Considered the first perfume created by mankind, kyphi is an ancient incense, medicine and perfume made from sixteen distinctive aromatics combined together in an elaborate process that produces a rich, luxurious and thick smoke. It was burnt in Egyptian temples in the evenings, as a preparation for the dreamwork, and when was also ingested as medicine administered by the priests. It also had more mundane use in homes as a personal fragrance, and to burn in the evening to banish the worries of the day before going to sleep.
Ayala Moriel kyphi offerings range from traditional kyphi to modern interoperation using local botanicals or aromatics from other traditions, using the same technique, and each material is hand-pounded in a stone mortar and pestle. The results are singular, as no two kyphi batches are ever identical even when the exact same recipe is used and carefully followed. Each kyphi represents a moment of inspiration in time, when it was prepared with much love and attention to each plant and each step in the process.
$49.00
This Día de los Muertos Kyphi Ofrenda is a contemporary interpretation of Ancient Egyptian Kyphi recipes, using Central American ingredients to honour the dead. This kyphi is created to be placed on the Ofrenda (the home altar for the deceased, with offerings to honour the dead), as well as burnt in funerals and memorial ceremonies. Copal resin and Palo Santo are mixed with Yerba Santa, Lemon Verbena, cinnamon and vanilla, creating a soothing aromatic concoction that will feed even the hungriest lost souls.
Each raw material was ground separately, then they are all compounded together in a mixture of organic honey and raisins soaked in tequila. This not only binds together the ingredients but also creates an alchemical process that truly transforms the aroma of the incense and creates a heavenly smoke when burnt on a charcoal.
It can also be used by placing on an aromatherapy diffuser (place on a piece of aluminum foil to prevent it from sticking to your diffuser). If using a glazed ceramic or heat proof glass vessel for the incense, cleaning it with warm water and vinegar from time to time would suffice.