Boswellia rivae

Boswellia rivae essential oil, derived from a specific type of frankincense tree native to East Africa, has several potential benefits:

1. Anti-Inflammatory & Pain Relief

• Contains boswellic acids that help reduce inflammation, making it useful for joint pain, arthritis, and muscle soreness.

2. Respiratory Support

• Acts as an expectorant, helping to clear mucus and ease conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and colds.

3. Skin Health & Wound Healing

• Promotes faster healing of cuts, wounds, and scars.
• Has antimicrobial properties that help with acne and other skin infections.

4. Stress & Anxiety Reduction

• Known for its grounding and calming effects, making it great for meditation and relaxation.
• Helps reduce cortisol levels, which can assist in managing stress.

5. Immune System Booster

• Supports overall immunity due to its antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties.

6. Enhances Spiritual & Meditation Practices

• Frequently used in aromatherapy and religious ceremonies to promote mental clarity and deep relaxation.

7. Digestive Support

• Can help relieve bloating, cramping, and indigestion when diluted properly and used topically or inhaled.

Boswellia rivae is primarily found in Ethiopia, Somalia, and parts of East Africa.

The harvest and supply of Boswellia rivae resin (frankincense) are shaped by several socioeconomic factors, particularly in Ethiopia, Somalia, and East Africa, where it is predominantly found. Here are some key considerations:

1. Economic Dependency on Resin Trade

• Many rural communities rely on frankincense harvesting as a primary source of income.

• The resin is often harvested by small-scale farmers and pastoralist groups, who may have few alternative job opportunities.

• Market prices fluctuate, and middlemen often take a large cut, leaving harvesters with low wages despite high global demand.

2. Labor Conditions & Exploitation Risks

• Harvesting is labor-intensive and requires skilled workers to tap the trees correctly without damaging them.

• In some cases, workers face poor working conditions, long hours, and little bargaining power over wages.

• Child labor and exploitative practices have been reported in parts of the frankincense trade, though efforts are being made to improve fair trade practices.

3. Environmental Degradation & Sustainability Issues

• Overharvesting and unsustainable tapping techniques can damage trees, reducing their lifespan and overall resin yield.

• Climate change and desertification are threatening Boswellia populations, making resin collection increasingly difficult.

• Some communities struggle to balance conservation with their economic reliance on resin sales.

4. Trade & Supply Chain Challenges

• The resin is often transported through remote, conflict-prone regions, where instability can disrupt supply chains.

• Political instability, particularly in Somalia and Ethiopia, affects both transportation routes and export capabilities.

• Smuggling and illicit trade routes reduce transparency in the supply chain, leading to inconsistent pricing and potential loss of revenue for local harvesters.

5. Global Demand & Ethical Sourcing

• The rising demand for natural remedies, essential oils, and incense has increased the value of Boswellia rivae resin in international markets.

• Ethical sourcing initiatives, Fair Trade programs, and NGO interventions are helping some communities get better prices and sustainable harvesting methods.

• However, major markets (such as the U.S. and Europe) often favor cheaper, mass-produced alternatives, making it difficult for traditional harvesters to compete.

Would you like insights on sustainable sourcing or how to support ethical trade?

Sourcing Boswellia rivae sustainably and ethically requires a combination of responsible harvesting practices, fair trade initiatives, and conservation efforts to ensure the long-term health of the tree populations and the well-being of local communities. Here are some key practices to consider:

1. Work with Certified Fair Trade and Ethical Suppliers

• Fair Trade Certification: Look for suppliers with Fair Trade certification, which ensures that the harvesters are paid fair wages and work under ethical conditions. Fair Trade certification also ensures that the harvest is done sustainably, with attention to environmental conservation.
• FairWild Certification: This certification focuses specifically on the wild harvesting of plants like Boswellia rivae. It ensures that the resin is collected in a way that supports the regeneration of trees, promotes biodiversity, and ensures the harvesters receive fair compensation.

2. Promote Sustainable Harvesting Practices

• Responsible Tapping: Boswellia trees should be tapped carefully to prevent long-term damage. Sustainable practices involve controlled tapping that does not harm the tree, allowing it to continue producing resin in the future.
• Resin Collection Quotas: Implementing a quota system for resin collection can help ensure that the number of trees tapped does not exceed sustainable limits, giving the trees enough time to regenerate and grow.

3. Support Reforestation and Tree Protection Initiatives

• Reforestation Programs: Support initiatives that focus on replanting Boswellia rivae trees or creating protected areaswhere these trees can thrive. This helps ensure the long-term sustainability of the species and the preservation of the ecosystem.
• Conservation Projects: Collaborate with organizations working to protect Boswellia forests from deforestation, overgrazing, and other environmental threats that may endanger the species.

4. Encourage Community Empowerment

• Community Involvement: Involve local communities in decision-making processes regarding the sustainable harvesting of Boswellia rivae resin. This ensures that the benefits of the harvest are shared fairly among the community members.
• Support Women’s Roles: Boswellia resin harvesting can provide a source of income for women in rural communities. Encourage gender equality by ensuring that women have access to fair wages and opportunities for leadership roles in harvesting cooperatives.
• Invest in Local Development: Use proceeds from ethically sourced Boswellia resin to fund education, healthcare, and other community development projects, helping improve the quality of life for those involved in the harvest.

5. Ensure Transparency in the Supply Chain

• Traceability: Support supply chains that are transparent and allow the end consumer to trace the product back to its source. Knowing the journey of the resin helps ensure it has been sourced responsibly and sustainably.
• Fair Pricing: Work with suppliers who pay fair prices to harvesters and minimize the role of middlemen. This ensures that more of the profit stays within local communities.

6. Support Regulation and Advocacy

• Local Regulations: Support policies and regulations that encourage sustainable harvesting and protection of Boswellia forests. This can include local government regulations that limit the amount of resin harvested each year, ensure sustainable practices, and protect the natural habitat.
• Advocacy for Conservation: Advocate for stronger conservation efforts by supporting local and international organizations working to protect the Boswellia species and their ecosystems. Encourage collaboration between governments, NGOs, and private companies.

7. Educate Consumers and Businesses

• Raise Awareness: Educate consumers and businesses about the importance of sustainable and ethical sourcing of Boswellia rivae products. Encourage the use of sustainable frankincense in essential oils, incense, and other goods by raising awareness of the environmental and social impacts of unethical sourcing.
• Support Eco-conscious Brands: Encourage the purchase of products from brands that prioritize sustainability, fair trade, and ethical sourcing practices for all their ingredients, including Boswellia rivae resin.

By integrating these practices, you can help ensure that Boswellia rivae is sourced in a way that supports the environment, empowers local communities, and ensures the long-term sustainability of this important resource.

According to the World Flora Online database, Boswellia rivae is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

None thus far

The oil found in the sample with each print is purchased from Apothecary’s Garden.  A company that believes in sustainable and ethical sourcing.

As part of the Endangered Species Project, in collaboration with the Airmid Institute, 50% of all print sale profits will be donated each year to support the Airmid Institute’s mission—helping to build stronger, more ethical, and sustainable supply chains.