Kyphi Burning Instructions

1. Prepare the Space

The people of ancient 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 deliberately burned Kyphi at dusk, in preparation for transition into quieter evening hours.
 

2. The Pearl

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. Doing so  will scorch the Kyphi and create an unpleasant smoke. The foil cup helps keep the incense burner clean, as warmed melted Kyphi is sticky. Cover with lid.

We recommend setting the electric burner at a starting temperature range between 160-180 degrees Fahrenheit, preferably at 170 degrees F, depending on your environment and burner. Starting temperatures will vary. Do not start the electric burner on high heat (220-300 degrees). This will ruin the complex aromatic profile and your Kyphi will burn faster than necessary. Kyphi is precious & expensive! Starting slower and increasing the temperature is much better than starting high and ruining the batch. 

Or, you can try a small pinch to find the right heat level before burning the entire pearl, as locations and altitudes, and environments will vary. 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. You do not want the burner to shut off while pre-heating.

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, do not 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. I light my coals on the stove top and turn off the kitchen lights to get a better view of the orange glow. Once ready, add the charcoal to your (non-electric ) incense burner. It typically takes around 20 minutes for the outside of the charcoal discs to turn gray.  Kyphi loves patience. Do not rush! Place only one Kyphi pearl atop the grayed out charcoal disk. 

You may add a pinch of course salt on top of the charcoal as a heat buffer, as it lowers the surface temperature. 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 charcoal are not reusable. However, expect Kyphi released through charcoal to remain in the air for around 24 hours.

3. Relax

Sit. Breathe. Pray. Mediate. Be still. When you are patient, you will discover Kyphi unfolds in layers. Do not strain to capture its fragrance; allow it to find you. Once, while I was absorbed in work at my desk, a ribbon of Kyphi’s sweetness suddenly reached me. The fragrance seemed to travel directly to my nose, distinct and unexpected. I paused, pleasantly startled, as though the incense had chosen that moment to quietly reveal itself.  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.

4. Disposal of Spent Kyphi 

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.