Boswellia occidentalis | Engl. | Bot. Jahrb. Syst. 46: 292 (1911) |
| Boswellia odorata | Hutch. | Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1910: 138 (1910) |
Common names Top
Add a new one! Suggest a correction!| Language | Common/alternative name |
|---|---|
| English | elephant tree |
| Amharic | ቀይ እጣን |
| Arabic | لبان حبشي |
| Arabic | طوس |
| Chinese | 蘇丹乳香 |
| Chinese | 紙皮乳香樹 |
| Chinese | 纸皮乳香树 |
Germination/Propagation Top
Suggest a correction or add new data!
No germination or propagation data was added yet.
Distribution (via POWO/KEW) Top
Legend for the distribution data:
- Doubtful data
- Extinct
- Introduced
- Native
-
Africa click to expand
-
East Tropical Africa
- Uganda
-
Northeast Tropical Africa
- Chad
- Eritrea
- Ethiopia
- Sudan
-
West Tropical Africa
- Nigeria
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West-central Tropical Africa
- Cameroon
- Central African Republic
-
East Tropical Africa
Links to other databases Top
Suggest others/fix!| Database | ID/link to page |
|---|---|
| World Flora Online | wfo-0000569719 |
| USDA Plants | BOPA11 |
| Tropicos | 4700485 |
| KEW | urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:127060-1 |
| The Plant List | kew-2680574 |
| Open Tree Of Life | 3942308 |
| NCBI Taxonomy | 1461607 |
| IPNI | 127060-1 |
| iNaturalist | 430731 |
| GBIF | 5421356 |
| Freebase | /m/02x4zph |
| EPPO | BSWPA |
| EOL | 483514 |
| USDA GRIN | 310554 |
| Wikipedia | Boswellia_papyrifera |
| CMAUP | NPO10628 |
Genomes (via NCBI) Top
No reference genome is available on NCBI yet. We are constantly monitoring for new data.
Scientific Literature Top
Below are displayed the latest 15 articles published in PMC (PubMed Central®) and other sources (DOI number only)!
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Phytochemical Profile Top
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Below are displayed the proven (via scientific papers) natural compounds!
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| Name | PubChem ID | Canonical SMILES | MW | Found in | Proof |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Fatty Acyls / Fatty acids and conjugates / Long-chain fatty acids | |||||
| Elaidic Acid | 637517 | Click to see CCCCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC(=O)O | 282.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APJTM.2016.06.009 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Diterpenoids | |||||
| Verticiol | 5377475 | Click to see CC1=CCCC(=CCC2CCC(C(C2(C)C)CC1)(C)O)C | 290.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APJTM.2016.06.009 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Sesquiterpenoids / Elemane sesquiterpenoids | |||||
| Elemol | 92138 | Click to see | 222.37 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APJTM.2016.06.009 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Terpene lactones / Diterpene lactones | |||||
| (4aR,5S,6R,8aR)-5-[2-[(2S)-2-methoxy-5-oxo-2H-furan-4-yl]ethyl]-5,6,8a-trimethyl-3,4,4a,6,7,8-hexahydronaphthalene-1-carboxylic acid | 97354636 | Click to see | 362.50 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APJTM.2016.06.009 |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Prenol lipids / Triterpenoids | |||||
| (1R,3aR,5aS,5bR,7aR,8R,9R,11aR,11bR,13aR,13bS)-9-acetyloxy-5a-(hydroxymethyl)-3a,5b,8,11a-tetramethyl-1-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,9,10,11,11b,12,13,13a,13b-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[a]chrysene-8-carboxylic acid | 162989571 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)CO)C)(C)C(=O)O)OC(=O)C)C)C | 514.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| (3R,4R,4aR,6aR,6bS,8aR,11R,12S,12aR,14aR,14bS)-3-hydroxy-4,6a,6b,8a,11,12,14b-heptamethyl-14-methylidene-1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a,14a-tetradecahydropicene-4-carboxylic acid | 162958381 | Click to see | 468.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| (3R,4R,4aR,6aR,6bS,8aR,11R,12S,12aR,14aR,14bS)-methyl 3-hydroxy-4,6a,6b,8a,11,12,14b-heptamethyl-14-oxo-1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,6a,6b,7,8,8a,9,10,11,12,12a,14,14a,14b-icosahydropicene-4-carboxylate | 11799085 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CC(=O)C4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C(=O)OC)O)C)C)C2C1C)C)C | 484.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| (3R,4R,6aR,6bS,8aR,11R,12S,14bS)-3-hydroxy-4,6a,6b,8a,11,12,14b-heptamethyl-14-oxo-1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a,14a-tetradecahydropicene-4-carboxylic acid | 6918114 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CC(=O)C4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C(=O)O)O)C)C)C2C1C)C)C | 470.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| (4R,6aR,8aR,12S,12aR,14bR)-3-hydroxy-4,6a,6b,8a,11,12,14b-heptamethyl-2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a,14,14a-tetradecahydro-1H-picene-4-carboxylic acid | 5315486 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C(=O)O)O)C)C)C2C1C)C)C | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| 11-Keto-beta-boswellic acid | 9847548 | Click to see | 470.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| 11-Keto-beta-boswellic acid [M+H]+ | 53398660 | Click to see | 470.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| 3-ACETYL-11-KETO-beta-BOSWELLIC ACID | 11168203 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CC(=O)C4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C(=O)O)OC(=O)C)C)C)C2C1C)C)C | 512.