Frankincense and myrrh are among the most treasured aromatic materials in the history of incense. For thousands of years, these precious tree resins have been burned in temples, churches, monasteries, homes, and sacred spaces across India, Arabia, Africa, and the Mediterranean.

Known for their deep balsamic aromas, warm resinous notes, and connection to ancient fragrance traditions, frankincense and myrrh remain some of the most respected ingredients in natural incense, perfumery, and aromatherapy.

While many people associate these resins with ancient Middle Eastern traditions and church incense, natural resin incense has also played an important role throughout India. Indian incense makers have long blended resins such as frankincense, myrrh, loban, guggul, benzoin, and other botanical ingredients with sandalwood, herbs, flowers, and essential oils to create traditional masala incense blends.

The Everest Trader’s Frankincense & Myrrh Incense Collection features hand-rolled Indian incense sticks inspired by these ancient fragrance traditions, including frankincense incense, myrrh incense, loban, benzoin, resin-rich masala blends, and botanical incense crafted with natural aromatic ingredients.

What Is Frankincense? Olibanum, the Sacred Resin of Arabia and India

Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is one of the oldest and most valuable aromatic resins in the world.

The word olibanum comes from the Latin term referring to the fragrant resin produced by trees in the Boswellia genus. These trees grow primarily in dry regions of Arabia, Africa, and India, where their aromatic sap has been harvested for thousands of years.

Frankincense resin is collected by carefully making small cuts in the bark of the Boswellia tree. The sap slowly dries into small golden or pale resin tears, which can be burned directly as incense or incorporated into incense sticks, powders, oils, and perfumes.

Some important frankincense species include:

Boswellia sacra - Arabian frankincense
Often considered one of the most prized varieties of frankincense, Boswellia sacra has traditionally been harvested in Oman, Yemen, and southern Arabia. It is known for a refined fragrance profile with citrus, pine, balsamic, and slightly sweet notes.

Boswellia frereana - Somali frankincense
Known for its smooth, bright aroma with lemon-like and woody characteristics, this variety is highly valued among fragrance enthusiasts.

Boswellia serrata - Indian frankincense
Also known as salai or shallaki, this species has been used in India for centuries and is associated with traditional Ayurvedic practices.

Arabian olibanum was once one of the world’s most valuable trade goods. Ancient incense routes carried frankincense across deserts and seas, connecting Arabia with India, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and beyond.

Today, frankincense remains an important ingredient in natural incense, luxury fragrance, essential oils, and botanical perfumery.

What Does Frankincense Incense Smell Like?

Frankincense has a distinctive fragrance profile that has made it beloved for centuries.

Depending on the variety and blend, frankincense incense may feature:

• fresh citrus notes
• pine-like brightness
• warm balsamic sweetness
• subtle spice
• earthy resin depth
• clean woody undertones

In traditional Indian incense making, frankincense is often blended with sandalwood, cedarwood, floral extracts, herbs, spices, and other resins to create a more complex fragrance experience.

This layered approach is what makes natural resin incense especially appealing to incense collectors and fragrance connoisseurs.

What Is Myrrh? The Ancient Resin of Perfume and Incense

Myrrh is another ancient aromatic resin with a history spanning thousands of years.

Myrrh comes from trees in the Commiphora genus, especially:

Commiphora myrrha - True myrrh
Traditionally harvested in regions of Africa and Arabia, this resin is known for its warm, earthy, smoky, slightly sweet fragrance.

Commiphora wightii - Indian guggul
A related resin traditionally used in India, especially in Ayurveda and incense traditions.

Myrrh has been valued throughout history for fragrance, ceremonial use, traditional practices, and natural perfumery.

When burned as incense, myrrh creates a rich aroma with notes of:

• warm balsamic resin
• earthy woods
• subtle sweetness
• smoky depth
• ancient temple-like fragrance

Myrrh is often paired with frankincense because the two resins complement each other beautifully. Frankincense brings brightness and clarity, while myrrh adds warmth and depth.

Frankincense and Myrrh in Indian Incense Traditions

Although frankincense and myrrh are often associated with Arabia and Biblical history, natural resin incense has been part of Indian fragrance traditions for centuries.

Traditional Indian incense makers have long used aromatic materials including:

• frankincense
• loban
• benzoin
• guggul
• sandalwood
• agarwood (oudh)
• herbs
• flowers
• spices
• essential oils
• botanical extracts

These ingredients are combined using traditional masala incense-making methods, where aromatic materials are blended into a natural paste before being hand-rolled onto bamboo sticks.

