Galbanum

Galbanum: Galbanum is an aromatic gum resin, the product of a certain Persian plant species, chiefly Ferula gummosa, syn. galbaniflua and Ferula rubricaulis. 

Galbanum-yielding plants grow plentifully on the slopes of the mountain ranges of northern Iran.

The resin occurs usually in either hard or soft, irregular, more or less translucent and shining lumps, or occasionally in separate tears, of a light-brown, yellowish or

greenish-yellow color, and has a disagreeable, bitter taste.

It is not advisable to eat it.

So do not eat it.

A bulk of the resin contains sulpher and about 20 percent contains gum or sap.

Galbanum is also one of the oldest known drugs as well. In the Book of Exodus 30:34, it is mentioned as being used in the making of a perfume for the tabernacle. 

Its scent is mentioned as a reminder to sinners, of their transgressions against holy nature.

It also contains a chemical that absorbs ultraviolet light and is used in many sunscreens (umbelliferone).

Hippocrates (an ancient Greek physician referred to as The Father of Medicine) employed it in medicines, and Pliny (an ancient Roman nobleman, scientist and historian) said it

had extraordinary curative powers, concluding his account of it with the statement that "the very touch of it mixed with oil of a hogweed and/or hemlock is sufficient to kill a

serpent." Galbanum oil is steam-distilled to yield a green, fruity-floral odor. 

This oil can be applied for a number of uses as perfume or applied in incense mixtures.

Used chiefly in ritual galbanum gives a thick musky odor and is most commonly used by placing the resin on a hot coal that rests in a censer (container for the burning of incense)

or even upon a special stone that is used to hold the coal without popping   

(Caution is advised using coals on stones because the intense heat can make the stone "pop" sending hot pieces of rock shooting out from the censor.)

When I've had it (Galbanum) burning recently in my home and had a visitor shortly after I've heard the comment "It smells like a church in here."

This resin is very commonly used during Catholic masses/services on special holy days and during a variety of different rituals.

I highly advise the use of this fragrance for any works of power and cleansing.

It calms the nerves and sets an intense atmosphere for any ritual from the most basic to the most complex.