| It is all that and much more.
The use of incense dates back to biblical times and may have originated in Egypt where the gums and resins of aromatic trees were imported from the Arabian and Somali coasts to be used in religious ceremonies. It was also used by the Pharaohs to counteract unpleasant odors, drive away demons and gratify the presence of gods.
The Babylonians used incense extensively while offering prayers to divining oracles. It was imported into Israel in the 5th century BC to be used in religious offerings. It spread from there to Greece, Rome and India, where both Hindus and Buddhists still burn it in their rituals and at festivals. And it was one of the gifts of the three wise men from the East to the infant Jesus.
Brought to Japan in the Sixth century by Buddhist monks who used the mystical aromas in their purification rites, the delicate scents of Koh (Japanese high quality incense) became a source of amusement and entertainment with nobles in the Imperial Court during the Heian Era 200 years later.
During the Shogunate period in the 14th century, samurai warriors would perfume their helmets and armor with incense to achieve a proud aura of invincibility as they prepared to meet their foe and their fate. But it wasn't until the Muromachi Era during the 15th and 16th century that the elegant art of incense appreciation spread to the upper and middle classes of Japanese society.
What the Japanese call Koh-Do, or incense appreciation, has long been the spiritual nourishment of Japanese culture. Fast becoming a popular custom in the United States and all over the world for those seeking quiet reflection and peace of mind, this elegant art not only creates a feeling of tranquility and an added dimension in gracious living but also opens up a new world of temporal and spiritual awareness.
Modern practitioners of this elegant art now use incense to enhance the ambiance of their homes or offices, to entertain guests, to celebrate special occasions, to relax the body and calm the mind after a trying day and to soothe tired nerves before retiring.
From the beginning of time, man has consciously or unconsciously sought to improve his environment and his appearance with pleasing fragrances. In Japan, Koh (high quality incense) not only does this effectively but also has the power to move, comfort and inspire the user. |
沉香主要产于越南、柬埔寨、印度尼西亚等地。沉香属沉丁花科植物，原本没有香味。由于虫、鸟、风等各种自然界的条件，造成树木被真菌、细菌感染，经长年累月伤口处渐渐地树脂化，演变成香味芬芳的树脂便形成了沉香。沉香被誉为具有安神、镇静、抗菌的作用。
白檀主要产于印度、印度尼西亚、澳大利亚等地。虽然树叶、树皮几乎没有香味，但是树芯部分则散发香甜的东洋之香。由于白檀具有消炎作用，故自古以来被作为祛除体内毒素的中药而闻名中国。现在还经常被用于香水、化妆品、檀香扇、佛像雕刻等美工艺术材料。
安息香主要产于泰国、印度尼西亚的苏门答腊海岛、越南、老挝等高原。其树脂具有如同香胶、香草般的香甜香调。安息香具有保香作用，经常被用于薰香的保香剂、牙膏、化妆品等。除此以外，据说安息香还能调节呼吸系统、对胃肠也有镇静效果，故经常被用于止咳止痛的生药。
桂皮主要产于中国、越南等地。早在250多年前就开始从中国进口。桂皮是把樟木科常绿树木的树皮干燥后的来使用的。桂皮消毒力强且具有增强抵抗力的作用，故自从古埃及首次使用桂皮来保存木乃伊后，被广泛地应用于医学、化妆用品和香料。
丁 香主要产于马达加斯加等地，是把丁香树开花前的花蕾采取并干燥，由于非常难以采取，在古代被视为贵重品。丁香通过丝绸之路流传到欧洲。如今在亚洲烹调和其 他食品中，人们一般把丁香作为香料。除此以外，由于丁香具有杀菌、麻醉、防老化的作用，还被用于镇痛剂、肥皂、牙膏、媚药等。
贝香主要产于中国南海、红海、越南等地。经常用于练香时的保香剂。
甘松是一种药草的根，主要产于中国、印度、尼泊尔等山丘。其散发浓重的芳香，在基督教的仪式中，传说使用甘松来涂抹耶稣的脚。还作为治疗呕吐、胃疼、食欲不振等健胃药材。
八角茴香是生长在中国东南部和越南的一种木兰科常青树上的干果。主要用于亚洲烹调中的香料，并在医学上用于助消化草药和兴奋剂。
龙脑／樟脑是常青树—樟脑树的叶子中的透明物质，主要产于马来西亚、苏门答腊和婆罗洲等地的热带雨林。略带墨的清凉香味，并具有防腐和防虫效果。中国古代的杨贵妃曾使用龙脑来减轻体臭。
乳香是一种树的树胶树脂，主要产于埃塞俄比亚、苏丹和索马里的森林。当初非常时兴的西方香水就是从乳香中提取的。乳香不仅具有激发活力、减轻压力与不安的 作用，还有勒紧皮肤、返老还童的功效。自古以来中国、印度等国就使用乳香来制作薰香。
