Brazilian Frankincense (Breu Branco) Essential Oil

Brazilian Frankincense (Breu Branco) Essential Oil

Brazilian Frankincense (Breu Branco) Protium heptaphyllum

Botanical name: Protium heptaphyllum

Plant family: Burseraceae

Production: Distilled

Cultivation: Wild-crafted

Country of origin: Brazil

Part of plant: Resin

Fragrance family: Resinous

Major compounds: alpha-Pinene, Camphene, Sabinene, beta-Pinene, Myrcene

Brazlilan Frankincense is a majestic Amazonian tree reaching up to 20 metres high which secretes a beautifully aromatic white resin from its bark. It is from this resin that the essential oil is obtained through slow hydro-distillation. Known locally as Breu Branco, it belongs to the fragrant Burseraceae family, as do Frankincense and Palo Santo. Dubbed the ‘Frankincense of Amazonia’, it has an aroma which is reminiscent of Frankincense, yet fresher with a slight citrus fragrance. Its chemical composition is also very similar, as are some of its properties. But while the Frankincense we know from Somalia has a dry dusty aroma, its Brazilian cousin is fresh and clean and vital. Given the widely differing habitat this is perfectly understandable.