What is Tibetan incense and how does it differ from other incense?
Tibetan incense is not a modern invention. It is a remedy, an aid to meditation and a spiritual tool with a history thousands of years old, used in Tibetan monasteries and households for generations. In the Tibetan tradition the word incense covers far more than a single resin. It describes a whole world of herbs, roots, flowers, resins and woods, burned singly or as a blend.
The decisive difference from industrially made incense lies in the purity of the ingredients and in the intention behind the making. Tibetan incense blends are put together according to recipes from Sorig, the Tibetan healing tradition. Each ingredient carries its own associations there. Juniper is associated with cleansing and protection. Sandalwood with calm and concentration. White lotus with opening the mind. This knowledge is not a marketing claim, it is the record of centuries of practical experience within that tradition.
Tibetan incense is sold loose, for burning on a charcoal disc, or as a ready-made blend in small bowls. Burning on charcoal allows the scent to open out more fully and is the most traditional form of use. It takes a little practice, but it is easy to learn and soon becomes a settled part of daily practice.
For beginners we recommend ready-made blends that are already balanced. For more experienced users we offer individual ingredients that can be combined as you see fit. At tibet-markets.ch we source our incense and herbs directly from Tibetan makers we know personally and whose quality we trust.
