Benzoin Resin 20 g. Tin

Perfect addition to your altar, incense cabinet, or sacred space! Add to your energetic smudging practices for the lovely vanilla-like scent of benzoin, and in combination with other burnables to create custom scents, don't be afraid to experiment! You will also receive an information sheet on smudging and resins.

Benzoin (Styrax benzoin) is produced in the area of Thailand and Cambodia. Used for purification, it will clear the air and impart a fresh and wonderful vanilla-like fragrance. Used for medicinal purposes, as a food flavoring, as well as incense-making as an antioxidant, stabilizer, and fixative. Also used in success and power-raising incense blends. You can also use as an ingredient in an ancient and traditional recipe blended with frankincense and myrrh as a pontifical blend. This is an orthodox-style resin incense and is one of the famous Catholic Church incenses. Recommended to create an atmosphere for meditation, prayer, and tranquility. It is ideal for use in self-purification rituals, clearing a space, or purifying ritual objects.

Plant resins, being less processed than essential oils, hold more essence of the plant and more spirit energy. This concentration of the "blood" of the plant is what make them powerful reservoirs of natural energies. They are different than essential oils and are meant to be used in different ways. The most common way to use resins is to place them on a burning piece of charcoal tablet allowing the aroma of the smoke to fill the space, releasing its energy and essence. They are also a key ingredient in making true and real incense combined with essential oils and finely ground woods, such as sandalwood. They can be used for their aromatic qualities alone, as an aid to holistic healing, and of course in spiritual and religious rituals. We burn them alone, or in combination with one another and occasionally combine resins with our herbal smudges in the smoke bowl, to enhance the effects of the herbs.

To smudge yourself or another, direct smoke (this is typically done with a feather) toward the heart first, then over the head, down the arms and the front of the body. To smudge a home, open windows if possible to allow the room to clear. Walk room to room wafting smoke as you go, say a personal blessing if needed. For objects, waft smoke over object or pass object through the smoke (if small). *It is always recommended to protect your burning bowl with a bed of sand or ash, as it can get rather hot if using a charcoal to burn. Extra charcoal tablets to add to your order can be found here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/219137475/charcoal-tablets-two-tubes-for-smudging?ref=shop_home_active_1

"The word ‘smudge’ comes from the old English word smogen. It is cited in several dictionaries as coming from 1400-50 late Middle English. It means to smear, blur, obscure, to smother with smoke, to use dense smoke to protect an area from insects. Another meaning is also ‘taken by surprise’. In English the term ‘smudge’ also means smut or dirt. It has been in use since the 15th century, and first appeared after the Norman conquest, so it’s certainly of Germanic origin." - Rachel Patterson

Smudging is a common vernacular for the sacred smoke bowl blessing, a powerful clearing and cleansing technique for your body, tools, crystals and home. Smudging is a recommended and welcome practice on a frequent basis to clear negative or stagnant energy, clear energies from your body and mind after work, and to purify the air during and after illnesses of all kinds. Also a wonderful tool to cleanse new items entering your home, or after visitors exit, to neutralize and charge the air with positive energy. Smudging can, and should, be done during ritual of any tradition, to create sacred space, and charge ritual tools.

From our home in the foothills of North Carolina to yours...happy smudging for your health and wellbeing. Smudge daily!

Some settling may occur. This is a natural product, some variations may occur.

*Disclaimer* I make no medical claims as to the efficacy of this product, only personal experience. The information in my shop has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.