BENZOIN - Tahir - Styrax benzoin - Incense Resin from Sumatra

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Gum Benjamin - Incense Resin of the Styrax Tree

Benzoin is perhaps the sweetest natural resin available. This incense is impressive when burned correctly, but spicy and harsh when burned incorrectly. Please take care! This resin burns at a low temperature, so must be placed *next* to the incense charcoal, or on top of an insulating mica plate.

This particular kind of Benzoin comes from the second flush of resin after the rains. It has a slightly sweeter scent than the higher grade "Mata Kasar" and is definitely easier to burn.

Authentic Benzoin is becoming hard to find at reasonable price and often comes adulterated. This resin has been taken from trees maintained for their religious value, so we can trust the sanctity and maintenance of the forests the Styrax trees provide.

Gum Benjamin is different from Storax (often sold as "Styrax"), derived from species of Liquidambar. These incenses have become muddled in history.

As well as being a religious commodity, Benzoin has been utilised in perfumes and incenses as it has been for centuries.