We use medicinal plants in the ways. We drink them (infusion, decoction, flower essence, alcohol tincture, glycerin tincture, syrup, honey extract, oxime), we eat them (capsule, tablet, homeopathic tablets, electorate, culinary spices, vegetables, pots), absorb them through our skin (ointment, lotion, poultice, mask, hydrosol, oil, ointment, balsam, cream, spray, evaporation, essential oils, ear drop, bath, absorption, calico bath), absorb them through our mucous membranes (suppository, enema, shower , eye drop) and use them in spiritual ways (talismans, charms, beams ekarstv, stains, incense). We also inhale their medicines through cigarettes, pipes, fumes, essential oils, sprayers and, yes, incense.
The medicinal effects of incense depend on our sense of smell. This process occurs when molecules move in the sinus cavity, dissolve in the mucous membrane and are detected by olfactory receptors at the tips of the olfactory sensory neurons. How these molecules are perceived is controversial as to whether neurons perceive the vibration of molecules or their form, and the theory alternates between these two ideas back and forth over the centuries. In any case, our sense of smell is very weak compared to other animals. For example, people have 10 cm of olfactory tissue in their sinuses, while dogs can have up to 170 square cm of olfactory tissue a hundred times more receptors per square centimeter. Smell is the only meaning perceived in the right brain, which is part of the brain focused on intuition and imagination, against the left brain, which is focused on analysis and logic. Because of this, the effects of smell are physical, psychoactive and emotional. Interestingly, the fragrance is considered to be the spirit of the plant and so affects our spirit. The smell is also processed through the limbic system, which relates to emotions, lust, hunger, memory and imagination. therefore, smell can evoke emotions and memories. The smell is also our oldest feeling, part of the original “lizard brain”, which is 450 million years old, and precedes other ancient feelings, such as sight and balance.
There are records of the use of incense in the whole ancient world. The oldest recorded use is in Egypt, although it was also widely used in ancient times in other African countries: Arabia, India, America and Europe. The old road of incense transported incense from South Arabia to camel caravans north of the Mediterranean, and also to Europe and the east in Mesopotamia and India. Spice Trade of the past centuries moved aromatic plants between Europe and the islands of Indonesia through the Red Sea and monsoon winds. The Silk Road led to the use of incense along with Buddhism from India, through China and Japan around the first century of our era. In fact, the incense ceremony (kohdo) is still considered one of the traditional Japanese arts, as well as the flower (ikibana), the tea ceremony (sado) and the Japanese lira (koto). Official incense schools were formed in Japan during the Edo era, 1603–1867, although the incense ceremony declined in the 19th century due to the collapse of the shogunate and feudal society and the resumption of Japan and China in the west and subsequent westernization. Fortunately, the craft and the incense ceremony were revived in Japan in 1920 by the descendants of the koh-do masters (incense), and in 1960, incense schools started offering classes again.
Synthetic incenses are very different in composition from natural incense. Synthetic incense is usually made with a binder, usually starch, a bamboo core, which produces abundant smoke and adds the smell of burning bamboo and a source of ignition, such as charcoal, sodium nitrate, paraffin or petroleum solvent. Paraffin and petroleum solvents are particularly harmful because they are neurotoxic, and inhaling their smoke can cause asthma, skin reactions, nausea, dizziness, sneezing and headaches. Smoke is also irritating to the eyes, nose and throat. Synthetic incenses also usually contain synthetic fragrances, 95% of which are derived from petroleum and cause the same symptoms as above. Some manufacturers prefer these synthetic fragrances because they are cheaper, more consistent, can be used to create new fragrances that are not found in nature, and are an ethical substitute for ingredients from endangered species such as musk, amber and civetta. However, synthetic fragrances are not identical in complexity to natural fragrances, so they can smell artificial. In addition, they do not have the same physical, emotional, and psychoactive properties of natural fragrances and have the adverse effects indicated above. Unfortunately, there are no legal restrictions on the number or combination of synthetic flavoring agents, the ingredients of these synthetic flavors need not be listed, and only some of them have been checked for safety.
