Frankincense Tears

Frankincense tears were once highly prized by Egyptian nobility for their ability to dispel bad smells, which were believed to be connected to evil. Even today, frankincense is commonly used as incense, but it requires an external heat source, like charcoal, to ignite. This precious substance, an oleo-gum-resin, is released from the tree when it is harmed or cut, and forms into spherical droplets or "tears" upon exposure to air.