Incense questions

[LaRueOBR556]

After discussing a little bit about frankincense with mohd on the "Karda banned?" post I am looking to understand more about the burning of it. What is the proper method, what is traditionally used in Nepal, where do you source quality frankincense and what are all the items needed?

Love to see pictures of your setup

 

[Steve Tall]

The incense used in Nepal by HI seems to be the typical stick incense, as shown in this photo from last September:

Master Kami Bura came to the new shop and celebrated the BishwaKarma Puja with BirGorkha staffs. It was so nice to see Bura Kami again.
Greetings from Bura Kami to Forumites and HI online store customers!



Bura Kami
...

 

[Bawanna]

Boy would I love to meet Bura in person and shake that mans hand. A living legend and a great Kami, maybe the greatest.

 

[Shavru]

Frankincense has been used for a very long period of time in the vast majority of spiritual forms. Everything from traditional Christianity to new age Paganism and pretty much everything in between. It is used for Medicinal practices, much of the research shows it has properties that slow or deter ovarian cancer (possibly other types but not going to extrapolate based on what I know of the current research) As Steve points out most Nepali that I know of don't use the brasiers and censers but stick incenses. Frankincense in Chinese medicine is used in a number of preparations frequently in combination with Myrrh, Qi Li San being one of the more famous of the traditional medicines given for a variety of malaise.

In Traditional Christianity and other Western religions these days Frankincense is generally used by spooning it from the "Boat" it is carried in onto hot coals in a censer. This produces smoke that is then used by swinging the censer on a chain to purify whatever is the planned recipient.

Both Western and Eastern religions also use the smoke rising from a coal brazier to symbolize prayers raising to heaven.

The traditional methods for burning Frankincense are different between the users, however, in general the more stylized religious usage is either in the form of it spooned over hot coals or incense sticks either singly or in sets of 3 waved then placed in a holder. In both versions the smoke is used for symbolism and purification.

Oh and to get the higher grades look for "silver" Frankincense. That is considered the top grade. If you plan to eat or chew it (many cultures use it for medicine that way) look for stuff that has the least black or brown spots possible. Those are sometimes poisonous impurities from the gathering process and NOT part of the actual resin.

 

[Jens Schuetz]

Old Greeks and Romans used smoke in their temples as well.

Are there no side effects and only good medicinal properties?
Might start smoking then. :-D

Edit:
We can even add the ancient Egyptians to the list.

 

[Shavru]

There is some indication that the smoke from frankincense does cause some mild altered state of consciousness. But I personally feel that is more a light headedness due oxygen deprivation. But I don't think that is what you meant Jens. I have never heard anything about negative effects resulting from the use of Frankincense in medicinal forms.

Yep, The Egyptians used it in MASSIVE quantities to hide the smell of dead bodies and inhibit decomposition once the body was embalmed. For instance once the guts were removed the entire cavity was packed with Frankincense and the embalming fluid used both Frankincense and Myrrh in the mix. So many ways and places that this resin was used. In fact most of Oman smells of Frankincense because the people "smoke" their clothes in it so as they walk it swirls about them. This provides 2 benefits. It covers bad smells from various detritus which you frequent pass in many large old cities in the Middle East. It also is a great insect repellent and keeps malaria carrying mosquitos away. And in African medicine they recommend chewing the resin like gum for a number of symptoms. Like I said it is used by vast numbers of cultures in some way.

 

[Howard Wallace]

Nowadays many places that carry incense also carry small round discs of charcoal that you can light with a match. They are impregnated with something that sparkles and carries the ignition through the whole disks within a few seconds. The disc generally has a rim around the top, so once it is lit you can place frankincense or myrrh on top.

 

[LaRueOBR556]

Thank you everyone for the great information

 

[Jens Schuetz]

There is some indication that the smoke from frankincense does cause some mild altered state of consciousness. But I personally feel that is more a light headedness due oxygen deprivation. But I don't think that is what you meant Jens. I have never heard anything about negative effects resulting from the use of Frankincense in medicinal forms.

Yep, The Egyptians used it in MASSIVE quantities to hide the smell of dead bodies and inhibit decomposition once the body was embalmed. For instance once the guts were removed the entire cavity was packed with Frankincense and the embalming fluid used both Frankincense and Myrrh in the mix. So many ways and places that this resin was used. In fact most of Oman smells of Frankincense because the people "smoke" their clothes in it so as they walk it swirls about them. This provides 2 benefits. It covers bad smells from various detritus which you frequent pass in many large old cities in the Middle East. It also is a great insect repellent and keeps malaria carrying mosquitos away. And in African medicine they recommend chewing the resin like gum for a number of symptoms. Like I said it is used by vast numbers of cultures in some way.

Wow. Thanks. Didn't know some still use it in everyday life. Also cool about the mummies. I knew they were dried and stuffed with a lot of ... stuff, ha. Didn't know it was frankincense.