Sandarac Incense Resin
This species is the national tree of Malta being one of the only places where it grows in abundance. In Malta it is called the ‘sigar tal-gharghar’ and is now protected by law and conservation acts to protect it. Although not an endangered species, the Sandarac Incense Resin that Indigo Herbs sells comes from reputable sources where the trees are specifically cultivated for the use of resin and are responsibly managed without harm to the plantation where they are kept. Our Sandarac Incense Resin is one of the best that can be bought on the market and we are proud to have this product as part of our extensive single incense collection.
The Tetraclinis articulate tree has a long been used for its resin with uses ranging from art restoration to varnish. In the renaissance era Sandarac was used to make varnish by melting the resin and adding linseed oil. Known also as a folk medicine in Morocco, it was traditionally used to relieve cramps and bring an atmosphere of calm during childbirth by burning at resin. It is also used to make a liquor that is consumed for relaxation and medicinal properties. It is still burnt in the Arabic world to treat a cold and flu symptoms. The wood of this tree has also been prized for its lustrous finish and strength. Used to make ships and also carving, the base of this tree has been most prized for its rare properties of being excellent for sculpting. In the past this has been one of the notable reasons for the Sandarac trees scarcity.
A member of the cypress tree family, this is one of the only members of the species that is able to grow again from the trunk if it is cut or burnt down. This makes the Tetraclinis articulate tree able to rise again if burnt by the ravages of forest fires or from goats eating all the fresh shoots of the tree. Rarely does this tree grow to more the 6 meters in height and usually has more than one trunk growing from the root. The leaves splay from the branches and can best be described as fingers that reach out and produce more fingers with scale like leaves.