The myrrh version of the Palo Santo Masala series comes as one hexagonal box of HEM incense sticks, and the black and gold box reads “Palo Santo Myrrh”. They are made in India. In the other boxes of the series we stock, palo santo is paired with lavender, cinnamon, sandalwood, arruda or rose.
A gift of the Magi
Myrrh is the resin of a tree that grows in north-east Africa and on the Arabian Peninsula. According to the Gospel of Matthew, the Magi brought the infant Jesus gold, frankincense and myrrh. Many people still link its scent with Christmas and with incense in church.
It has been burned for a very long time. Plutarch, the Greek writer, records that the ancient Egyptians burned myrrh at midday.
Resin meets wood
Myrrh smells bitter, resinous and a little earthy. In this stick it is paired with the woody, slightly sweet scent of palo santo. If you like the smell of churches and would enjoy bringing it home, this is the version we would suggest.
On Advent evenings, before a holiday or during prayer, many people light a stick. At the end of a long week, a Sunday afternoon suits it too.
If you do not have an incense holder yet, a simple wooden or soapstone one will do. Should the holder be shorter than the stick, put a saucer underneath, as the ash may fall past it.
Burning it safely
Light the tip and, once it has caught, blow out the flame. Put the stick in a heat-resistant holder, as the ash will fall. Keep the burning stick out of reach of children and pets. Do not leave it unattended, put it out before bed, and air the room when you have finished.