Abstract: OBJECTIVE To establish an impurity detection method and set a reasonable impurities limit of olibanum. METHORDS The influence factors including sampling method, sampling quantity, extraction solvent and extraction method of samples were investigated and methodological verification was carried out. Then, 15 batches of Ethiopia olibanum samples that collected randomly were determined for the impurity detection. Finally, a reasonable limit of impurities in domestic medicinal olibanum was put forward based on the existing standards of medicinal olibanum at home and abroad. RESULTS A suitable method was established for the impurities detection of olibanum, and the impurities of 15 batches of olibanum were ranged from 0.5% to 9.3%. It was recommended that the impurity limit of domestic medicinal olibanum should not >2% and original olibanum should not >5%. CONCLUSION It is proven that the proposed method can be a simple, accurate and durable tool for impurity detection of olibanum.