The development of incense and spices has a long history, with their earliest use found in the Mesopotamian Civilization several thousand years ago. According to ancient documentation, as much as 2.5 tonnes of frankincense were burnt in the Temple of Baal in Babylon each year;¹ and there were inscriptions about incense offerings for gods on the clay tablets of The Epic of Gilgamesh, “the world's oldest literature”.² In the Book of Exodus of the Old Testament, there are verses describing the Lord teaching His people how to make the holy anointing oil and incense:

“Moreover the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Take thou also unto thee principal spices…And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil. And thou shalt anoint the tabernacle of the congregation therewith, and the ark of the testimony…And thou shalt sanctify them, that they may be most holy…And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, this shall be an holy anointing oil unto me throughout your generations… And the LORD said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices…these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy…it shall be unto you most holy...it shall be unto thee holy for the LORD...Whosoever ..........