Kataf Myrrh-RARE

Kataf Myrrh, also called scented Myrrh is a little-known cousin of mainstream Myrrh whose resin is an exudate that collects naturally on the bark of the tree which makes it a perfectly sustainable harvest.

Frequently asked questions

Some questions and answers are automatically generated.

How does Kataf Myrrh smell different from regular Myrrh?
Kataf has a tart, green aroma with hints of licorice and desert herb notes, quite different from typical Myrrh. When heated on coal, reviewers describe it as complex—mixing sweet, fruity, and herbaceous tones with subtle mint and camphor, plus notes of hay, funk, and a spicy medicinal character that many say is not 'pretty' on its own but unlocks remarkable depth when blended.
Is this resin good for blending with other scents?
Yes. Multiple reviewers note that Kataf works best as a blending resin, adding complexity and depth to other scents. Customers report creating unique combinations with sandalwood chips and other resins like benzoin and galbanum, calling the results surprisingly aromatic and distinctive.
Can I dissolve or infuse this resin in oil?
Yes. One reviewer ground the resin and set it in oil in the sun, reporting that most of it dissolved after three days with a beautiful scent, making it suitable for oil infusions.
How hard is the resin when it arrives?
The resin comes in very hard lumps. The product description recommends placing nuggets in a Ziploc bag and tapping with a hammer to break them into more manageable pieces. Reviewers confirm receiving large, chunky nuggets rich in fragrant oils.
What flavor or scent notes can I expect?
Reviewers describe multiple layered notes: sweet with malty or maple syrup edges, spicy medicinal follow-through, hints of licorice and mint, and earthy 'hay funk' character when heated. Some detect a li hing mui powder-like quality. The aroma is described as exotic, deep, and complex rather than simple.
Can this resin be used for therapeutic purposes?
One reviewer used it for therapeutic qualities by grinding and infusing it in oil. Another mentions it as part of stomach-calming blends. However, the product is presented as an aromatic resin; any therapeutic claims rest on individual use and experience.
How is this resin harvested and sourced?
Kataf Myrrh is collected sustainably without tapping—the resin appears naturally on the tree bark where it is gathered by seminomadic shepherds and tribespeople. This sustainable approach supports rural collecting communities and reduces pressure on mainstream Frankincense and Myrrh species.
How potent or strong is this resin?
Reviewers consistently describe Kataf as very potent and strong, with one noting it may add an unexpected note to blends. Its intensity makes it particularly effective for blending rather than burning alone.
In the past, since there was no market for more obscure resins, many of the more unique Commiphora resins such as C. Kataf were used to bulk up the volume of Myrrh resin or Opoponax essential oil and add to the income of poor rural collectors.

Only recently have we started identifying Myrrh family trees with a focus on their aromatic resins and the fragrance profiles that distinguish them one from another.

Some, like Commiphora Confusa, Erythraea and Kataf, have such distinct and unique aromas and chemical makeup that their resins can be collected and sold or distilled separately creating completely new and unique products and extra income for remote communities of resin collectors

This new appreciation for species-specific Commiphora resins contributes to a broader and more reliable income for many poor, rural and pastoral collecting communities and takes some of the pressure off the mainstream Frankincense and Myrrh trees which in some cases are overharvested to meet our growing Western demand.

Though a member of the Myrrh family, Kataf Myrrh has a tart, green aroma with hints of licorice and desert Artemesia. Its fragrance on the coal is a dance of bitter, sweet, fruity and herbaceous notes with subtle highlights of mint and Camphor.

The resin of Kataf Myrrh is collected sustainably and without tapping. It appears naturally on the bark of the tree where it is collected by seminomadic shepherds and tribespeople.

Please note. Kataf Myrrh resin can come in very hard lumps. To break it into more manageable pieces, insert the nuggets into a Ziplok bag and tap with a hammer. When broken down sufficiently, {Make sure to inhale the aroma of the freshly exposed essential oils!), the resin can be returned to the resealable pouch we provide or any other relatively airtight container.

Astrologically, all the Myrrh species are ruled by the Moon. Though Myrrh, Commiphora Myrha/Molmol is associated with the sign of Cancer, each species likely has its own affinities and correspondences.

Dan

Materials: Commiphora Kataf Resin, Bisabol Myrrh, Sweet Myrrh.


Customer Reviews

Based on 28 reviews
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M
M-A Masse R. (Montreal, CA)
A complex and beautiful dance indeed...

Sweet, sparkling, offering rich layers of seductive notes... You describe it beautifully, Dan. Many thanks for this discovery.

B
Ben (Melbourne, AU)
Not at all what I was expecting!

Must be blended or burnt with something else. Gives depth and so much complexity. On it's own though it's not 'pretty' like any of the frankincense types. Winey boozy smell when hard, deep notes of hay funk when heated. Very musky and also a bit musty. Blended though, it unlocks unlimited perfume combos. Try with sandelwood chips omg I've never smelt a perfume like that before.

Great service and thanks for the samples! Will be back

M
Michelle (Bridgeport, US)
Wonderful!

I really like this Kataf Myrrh resin. Wanting to use it for all of its therapeutic qualities lead me to grinding and setting it in oil in the sun. Most of it dissolved in the oil after three days. How wonderful. Beautiful scent.

T
Tecella Sozer (Istanbul, TR)
Kataf Myrrh !

I had the opportunity to try different myrrh resins from this store. They are all wonderful. I smelled Kataf myrrh for the first time recently. It has a wonderful captivating aroma. I detect light mint notes deep in the resin. Also, thank you very much for the gifts generously sent.

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Annamarie (Ashburn, US)
Great quality and quick shipping

Great quality and quick shipping

E
Etsy customer

Great quality and quick shipping

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C.P. (Ashburn, US)
I love this myrrh resin. It is unique amon...

I love this myrrh resin. It is unique among resins.

E
Etsy customer

I love this myrrh resin. It is unique among resins.

K
Kayla (Ashburn, US)
Beautiful smelling. Exotic and deep. Sweet...

Beautiful smelling. Exotic and deep. Sweet with a malty/maple syrup edge and a spicy medicinal follow through. This is not the typical Myrrh you will encounter. Worth the price. I'll buy more for sure. Seller has some incredible varieties. Seller also threw in an incredible sample of Frankincense. Super generous as it was 1 oz and that will go a long way. Just an incredible gesture. The variety and quality is so great there really isn't any reason to shop anywhere else for resin. Surprisingly the different interspecies varieties all smell different. So many choices. 5 stars!!!!

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Etsy customer

Beautiful smelling. Exotic and deep. Sweet with a malty/maple syrup edge and a spicy medicinal follow through. This is not the typical Myrrh you will encounter. Worth the price. I’ll buy more for sure. Seller has some incredible varieties. Seller also threw in an incredible sample of Frankincense. Super generous as it was 1 oz and that will go a long way. Just an incredible gesture. The variety and quality is so great there really isn’t any reason to shop anywhere else for resin. Surprisingly the different interspecies varieties all smell different. So many choices. 5 stars!!!!

Reviews in Other Languages

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Etsy customer

Kataf Myrrh-RARE