Colophony Pine

Description:

From the Pinus genus, which includes some 120+ species of pine trees, we are given the gift of pine resin (rosin).

The pine tree has been greatly revered throughout history for its strong healing powers.

Colophony pine has been used for incense in religious ceremonies and other cultural events for centuries.

This incense is made from the resin, or sap, from a tree called Pinus colophoniae.

Colophony pine resin is the brittle resin result after the resin is processed to extract the volatile oil of turpentine.

The history of its use for incense dates back to ancient Greece where it was used in temples and shrines.

In ancient cultures, the pine tree is a symbol of fertility and potency.  In Greece, pine trees were symbols of eternal life or immortality.

Celtic and German ancestors believed the pine tree to be a source of protection from negative energies.

According to older herb books, pine strengthens the nerves and gives energy, courage, and emotional strength.

In medieval Europe, incenses made from colophonium were a popular way to purify air that had become polluted by smoke inhalation during fires lit in homes.

Today, many people still use colophonium because they find its scent pleasant and calming when burned as incense.

Colophony is also known as rosin and colophonium; these names are sometimes used interchangeably, but rosin specifically refers to a white or pale yellow pine resin (Pinus strobus) that’s considered inferior in quality.