Ayurvedic Incense – An Introduction
By Eileen Murphy
Ayurveda, a Sanskrit name which means “knowledge” or “science of life”, is the science of living in harmony with nature. Developed thousands of years ago, it is a holistic system that provides a code of practice for a full and balanced life, with guidelines for diet, sleep, meditation, massage, oil baths, the use of herbs and yoga. Through its therapies, Ayurveda reaches all the different levels of the human being, balancing the body, mind and spirit.
Balancing the doshas
A core principle of Ayurveda is that the human body contains three bio-energies called doshas (Vata, Pitta, and Kapha), which, along with other elements, make up the mind and body. An imbalance of these doshas can lead to illness and maintaining or restoring the balance of the doshas is a fundamental purpose of Ayurvedic medicine.
The importance of burning incense
While the burning of any aromatic incense can promote well-being and enhance mood, the purpose of Ayurvedic incense is to have specific effects on the mind and body at a deeper level. In line with holistic principles of Ayurvedic medicine, herbs and other natural elements are combined in a way that can balance one or more dosha, thus creating a healthier mind and body.
Special preparation
The standard preparation of incense for aromatherapy purposes is quite simple. The base, usually a mixture of tree bark powder, sandal and ground vegetable coal, is mixed with water to form a paste, rolled, dried and then immersed in a compound of aromatic oils. Ayurvedic preparation differs in that natural essential oils are added before rolling. The paste is made from the base compound of aromatic elements extracted from roots, bark, fruit, and resin, mixed with water and then the blend of essential oils is added. The mixture is rolled and left to dry. This special preparation gives Ayurvedic incense a unique scented fragrance.
Examples of Ayurvedic Incense
Some examples of typical Ayurvedic incense preparations and their effects include:
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