Commiphora
African aromatic shrub
Commiphora is a genus of flowering plants native to Africa, Arabia, and the Indian subcontinent, many of which produce aromatic resins.
The most famous is *Commiphora myrrha*, the source of myrrh—the fragrant resin used since antiquity in incense, perfumes, and medicine.
The plants are typically thorny shrubs or small trees adapted to arid climates.
Aromatic resin for incense
- goldElement seventy-nine
- magiPersian priest-sorcerers
- biblicalOf sacred texts
- nativityState of being born
anointing · embalming · mummification · incense · altar · temple · ritual · worship
Emitting pleasant smell
- resinousContaining plant sap
- balsamicAromatic aged vinegar
- warmModerately heated, or friendly
- earthyCoarse and unpretentious
smoky · bitter · pungent · perfumery · fixative · attar · oud · amber
Viscous plant secretion
- gumSticky plant secretion
- tinctureHerb steeped in alcohol
- distillationPurification via vaporization
- harvestingGathering mature crops
tapping · tears · granules · grade · export · trade · Somali
Horn of Africa nation
- EthiopiaHorn of Africa nation
- KenyaEast African country, capital Nairobi
- EritreaEast African coastal nation
- YemenSouthwestern Arabian Peninsula republic
Oman · savanna · Sahel · arid · indigenous · acacia · baobab · dryland
Microbe-killing substance
- anti-inflammatoryInflammation-reducing agent
- analgesicPain-relieving medication
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
tincture · salve · mouthwash · therapeutic · cholesterol-lowering · circulation · topical · herbal
frankincense
Aromatic resin for incense
nativity · anointing · embalming · mummification · incense · altar · temple · ritual · worship · purification
fragrant
Emitting pleasant smell
earthy · smoky · bitter · pungent · perfumery · fixative · attar · oud · amber · scented
resin
Viscous plant secretion
- gumSticky plant secretion
- tinctureHerb steeped in alcohol
- distillationPurification via vaporization
harvesting · tapping · tears · granules · grade · export · trade · Somali
Somalia
Horn of Africa nation
- EthiopiaHorn of Africa nation
- KenyaEast African country, capital Nairobi
- EritreaEast African coastal nation
Yemen · Oman · savanna · Sahel · arid · indigenous · acacia · baobab · dryland · habitat
antiseptic
Microbe-killing substance
- anti-inflammatoryInflammation-reducing agent
- analgesicPain-relieving medication
- antimicrobialKills or inhibits germs
traditional · tincture · salve · mouthwash · therapeutic · cholesterol-lowering · circulation · topical · herbal · remedy
gum-tree
Resin-producing tree species
succulent · bark · exudate · drought-resistant · semi-arid · tropical · African · Arabian · endemic · species
- Burseraceaefrankincense, copal
- resinsepoxy, phenolic, polyester, polyurethane, melamine