Olibanum (Noun)
Meaning
An aromatic gum resin obtained from various Arabian or East African trees; formerly valued for worship and for embalming and fumigation.
Classification
Nouns denoting substances.
Examples
- The ancient Egyptians used olibanum in their mummification process to preserve the bodies of pharaohs and other high-ranking officials.
- Olibanum was highly prized by the ancient Greeks and Romans, who used it in rituals and ceremonies to purify and consecrate their temples.
- The frankincense tree, which produces olibanum, is native to the Arabian Peninsula and East Africa, where it has been harvested for centuries.
- In traditional Chinese medicine, olibanum is still used today to treat a variety of ailments, including digestive problems and skin conditions.
- The use of olibanum in Christian worship dates back to the early centuries of the faith, when it was used to purify and consecrate churches and altars.