Page 4 - Frankincense eGuide

Co-Impact Sourcing

The doTERRA Co-Impact Sourcing Initiative in Somalia provides frankincense
harvesters with greater opportunities for income, while providing doTERRA
with access to skilled harvesters who help accomplish the intricate steps of
frankincense resin harvesting.

Frankincense in Somalia

For thousands of years, frankincense resins have been harvested in Somalia
from wild Boswellia trees like Carterii and Frereana. Boswellia carterii trees

typically grow best in sandy soil, producing small resin tears. The resin tears
from the Carterii species are some of the most commonly harvested types of
resin, and usually have a very round shape. Unlike the Carterii trees, Frereana
trees do not thrive on sandy soil, but need a dry, rocky climate to produce the
largest resin of the Boswellia species.

Frankincense Harvesters

Harvesting Frankincense resin is a delicate process that requires careful
planning and precise skill and takes over five months to complete the process.
Frankincense harvesters must travel long distances, leaving their families and
communities behind. They often live in caves along the way as they harvest
frankincense resins from remote locations. Once the tears are harvested, the
resin is carefully cleaned, separated, and organised (by size and colour)

typically by women.

Despite the lengthy and difficult harvesting process, harvesters are often
unable to sell their frankincense resins for a fair price. Because of the intense
harvesting process and the lack of adequate payment, a large portion of the
available frankincense trees in Somalia have not been harvested.