Frankincense and Myrrh: The Botany, Culture, and Therapeutic Uses of the World ́s Two Most Important Resins

Frankincense and myrrh are without a doubt the worlds two most important resins. Although other resins, such as pine, copal, styrax, and dragon blood have played important roles in ethnobotanical medicine, none have been as widely distributed and universally utilized, as economically important, or so highly regarded. This paper presents an overview of these valuable trees and the history, culture, and some of the medical uses of their resins.