What is incense? The meaning of incense. Indian Incense

When the question of the acquisition of incense before a man first appears, it is not surprising that he comes to a standstill. The quantity of such goods in today's market is incredibly great, and it's difficult to understand what's what. In this case, the meaning of incense is hidden in their various smells. Using a certain flavor, you can correct the state of your psychological and physical health. Therefore, it is not surprising that the word "incense" is synonymous with "fragrance", "fragrance", "spirit", "smell", "abmar".

It should be noted that in the world there are several ways to classify them. This reason is a huge variety of varieties, in addition, a wide range of their use. Basically they are classified by appearance, place of production, purpose and composition. Since ancient times they are a unique product of Thailand, India, Malaya and Ceylon.

First you need to pay close attention to their appearance. They are of different shapes: in the form of briquettes, mixtures, pyramids, sticks, oils. Also, when choosing it is important to consider the method of incense burning - incombustible and combustible methods. In this article, we will find out with you what an incense is, and also consider its types.

Oil incense

They in their composition have 2 components - the basis that perfectly absorbs essential oils, and the oil itself or a unique composition of them. According to the form, the following oil incense: sticks, string or clay.

Combustible incense

Basically, they look like sticks and cones: aromatic ingredients in powder form are mixed with combustible material. First it is set on fire, then the fire comes out, leaving a stick or a cone to smolder. After that, the smell of incense begins to fill the room. This species is traditionally used in Southeast Asia, Japan and China. They usually include wood fragrant varieties, resins, essential oils and some types of spices.

Mixed-oil incense

What is the incense of a mixed-oil kind? They include a coal oiled base, as well as ghee, honey, manure and plant powder. The main component in them are essential oils, which have certain healing properties.

Dung and honey incense

Such incenses are of particular interest, since their manufacture is rooted in antiquity. They were used in the Ramayana period. The incense of honey differs in that they have a sweet, hardly noticeable smell, accompanying the main flavor. They are used for aromatherapy, puja, aromatization of premises.

Of course, you can doubt the necessity of incense. What is the incense, we have already figured out, but how it can be produced from manure, is still unclear. For us, it seems something unclean and foul-smelling. At the same time, our opinion about him differs radically from the meaning of the texts of the ancient scriptures, in which it is said that on its basis they produce both incense itself, which, it is worth noting, does not smell at all, as well as various medicinal preparations. They can be distinguished only by the rough appearance and very dense smoke that is released during ignition.

Camphor cardamom

Camphor or camphor cardamom sometimes serve as the main component. Its disadvantage is that the quality of the incense is somewhat reduced, but the therapeutic and aromatic properties remain much longer. To remove toxins and to clean rooms of unfavorable energy and spirits, camphor incense is recommended. Moscow has a wide network of stores and stores, in which, including camphor cardamom, is sold, so no one will have difficulties with their purchase. Moreover, these incenses also contribute to the prevention of epidemic and respiratory diseases, have immune-strengthening effect.

Herbal incense

The vegetable incense, the synonyms to which we cited above, has calm aromas close to natural. As an effective sedative for aromatherapy, it is recommended to use groundless incenses.

Bamboo straw

Basically, for sticks, a bamboo straw is used as a basis. If certain technologies are observed, a coal powder is applied to it, which is impregnated with essential oils, honey, herbal extracts and other medicinal aromatic components, otherwise called "masala". Such Indian incense is affordable and inexpensive.

Used in different areas: when fumigating rooms to create a comfortable atmosphere, as well as cleaning the energy space. It is also very interesting that such sticks are used in religious rituals and medical practice. They can even be put in the car when washing laundry. In addition, some of them are effective against moths.

Uncovered incense

For the production of incense sticks, bamboo is most often used as a base. But there are also baseless incenses. Sticks of this kind are more fragile in structure, although the main flavor of their combustion does not add an admixture of burning bamboo, and this is considered a huge advantage. Among the baseless incenses, "plasticine" and "cones" are popular.

Cone-shaped

At the moment, the choice of incense was very wide. Among such a huge variety, you can find cone-like, groundless incenses. Convenience of their application lies in the fact that the ash in the combustion is in one place, without crumbling. Their color range is very diverse. They are of a natural shade, which is inherent in the natural colors of the constituent components.

Sandalwood (cone-shaped) incenses in the Middle Ages fell into Europe, in which they were highly valued and lit only on holidays. Cone-shaped incenses are made by pressing aromatic herbs with the addition of a certain amount of resin juniper, fir and some other plants (not surprisingly, a synonym for the word "fragrance" - "fragrance"), and without fastening additives.

It should be noted that they have the appearance of a pyramid, and this is a huge advantage, since the smoke emitted during combustion has tremendous energy. The way it is used is the same as the rest of the incense.

Plasticine

The basis is taken only natural ingredients: a mixture of melted butter and honey, resin plants, special varieties of wax. It is also possible that the base will be chemical, although they are rare. Thanks to their convenient shape, they can be attached to any surface, in this case the support is not needed. Due to their ability to produce a lot of smoke in smoldering, they are used by traders on the streets.

They are also applicable for temples, other large rooms. In religious rituals, they are most often presented to Kali and Shiva. No wonder the synonym for the word "fragrance" is "spirit". On the shelves of Russian stores to find "plasticine" is very difficult, because it has a very peculiar, interesting smell. Buy them can only be made to order. In India, in their homeland, such incense is about 30 species. The most popular is "plasticine" with a base of honey and melted butter, which, when smoldering, emits a lot of corrosive smoke.

Lace

We have already found out what an incense is. Now let's find out about their variety, which is called "lace". He is the next interesting form of incense. This is a hank of hemp, slowly smoldering rope, which is imbued with some fragrant essential oil. Here it can not be said that the odor he exudes is not ordinary: a combination of hemp burnt rope with burnt mahogany or sandalwood.

In India, lace incense is in incredible demand for both traders and buyers, including in vegetable markets. Shoe cleaners and street hairdressers are among the connoisseurs of this fragrance. At the present moment in Russia, the lace incense was not able to find any special application.

Powdered groundless incense

Powdered, groundless incense causes great interest, which is associated with aromatherapy. They have a purely natural composition, while the replacement of components with chemicals will be obvious. Most of them are produced in Tibet, but in Rus in ancient times the same incense was used to fumigate the sick. In addition, shamans use these herbal powders in their various rituals. Sometimes they are also used for puja. It should be noted that with the departure of the ancient Greek, Babylonian and Egyptian civilizations, the tradition of burning such incense in temples has exhausted itself.

In the choice of incense you need to rely on your own taste. Most of them, especially Indian ones, have a very persistent aroma. They should not be burned round the clock, enough will be 1-2 sticks, otherwise your sense of smell will be dull and there will be a feeling that there is no smell in the room, while the fragrance will spread all over the apartment. In another case, a sharp smell will cause a headache and nausea. In everything, you need to know the measure, and in this case, nothing prevents you from getting real pleasure from aromatherapy.