Understanding Kyphi

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Received my copy of ‘Kyphi, The Sacred Scent’ by Karl Vermillion in the mail yesterday. Kyphi (kaphi) was an ancient Egyptian holy incense and sacrificial oil made from at least twenty different raw materials and plant ingredients. And it is thought to be the oldest-known documented fragrance formula on record.
We already know that fragrance in general was highly prized in ancient Egyptian culture. A hieroglyphic formula for Kyphi was found in Tutankhamen’s tomb when it was re-discovered and opened in 1922. Along with the formula were small vessels containing Kyphi – its scent still potent after thousands of years.

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We also know from reading books such as The Story of Early Ancient Egypt that the very first Egyptians were hunter-gatherers -those who moved around collecting plants, fruits and vegetables, as well as hunting animal meat for their food. This most likely would have made them adept at food preservation, not to mention observant of the manner in which wild plants grew and thrived in what would have been a remarkably more fertile, green and ‘alive’ Sahara Desert than what exists today.

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One can only imagine what vast knowledge these earliest ancient Egyptians would have accumulated and documented (perhaps through rock art) on the therapeutic and nutritional value of the botanical materials they depended on for survival.
Some of the ingredients to be found in Kyphi are sweet flag – an aniseed-scented grass which is used for medicinal purposes and to make fragrances - cassia, cinnamon, peppermint, juniper, mimosa and raisins, which were all measured in exact proportions and then macerated in wine, honey and myrrh for a number of days before use.

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Numerous spices such as cardamom, saffron, spikenard, aromatic grasses and herbs have also been listed in different variations of the Kyphi formula. The aromatherapeutic and nutritional benefits of all these botanicals are well-documented.
This is some of the knowledge I have gathered from reading about ancient Egypt, and I am very excited to learn more about Kyphi from Vermillion's book, which is dedicated solely to this complex and sacred ancient Egyptian fragrance.

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