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Traditional medicine is still widely practiced in many countries due to its complexity and long term benefit. Among various medicinal plants found in Dhofar region of Oman, frankincense has a unique position due to its medicinal and economical importance. The gum-resin and essential oil produced by different species, most of these are related to family Burseraceae under the Boswellia genus. The family members of Boswellia are characterized by resin bearing ducts. Among the twenty-nine species of genus Boswellia, (Burseraceae), Boswellia sacra Flueck is known since decades for the extraction of aromatic gums and resins that are burned as incense. Boswellia resin holds about 60-80% alcoholsoluble resin, 15-20% water soluble gum and 5-7 % essential oil, along with polysaccharide fraction and polymeric substances are also present in limited extent. The physicians and nutritionists show interest in frankincense due to the therapeutic potential of its gum resin and essential oil. Essential oil and gum resin of various species of frankincense has been used to make remedies to treat different diseases. Various reports have described the antimicrobial, immuno-modulatory, anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, anticancer, anti-asthmatic, antidiarrheal, hypolipidemic, anti-diabetic, hepato-protective, and even antiviral effect of different Boswellia species. In this review, we have highlighted the works done so far on the use of Boswellia gum resin and health benefits along with some pilot clinical studies done on the Boswellia gum resin related products.

The Dhofar region of Oman is extremely opulent in plant biodiversity in comparison to other parts of the country. Most of the cultivated, medicinal and wild plants of the region are available in the mountainous side and hilly areas of Dhofar. The plants produce products from primary metabolism and others from secondary metabolism. On the basis of active constituents plants can be categorized into two groups:1. Medicinal plants and2. Aromatic plants.Over 250 complex chemicals have been recognized and extracted from herbal sources. In this review article, we discuss a selection of medicinal plants of the Dhofar region of Oman which are rich in active constituents and through recent reports discuss the application of the most active constituents. Among the medicinal plants of the Dhofar region, frankincense is also a well-known indicator of the region and has a unique position through its medicinal properties of its oil and gum resin.