Antonio Mcgowan
Incense is a smoke-producing aromatic that has been used for centuries in various cultures and spiritual practices. It is made from small beads of hardened tree saps such as copal, dammar, and styrax, which are then coloured and imbued with essential oils. Natural resins like frankincense, myrrh, and copal are the original incense, providing a richer and deeper fragrance than conventional incense sticks. One such natural resin is ammoniac resin, also known as Gum Ammoniacum or Oshek/Veshek, which is an aromatic resin with a long association with the Oracle of the Temple of Ammon. It is still used as an incense ingredient in the East and in traditional medicine, as well as in the Moroccan Jewish tradition.
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What You'll Learn
- Ammoniac resin is an aromatic resin with a long history of use in religious ceremonies
- It is also known as Gum Ammoniacum, named after the Oracle of the Temple of Ammon
- The resin is sourced from trees and has a unique fragrance profile
- Ammoniac resin is still used as incense in the East and in traditional medicine
- It can be used as a tincture or essential oil in perfumery
Ammoniac resin is an aromatic resin with a long history of use in religious ceremonies
Aromatic resins have been used for centuries in various cultures and religions. They are valued for their unique fragrances, as well as their purifying and spiritual properties. One such resin is Ammoniacum, or Gum Ammoniacum, which has a long history of use in religious ceremonies.
Ammoniac resin, also known as Oshek or Veshek, is an aromatic resin named for its association with the Oracle of the Temple of Ammon, originally located in Siwa, Libya. This temple was a significant religious centre for the Egyptians and the ancient Greeks, and Ammoniac resin is believed to have been the preferred incense when petitioning the oracle for answers. The use of this resin at the Greek oracle at Delphi further highlights its importance in ancient religious practices.
The Moroccan Jewish tradition still burns Ammoniac resin as a sacred ritual before the holy scrolls are removed from the temple ark. This resin has a "green" fragrance, described as softer and sweeter than its cousin, Galbanum, which is commonly used in perfumery.
In addition to its religious significance, Ammoniac resin has also been used for medicinal purposes and as an ingredient in perfumes and tinctures. Its unique fragrance profile makes it an interesting addition to the perfumer's palette, providing a range of aromatic possibilities.
Ammoniac resin is derived from trees, specifically the Commiphora tree, and is obtained through a process called "tapping", which is done sustainably to ensure the tree's continued health. This natural resin is the original form of incense, offering a richer and deeper fragrance than conventional incense sticks made from wood or synthetic materials.
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It is also known as Gum Ammoniacum, named after the Oracle of the Temple of Ammon
Ammoniac resin, or ammoniacum, is closely related to asafoetida and galbanum. It is a gum-resin exuded from several perennial herbs in the genus Ferula of the umbel family (Apiaceae). The name "ammoniacum" comes from the Temple of Jupiter Ammon in ancient Libya, which was located in what is now the Siwa Oasis in Egypt. The resin was produced near the temple and was named after the temple's oracle.
The temple was an important religious centre for the ancient Greeks and Egyptians. The resin, also known as Gum Ammoniacum, was believed to be the preferred incense used to petition the oracle for answers. It is thought that the same purpose was served by the Greek oracle at Delphi. The name has persisted, even though the oracles are no longer used in the same way.
The plant from which the resin is collected is called Dorema Ammoniacum, and it is native to Iran, Turkmenistan, Afghanistan and Pakistan. The plant grows to a height of about 2.5 to 3 metres, and its stem is filled with a milky juice that oozes out when cut. This juice quickly hardens into round tears, forming "tear ammoniacum", the commercial form of the substance. "Lump ammoniacum", another form, consists of aggregations of tears, often including fragments of the plant and other foreign bodies.
Gum Ammoniacum has a distinct, unpleasant odour when burned, but when combined with other resins, it amplifies their fragrances. It has been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years for various purposes, including incense, medicine, perfume, and as an adhesive for gilding in illuminated books and other objects.
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The resin is sourced from trees and has a unique fragrance profile
Resin incense is derived from the sap of trees and plants. It is one of the oldest smoke-producing aromatics, having been burned for centuries during sacred rituals. The resin is sourced from trees such as the Boswellia tree, the Commiphora tree, and the Dracaena tree, and has a unique fragrance profile.
Frankincense, which comes from the Boswellia tree, is the quintessential incense with the greatest association with spiritual practices of any substance on earth. It has been used since ancient times in Egypt, Africa, and Mesopotamia. Myrrh, derived from the Commiphora tree, has been valued for centuries as both incense and medicine. Like frankincense, myrrh carries significant spiritual connotations and has been used in religious ceremonies across various cultures.
