Ruxiang（Frankincense）has been imported since the ancient times and is one of the commonly used traditional Chinese medicines in clinical practice. However, there is a discrepancy between the actual used species and those recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia. Combining field investigations with textual research helps to clarify the truth. This study aims to restore the historical context of Ruxiang（Frankincense）, conducting the field investigations in Oman, the main producing area of Ruxiang（Frankincense）, covering the distribution of Ruxiang（Boswellia）plants, the origin of their Latin names, harvesting and processing methods, specifications and producing areas. It also integrates the researches such as consulting specimens from the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, investigations at port drug inspection institutes and medicinal material markets, as well as sorting out the historical literature, to explore the historical evolution and changes of Ruxiang（Frankincense）in terms of producing areas and species. The results show that Ruxiang（Frankincense）was introduced to China as early as in the Han Dynasty via land and sea routes, originating from the Arabian region, and is the resin exuded from the bark of Arabic Ruxiangshu（Boswellia sacra）. Both Kashi Ruxiangshu（Boswellia carterii）and Kashi Ruxiangshu（Boswellia bhaw-dajiana）recorded in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia are synonyms of Arabic Ruxiangshu（Boswellia sacra）. Ruxiang（Frankincense）is obtained by cutting the bark with a special tool called “menguf”；after the exuded resin dries, it is harvested using the same “menguf”. It is classified into four types according to its producing area, with the best quality coming from inland regions with a dry and hot climate. During the mid to late Tang Dynasty, maritime imports became the main source, still dominated by Arabic Ruxiangshu（Boswellia sacra）. In the Song Dynasty, new producing areas of frankincense emerged in East African countries such as Somalia, and the origin of Ruxiang（Frankincense）included multiple species of the Boswellia genus. In the Ming and Qing dynasties, Sri Lanka and India were added as the new producing areas, and Chiye Ruxiangshu（Boswellia serrata）was included as an additional origin of frankincense. In modern times, Sudan has become the main producing area, with Zhipi Ruxiangshu（Boswellia papyrifera）as the primary source of Ruxiang（Frankincense）, which is inconsistent with both the records in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the historical facts that Oman was the main producing area and Arabic Ruxiangshu（Boswellia sacra）was the primary origin of Ruxiang（Frankincense）in the past dynasties. The research results are helpful for restoring the ancient species and producing areas of Ruxiang（Frankincense）, and provide references for the revision of the Latin names and species of Ruxiang（Frankincense）in the next edition of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia and the addition of producing countries of frankincense in the Catalogue ofNon-first-time Imported Medicinal Materials.