Oak Moss
Jenna Sten, Fawkner Marketplace December 5th 2021
Big thanks to those of you who came along to Fawkner Marketplace last Sunday!
It was my first time as a stall holder, and I had a great time meeting you all. I look forward to seeing you again in the future.
Botanic: Oak Moss
Binomial name: Evernia prunastri (native to the Northern Hemisphere)
Scent: Earthy and green, yet also dry and musky; it’s a key ingredient in my Oak Moss and Vetiver incense sticks.
Function: In incense making Oak Moss acts as an aromatic, and a little goes a long way.
Something you might not know: it’s actually a lichen (not a moss), and is a common fixative in many commercial perfumes.
I buy my Oak Moss from an individual in France who has oak trees on their property, and from an Australian business that sources theirs from an individual in the US. Both harvesters only collect the moss when it’s been knocked down in high-winds, to limit environmental disturbance and overharvesting.
You can find more information about my sourcing process here. Check out the previous instalments on Black Frankincense, Australian Sandalwood, and Ceylon Cinnamon.
I make incense at my kitchen table in Melbourne from sustainably harvested Australian sandalwood, as well as tree resins, plants and essential oils.
