{"product_id":"somali-olibanum-resin-boswellia-frereana","title":"Somali Olibanum Resin | Boswellia frereana","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNorthern Somalia • Maydi \/ Meydi • Traditional Deyreed Harvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e Northern Somalia\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpecies:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eBoswellia frereana\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGrade:\u003c\/strong\u003e Premium Maydi\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAroma:\u003c\/strong\u003e Citrus resin • warm balsam • dry wood\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest:\u003c\/strong\u003e Deyreed • traditional tapping\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePrimary Use:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aromatic incense resin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout Somali Olibanum (Maydi)\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRevered in the frankincense trade as the “King of Frankincense,” Somali Olibanum is the raw aromatic resin of \u003cem\u003eBoswellia frereana\u003c\/em\u003e. Restricted to northern Somalia, this remarkable species grows across rocky slopes, limestone boulders and cliffs, at times clinging directly to vertical rock faces in the coastal mountains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKnown locally as Maydi or Meydi, the resin is harvested during the Deyreed season through careful, repeated tapping. The tree releases a copious milky exudate that dries yellow-gold in the arid air, forming the aromatic tears traded as Maydi.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBotanically distinct from \u003cem\u003eBoswellia sacra\u003c\/em\u003e, the Omani species behind Hojari, Maydi is a separate frankincense species with its own resin character and cultural identity. Sacred Plants Australia offers it in its natural resin form for controlled aromatic incense use.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Heritage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Sanaag region of northern Somalia, including the Daallo Mountains and vast limestone escarpments, represents one of the Horn of Africa’s most remarkable incense landscapes. Here, \u003cem\u003eBoswellia frereana\u003c\/em\u003e grows in rocky, exposed terrain alongside other resin-producing species.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe heritage of Maydi is deeply intertwined with ancient long-distance commerce. At Xiis on the Gulf of Aden, archaeologists have recovered chunks of incense resin alongside Roman amphoras, South Arabian storage jars and Mesopotamian glazed ware, physical evidence of sophisticated trade networks operating through this coast roughly 2,000 years ago.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Daallo Mountains near Xiis are documented as supporting \u003cem\u003eBoswellia frereana\u003c\/em\u003e alongside other frankincense- and myrrh-producing species, placing the port within one of northern Somalia’s richest natural incense landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStewardship of these trees depends on generational harvesting knowledge. Recorded best practice for Maydi identifies the Deyreed season as the proper harvest window and calls for trees to be tapped for two consecutive years, then rested completely for a full year before harvesting resumes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eDid You Know?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMaydi is chemically distinctive enough to be separated from other major frankincenses by its resin profile. In comparative LC\/MS analysis, the characteristic boswellic acids detected in \u003cem\u003eBoswellia sacra\u003c\/em\u003e, \u003cem\u003eB. carteri\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eB. serrata\u003c\/em\u003e were not detected in the analysed \u003cem\u003eBoswellia frereana\u003c\/em\u003e resin, while more recent profiling describes only trace levels rather than the boswellic-acid-rich pattern of those species. Maydi is therefore not simply another regional grade of frankincense, but the aromatic resin of a genuinely different species with its own botanical and chemical identity.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAroma \u0026amp; Incense Experience\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTOP NOTES:\u003c\/strong\u003e Citrus Resin\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHEART NOTES:\u003c\/strong\u003e Warm Balsam\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBASE NOTES:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dry Wood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHeating \u0026amp; Incense Use\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e01 START SMALL\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBegin with a single small tear or pea-sized fragment. Maydi is exceptionally aromatic; allow the initial notes to fully develop before introducing more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e02 PREPARE THE CHARCOAL\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLight a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/southern-star-easy-light-charcoal-discs-35mm\"\u003epremium charcoal disc\u003c\/a\u003e within a heat-safe censer. Allow a complete, even layer of white ash to form before proceeding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e03 MODERATE THE HEAT\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlace a \u003ca href=\"\/products\/japanese-mica-incense-heating-plate\"\u003emica plate\u003c\/a\u003e over the ashed charcoal. This creates controlled, indirect heat that limits scorching and helps preserve the resin’s delicate volatile aromatic profile.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e04 OBSERVE THE RELEASE\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAllow the tear to soften slowly and become glossy as its volatile aromatics are released. The aim is a gradual release rather than blackening or charring; if the resin darkens rapidly or the aroma turns acrid, reduce the heat immediately.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e05 BUILD GRADUALLY\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdd fresh resin only once the previous tear is completely spent. Overloading the plate smothers the heat source, encourages excess smoke, and degrades the aromatic experience.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eSafety \u0026amp; Storage\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThermal Safety:\u003c\/strong\u003e Operate charcoal within a dedicated, heat-safe censer on a stable, non-combustible surface in a well-ventilated space. Never leave lit charcoal or heated resin unattended. Keep away from combustible materials, children and pets. Allow all ash, resin and hardware to cool completely before handling or disposal.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eStorage \u0026amp; Integrity:\u003c\/strong\u003e Reseal the packaging immediately after use. Store in a cool, dry environment away from direct sunlight, moisture and competing odours to preserve the resin’s delicate volatile compounds. For aromatic botanical incense use only.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Biosecurity\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNSW\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConditions apply\u003cbr\u003eA plant import permit applies to dried plant material. Please verify current requirements before ordering.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQLD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTAS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConditions apply\u003cbr\u003eA Notice of Intention to Import must be lodged at least 24 hours before arrival. Biosecurity inspection applies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVIC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConditions apply\u003cbr\u003eDried plant products are subject to quarantine inspection and must be free from pests and seed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eINTERNATIONAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConditions apply\u003cbr\u003ePlease confirm your destination’s import requirements before ordering. International post is available where permitted. Sacred Plants Australia does not provide phytosanitary certificates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003csmall\u003eLast Reviewed: 3 October 2026\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sacred Plants Australia","offers":[{"title":"25 g","offer_id":53916410282278,"sku":"SOR-25","price":19.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50 g","offer_id":53916410315046,"sku":"SOR-50","price":34.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1035\/7656\/8102\/files\/somali-olibanum-resin-boswellia-frereana-golden-resin-hero.png?v=1793062740","url":"https:\/\/sacredplants.com.au\/products\/somali-olibanum-resin-boswellia-frereana","provider":"Sacred Plants Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}