According to Christian belief gold, frankincense and myrrh were the three gifts the wisemen (Magi or Three Kings) brought from the East to celebrate the birth of baby Jesus (Matthew 2:11). Infact frankincense is mentioned 22 times in the bible.

King James Version of the Bible Book of Leviticus Chapter 2 2:1 And when any will offer a meat offering unto the LORD, his offering shall be of fine flour; and he shall pour oil upon it, and put frankincense thereon: 2:2 And he shall bring it to Aaron's sons the priests: and he shall take thereout his handful of the flour thereof, and of the oil thereof, with all the frankincense thereof; and the priest shall burn the memorial of it upon the altar, to be an offering Frankincense.

This page was created by Gordon Docherty a PhD student working for Dr Richard Evershed in the Organic and Biological section of the Bristol university school of chemistry. Follow this link for Research Group Home Page.