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Ancient Incenses

Although obviously the oldest form of incense would have been just pure resin, a few ancient formulae still survive.

1) Kyphi
This is a Greek word derived from the ancient Egyptian
hieroglyphs
for Kɜp ie                        or

which in their original sense simply mean “a fumigation”.
There are only a few surviving inscriptions which mention the ingredients, but in the main these are Frankincense, Myrrh, Mastic of Chios, Aloes Wood, Sandalwood, Raisins, Wine and apparently Honey. Our own research has lead us to believe that this last ingredient should in fact be Propolis -and in cool Northern latitudes we would suggest substituting brandy for wine!

2) The Sacred Temple Incense of the bible -see Onycha

3) God’s Smile
This is an incense still only made by the Coptic Monks of the desert monasteries, and is blended to a very ancient recipe derived from the Biblical incense

4) The Mount Athos incenses
These are made by the Greek Orthodox monks of the Mt Athos community. These blends use essential oils and are much lighter and more floral than other incenses

5) Chadra Ushak.
An old Turkish incense based around Ammoniacum

6) Bkhur
an Arabic word loosely meaning incense