Natural incense, on the other hand, usually makes up 100% of the plants. In Japan, natural incenses are made with a makko base, aka tabu no ki. It is a water-soluble, adhesive, odorless substance that burns smoothly and evenly. This is the powder inner bark of Cercidiphyllum japonicum (Katsura Tree, Japanese Tree of Jude), evergreen in the Magnolia family and functions as a natural binder and as a source of ignition. It is interesting to note that the Magnolia family is the most primitive of all angiosperms (flowering plants), evergreen, but with leaves, and the flowers form cones, similar to those found on coniferous trees. The fossil of these plants has survived to 100 million years! Other examples of plants in this family include cinnamon, cassia, bay lava, shampoo, nutmeg, mace, star anise, ylang-ylang, camphor, avocado, mountain laurel, rhododendron, and magnolia. In India, the traditional incense base is Halmaddi, the Tree of Heaven resin, which has an unusual hygroscopic property (it draws water out of the air), which makes Indian strokes feel moist. Hamaddi, in combination with honey, contributes a sweet honey / vanilla note to shampa (spice blend). Ground and powdered herbs, including resins, bark, flowers, seeds, roots, leaves, fruits, twigs, rhizomes, bulbs, forests, lichens, seaweed and animal ingredients such as amber, musk, are added to the base of makko and hamaddi. pangolin, and conch shells.
Incense is historically used for many reasons, especially medical, ambient and spiritual. Drugs include increasing energy, treating and preventing disease (fumigation), stimulating and stimulating restful sleep, stimulating libido, increasing positive emotions and reducing anxiety, stress, fear, anxiety, sadness or anger. It is also used for the atmosphere, for cleaning and / or determining space, induction of a particular mood by group, smell, clothes, hair or writing paper, to cover unpleasant smells, to create creativity or to enhance the focus on learning. Historically, prior to the mechanical clock, it was even used to track the passage time during meditation, meetings, or in a geisha house. The spiritual use of incense is plentiful. For prayer, incense smoke is seen as a way to attract and please the gods, sweeten your prayers, and, as they say, the ascending smoke carries both prayers and the spirit of false to the heavens. Incense is also used spiritually to recognize meditative states, dreams and visions, and to help focus during prayer. It can even improve the acoustics in churches and other large spaces and help to accept communication with plants. It purifies and sanctifies space, people, and ceremonial objects, and drives away evil spirits, pests, diseases, and negative energy. It is widely used to mark holidays and rites of passage, and is burned as a sacrifice. Finally, it is used to mask the smell of cremation and animal sacrifice.
Incense components come from all parts of the plant and have a wide range of activities: bark, flower, fruit, leaves, tar, seeds, and wood. Cinnamon is the most commonly used crust that inhibits exhaustion, depression and weakness, and also tones and soothes the nerves. Carnation is an example of a flower that is used (they are actually a flower bud), and they are considered a mental stimulant. Juniper berries, fruit, stimulates and strengthens the nerves, strengthens the spirit in difficult situations and relieves anxiety, nervous tension and mental exhaustion. Eucalyptus leaf clears the mind and improves concentration, while benzoin resin soothes and uplifting, soothes a sad and lonely state and acts as an antidepressant and soothing effect. The common seed of incense is fennel, which increases courage, determination and strength in the face of adversity. Sandalwood, one of the most common reasons for incense, soothes and harmonizes, reduces stress and tension, acts as an antidepressant and fights stress, nervous exhaustion and anxiety.
In conclusion, I would like to propose “The Ten Virtues of Koch.” Koch is a Japanese word for incense, and this list was compiled by a 16th century Japanese Buddhist monk: he brings fellowship with the transcendent, he purifies the body and mind. He clears and clarifies the spirit of worldly blindness, he brings vigilance, he gives a companion in the middle of loneliness, in the midst of busy affairs he brings a moment of peace, when he is abundant, he never gets tired of him, when he is little, still alone is satisfied, age does not change its effectiveness, and used every day, it does not harm.