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| 3-Hydroxy-4,6a,6b,8a,11,12,14b-heptamethyl-14-methylidene-1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a,14a-tetradecahydropicene-4-carboxylic acid | 162958380 | Click to see | 468.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| 3Alpha-Acetoxy-27-Hydroxylup-20(29)-En-24-Oic Acid | 21575462 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)CO)C)(C)C(=O)O)OC(=O)C)C)C | 514.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| 9-Acetyloxy-5a-(hydroxymethyl)-3a,5b,8,11a-tetramethyl-1-prop-1-en-2-yl-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,7a,9,10,11,11b,12,13,13a,13b-hexadecahydrocyclopenta[a]chrysene-8-carboxylic acid | 73802256 | Click to see | 514.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| Acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid | 6918115 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CC(=O)C4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C(=O)O)OC(=O)C)C)C)C2C1C)C)C | 512.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| Acetyl-11-keto-beta-Boswellic Acid, Boswellia serrata | 17973666 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CC(=O)C4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C(=O)O)OC(=O)C)C)C)C2C1C)C)C | 512.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| Beta-Boswellic Acid | 168928 | Click to see CC1CCC2(CCC3(C(=CCC4C3(CCC5C4(CCC(C5(C)C(=O)O)O)C)C)C2C1C)C)C | 456.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| Beta-Elemonic Acid | 24721570 | Click to see | 454.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| beta-Elemonicacid | 15559100 | Click to see CC(=CCCC(C1CCC2(C1(CCC3=C2CCC4C3(CCC(=O)C4(C)C)C)C)C)C(=O)O)C | 454.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| CID 17751006 | 17751006 | Click to see | 454.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| Elemadienonic acid | 5320604 | Click to see | 454.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| Methyl 3-hydroxy-4,6a,6b,8a,11,12,14b-heptamethyl-14-oxo-1,2,3,4a,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,12a,14a-tetradecahydropicene-4-carboxylate | 73106522 | Click to see | 484.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| Methyl 3alpha-acetoxy-27-hydroxylup-20(29)-en-24-oate | 44575408 | Click to see CC(=C)C1CCC2(C1C3CCC4C5(CCC(C(C5CCC4(C3(CC2)CO)C)(C)C(=O)OC)OC(=O)C)C)C | 528.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| > Lipids and lipid-like molecules / Steroids and steroid derivatives / Stigmastanes and derivatives | |||||
| (-)-beta-Sitosterol | 222284 | Click to see | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| 17-(5-ethyl-6-methylheptan-2-yl)-10,13-dimethyl-2,3,4,7,8,9,11,12,14,15,16,17-dodecahydro-1H-cyclopenta[a]phenanthren-3-ol | 86821 | Click to see CCC(CCC(C)C1CCC2C1(CCC3C2CC=C4C3(CCC(C4)O)C)C)C(C)C | 414.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| > Organic oxygen compounds / Organooxygen compounds / Carbohydrates and carbohydrate conjugates / Oligosaccharides | |||||
| (2R,3R,4R,5R,6S)-2-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-3,4-dihydroxy-6-[3-[(E)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl]-5-methoxyphenoxy]-5-[(2S,3R,4R,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl]oxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]-6-methyloxane-3,4,5-triol | 11193310 | Click to see | 696.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| 2-[[3,4-Dihydroxy-6-[3-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl]-5-methoxyphenoxy]-5-(3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-methyloxan-2-yl)oxyoxan-2-yl]methoxy]-6-methyloxane-3,4,5-triol | 85430681 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=CC(=CC(=C3)OC)C=CC4=CC=C(C=C4)O)OC5C(C(C(C(O5)C)O)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 696.70 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives | |||||
| 7-[(6R)-7-chloro-6-hydroxy-3,7-dimethyloct-2-enoxy]chromen-2-one | 162847066 | Click to see | 350.80 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1016/J.APJTM.2016.06.009 |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Coumarins and derivatives / Pyranocoumarins / Linear pyranocoumarins | |||||
| Racemosin | 155148 | Click to see | 288.29 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Flavonoids / Pyranoflavonoids | |||||
| Atalantoflavone | 14162621 | Click to see CC1(C=CC2=C(O1)C=C(C3=C2OC(=CC3=O)C4=CC=C(C=C4)O)O)C | 336.30 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| Racemoflavone | 14162622 | Click to see | 366.40 | unknown | via CMAUP database |
| > Phenylpropanoids and polyketides / Stilbenes / Stilbene glycosides | |||||
| (2S,3R,4R,5R,6R)-2-methyl-6-[[(2R,3S,4S,5R,6S)-3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[3-[(E)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl]-5-methoxyphenoxy]oxan-2-yl]methoxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol | 11168830 | Click to see | 550.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
| 2-Methyl-6-[[3,4,5-trihydroxy-6-[3-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)ethenyl]-5-methoxyphenoxy]oxan-2-yl]methoxy]oxane-3,4,5-triol | 85422700 | Click to see CC1C(C(C(C(O1)OCC2C(C(C(C(O2)OC3=CC(=CC(=C3)OC)C=CC4=CC=C(C=C4)O)O)O)O)O)O)O | 550.60 | unknown | https://doi.org/10.1021/NP040142X |
Collections Top
| In private collections | 0 |
| In public collections | 0 |