Tibetan incense

Tibetan incense usually refers to a common style of incense found in Tibet, Nepal, and Bhutan. The incense is an important representation of the Tibetan culture. Tibetan used to pay tribute to the Chinese Emperor using the Tibetan incense as a form of highest respect. These incenses have a characteristic "earthy" or herbal scent to them. Tibetan incenses can contain 30 or more ingredients.

In Tibetan medical field, Tibetan incense is recognised as a way of treatment for sickness. This information can be found in Tibetan medical books which originated from the 4 Tantras (Root Tantra, Tantra of Enlightenment, Tantra of Instructions, Concluding Tantra) which is also known as rGyudbzhi in Tibetan. To this day, it is the central work upon which Tibetan medicine is based. Tibetan medical theory states that everything in the universe is made up of the 5 proto-elements: sa (Earth), chu (Water), me (Fire), rLung (Wind or Air), and Nam-mkha (Space). But only four play a role in the classification of our illnesses, except Nam-mkha (Space). Each element contains 8 active forces and 17 qualities. Some of these elements are contained in our three bodily energies and their imbalance affects the equilibrium of the three ‘fluids’ (rLung, mkhrispa and badkan). Further reading can be found in various Tibetan Medical Theory books.

Authentic Tibetan incense originates either from traditional monastery or medical college/hospital formulation. In order words, incense follows a particular ‘lineage’ which can be traced back to the originator. Over the years, Tibetan incense making have been populated and commercialised which leads to incense formulation by non-authentic makers. This has affected and degenerated the Tibetan incense formulation and making methods, which forms an important part of the unique Tibetan Culture.