How to Assemble an Egyptian Incense Kit

Incenses have been used to improve spirtual energy for centuries.

Fragrant materials have been burned by peoples of nearly every religion for spiritual and medical purposes. Traditionally, incense was made of barks, herbs, roots and resins. Incense was used in ancient Egypt to refresh the smell of homes, encourage healing, fight negative energies and communication with the gods. The ancient Egyptians became masters of aromatherapy, and olfactory specialists were prized. Ancient Egyptians used aromatherapy in almost every facet of their lives. Ancient Egyptian fragrances were famous throughout the ancient world. You can make your own incense much like the Ancient Egyptians did.

Things You'll Need

• Storage container (your choice)
• Small, airtight containers that fit into the storage container
• Storage bags
• Bowl
• Frankincense
• Benzoin
• Sandalwood
• Myrrh
• Juniper berries
• Galangal
• Gum Arabic
• Calamus
• Nutmeg
• Clove
• Cinnamon
• Cedar
• Lemon balm
• Orange oil
• Lotus oil blend
• Pine needles
• Wine
• Honey
• Rose petals
• Raisins

Instructions

Assembling the Incense Kit

1. Decide on a storage system. The storage system can be any style you decide, from a large storage bag to an ornate wooden box. You will also need smaller containers and storage bags to hold each separate type of incense.

2. Learn the types of incense that Egyptians used. The ancient Egyptians regarded incense as holy. Frankincense, myrrh and sandalwood were used for a variety of purposes in ancient Egypt. Kyphi is a mixture of other ingredients to create a unique incense. You should be able to purchase all of these at a specialty store.

3. 

   Add frankincense. The Egyptians believed the aroma of frankincense represented life. Frankincense mixed with oils to anoint individuals entering into temples. Frankincense makes a distinct fragrant smoke when burned ancient people believed that the smoke carried their prayers to the gods.

4. 

   Add myrrh. Myrrh is an ingredient of perfumes and incense. Myrrh was highly valued in the ancient world and was often worth more than its weight in gold. Myrrh is an earthy, slightly vanilla-smelling fragrance and was used during the embalming process.

5. 

   Add sandalwood. Sandalwood is the name for numerous fragrant woods and their essential oils. Sandalwood has a crisp “woodland” smell and generally enhances the use of other fragrances.

6. 

   Add kyphi. Kyphi will be the most difficult of the Egyptian incense to find. If you can’t find it pre-made, then follow the recipe below and make your own. Kyphi was the most important incense that was used in ancient Egypt for religious and medical purposes. Kyphi means “welcome of the gods,” and it was burned in temples and homes alike.

7. Use the incense like ancient Egyptians. Egyptian priests burned incense three times a day. They burned frankincense at dawn, myrrh at mid-day and kyphi at dusk.

8. Store the incense. Put the finished product in an airtight container, and label it with name and date. Store it in a cool, dark place.

Incense recipes

1. Make Egyptian incense. To make the basic incense used that was used in daily Egyptian rituals, you will need four parts frankincense, three parts gum Arabic, two parts myrrh, one part cedar, one part juniper, one part calamus and one part cinnamon. Pulverize them, and mold that into cones. This standard incense was burned for Egyptian rituals in devotions for nearly all Egyptian deities.

2. Make kyphi incense. You will need three parts frankincense, two parts benzoin, two parts myrrh, one part juniper berries, one-half part galangal, one-half part cinnamon, one-half part cedar, two drops lotus oil blend, two drops of wine, two drops of honey and a few raisins. Grind and mix the dry ingredients. Store them in an airtight container for two weeks. Mix the oil, wine, honey and raisins in a separate bowl. Mix the wet mixture and the dry. Blend with your hands. Store in the airtight container for two more weeks. The resulting substance can then be formed into incense cones.

3. Make Isis incense. This incense is devoted to the Egyptian goddess of magic and fertility. Gather three parts myrrh, two parts sandalwood, one part frankincense, one part rose petals and a few drops of lotus oil blend. Drop the oil onto the resins. Then pulverize and mix them with the other ingredients. Allow the mixture to rest briefly before forming into cones.

4. Make winter incense. Combine two parts frankincense, one part pine needles (crushed), one part ground cinnamon, one part ground nutmeg, one part cedar (crushed chips), one part juniper berries (well dried) and one part ground clove. Pulverize and mold into cones.

5. Make summer incense. Combine one part chamomile, one part rose petals (crushed), two parts sandalwood, one part benzoin, one part lemon balm and two drops of orange oil. Drop the oil onto the resins. Then pulverize and mix thatwith the other ingredients. Allow the mixture to rest briefly before forming into cones.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have any respiratory conditions, you should use caution when burning incense.