Description
Onycha is the “door” or operculum of a sea mollusc that has been used as an ingredient in traditional incense-making for thousands of years.
Also called “Devils Fingernails”, (azafir al-shaytan in Arabic), Onycha is still a mainstay of traditional Somali Uunsi, Arabian Bakhour, and an important ingredient in Indian, Japanese and Tibetan traditional incense formulas.
Experts believe it is the “Tsiporen” or fingernail that is one of the ingredients in the Temple incense referred to in the Old Testament.
Though opercula can be found all over the world, those sourced from the Red Sea are considered by many to be the premier quality.
Onycha is still sold in traditional Apothecary shops and Souks in Africa, Arabia and Asia, however, I have found that instructions on how to process and use this material are sparse and vague.
There are many theories on how to process Onycha and what function they serve.
Some call for boiling in water or salt water or steeping in strong wine or alcohol. One often comes across instructions suggest roasting the Operculum prior to grinding to a powder and blending in incense.
In the Old Testament, it is mentioned that when preparing Onycha for the temple incense one should not use urine but old wine from Cyprus.
Another calls for soaking the material in a strong base.
Though there is a dearth of knowledge around processing Onycha, this unusual material holds an honoured place in the history and tradition of incense making.
Onycha is thought to act as a fixative in incense blends, to add an animalic/musk note similar to Castoreum, and like other animalics, to add dimension to an aromatic composition.
Onycha brings with it a mystery and a challenge.
How will you work with it?
Where will you find the answers?
*Note that this material weighs very little and each package contains quite a bit more volume than other packaged products in the shop. (Please see the photo of a 1 Ounce package above).
Dan
Macy Goodwin –
Smells like almonds 🙂 l like it
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Audra Rowe –
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Ida Schaden –
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Aleen Koch –
Lovely as always. Super clean fragrant and ready for creating.
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Manley Welch –
Well quality looks good but when lit smells like burning hair or ashtray
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Gust Kovacek –
Onycha is such a special ingredient and I’m so glad to find such a reliable source! High quality just like everything offered in this shop!
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Eino Schumm –
It looks like its shown
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Aleen Koch –
Fast shipping, great quality. Thanks.
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Izabella Kris –
Really good quality products. Sets the standard for quality and authenticity. Will definitely order from this shop in the future. Thanks!
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Jordane Sanford –
It is so cool to be able to source these rare scent stuffs from you. A delicate and lovely aroma in the bag, I can't wait to burn some. Thank you.
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Cecelia Davis –
absolutely love it! Thank you for fast shipment!
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Cecile Trantow –
Great product and vey fast delivery.
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Chaim Jacobs –
Vaccuum packed well. Use this onycha in incense.
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Madaline Wilkinson –
SOOOO excited I got this now to make Ketoret!!!
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Mollie DuBuque –
Nice quality and size. Plan to bake, crush and use within incense blends soaked on sandalwood sticks or agarwood.
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Ernie Welch –
Absolutely incredible! Can't wait to tincture this. Thank you!
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Marisa Buckridge –
This is great stuff. Not sure what I will do with it, but it is now in my collection of exotic scents.
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Telly Nienow –
An intriguing scent with notes of sea air, shellfish and — when burned — well-aged castoreum. I'm excited to experiment with this ingredient, and try the different preparation methods.
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Brooklyn Hansen –
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Norene Dickens –
Nice! Can't wait to experiment with these lovelies. Thanks so much!
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Vivienne Gorczany –
These ingredients were just what was needed. Excellent quality
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Leatha Grant –
Positive experience, item was as described.
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Javonte Trantow –
Amazing quality incense. I will order again.
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Lila Davis –
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Dominique Boehm –
The real deal…I hope they turn out ok. I’ve never worked with onycha before.
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Aiyana Welch –
Fresh, excellent visuals,great communication,speedy service.
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Yvonne Konopelski –
Great quality, everything matches description.
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Lavinia Hudson –
excellent quality, thank you Dan!
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Dusty Schamberger –
This shop is my go to but item was a first for me and it was great. Thank you.
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Jaunita Muller –
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Jay Koepp –
Good quality ingredients as always
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Kathlyn Hartmann –
The item met my expectations.
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Llewellyn Kihn –
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Kailey Luettgen –
Excellent Quality. Arrived exactly as photographed being very intact.
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Bailey Turcotte –
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Sadye Runte –
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Barton Schneider –
Needed these to make holy incense, beautiful colour and nice ocean scent.
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Jude Walker –
Exactly what I anticipated! Thank you so much for such a quality resin!
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Jackie Hermann –
I only used blended one from other store. It is hard to find just single pure onycha. I will edit again when I use it.
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Lucy Orn –
Nice incense. Good packaging/labeling. Thanks.
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Jazlyn Batz –
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Anderson Quitzon –
Strange, but also interesting. It is good.
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Marietta Murphy –
Thanks for the fast delivery and always good quality
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