Frankincense is an aromatic resin that has captured the spirits of human beings across cultures for thousands of years. For centuries have used it in cultural and religious ceremonies. It was one of the earliest aromatics to be traded, and inspired the development of the ancient fragrance routes. It grows almost exclusively in the southern end of the Arabian Peninsula. The Greeks, Romans, Egyptians, Israelites, and numerous other cultures used frankincense and myrrh as part of their religious ceremonies. The story of the Frankincense Tree, Boswellia sacra, begins in southern Arabia and only grows in one area: Oman, Yemen, and Somalia. The English word is derived from Old French "francencens" (i.e., high quality incense).