Resources & Information

Frankincense & Myrrh: Tradition and Use

Frankincense and myrrh hold a rich cultural and spiritual history, revered for thousands of years in ritual, medicine, and daily life. With such a wealth of traditions, it can feel overwhelming to navigate the information and find trusted guidance. At Sacra & Spice, we’ve created a streamlined approach so our customers can explore these sacred resins with confidence and discover the product that best suits their needs.

Traditional Uses of Frankincense

1. Burning on Charcoal
The most common and ancient method is burning frankincense to release its aromatic smoke.

  • Step 1. Place a piece of self-lighting charcoal in a safe, heat-resistant charcoal burner. For ease, use a windproof lighter—this avoids handling charcoal with tongs.

  • Step 2. Once lit, wait 5 minutes and then place a piece of frankincense resin directly onto the charcoal.

    • For less smoke, use smaller pieces.

    • For longer burns and heavier smoke, use larger tears.

  • Allow the resin to release its deep, purifying fragrance.

*Use caution with buners that do not have a handle as the metal gets hot.

2. Drinking as Tea or Frankincense Water
Select grades of frankincense can also be prepared as tea or infused water. Only certain resins are suitable for ingestion—such as our Sultan’s Royal Green Hojari.

Method 1: Frankincense Tea

  1. Choose one medium-sized tear and gently crush it (morter and pestal is perfect or pressing between two spoons works well).

  2. Add the crushed resin to your tea cup of boiling water, (Not the pot or kettle as resin is sticky and can be hard to clean). Stir for 3–5 minutes until the water turns slightly white cloudy and infused with resin. Note: the tear may not fully dissolve.

  3. Pour into a cup and enjoy warm and mix with favorite tea or honey if desired.

User assumes full responsibility for the use of any product purchased from this website.

Method 2: Frankincense Water

  1. Place four to five medium-to-large tears in a 1 gallon jug. For stronger infusion, crush the tears beforehand.

  2. Add 1 gallon of pure water. (room temp or cold is ok)

  3. Place in the refrigerator overnight to steep. The tears may not fully dissolve and some resin may adhere to the glass.

  4. Drink a cup daily, pouring directly from the jug. Keep refrigerated and discard after 5 days for freshness and potency.

User assumes full responsibility for the use of any product purchased from this website.