I get a lot of questions about Frankincense and other aromatic materials we use in our apothecary. • Especially the question, how do I burn it? • Raw incense resins are usually aromatic exudates formed on the surface of trees and plants. • Though we like to call them saps, they differ from the true sap of the tree since they are usually produced by special ducts close to the surface of the tree in response to injury and are not part of the system that conveys nutrients. • The purpose of these aromatic exudates is to repel insects, disinfect wounds and provide a barrier between the wound and infectious organisms. • They are named “oleoresins” since they contain oil, (Volatile or essential oil), and resin acids or resin. • Many, such as most types of Frankincense, also contain water-soluble gum which makes them “Oleo gum resins”. • As incense, these oleoresins are burned, alone or in combination with other fragrant materials such as powdered bark, flowers and essential oils. • Most Western cultures use manufactured pucks made from compressed powdered charcoal. • In our country, we can find foil-wrapped charcoal pucks wherever Hookahs and Nargilehs are sold. • Those are ok- but I prefer using alternatives to these Saltpeter infused “quick starting” charcoal discs. • You can find healthier compressed charcoal made from coconut shells, bamboo and other sustainable materials. • The only drawback to these more natural charcoal alternatives is that they can be very challenging to light. • If you are going to be burning every day, I’d suggest using an electric burner to avoid using a coal. • Since we burn during certain prayer times for certain reasons, I prefer this more traditional technique using the coal and censer. • Read the pinned comment on how to use a censer for this type of incense burning practice. - - - #resin #frankincense #myrrh #incense #incenseburner #censer