Directory of Incense ingrediënts Acacia -see Gum Arabic Agar Wood or Agarci Wood -see Oud Aloes resin. Not to be confused with the sweet smelling diseased wood known as Lignum Aloes, or Aloes Wood (which we stock under the name of Agar Wood). The name confusion arises from a mistranslation in the King James Authorised version of the Bible. Most biblical references simply to "Aloes" should be read as meaning "Lignum Aloes". The Aloes resin is prepared by boiling down the sap of Aloe ferrox -a plant similar to the better publicised Aloe vera. Smoulders to give off a strange green smoke, with a sweet, but "dark" smell. Aloes Wood -see Oud or Lignum Aloes Alum Alum is a white crystalline substance traditionally produced by processing certain rocks and clays. It has many uses such as a “mordant” (ie a fixative) in dying, and for curing animal skins. It is non-toxic. It is also one of the most useful chemicals in the incense-makers cupboard. Alum has no smell when smouldered (although it does have a slight lemon-sherbet taste). However, when ground up with herbs and used in incense it has the amazing property of bubbling up around the herb, and carrying the scent of that herb without the "bonfire" effect that you get if you try to burn the herb by itself. For making incense always use the lump or crystal form of Alum, as the grinding process breaks up the leaves of the herb. Powdered alum does not grind the herb and ends up with a paste. However we can supply a more powdered version if you need it for growing crystals etc. Amber -see also Colophony Probably one of the most commonly misused names, as it is frequently applied to a wide variety of totally different substances. The amber used in jewellery is fossilised pine resin -and although it can be added to an incense mixture, it just gives off an unpleasant smoke. Not recommended! Modern fake amber is commercially manufactured by processing Colophony (pine resin), and this is a little bit better. True amber oil is derived from ambergris. (see below). However virtually all the amber oil available at the moment is synthetic -and varies tremendously in quality Incense Amber is again colophony and will vary in quality according to the species of pine tree. Anbra (or ambra) Various spellings. Another name for Labdanum Ambergris This strange grey waxy substance is produced by the Sperm Whale, and has always been very much valued in perfumery. The Grimoires call it the natural "sede of the fishe knowne as the Waale". It is extremely rare and very expensive., which means that it is very often faked. High quality ambergris is sold in the Middle East for medicinal purposes -and interestingly has very little smell. However the wonderfully aromatic yellow blocks sometimes offered as “ambergris” are in fact simply a base wax with a little of the artificial oil added to give them their aroma! African Ammoniacum (Ferula communis) Also known as White Fesook or Ushak. See also Sumbul. (Also sometimes called Nard, though strictly this term should be applied to Spikenard.) This gum does not smell of ammonia! The name comes from the temple of Jupiter-Ammon in Libya, where it originally grew. The plant is a species of Giant Fennel. The form used in incense is African Ammoniacum, and differs slightly from Medicinal Ammoniacum which is Dorema ammoniacum It is one of the gums most mentioned in the ancient grimoires, and is therefore of great interest to magickians. If burnt by itself it has a slightly rubbery smell, and is best mixed with other herbs and spices. Angelica (Angelica archangelica.) The root is usually used, Aniseed Edward IV had his linen scented with a mixture of aniseed and orris root Aquilla Wood -see Oud or Lignum Aloes Asafoetida (also known as Asant) Known in Turkey as Shaytan Tersi - Devil's Dung. A pretty accurate name for this revoltingly smelly gum -but also describes its usage in dark ceremonies. Interestingly although Galbanum is usually identified one of the "spices" of the Sacred Incense of Moses, (the word in Hebrew is Chelbenah), the ancient Kabbalistic texts describe this "spice" as being of a "Vile and Evil odour" -which fits Asafoetida more than Galbanum. And as the plants that produce the two gums are virtually identical in all other manners, our research is now indicating that it is indeed Asafoetida that should be held as the eleventh "spice", which corresponds to Daath, the sepiroth of sin and evil. Warning: the asafoetida sold in supermarkets has usually been “diluted” with corn flower. The pure gum that we sell is much, much stronger! Ash Usually the "keys" are used. Asilbent or asilbend -see Benzoin or Syrian Jawee Balm of Gilead. The nature of true Balm of Gilead is uncertain, but it is