Our Frankincense Stewards
Madhi & Jamie
SOMALILAND & VERMONT | BÖSWELLNESS

Madhi Ibrahim and Jamie Garvey started Böswellness in 2004. Mahdi, a native Somalilander, wanted to start a business that kept him connected to his homeland. Visiting with the elders and community leaders, he heard the challenges they faced — endangered forests, drought and exploitation. By directly sourcing the resins from harvesters, Böswellness laid the groundwork for a model that protected trees, improved water access and paid fair wages. With strong ties to the region, they established a direct route from tree to distillery. This chain of custody enables them to guarantee the purity and quality of our products.

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Made with frankincense

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Mahdi standing with frankincense harvesters outdoors in the Sanaag region of Somaliland

Sacred Stewards

Mahdi with harvesters. Böswellness’s process for harvesting this sacred resin is careful and respectful of the Böswellia sacra tree native to the region. Taking care not to harm the tree, a superficial incision is made into the bark. From this small cut, the resin seeps out and dries over the course of a couple weeks. At this time, the harvesters return to collect the tree’s first offering and then continue this process for roughly six weeks. After harvest, the resin can be burned as an incense, infused into oil and distilled for essential oil and hydrosol.

Twisted Boswellia sacra frankincense tree rising above a rocky hillside with sparse shrubs under a pale sky

Local Impact

Ingredient: Frankincense

Place: Böswellness has forged direct connections and deep relationships with harvesting communities in the Sanaag region of Somaliland.

Community: Installation of solar powered wells in villages.

Investment: 20% of profit into regional development.

Organic: Strengthening local economy for multigenerational families by being the first company to offer certified organic frankincense worldwide.

Forest: Partnered in a multi year study on the health of Boswellia forests with the Centre for Frankincense Environmental and Social Studies (CFESS).

From our journal

Front view of Frankincense HydroSoul 4 oz spray bottle and box showing product label and USDA Organic mark on white

I ordered this HydroSoul for the first time this year, and I love it! I love the earthy scent it gives. You cannot go wrong. This is a FRANKINCENSE HydroSoul. I have been mixing it with the Sandalwood oil and voilà! I have a gem! I have noticed my skin is more moisturized, and it looks healthier.

Patty T. 

Front view of evanhealy Frankincense HydroSoul showcasing its box and spray bottle with a white background

Frankincense HydroSoul

Best Body Butter!
Close-up of Whipped Neroli Frankincense Body Butter showcasing its whipped texture with an open jar and hand
Best Body Butter!

I have been using the Whipped Neroli Frankincense Body Butter for over a year now. Since I started using this, I no longer have cracked heels in the winter. I live in the high desert in Southern California where the air is very dry and where we get extreme heat and cold. I love it and consider this a must have.

Joyce K. 

evanhealy whipped neroli frankincense body butter

Whipped Neroli Frankincense Body Butter

Delicious Body Oil
Neroli Frankincense Body Oil dispensed into an open palm from a pump bottle against a blurred natural background
Delicious Body Oil

I recently purchased a jar of Neroli Frankincense Body Butter which I used up quickly. I love the scent so much. I felt it natural to try the oil. It didn’t disappoint. Now I often use the oil with Neroli Frankincense Body Oil with the Body Butter on top of it.

Clare B.

Close-up of Neroli Frankincense Body Oil in a pump bottle held in a hand against a softly blurred background

Neroli Frankincense Body Oil