ABOUT TREE RESINS

Tree resins have been used for medicinal, spiritual, practical, and ritual purposes across various cultures for thousands of years. These powerful, dynamic substances have been a trusted ally of spiritual seekers,
fine art preservation, ship-building, healers, waterproofing, and plant-medicine practitioners since the Bronze Age.

Trees are the source of most resins, though some resins are rendered from woody plants, flowers and the buds of shrubs. Resins are produced from specialized cells in plants and also to protect, heal and repair themselves when an injury is endured. Trees and woody plants naturally exude resin and can be coaxed to produce resin from human-made incisions created to harvest these precious materials. The time of year, part of the tree, duration of harvest and other auxiliary environmental factors all play an essential role in the quality, quantity and sustainability of yield. At Mama Loux, we are deeply committed to sourcing and supporting sustainable harvesting to protect and preserve our tree allies and resources.

MEDICINAL USES

Tree resins, particularly those from coniferous trees like pine, spruce, and fir, as well as from trees like frankincense and myrrh, have been valued for their therapeutic properties across different cultures.

ANTISEPTIC AND ANTIBACTERIAL: Resins such as frankincense (Boswellia) and myrrh (Commiphora) were used in ancient Egypt and other cultures for their ability to cleanse wounds, prevent infections, and preserve
bodies. Pine resin, rich in compounds like turpentine, was also used for treating cuts, burns, and respiratory conditions.

ANTI-INFLAMMATORY AND PAIN RELIEF: Resins like frankincense and myrrh are known for their anti-inflammatory properties, and they have been used in traditional medicine to treat arthritis, joint pain, and muscle inflammation. Pine and spruce resin were also utilized in poultices to alleviate
pain.

RESPIRATORY HEALTH: The inhalation of tree resins' smoke or their use in salves has been a remedy for coughs, colds, asthma, and bronchitis. Resins such as pine, spruce, and cedar have been used to clear nasal passages and relieve congestion.

AROMATHERAPY: Many resins, including frankincense, myrrh, and copal, are utilized in modern aromatherapy for stress relief, mood elevation, and mental clarity due to their calming and grounding effects.

SPIRITUAL AND RITUAL USES

Tree resins have long been associated with spirituality and ritual across many traditions, primarily due to their aromatic qualities and
symbolic associations with purification and divine connection.

SACRED AND CEREMONIAL USES: Indigenous peoples of the Americas, such as the Navajo and the Maya, used tree resins like copal in religious ceremonies to communicate with the spirit world, cleanse spaces, or protect against evil spirits. Copal, for instance, was used in pre-Columbian Mesoamerica for offerings to gods.

SHAMANIC PRACTICES: In many shamanic traditions, resins like frankincense, myrrh, and copal are used in healing rituals, meditation, and journeying. Their smoke is thought to facilitate altered states of consciousness and enhance spiritual insight.

INCENSE IN RELIGIOUS RITUALS: In the Abrahamic faiths (Judaism, Christianity, Islam), resins like frankincense and myrrh were burned as offerings to deities. The smoke was believed to carry prayers to the
heavens, cleanse spaces, and create a sanctified atmosphere. Frankincense is still
burned in Catholic Mass and used in Islamic practices.

PRACTICAL USES

Beyond spiritual and medicinal applications, tree resins have been used for a variety of practical purposes throughout history.

PRESERVATION AND ADHESIVES: One of the most ancient uses of tree resins is in the production of adhesives, such as pitch and tar. These materials were used by early humans for waterproofing boats, sealing
containers, and as glues for tools and weapons. The ancient Egyptians used resin-based materials in the embalming process.

VARNISH AND WATERPROOFING: Resin has also been used to create protective coatings for wood, metal, and leather. The Greeks and Romans used it in varnishes and paints. In modern times, resins are still used in the
production of lacquers, paints, and coatings.

FUEL: Tree resins, particularly pine resin, were historically used as a fuel for torches, lamps, and candles, providing long-lasting light and a strong fragrance.

CULTURAL USES OF TREE RESINS

ANCIENT EGYPT: Resin was used in religious rituals, embalming, and as incense. The Egyptians used frankincense and myrrh
extensively for both medicinal and spiritual purposes. The famous "three gifts" of the Magi—gold, frankincense, and myrrh—illustrate the high value placed on these resins.

INDIGENOUS CULTURES OF THE AMERICAS: Native peoples used copal, pine resin, and other tree resins in ritual and healing practices. For instance, the Maya used copal resin in their ceremonial practices, burning it
in incense burners to connect with the divine.

ASIA AND THE MIDDLE EAST: In ancient India, frankincense and myrrh were highly regarded for their spiritual and medicinal uses. Buddhist and Hindu traditions still incorporate these resins in temple rituals. Similarly, in the Middle East, frankincense and myrrh were traded extensively along the
incense routes, and their use in both religious ceremonies and medicine dates
back thousands of years.

EUROPE: In medieval and Renaissance Europe, resins like pine and frankincense were used in healing salves and balms, and resin-based incense was burned in churches and monasteries. The use of pine resin for its
antiseptic properties continued through the centuries.

The reverence for tress resins for medicinal, spiritual, practical, and ritual purposes is deeply embedded in human history. Their
aromatic, healing, and protective properties have made them highly valued in ancient and modern cultures around the world.

MAMA LOUX RITUAL RESIN INCENSE

Our resins are blended in ritual with extraordinary ingredients from around the world. Formulated with pure tree resins that are traditionally and sustainably harvested in small batches from traceable origins and
hand-ground in ritual for exceptional potency and synergy.

Tree resins have been revered for spiritual, sacred and medicinal purposes since ancient times in many cultures around the world. They are mystical gifts from the ancestry of trees and offer a doorway of altering
scent for your rituals and rapture.