Frankincense is a fragrant gum resin used as a raw material for perfumes. Perfumers call it olibanum. Since ancient times, people have burned it as an incense in religious services. The ancient Egyptians used it in medicines. The Bible says that one of the wise men brought Jesus a gift of frankincense (Matt. 2). Today, it also serves to mask the unpleasant odors of mixtures used for fumigation.