#Nag champa incense uses series#

Incense was used by Chinese cultures from Neolithic times and became more widespread in the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. Īt around 2000 BCE, Ancient China began the use of incense in the religious sense, namely for worship. Some incense, depending on the contents, may also act as organic insect repellent. Around 200 CE, a group of wandering Buddhist monks introduced incense stick making to China. As Hinduism matured and Buddhism was founded in India, incense became an integral part of Buddhism as well. The practice of incense as a healing tool was assimilated into the religious practices of the time. Its use in medicine is considered the first phase of Ayurveda, which uses incense as an approach to healing. Incense-burning was used both to create pleasing aromas and a medicinal tool. The oldest source on incense is the Vedas, specifically the Atharva-veda and the Rigveda. New herbs like Sarsaparilla seeds, frankincense, and cypress were used by Indians. This was the first usage of subterranean plant parts in incense. Evidence suggests oils were used mainly for their aroma. Incense burners have been found in the Indus Civilization (3300–1300 BCE). Incense spread from there to Greece and Rome. The Babylonians used incense while offering prayers to divining oracles.

#Nag champa incense uses series#

The Temple of Deir-el-Bahari in Egypt contains a series of carvings that depict an expedition for incense. One of the oldest extant incense burners originates from the 5th dynasty. Resin balls were found in many prehistoric Egyptian tombs in El Mahasna, giving evidence for the prominence of incense and related compounds in Egyptian antiquity. Incense was burnt to counteract or obscure malodorous products of human habitation, but was widely perceived to also deter malevolent demons and appease the gods with its pleasant aroma. The purpose of the usage of incense stick varies some people use it for the duration of meditation and rituals, even as some use it to kill insects. Direct-burning incense is either a paste formed around a bamboo stick, or a paste that is extruded into a stick or cone shape.Ĭombustible bouquets were used by the ancient Egyptians, who employed incense in both pragmatic and mystical capacities. Direct-burning incense (or 'combustible incense') is lit directly by a flame and then fanned or blown out, leaving a glowing ember that smoulders and releases a smoky fragrance.

Indirect-burning incense (or 'non-combustible incense') is not capable of burning on its own, and requires a separate heat source. Incense can generally be separated into two main types: 'indirect-burning' and 'direct-burning'. The forms taken by incense differ with the underlying culture, and have changed with advances in technology and increasing number of uses.

Incense is composed of aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils. It may also be used as a simple deodorant or insect repellent. Incense is used for aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremony. The term is used for either the material or the aroma. Incense is aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt.