Recipes for its preparation have been preserved in the papyrus of Ebers, in the laboratories of the temples, and elsewhere.

Parthey had three different varieties prepared by the chemist, L.Voigt, in Berlin.
Kyphi after the formula of Dioskorides was the best.

It consisted of rosin, wine, rad, galangae, juniper berries, the root of the aromatic rush, asphalte, mastic, myrrh, Burgundy grapes, and honey.] were consumed by the flames, filling the wide space with their heavy perfume.

Around, in semi-circular array, stood more than a hundred white-robed priests, who all turned to face the approaching princess, and sang heart-rending songs of lamentation.
Many of the inhabitants of the Necropolis had collected on either side of the lines of sphinxes, between which the princess drove up to the Sanctuary.

But none asked what these songs of lamentation might signify, for about this sacred place lamentation and mystery for ever lingered.
"Hail to the child of Rameses!"-- "All hail to the daughter of the Sun!" rang from a thousand throats; and the assembled multitude bowed almost to the earth at the approach of the royal maiden.
At the pylon, the princess descended from her chariot, and preceded by the chief of the haruspices, who had gravely and silently greeted her, passed on to the door of the temple.