The Ancient Egyptians became masters of the art of fragrance and aromatherapy, and they used it in every facet of their lives. Their unguents were famous throughout the ancient world and in high demand in cultures other than their own. However, the peoples of the Two Lands used them for the serious business in their temples of purification and as offerings to the gods.

On a daily basis, the ritualized burning of incense consisted of frankincense in the morning, myrrh in the middle of the day and kapet (kyphi) in the evening. Other incenses and unguents would have been used for specialty purposes and for specific gods, though the above mentioned scents were fairly universal in application.