Frereana, Carterii & Myrrh: the resins compared

Frankincense Frereana, Frankincense Carterii and myrrh are almost always named in the same breath, and just as often confused. In reality they are three distinctly different resins, each with its own botany, chemistry and aroma. We work with all three from a single region: the Cal Madow mountains in northern Somalia. Here is the difference, set out plainly and backed by sources.

Two are frankincense, one is myrrh

The most important point first. Frereana and Carterii are both frankincense, from trees of the Boswellia genus. Myrrh is something else: it comes from the shrub Commiphora myrrha, a genus of its own. All three are only distantly related, through the torchwood family (Burseraceae). So when someone says “frankincense and myrrh”, they mean two different plants, not two grades of the same resin.

At a glance

Trait	B. frereana	B. carterii	Myrrh
Plant	Boswellia frereana	Boswellia carterii	Commiphora myrrha
Somali name	Maydi	Beeyo	Malmal
Origin	northern Somalia, Cal Madow	Somalia, East Africa	NE Africa, Arabia
Main constituents	monoterpenes, lupeol, amyrins	boswellic acids, α-pinene	furanosesquiterpenes
Boswellic acids	practically none	rich, incl. AKBA	different genus
Aroma	fresh, citrus-resinous	warm, balsamic	earthy, bitter

Frereana (Maydi), the “king”

In Somalia, Frereana is called Maydi and is traditionally regarded as the “king of frankincense”. Boswellia frereana grows almost exclusively on the limestone cliffs of northern Somalia, precisely in our region. The resin is pale, yellow to amber, and the aroma is fresh, bright and citrus-pine, clearly lighter than classic frankincense. It is notable botanically: frereana is practically free of boswellic acids and instead rich in monoterpenes and triterpenes such as lupeol and amyrins. Traditionally, Maydi is even chewed as a high-grade natural gum.

Carterii (Beeyo), the classic frankincense

When most people think “frankincense”, they think of Carterii: the warm, balsamic, resinous scent of incense and aromatherapy. Boswellia carterii is the best-researched frankincense species and is often equated in the literature with Boswellia sacra from Oman. Unlike Frereana, Carterii is rich in boswellic acids, pentacyclic triterpenic acids such as AKBA. Its aroma is deeper and rounder than Frereana’s, less citrusy, more warm, sweet-resinous wood.

Myrrh (Malmal), the dark counterpart

Myrrh is the contrast to both frankincense types. The resin is reddish-brown, the aroma earthy, bitter, faintly smoky and heavy, darker and more medicinal in impression. Botanically it comes from the thorny shrub Commiphora myrrha of northeastern Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Historically, myrrh is one of the oldest trade goods of all.

The decisive difference: chemistry

The central chemical difference concerns the boswellic acids. B. carterii contains these pentacyclic triterpenic acids (including AKBA) in abundance, whereas B. frereana is, according to phytochemical analyses, largely free of them and instead carries monoterpenes and triterpenes such as lupeol and amyrins. Myrrh differs fundamentally: its essential oil is dominated by furanosesquiterpenes, above all furanoeudesma-1,3-diene, curzerene and lindestrene. These constituent profiles are documented by analyses such as HPLC-MS/MS and GC-MS (see sources).

Use and application

• Frereana (Maydi): traditionally as a high-grade chewing gum, as an incense resin with a fresh note, and in natural cosmetics.
• Carterii (Beeyo): classic incense, aromatherapy, and the subject of numerous phytochemical studies on boswellic acids.
• Myrrh (Malmal): traditionally in oral and dental care, as incense, and as a base note in perfumery.

Which type is “the right one” comes down to aroma and intended use. Many people value the interplay: the freshness of Frereana, the warmth of Carterii and the depth of myrrh. With natural resins, origin shapes character, much like wine or coffee. That is exactly why we focus on one region rather than many sources: the Cal Madow, home of Maydi. If you want to be involved early, as a buyer, reseller or simply curious, get in touch or join the waiting list.