Frankincense, a special spice walking along the silk road

Abstract

Frankincense is also called “Fumigated land,” “Horsetail spice,” and “Godsend spice.” The alias “Fumigated land” shows its strong fragrance that can cover the whole land. The name of “Horsetail spice” implies its morphologic characteristics and mild effects, and another name of “Godsend spice” indicates its functions of relieving swelling and pain, healing sore, and growing muscle, as if it is the grace donated by God. The name of “Frankincense” displays its complex productive progress. With thick quality and strong fragrance, frankincense acts as daily supplies for religious activities and folk activities due to its low price and a wide range of uses in medicine and daily life. Frankincense shows the infinite charm of spice culture along the Silk Road from the distant Western Regions to the East. At the same time, it enriches the treasure house of traditional Chinese medicine and becomes one of the most popular spices in both eastern and western, nobility and common.

Keywords

• frankincense
• fumigated land
• godsend spice
• horsetail spice
• spice culture in the western regions