Kyphi Burning Instructions

The people of ancient Egypt (Kemet) believed burning Kyphi was a sacred act. Clear your area of distractions. If using high-quality, odorless charcoal, open a window slightly so the smoke may speak freely. The ancient Egyptians burned frankincense in the morning, myrrh in the afternoon and Kyphi in the evening.
 

Store your Kemet Kyphi in a cool, dark, dry place. Do not refrigerate or freeze. When ready to burn, there are two options:

1. Electric Incense Burners
For the full aromatic bloom of Kyphi’s layered scent, we recommend using an electric incense burner, which allows the perfume to unfold gradually without flame.  Preheat burner for at least 20 minutes before adding Kyphi pearls. The pearl should sizzle upon contact with the foil cup.  Place one Kyphi pearl, or two or three, depending on size of room, and desired intensity,  in a foil cup and place foil cup in the electric burner. 

Do not place your Kyphi directly on the electric burner without the protective foil cup—it will burn and create an unpleasant smoke. Cover with lid. The foil cup helps keep the incense burner clean, as burned Kyphi is sticky. We recommend setting the electric burner at a temperature range between 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably at 170 degrees F.  Do not use the electric burner on high heat—this will ruin the complex aromatic profile and your Kyphi will burn faster than necessary. 

Try a small pinch to find the right heat level before burning the entire pearl, as locations and altitudes will vary. Kyphi is precious! When using an electric burner, do not forget to set the timer for your desired duration because the burners typically automatically shut off after 30 minutes. With electric burners, the same Kyphi pearls can be enjoyed multiple times, about 4-5 hours each night for usually at least two-three days. Do not discard after one use. Your kyphi will inform you when it is depleted. 

Finally, with electric burners, avoid areas of strong wind or draft. Kyphi is a whisper, not a shout — it reveals itself in stillness. The air must be quiet and calm for the scent to ascend in its natural rhythm.  

2.  Charcoal incense burner
For cleansing ritual smoke or quick fumigation, use self-lighting charcoal. We recommend higher quality natural coals such as coconut shell or bamboo charcoal discs that do not contain ignition chemicals. These coals burn slower and cleaner.  Allow the outside of the coal discs to turn gray with a soft orange center glow before introducing the Kyphi. It typically takes around 20 minutes for charcoal discs to turn gray. Kyphi loves patience. Do not rush! Place only one Kyphi pearl atop the grayed and glowing orange charcoal disk. 

You may add a pinch of course salt as a heat buffer, as it lowers the surface temperature of the charcoal.  This prevents the Kyphi from burning too quickly or scorching, allowing it to smolder gently, which is ideal for this complex compound. 

At first, the Kyphi will hiss softly — the wine awakening, the honey remembering the sun. Then the resins begin their ascent, releasing waves of scent in phases: fruit, spice, flower. Let it smolder, not flame. Once the smoke dies down, use tongs to flip the pearl over to restart the smoke from the other side of the pearl. Kyphi pearls ignited over self-lighting charcoal are not reusable. However, expect Kyphi released through charcoal to remain in the air for around 24 hours.

Sit. Breathe. Pray. Mediate. Be still. When you are patient, you will discover Kyphi will unfold in layers. Do not seek its scent; let it find you. Kyphi's scent moves through stillness, not pursuit. Kyphi unfolds on its own timetable for those patient enough to stay still long enough to notice.  Kyphi is ancient. It follows the old ways.

Kyphi is a sacred blend of rare natural resins, herbs, and fruits. When your Kyphi has finished smoldering and is fully cooled, we recommend a disposal method that honors its natural origins and return it to the earth. Many sacred resins are under ecological stress.  Frankincense is currently the most threatened resin group.

The simplest and most respectful way to dispose of your spent Kyphi is to scatter the cooled ash and remnants in your garden, around a beloved houseplant, or under a tree.  Why? As a composition of plant-based materials, the remnants of your Kyphi are biodegradable. Returning them to the soil completes a natural cycle, symbolically giving back the gratitude and intention you've cultivated using them.  If you use Kyphi as part of your meditation practice, you may wish to incorporate its disposal into a closing ritual.

You may choose to collect the Kyphi ashes in a small vessel or jar, and store respectfully until your prayers/intentions are met, then return it to the earth.

If no natural green space is available, wrap the ashes in paper and place them in household waste — but do so mindfully and with gratitude. 

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