Unlike simple charcoal-based incense, traditional masala incense develops a more layered fragrance profile, allowing individual ingredients to unfold as the incense burns.

Loban, Benzoin, and Other Sacred Indian Resins

Frankincense and myrrh are part of a much larger world of aromatic resins used in Indian incense.

Loban (Benzoin Resin)

Loban is one of India's most beloved incense resins.

Derived from trees in the Styrax genus, especially Styrax benzoin, benzoin produces a sweet, warm fragrance often compared to vanilla, honey, and soft balsamic notes.

In India, loban is commonly used in homes, temples, and puja offerings.

The Everest Trader offers traditional Loban Incense and Benzoin & Resin Incense Collection featuring this classic Indian resin fragrance.

Guggul Resin

Guggul comes from Commiphora wightii, a resin-producing tree native to India.

For centuries, guggul has been valued in Ayurveda and traditional fragrance practices. Its aroma is warm, earthy, and resinous, making it an important ingredient in certain incense blends.

Copal Resin

Copal refers to several aromatic tree resins, especially from plants in the Burseraceae family.

Although strongly associated with Central and South American traditions, copal has become appreciated worldwide by incense enthusiasts for its clean, bright resin aroma.

Explore Natural Copal Incense for another example of traditional resin-based fragrance.

Dragon’s Blood Resin

Dragon’s Blood is a name used for several deep red botanical resins, including species from the Dracaena and Daemonorops genera.

Historically valued for its color and aromatic qualities, dragon’s blood is often used in incense blends to add richness and depth.

Frankincense and Myrrh in Indian Puja and Temple Offerings

Incense plays an important role in Indian spiritual traditions, especially during puja, where fragrant smoke is offered as part of devotion and creating a sacred atmosphere.

Natural incense made from resins, woods, herbs, and flowers has been used for centuries in temples and homes throughout India.

Resin incense is especially valued because of its rich aroma and long-lasting fragrance.

Traditional incense blends may combine:

• frankincense
• loban
• sandalwood
• agarwood
• floral oils
• herbs
• spices

The result is a fragrance experience designed to transform a space through aroma.

Explore more traditional blends in our complete Indian Incense Collection.

Frankincense and Myrrh in Churches, Cathedrals, and Christian Traditions

Frankincense and myrrh also hold an important place in Christian history.

According to the New Testament, frankincense and myrrh were among the gifts presented to Jesus by the Magi.

For centuries, these resins have been burned in Christian worship, particularly in Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican traditions.

Church incense blends often include frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, and other aromatic resins. In cathedrals and churches around the world, incense symbolizes prayer, reverence, purification, and spiritual connection.

The same fragrant materials that traveled along ancient trade routes continue to connect cultures today.

Resin Incense and the World of Natural Perfumery

Resins are highly valued in perfumery because they add depth, warmth, and longevity to fragrance compositions.

Frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, and other botanical resins are used in:

• natural perfume
• essential oil blends
• luxury fragrance
• aromatherapy
• incense making

Perfume houses often describe resin notes as balsamic, amber-like, smoky, sweet, or woody.

In incense, these same qualities create sophisticated fragrance profiles appreciated by collectors and those seeking premium natural incense experiences.

Explore Our Frankincense and Myrrh Incense Collection

Our Frankincense & Myrrh Incense Collection brings together traditional Indian incense blends inspired by ancient resin traditions from around the world.

Discover hand-rolled incense featuring:

Natural Frankincense Incense
A classic resin fragrance with bright balsamic and woody notes.

Royal Frankincense Incense
A rich interpretation of one of history’s most treasured aromatic resins.

Classic Myrrh Incense
A warm, earthy resin fragrance inspired by ancient traditions.

Egyptian Myrrh Incense
A blend inspired by the historic connection between myrrh and ancient fragrance culture.

Loban Incense
Traditional Indian benzoin resin fragrance with warm sweet notes.

Frankincense and Myrrh Incense
A balanced combination of two legendary aromatic resins.

Frankincense & Myrrh Discovery Collection
A curated selection of resin-rich Indian masala incense blends.

Whether you are searching for natural frankincense incense, myrrh incense sticks, temple incense, church incense, puja incense, resin incense, or luxury Indian masala incense, this collection offers a journey through some of the world's oldest fragrance traditions.