Frankincense and Myrrh in Ancient South Arabia

Beek, Gus W. Van

doi:10.2307/595284

Cited by 21 publications

(6 citation statements)

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“…According to van Beek ( 1958 ), there are fi ve species, but only B. carterii (Picture 4 ) and B. frereana yield frankincense of commercial value.…”

Section: Taxonomical Identifi Cation: Olibanummentioning

confidence: 99%

“…According to van Beek ( 1958 ) and Zohary ( 1982 ), the myrrh tree normally grows to a height of about 2 m, but, at higher elevations, it is reported to reach a height of about 5 m. The tree is in foliage for only a short time after the rainy season; during the remainder of the year, it is leafl ess. The leaves are small and single or often 3-foliolate, with two tiny leafl ets at the base.…”

Section: Myrrhmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…is considered to be the source of the biblical frankincense (Tucker 1986 ). This tree grows wild, in dry regions, particularly in Somalia, and the Dhofar Valley, Oman (van Beek 1958 ). The Dhofar Valley, really a high plateau, is a lush, green oasis, watered by the monsoon rains, in contrast to the barren, stony desert surrounding it.…”

Section: Olibanummentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This led to confusion among classical writers such as Theophrastus, Artimedorus (as related by Strabo), and Diodorus Siculus (of Sicily), a fi rst-century Greek historian, who maintained that frankincense grew in the land of the Sabaeans (Van Beek 1958 ).…”

Section: Apharsemonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Olibanum Van Beek ( 1958 ) concludes that the geographical distribution of the frankincense tree is governed by defi nite rainfall patterns and soil factors.…”

Section: Myrrhmentioning

confidence: 99%

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RETRACTED CHAPTER: Apharsemon, Myrrh and Olibanum: Ancient Medical Plants

Ben-Yehoshua

Hanŭs

2014

Medicinal and Aromatic Plants of the World

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Among the most reputed ancient medical plants were the: olibanumfrankincense, derived from Boswellia spp., myrrh, derived from Commiphoras spp., both from southern Arabia and the Horn of Africa, and apharsemon of Judea, derived from Commiphora gileadensis that had its origin also in these territories. The demand for these medical plants that were also important spices was met by scarce and limited sources of supply. The incense trade and trade routes were developed to carry this precious cargo over long distances through many countries to the important foreign markets of Egypt, Mesopotamia, Persia, Greece, and Rome. The export of the frankincense and myrrh made Arabia extremely wealthy, so much so that Theophrastus, Strabo, and Pliny all referred to it as Felix (fortunate) Arabia . At present, this export hardly exists, and the spice trade has declined to around 1,500 t, coming mainly from Somalia; both Yemen and Saudi Arabia import rather than export these frankincense and myrrh.Apharsemon, known also as the Judaean balsam, grew only around the Dead Sea Basin in antiquity and achieved fame by its highly reputed aroma and medical properties but has been extinct in this area for many centuries. The resin of this crop was sold, by weight, at a price twice that of gold, the highest price ever paid for an agricultural commodity. This crop was an important source of income for the many rulers of ancient Judea; the farmers' guild that produced the apharsemon survived over 1,000 years. Currently there is interest in a revival based on related plants of similar origin. These three ancient plants now are under investigation in many countries for medicinal uses. Many publications and patents on these three plants appeared in recent years.

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“…According to van Beek ( 1958 ), there are fi ve species, but only B. carterii (Picture 4 ) and B. frereana yield frankincense of commercial value.…”

Section: Taxonomical Identifi Cation: Olibanummentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Myrrhmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Olibanummentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Apharsemonmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Olibanum Van Beek ( 1958 ) concludes that the geographical distribution of the frankincense tree is governed by defi nite rainfall patterns and soil factors.…”

Section: Myrrhmentioning

confidence: 99%

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