Boswellia dalzielii is widespread in the West African Sahel, with major populations in Mali, Burkina Faso, and Nigeria. The trees grow between 150 and 1350m in elevation in mixed woodlands, sometimes growing directly with Shea trees and many other species. Unlike most other frankincense species, the trees are not traditionally harvested for frankincense resin. Instead, the bark is harvested to make tinctures and teas to treat various conditions such as fevers, toothaches, asthma, dysentery, etc.
Boswellia dalzielii contains the highest levels of boswellic acids, on average, seen in any known frankincense species. It also has by far the highest level of 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta boswellic acid, more commonly known by its acronym AKBA. This is the boswellic acid most researched of all the boswellic acids, with strong anti-inflammatory activities. This species also has high levels of (-)-a-pinene in the essential oil, which has been investigated for its anti-viral activity. It has a fresh, earthy-coniferous, green-lemon-like and sweet-woody scent, lighter than that of other frankincense species.