They flow slowly from the trunks, gleaming like liquid amber, before solidifying into translucent tears. Resins and balms are among the oldest plant substances used by humankind, once burned in temples, applied as remedies, or worn as amulets. Their power is not merely aromatic: they carry memory, protection, and the promise of a bridge between the earthly and the spiritual.
Frankincense is perhaps the most renowned. Native to the Arabian Peninsula and the Horn of Africa, it has accompanied sacred rituals for millennia. Its white smoke rises like a bridge toward the sky. It is said to purify, to soothe the heart, to calm tension, and to foster meditation.
Myrrh, darker in nature, tells another story. Its scent is more bitter, resinous, almost medicinal. Used in ancient Egypt for embalming, it symbolizes healing and protection in sacred texts. Therapeutically, it served to cleanse, to heal wounds, and to fortify the body. It still carries that solemn, protective aura today.
Benzoin, softer and more tender, releases a balsamic, vanilla warmth. Native to Southeast Asia, it has long been used for its soothing and restorative properties. Burned in homes to cleanse the air and quiet the spirit, its fragrance comforts, like an invisible blanket wrapping both body and soul.