usually understood to be Commiphora opobalsamum. (see myrrh) Interestingly it is almost certainly not C.gileadensis! The “Balm of Gilead” sold by most herbalists is not actually from a Commiphora species but is the fragrant dried buds of various species of Poplar tree, mainly Populus balsamifera. Abies balsamea (see Canada Balsam) is also sometimes referred to as the “Balm of Gilead Fir” Bdellium -also see Myrrh, Opopanax This is an aromatic form of myrrh said variously to come from Commiphora wightii, C.mukul, C.africana or C.erythraea. The term should at present be understood to simply mean high quality, scented myrrh. Benzoin . This gum/resin comes from the Styrax tree, which is frequently confused with Storax. See that entry for an explanation of the differences. Also known as Gum Benjamin. This has nothing to do with the Biblical character as the name derives from a curious linguistic twist of fate. When the early Arabic traders first reached Java they found the tree Styrax benzoin growing there and called its resin "Luban Jawi", which means the "Frankincense of Java". When the Europeans arrived, "Luban Jawi" was translated as "La Benjawi", which soon became "La Benjamin". The Venetian traders found the j difficult to pronounce, changed it to z, and we end up with "La Benzoin" Most Benzoin is now grown in Sumatra In India "Luban Jawee" became Loban. In Arabic countries still usually known as Jawee. However, please note not all Jawee is Benzoin. True benzoin has a slightly vanilla smell. Frequently referred to by Nostradamus, and also named as an essential ingredient in most of the Grimoires. Bisabol Myrrh -see Opopanax Bkhur Also spelled bakhur, bukhoor, etc. This is an Arabic word simply meaning "incense". In practice it is usually applied to a blend, ie "a bakhur" and these blends are as many and varied as the people making them. In some areas each family has preserved their own recipe, - although there are certain regional "types". There is also the Turkish word "buhur" (derived from the Arabic Bkhur ).This is also a general word for incense Black Storax -see Storax Calmus (Acorus calamus.) Camphor Whenever possible use the wood. The crystalline extract found in moth balls is too overwhelming! Canada Balsam also known as Fir Gum or sometimes Balm of Gilead This is the resin of Abies balsamea (a species of fir tree). It is not a true balsam as it sets into a solid clear resin Cardamom Well known as a culinary spice but also used in some incense mixtures Cassia Very similar to cinnamon, but not so easily obtained. Much more subtle and far more suited for use in incense. Available in bark quills or powder. Cedar Wood Familiar aromatic wood, with various species differing according to location, ie English Cedar, American Cedar, Cedar of Lebanon. Each type gives a very different aroma. Chadra Ushak A Turkish incense based on Ammoniacum but containing further seeds and spices Charcoal Incense resins are vaporised on red hot charcoal. Although it is certainly possible to use barbeque lumpwood charcoal, the most practical method is to set light to a specially prepared charcoal disc, These usually last for about one and a half hours. See also our page on “How to burn Incense” Cinnamon A very familiar culinary spice. But that is not say that it doesn't have magickal properties! Tends to be overpowering when used as an incense. Citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) A grass from South East Asia. Frequently referred to as a type of Spikenard. Can be called Sumbel Root Also used in cooking. Cloves Another familiar culinary spice which can be used in incenses Colophony This is another word for Incense Amber or Pine Resin (but does not actually tell you which of the many types of Pine Tree the resin comes from!) The best Colophony comes from the Moroccan Atlas pine. Sometimes (wrongly) referred to as Propolis. See also Rosin Copal Comes in three main grades, Golden Copal White Copal Night (Black) copal This resin originally comes from South America -and is therefore not mentioned in mediaeval manuscripts as it was not known in the West before the 16th century Burnt by the Mayans, Aztecs and Incas as a gift to the Sun, it has often been called the "American Frankincense" Nowadays it is widely grown elsewhere (especially the "Golden" Copal) -but the best grade is the generally held to be the sensual Dark Copal (Night Copal) which comes from Mexico. Also found fossilised, (ie like Amber).Copals are sometimes sold as Dammar Copaiba Balsam -Jesuits Balsam, Liquid Copal. A balsam from Copaifera officinalis. Used medicinally or as a perfume but not usually as an incense. Coral Powdered Red Coral (known as "Sea Stone") has sometimes been used in incense.