The Incense: Accentuate its immortality by its fragrance
The charm of the east is a saying known by every westerner who comes to visit any area in the east and is loved by everyone in the east who was born and grew up there.
This east that we see through its ancient eternal landmarks and you can read it through its writers and philosophers and its messages…
You smell this old fragrance which is as old as its land, regenerating with the renewal of its people. A fragrance which varies with from country to country, from Damascene jasmine to Golani Rosemary, all those scent will be preserved in the form of incense, then fumigated in a special censer.
The incense is made of aromatic wooden skewers that have been used by all eastern hands, and was widely spread in ancient Arab societies to date. Incense is used in the first place to perfume houses and worship houses, apart from being a manifestation of hospitality and welcoming visitors, as well as a ritual celebration on both religious and social occasion.
The association of Arabic houses and incense turns back to pre-Islamic periods, and continued to the day. It is commonly used through an evaporating operation by means of censers which have multiple forms and colors, in addition to being attractive to decorate the house. Alongside development and frequent consumption of incense in the Arab world, electrical censers have appeared.
It is well known that incense has origins in the east Asian countries particularly India Indonesia, and Vietnam, as well as the Maghreb. Incense is made from materials that contains aromatic oils extracted from herbs such as saffron and secretions of some trees. Nonetheless its attraction lies in its mixtures which each is kept secret. As for the price, it is high because the chance of its presence inside the tree is one of every ten durable trees, if found will not exceed 1gm. Then treated by conventional condensation devices which is another cause of high price.
Found in markets at varying rates according to quality, brands such as Javanese and Malaysian; in addition to the original and traditional kind, distinctive by its scent and color. Best kinds are that smoking color goes to blue, as well amber in evaporation, which is extracted from whales blubber, in addition to the musk being exclusively extracted from a certain type of deer. Aquilaria malaccensis is the scientific name of a species of plant, found in Bangladesh, India, Indonesia, Malaysia; and is the major source of agar wood, a resinous heartwood, used for perfume and incense, namely “Oud” in Arabic.
Different kinds of incense are used for various purposes inherited by Arab society generation after generation, the Musk and Oud perfume to be put between clothes to give fragrant smell lasting for days. It is also used in churches for worship rituals to bring awe and reverence in the prayers’ hearts. In Mosques famous kinds are used to fragrant the place like Sandalwood incense and angelic incense.
As for medicinal uses, incenses are used by Indian doctors, for operating rooms sterilization; also recommended for cuts, sores, and tooth decay. In addition to their inhaling benefits to heart health and blood circulation. Besides, from wooden skewers is extracted a substance make antibiotics component. It is also common to use incenses in patient’s room to change the room’s atmosphere, without forgetting its usage in mummification. However burning any wood produces smokes, harmful to human health that why incense is recommended to be moderately used.
Incenses are more fumigated in Ramadan, the month of worship where most people are keen to burn incense in their homes, as Mosques are perfumed by their scent. Today incense is no longer confined to east or Arab world, but it has invaded western societies where it competes with perfumes and lotions over there, where one of its kinds Mix Red won the title of the best perfume in the world. Hence east fragrance keeps its magic so if you did not come to it, it will go to you.
Haifaa Mafalani