Labdanum incense question

You seem to be very knowledgeable about the various labdanum oils and the various aromas they have. I have a question for you about an incense I have created.

I have attempted to re-create the HaQetoret of Exodus 30. I think it is a very beautiful scent, however my wife and children do not like the lingering after-scent. I think perhaps it may need to be tweeked with a bit more of a sweet scent to suit their modern tastes. It may be also that the ancients added a bit of essential oil (or an ancient equivalent to essential oils) to their formula. Which of the many oils would you recommend I add to my formula in order to make it sweeter? Here is my formula:

1 part Myrrh
1/2 part Styrax Benzoin
1 part Labdanum
1 part Galbanum
1 part Frankincense

It has a rich musky, delicious balsamic smell. I am looking for essential oils, CO2 oils, or etc, that would add a more accented sweet aroma to the formula. For example: oils of a very sweet myrrh, a very vanilla sweet benzoin, a sweet fresh labdanum, and a sweet fresh frankincense. Again, which of the many oils would you recommend I add to my formula in order to make it sweeter? And who would carry the best scent of each of these?

Thanks

GREAT! Sounds like what I am searching for.

So I will put Cistus EO from Liberty Natural on my list.

Now I have four more to go. Any ideas on where to get the sweetest, freshest essential oils or CO2 oils for:

Myrrh
Styrax Benzoin
Galbanum
Frankincense

Thanks

Thanks, but I was the one who wrote that whole article (except for the first two sentences which were modified by myself).

It is my opinion that onycha is labdanum. However, in the article I listed all of the contenders for onycha so that the reader could make an unbiased, informed decision as to the identity of the very illusive ingredient.

But thanks again for your response.

Curtis

My research has led me to identify stacte as a light myrrh oil in a solid carrier of styrax benzoin. Onycha was labdanum. Galbanum was the same galbanum we use today or its very close relative (narthex or giant fennel). Frankincense is the same as we identify today.

The second Temple incense had other spices added to it per what is known as the oral Torah. I believe I have also identified all of the ingredients in this incense.

I am totally satisfied with the pure, beautiful scent of the incense I have re-constructed but I would like to enhance the fragrance a bit for modern senses. The sweetness of the incense is very complex and subtle. Today's senses are used to being blasted with the raw force of piercing aroma.

I call my first incense the Exodus 30 incense. My second formula is the Second Temple incense. If I can tweak the first incense a bit I will refer to it as the Exodus 30 enhanced version.

This is sort of a journey into the world of incense in which I am taking my students at the Bible college I teach. I am aware that the Bible teaches the incense is not to be used for non-sacred purposes. I feel justified in re-creating the incense for the following reasons (1) Under the new covenant the incense is seen as simply the type and shadow of the prayers offered up to God by those redeemed under the new covenant. (2) Although we no longer offer up physical incense on the alter to God, we are still using it in a sacred way in our study of it or to set an atmosphere conducive to spiritual contemplation.

Curtis

Thanks Doc Elly. This really helps. I ordered from one company and the oils smelled like bug spray. I didn't want to waste my money buying from various companies so I decided to inquire of others who had previously bought from other sources.

BTW, which of the frankincense oils from LN has the strogest scent in the "sweet" and "fresh" department?

Thanks again.

Ah yes, I do need a sweet galbanum, if such a thing exists. Personally I like the grassy galbanum scent, however modern tastes are not familiar with this scent (although it is used in many modern perfume blends).

I am unable to cut back on any of the ingredients as they are fixed per the ancient recipe. However it is permitable to enhance the formula with the oils from its own ingredients.

If I could impose. . . where could I find a sweeter galbanum oil?

Have you tried the oils offered by any of the following companies: Eden Botanicals, Mountain Rose Herbs, Scents of Earth, Mermaid, New Direction Aromatics ?

BTW, galbanum in the raw has a very putrid, nasty, bitter smell. However, when galbanum is mixed with the incense and burned it produces a very sweet aroma.

Would you recommend the EO labdanum over the CO2 labdanum?

I understand. I was just wondering how the EO labdanum compares in fragrance with CO2 labdanum.

Thanks.

Thank you. You have been most informative.

Have you tried galbanum EO? I wonder if I will be able to find a a good source for galbanum EO or if it will be just as nasty as the resin itself.

AH . . . I finally found the secret formula!!!

Through much trial and error (and wasting hundreds of dollars on resins and oils) I at last was able to create a wonderfully, exotic and sacred aroma!

This incense is a recreation of the original HaKetoret of Exodus 30. It contains four resinous ingredients. I have also recreated the HaKetoret of the second Temple, per the oral Torah, which has 11 ingredients. It too has a wonderfully exotic aroma. The former has more of a sweet frankincense top note while the latter has more of a sweet cinnamon top note.

I sometimes have the tendency to major in details. Thank you so much for patiently answering all of my detailed questions.

Curtis