Opoponax

Opoponax is a resin obtained from Commiphora guidottii, a shrub native to the Horn of Africa. Also called sweet myrrh, it has a warm, balsamic, slightly vanilla and woody olfactory profile, softer than classic myrrh. Used since antiquity in incense and perfumes, it is valued in modern perfumery as an oriental base note.

Opoponax, the sweet myrrh with balsamic and vanilla accents

Opoponax, sometimes called sweet myrrh, is a natural resin obtained from Commiphora guidottii, a shrub of the Burseraceae family native to the Horn of Africa, particularly Somalia and Ethiopia. The resin is harvested by incising the bark, which releases an exudate that dries in the open air.

Its olfactory profile differs from that of classic myrrh (Commiphora myrrha) through a more pronounced sweetness: warm, balsamic, slightly vanilla and woody, with a slightly smoky and animalic facet. This complexity makes it a highly valued base material, used since antiquity in religious incense and aromatic preparations.

In modern perfumery, opoponax is incorporated into orientals, balsamic woody compositions, and fragrances with a sensual, enveloping character. It brings depth, warmth and persistence, and often acts as a natural fixative. Its relative sweetness compared to myrrh makes it a more versatile ingredient, usable in a variety of compositions.