The SoulSmoke™ Lexicon
A Practical Guide to Incense Materials
Welcome to the SoulSmoke Lexicon – a growing collection of detailed information about resins, herbs, woods, and other materials used in incense throughout history.
What You’ll Find Here
This isn’t another copy-paste collection of mystical properties or Wikipedia summaries. Each entry comes from hands-on experience with these materials – how they actually burn, what they really smell like, and how different traditions have used them. We cover everything from common frankincense to rare regional resins you’ve probably never heard of.
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Boswellia Sacra
Boswellia Sacra Common Names & Market Names Some of Boswellia Sacra’s common names are Sacred Frankincense, Hojari Frankincense, Royal Green Hojari, Royal White Hojari, Superior Hojari, Najdi Frankincense, Black Sacra, Sha’abi, Dhofari Frankincense, Yemeni Frankincense, Somali Frankincense, Olibanum (classical trade name). Often sold as “Pure Frankincense” or confused with Boswellia Carterii in Somali markets. Plant…
How to Use This Resource
- Shopping? Learn what you’re actually buying and how to spot quality
- Blending? Find out what works together and why
- Learning? Discover traditional uses across cultures
- Identifying? Physical descriptions help you know what you have
Understanding the Entries
Each material includes practical burning instructions, scent descriptions from someone who’s actually burned it, traditional and cultural uses without the mystification, and clear information about grades and market confusion. We’ll tell you when “Dragon’s Blood” isn’t really dragon’s blood, and why that matters.
A Living Document
This lexicon grows regularly as we document more materials. If you’re looking for something specific that’s not here yet, let us know. We prioritize entries based on what people actually need to know.
Browse by Category:
- Resins
- Woods
- Herbs & Flowers
- Specialty Materials
- Common Confusions
View All Entries Alphabetically
Note: This resource presents traditional uses and cultural practices as historical and anthropological information. We make no medical claims about any materials listed.