Sacred Incense – Jatoba – Brazilian Cherry (Hymenaea courbaril) Cut & Sifted Resin from Brazil, 35 grams

More about Sacred Incense Jatoba resin

Hymenaea courbaril is commonly called Jatoba. The roots and trunk yield a gum known as Animé from the French animated because there sometimes were many insects living in the resin. The gum forms hard lumps that become buried in the soil at the base of a tree. For harvesting sometimes the cut the trunk to help it oozing out. This gum has a multitude of uses, including as a varnish,  but also for incense and local medicines. Traditionally Jatoba was used in local folk medicine as a cure-all, being especially useful for coughs. Indigenous people in the Amazon also used the resin in magic rituals, love potions and in wedding ceremonies. It melts easily with heat and  can even melt in the mouth.

Jatoba description

The Jatoba is big majestic hardwood tree that grows around South America and the Caribbean. It grows from the drier regions to the more humid Amazon. Its dark coloured hardwood is used for furniture and flooring and is highly sought after.

The seeds of the Jatoba come in big hard seed pods and are surrounded with an edible pulp that is locally used in certain regions of Brazil. By some it is considered a super food and it has a peculiar but nice taste that might acquire some accustoming. It has a sweetish taste and was in certain regions a staple for the original indigenous populations.