4 products
Myrrh incense: the oldest resin ever burned
Myrrh is a resin extracted from the bark of shrubs of the Commiphora genus, found in Somalia, Ethiopia, Yemen and the south of the Arabian peninsula. Alongside frankincense, it is one of the aromatic substances with the longest documented history: it was traded along the incense route long before our era and has been burned in funerary rites, temples and ceremonies across half the world.
This collection holds every Nivara incense made with myrrh, in its various formats and combinations.
What myrrh smells like
Its aroma is resinous, warm and slightly bitter, with a balsamic, earthy base. It is drier and deeper than sandalwood, and considerably less sweet than nag champa. It is a serious smell — one that settles a room rather than perfuming it.
That is precisely why it is associated with introspection more than with everyday scenting. If you want a resinous aroma with more light in it, frankincense is its natural partner: they share a family and have been used together for centuries.
Myrrh and frankincense are not the same thing
They are almost always mentioned together, but they are different resins. Frankincense comes from the Boswellia genus and its aroma is more citrus and elevated; myrrh comes from Commiphora and is darker, more bitter and denser. Many traditional formulas combine them because they balance one another.
Available formats
Organic sticks
The most practical option. The resin is worked into the aromatic paste alongside herbs and natural oils on a bamboo base.
Tibetan incense
Tibetan incense is bamboo-free and denser, concentrating the resin and giving a more intense smoke.
Blends with white sage
Combining myrrh with white sage brings together two distinct traditions — the eastern Mediterranean and North America — in a purifying, herbal aroma.
Traditional uses
Myrrh appears in energy cleansing rituals, in meditation practice and in ceremonies of recollection. Outside that context it works well for scenting a room in winter, or for accompanying reading and concentrated work, where its serious character is less distracting than a sweet aroma.
How to use myrrh incense
Light the tip, let it catch for a few seconds and blow the flame out leaving the ember. Stable holder, non-flammable surface and ventilation during and after. Given its intensity, half a stick is usually enough in small rooms.
Buying myrrh incense online
Shipped from Spain. If resins interest you, look also at premium incense, where the oudh and vetiver sit. The premium myrrh version is Banjara's.
Frequently asked questions about myrrh incense
What is myrrh?
A resin obtained from the bark of shrubs of the Commiphora genus, native to the Horn of Africa and the south of the Arabian peninsula. It has been used as an aromatic substance since antiquity.
What does myrrh incense smell like?
Resinous and warm, with a bitter edge and a balsamic, earthy base. Drier and deeper than sandalwood, and considerably less sweet than nag champa.
What is the difference between myrrh and frankincense?
They are resins from different genera. Frankincense comes from Boswellia and has a more citrus, luminous aroma; myrrh comes from Commiphora and is darker and more bitter. They are often combined because they balance each other.
What is myrrh incense used for?
Traditionally in purification rituals, ceremonies and meditation practice. Outside that, it is a good background aroma for reading or concentrated work, because it distracts less than a sweet fragrance.
Keep exploring
Myrrh is used in the same way as palo santo in energy cleansing. The premium version is Banjara's, and the earthiest one is in the Tibetan range.