Elemental Correspondence: Fire and Air
Planetary Correspondence: Sun (purification, illumination), sometimes Venus (sweet fragrance, attraction)
 
Spiritual Qualities:
Strongly purifying and protective; clears negative energies from spaces.
Used in cleansing and banishing rites.
Creates a devotional and uplifting atmosphere, facilitating prayer and meditation.
 
Ritual Applications:
 
Burned on charcoal in evening rituals to restore harmony.
Added to incense blends for consecration, purification, and invoking blessings.
Mixed with frankincense and myrrh in many traditional ceremonial blends.
 
Symbolism:
 
The rising sweet smoke is seen as carrying prayers to the divine.
Represents sweetness of spirit, sanctification, and connection to higher realms.
 
Botanical Background
 
Common Name: Loban, Benzoin, Gum Benzoin, Benzoin Resin
Botanical Sources: Styrax benzoin, Styrax tonkinensis, and related Styrax species
Family: Styracaceae
Part Used: Resin obtained by incising the bark of the Styrax tree
Appearance: Amber to brown resin tears, sometimes greyish when aged; burns with a balsamic, vanilla-like fragrance