Aromatic Resins

Aromatic resins are often burned to release a scent that has many beneficial effects. This practice of using resins in aromatherapy is one of the oldest. Formerly used in religious practices and rites, even the Egyptians used aromatic resins while embalming bodies, during mummification.

Aromatherapy Resins

On the birth of Christ three wise men presented the newborn with special gifts. Of the three, frankincense and myrrh are two aromatic resins that was presented.

Used since ancient times as part of rituals resins are actually the sticky gum like substance that comes from the bark of trees. On peeling the outer bark of a tree the thick substance that is obtained is actually unsaturated hydrocarbons, which hardens on exposure to air.

Resins are used in aromatherapy in their hardened forms, which are burnt. All you have to do is break off a bit of the hardened solid resin and place it on a diffuser. On being ignited you can smell the fragrance. You can alternately use the resin in powdered form. Just grind the solid resin to a powder. Balsam, frankincense, lavender, myrrh are some of the popular resin aromatics that is used.

Resins are also used in the manufacture of perfumes. The resins are dissolved in certain chemical substances. On steam distillation a viscous product is obtained, called resinoids. The latter is then dissolved in alcohol.

Usage Tips for Aromatic Resins

• Smell the scent of burning resins from a distance, to avoid the sharp smell that hits your nostrils.
  
  
• Resins burn better if broken down into smaller pieces.
  
  
• Some resins will liberate better smell in the beginning rather than towards the end. You can remove it from the diffuser if you don't like the smell.
  
  
• If you are burning lavender flower burn only a few at a time for best results.