Burning of incense has been a part of different cultures for a very long time. For Egyptians in ancient times, it was a practice that helped them celebrate different types of fragrances. They had a large variety, which included Kyphi, their favorite.
What is Kyphi incense? How much do you know about it and its origin? Well, most people do not know about it, but that is about to change.
In this post, we will discuss every important aspect of this marvelous incense. Let’s get started.
General Overview
So, what is Kyphi incense? Well, every day, ancient Egyptians had a daily ritual that involved burning three types of incense at certain times. In the morning, for instance, Frankincense was burned, followed by Myrrh during the day and Kyphi during the evening.
It was a type of incense that had a very important part in ceremonies as a sacred fragrance.
The Fragrance and Ingredients
Kyphi, one of the most popular fragrances in Ancient Egypt, was made using a range of ingredients. Some recipes required more than fifty ingredients. The recipes to make the incense are inscribed on walls in the ancient temples of Philae and Edfu.
What does Kyphi smell like? The combination of this wide array of ingredients resulted in a very rich, beautiful, full-bodied, warm, sweet, relaxing, sensual, and spicy aroma.
For the amazing and complex fragrance to be produced, only natural and organic ingredients would work. These might have included Sandalwood, Saffron, Sultana raisins, Red wine, Storax Bark, Tupelo honey, Frankincense, Benzoin, Aloeswood, mastic, Galangal root, Rose, Lemongrass, Cardamon seeds, and more.
Kyphi Incense Uses
This is considered one of the earliest fragrances man-made. The ancient type of incense was useful in perfume and medicine. It was made from a range of aromas placed together in a skillful process to create thick and luxurious smoke.
In the evenings, it was burned in the temples as a method of preparation for dreamwork and banishing away any worries. It was also ingested as medicine.
Burning Kyphi
The incense is not like the other forms of incense we have today. It is not designed like a dry stick that you burn. The base of an authentic Kyphi is wet. When you place it on fire directly, it will mess up the aroma.
Therefore, if you want the best results, it is recommended that you use an electric burner, a hot plate, or other sources of heat that you can regulate and will not form a blazing fire.
Conclusion
Kyphi incense is one of the oldest forms of incense. We know that you might not have used it before but are intrigued. Even though it might be harder to find compared to other types of incense, you can make it at home. You simply need to find the ingredients to make it.
