Onycha

Onycha: This is strong scented closing flap of certain sea snail-like creatures or mollusks that were harvested fro the Red Sea for it's scent and

used in fragrances, incenses and perfumes in ancient times.

There are written preparations that go back at least 1700 years for these fragrant snail flaps for the use in perfumes and Holy temple incense.

Onycha is also known as styrax benzoin or Sumatra benzoin and is a resin from the benzion tree, which has a very aromatic scent and is used

for a variety of reasons including antiseptic and cleansing the skin but it is also a popular ingredient in Holy mixtures of temple incense as

well.

It is also used to preserve ointments and salves made for different reasons and are added to concoctions that have a perishable base to help

them retain their efficacy or effectiveness (properties).

It is still widely used from both sources (snails and trees) as potent incense for ritual ceremonial magic and Wiccan ceremonies.