Camonia (Canarium schweinfurthii)

Scientific nama: Canarium schweinfurthii

Family: Burseraceae

Habitat: Tropical and subtropical forests.

Aroma: Pungent, spicy, reminiscent of pepper and conifer turpentine, a vague hint of Cardamom and cold spices. On charcoal it produces a persistent smoke but not annoying for the airways.

Characteristics of the resin: Waxy, it remains in a gum form for many years, unless it is left outdoors in a ventilated area for several months.

On charcoal it dissolves completely without leaving residues, except for sticks or other residues that the resin naturally stores with itself during harvesting or storage.

Ethnobotanical research: Discovered through the meeting of a Pygmy village in the Democratic Republic of Congo in the Western Kasai region. Unfortunately this region is controlled by a large diamond trade and therefore quite difficult to obtain permission to go there, all the roads are made of beaten earth and often sand and clay that during the rains become impassable rivers. We went to the village to carry out some ethnobotanical research that I won’t describe here. As a gift for the visit I was given a mass of resin wrapped in banana leaves and some Heliconias. I was told that it was used to insulate canoes, light fires and was sold to local churches as incense to be burned during ceremonies.