Frankincense Resin Incense

Frankincense resin, sometimes called olibanum tears, is the dried sap of the Boswellia tree. It has been burned as incense for thousands of years across spiritual, religious and everyday ritual practice, traditionally associated with purification, prayer and creating a calm, sacred atmosphere.

Light a charcoal disc in a heatproof incense burner and let it become fully lit, covered in a light grey ash. Place a small piece of frankincense resin directly onto the charcoal. A little goes a long way, one or two tears is usually enough to fill a room.

Yes, with the same care as any open flame. Burn on a heatproof dish away from flammable items, keep a window cracked for airflow, and never leave burning charcoal unattended. To finish, fan or wave the charcoal to let it cool rather than blowing on it directly.

Resin is the raw, unprocessed tear of the tree and needs a charcoal disc to release its scent, giving a fuller, more traditional aroma. Incense sticks are pre-formed and self-igniting, convenient for a quick, consistent burn without extra equipment. Many people keep both on hand, resin for deliberate ritual use, sticks for everyday fragrance.

Frankincense and myrrh have been burned together for centuries, an ancient pairing traditionally associated with grounding, reverence and sacred ceremony. The combination brings frankincense's bright, citrus-balsamic note together with myrrh's deeper, earthier tone.

Properly stored frankincense resin doesn't spoil the way food does. Kept in a cool, dry, airtight container away from direct sunlight, the tears stay aromatic for years, some practitioners find the scent mellows and deepens with age.

Myrrh and benzoin (also known as Loban) are the two most traditional companions, each bringing a different note, myrrh deep and earthy, benzoin warm and sweetly vanilla-like. Our Sacred Resin Trinity bundle brings all three together for anyone wanting to explore the wider resin family in one set.

Secret Sense stocks a range of pure and blended frankincense resins in-store in Henley on Klip, Gauteng, and ships nationwide across South Africa.