On the Frankincense Trail, Salalah is the ultimate destination to explore the healing magic of frankincense. With only one day to enjoy this port-of-call, I had one thing in mind: go on a Salalah frankincense healing quest. This was easier to do than I imagined and love sharing tips. So, read on how to discover how best to experience the history and essence of frankincense while in Salalah.
About Salalah, Oman
Oman is on the southeastern Arabian Peninsula lying on the Arabian Sea and Gulf of Oman. It’s an absolute monarchy and the longest continuously independent state in the Arab World. Oman’s history is starkly contrasting with a positive and negative past. On the one hand, as a maritime empire on Incense Road, Oman was the Frankincense capital of the world dating back to Egyptian times. On the other hand, Oman was a center of the Zanzibar slave trade. Unbelievably, slavery didn’t get abolished in Oman until 1970.
Salalah is the capital of the Dhofar District lying on the Arabian Sea. It’s a unique destination in the dry Middle East with a tropical-like climate. The area receives rainfall from June to September sent by monsoon winds from the Indian Ocean. Summer temperatures are significantly cooler than northern Oman ranging from 20 – 30 deg C. Salalah is becoming more widely known for its rich cultural heritage and tourism.
History of Frankincense in Oman
Since antiquity, southern Arabia was an exporter of frankincense to the Mediterranean, Egypt and even China. The Incense Trade Route was a network of roads and waterways connecting the Mediterranean to eastern and southern sources of incense, spices and other luxuries. This trade flourished in South Arabia from the 3rd century BC to the 2nd century AD.
Known as ‘desert tears,’ frankincense is collected from a rare Boswellia sacra species in the Dhofar Region of Oman. It produces the world’s finest quality resin. Frankincense is widely known, along with Myrrh, for being aromatic and medicinal.
Today, Oman helps visitors learn about this 5,000-year-old history at Al Baleed Archaeological Park and Land of Frankincense, UNESCO World Heritage Sites on the Incense Road.
Frankincense Medicinal and Religious Uses
Salalah Frankincense Healing Quest
Frankincense has been used for religious and medicinal purposes since antiquity. The Egyptians cleansed the body cavities for mummification with frankincense. The New Testament says that the magi from the East presented to Christ child 3 gifts being frankincense, myrrh and gold. In Persian Medicine, frankincense was used for stomach ulcers, gastritis and diabetes.
As an Acupuncturist and Herbalist, I want to give a big shout out to frankincense in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). The herbal system of TCM is one of the most sophisticated in the world. According to this ancient medicine, frankincense and myrrh are anti-microbial and move blood. Frankincense is used for numerous ailments, such as, pain relief, stroke, digestive issues and women’s menstruation issues.
Check out my YouTube Video!
Salalah Frankincense Healing
Quest at Al Haffa Souq
The Al Haffa Souq is the second largest old market in Oman. It lies close to the Coconut Palm- fringed Al Haffa Beach and Al Husn Palace (Sultan’s Palace). It’s called “Frankincense Souq of Oman” because it’s the main item sold here. Over half the businesses at the souq sell numerous versions of Dhofari frankincense: medicinal or incense resin nuggets, perfumes, essential oils and antimicrobial creams. Also, the frankincense is displayed in clay pot burners with charcoal, that are for sale too.
Frankincense comes in various quality grades, with the greener Royal Hojari being the highest grade harvested from the youngest trees. Second is the white frankincense ingested medicinally. The lesser quality is darker and used for burning.
The man that sold me medicinal frankincense instructed to soak the hard resin nuggets in water overnight. Then, drink the liquid for digestive balancing and detoxification.
Besides frankincense, the souq sells Omani clothing, fridge magnets, scarves, jewelry and souvenirs. Al Haffa Souq closes from 12 – 4 pm. So, the best times to go are in the morning or 4 – 10 pm.
Al Baleed Archaeological Park
& Museum of Frankincense Land
Salalah Frankincense Healing Quest
East of the Al Haffa Beach lies the ancient city, Zafar. Its remains make up the Al Baleed Archaeological Park with the Museum of the Frankincense Land. This UNESCO World Heritage Site was an important port for the trade of frankincense. Important historical figures visited here, such as, Marco Polo and Zheng He. I didn’t go here but will go next time I visit Salalah.
Additionally, there are numerous frankincense farms throughout the countryside. Some you can actually pick your own resin off the tree
Al Baleed Resort Salalah for Accommodations
If I stayed overnight in Salah, I would stay at the Al Baleed Resort Salalah by Anantara. The resort offers villas with a beachfront and private pool. It’s walking distance from the archeological site and even cultivates wellness travel with Frankincense Spa Rituals.
Salalah Fruit Huts and Sultan Qaboos Mosque Salalah
Near the Al Haffa Souq are plantations of coconuts, papayas and small bananas. Even more, be sure to stop at one of the colorful fruit huts along Sultan Qaboos St. I stopped there for a refreshing coconut drink and bananas.
Lastly, we stopped to look at the Sultan Qaboos Mosque Salalah named after the leader of Oman, Qaboos bin Said Al Said. We entered inside the fence and got up close. However, some men flagged us down to leave. So, we obeyed and just observed it outside the fence. From a loudspeaker, the adhan or call to prayer broadcasted loudly outside. I find this recitation so haunting and intriguing.
Enjoy Salalah!
I absolutely loved my day in Salalah! It’s rich cultural heritage and beautiful landscapes make it the perfect setting from which to explore the history and uses of frankincense. Also, please leave comments or suggestions below on how best to enjoy Salalah, Oman.
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