Siberian Pine Resin

Siberian Pine Resin comes from the pinus cembra sibirica tree, and is sometimes referred to as "Siberian cedar", though it is not a true cedar tree. It is a stone pine tree.

When the bark gets damaged by an insect or storm, etc., the tree naturally produces resin to flow to the wounded spot to harden and heal. When the excess flows off, it is collected by hand for use as incense. 

This particular resin is extremely sticky and smells like a lush forest. It is amazing. 

Pine resin is among the oldest of incense, as it is a globally available tree, unlike frankincense and myrrh. 

Thousands of years ago, shamans would have came across this while exploring the forest, using it as a cleansing agent - for good reason too, as incense smoke has been shown to be antimicrobial. The room just seems - and is - cleaner after burning.

Directions for Enjoyment:

Use our mortar and pestle to break apart the large chunks.

Using tongs (included with our censers), hold the charcoal on one end and use a butane or other torch or lighter to light one end, or opposite sides, of the tablet. Within seconds it will turn white on the edge. Place it on top of the bed of ash. Wait 20-30 minutes for the tablet to fully turn grey, then (still using tongs) place in the hole, then cover with ash and poke a hole in the top covering ash down to the tablet (don't poke the tablet, this is an air hole so the tablet will stay lit). 

Then, on top and to the side (not covering the air hole) place a mica plate or a foil sheet, and place the resin incense on that. After a few minutes the incense will slowly melt and bubble and release fragrance.

If the incense is charring, turning black, smoking horribly -- you have placed it too close to the charcoal. These tablets get very hot and need space between the burned material. 

Note: do not directly inhale incense. It is not an herb for smoking, it is meant to be smelled in the room, not consumed. Also note: this will produce a lot of smoke. 

I find that after lighting in the night, the next morning the scent is best. 

Also note: You may receive a large or small jar. They are both the same weight you selected, there is no difference, other than the larger jars will contain larger chunks, yet still plenty of ground pieces for you to start without needing a mortar and pestle (though it will definitely be handy to have for the future). They are selected at random, and are different to minimize shipping room if ordering other items.

If you find the piece is too sticky to break apart, you may freeze it overnight, but all pieces in the jars should be easily manageable. As well, you will get many uses out of a single ounce. It will last awhile.