Bakhoor-the traditional incense of the Arab World! Its ingredients, cost, method of use and benefits!

Incense and perfumes form an essential part of Arabic tradition. They depend on natural ingredients for it and do not rely on Western chemical fragrances. Bukhoor or Bakhoor is one of the popular incense used in everyday life. It is claimed to have a lot of benefits. Let us look into it. 

What is Bakhoor?

These are the scented chips of blocks which are used to give fragrance to the house, clothes, and wardrobes in the Arab world. These bricks are made of natural traditional ingredients that mainly include woodchips (agarwood, oud, or aloeswood) that are soaked in natural fragrant oils and mixed with other natural ingredients such as resin, musk, ambergris, sandalwood, other flower oils etc.

Bakhoor burning [Source: Pinterest]

They are used formally on special occasions such as weddings and before the Friday prayers. During any gathering called Majlis, they are passed around among the guests as a gesture of hospitality. Otherwise, it is also burned in houses and wardrobes for that different fragrance that is liked by Arabs. It is also used for relaxation purposes.  

It is called Bakhoor in Oman, Yemen but is called Bukhoor in other Gulf countries. 

How is Bakhoor burned?-The Mabkhara

The scented chips are placed in a special container called Mabkhara. It is a censer that is made of clay or soft stone. It is like a charcoal burner and the chips are placed in it and burned. It has a base, pedestal, or legs on which the censer stands. The mabkhara may also be decorated on the outside for a great look. The newer versions of mabkhara are made of plated metal sheets. They come in various sizes and are decorated with mirrors and colored metals. The artisans that prepare these special containers come originally from Ha'il province in Saudi Arabia. 

Mabkhara [Source: Pinterest]

The traditional bakhoor is created with a secret recipe that every artisan household has. It is passed on to them from their ancestors, they claim. There are two ways to make it: Cooking method with fire or Baking method where the direct fire is not used. The longer this scent is kept in a closed glass jar, the increased fragrance it gets. 

The bakhoor is placed in mabkhara and burned with an electric burner or burning charcoal. 

Agarwood and Bakhoor and their cost

Agarwood is very costly. It is sold at a price of $ 100k per kilogram. Its essential oil carries a price tag of $80k per liter. Bakhoor cost similarly is more but it varies depending upon the amount of agarwood in it, other ingredients used, and whether the agarwood is naturally infected with the fungus or artificially done so. Besides, the costs are different in different parts of the world. 

Bakhoor [Source: Amazon]

Claimed benefits of bakhoor

Bakhoor used is associated with religion and has been claimed to be used by all Prophets. Besides, Christians also revere it. The Chinese of ancient China used to make coffins of agarwood. Buddhists have the 108 beads of their religious strings made of agarwood. Feng Chui also promotes its use for positive energy and good luck. Romans and Greeks were also fond of it. 

Benefits of Bakhoor [Source: Kannauj Attar]

Bakhoor is said to have a calming effect on the nervous system. It soothes the body and mind and gives harmony and vigor. It enhances focus and alertness. It also is claimed to positively help libido. Bakhoor has a strong potent smell and some females like a lighter version of it. But it is enjoyed by both genders. People use it to fragrance their house and clothes. Bakhoor is said to remove and destroy the negative energies around and reduces fear. It is said to cut down on neurotic and obsessive behavior. 

During prayers, the smoke of Bakhoor is said to carry the prayers upwards to the Creator. It is also claimed to be a diuretic, antimicrobial, carminative, anti-asthmatic, and relieves epilepsy. But there are no studies to back these claims. Thus Bakhoor is claimed to be a fragrance of wealth, luxury, spirituality and medicine!