Dragon's blood is derived from the Dracaena tree and has been used since ancient times in various cultures. It carries strong magical associations. Copal Negro, which originates from a different tree than the lighter copals, produces a complex, multi-layered scent that is very pleasant and jovial. It is sacred to the indigenous cultures of Central and South America.
Ammoniacum, also known as Oshek or Veshek, is burned in the Moroccan Jewish tradition before the holy scrolls are removed from the temple ark. It has a lovely "green" fragrance, similar to but softer and sweeter than that of its cousin Galbanum, which is used in perfumery. With its unique fragrance profile, it could provide an interesting addition to the perfumer's palette as a tincture or essential oil.
Resin incense blends are powerfully aromatic, so only a small amount is required each session. The intensity of the fragrance can be varied by choosing how much to burn each time.
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Ammoniac resin is still used as incense in the East and in traditional medicine
Resin incense is one of the oldest aromatics, having been burned for centuries during sacred rituals. It is derived from the sap of trees and plants, with popular sources including the Boswellia tree, the Commiphora tree, and gum trees. Resin incense is often preferred over conventional incense sticks because it offers more control over intensity and provides a richer fragrance.
One type of resin incense is ammoniac resin, also known as Gum Ammoniacum or Oshek/Veshek. It has a unique fragrance profile, described as having a "green" scent that is softer and sweeter than that of its cousin, Galbanum. Ammoniac resin is named after its historical use in the Temple of Ammon, where it was the preferred incense burned when petitioning the oracle.
To this day, ammoniac resin continues to hold cultural and religious significance. It is still used as an incense ingredient in Eastern regions and in traditional medicine. For example, in the Moroccan Jewish tradition, ammoniac resin is burned before the holy scrolls are removed from the temple ark.
The use of ammoniac resin in incense and medicinal practices is not limited to a specific region or culture. It has been utilised for hundreds, if not thousands, of years and has been valued for its aromatic, purifying, and spiritual properties. Additionally, ammoniac resin, also known as Gum Ammoniacum, has been used as an adhesive for gilding in illuminated books and other objects of art.
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It can be used as a tincture or essential oil in perfumery
Ammoniacum, also known as Gum Ammoniacum, is an aromatic resin that has been used for centuries in incense. It is believed to have been used in ancient Greece at the Oracle of the Temple of Ammon and at the Oracle of Delphi. To this day, it is burned in the Moroccan Jewish tradition before the holy scrolls are removed from the temple ark.
Ammoniacum resin is derived from the Commiphora tree, the same tree that gives us myrrh, a resin that has been valued for centuries as incense and medicine. Like myrrh, frankincense, and copal, ammoniacum is harvested from gum trees through a process called "tapping". This is done sustainably to ensure the tree continues to thrive.
Natural resins like ammoniacum are the original incense, giving off a richer and deeper fragrance than conventional incense sticks made from wood or synthetic materials. They are also more versatile, as you can vary the intensity of the fragrance by choosing how much resin to burn each time.
Ammoniacum resin can be used as a tincture or essential oil in perfumery. To create a tincture, the resin can be dissolved in a solvent such as alcohol or vegetable glycerine. This results in a concentrated solution that can be added to perfumes or colognes to impart the resin's unique fragrance. Alternatively, the resin can be steam-distilled to extract its essential oil, which can then be blended into perfumery compositions or used in aromatherapy applications.
When working with ammoniacum resin, it is important to note that its oily texture may require careful handling when melting it onto charcoal discs for burning. This is a necessary step, as tree resins do not burn on their own and require charcoal to be ignited.
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Frequently asked questions
Ammoniac resin, also known as Gum Ammoniacum, is an aromatic resin that has been used as incense for hundreds of years. It is still used as an incense ingredient in the East and in traditional medicine.
Gum Ammoniacum is a natural resin derived from trees such as gum trees. It is named after its long association with the Oracle of the Temple of Ammon, where it was the choice incense to burn when petitioning the oracle.
Resin incense is made from small beads of hardened tree saps such as copal, dammar and styrax. These resins are then coloured and imbued with essential oils.
Only a small amount of resin incense is needed each session (less than half a teaspoon) due to its powerful aroma. The amount burned can also be adjusted to vary the intensity of the fragrance.
Resin incense is the original incense and gives off a richer and deeper fragrance than stick incense. It is also more customizable as you can choose how much to burn each time, unlike stick incense, which comes in a set amount.
