SEJARAH MUHABSI
Muhabsi adalah sejenis bahan mentah yang semula jadi (getah wangi), diwaktu mana Nabi Adam A.S dilemparkan ke dunia maka berjanjilah ia untuk menjadi penawar kepada anak cucu Adam. Muhabsi hanya boleh di dapati di dalam beberapa buah negara sahaja seperti India, Pakistan, Mesir, Yaman dan Sudan.
Muhabsi sebenarnya adalah sejenis getah yang terdapat diatas kawasan pergunungan di kawasan yang panas, manakala ia akan berkurangan apabila di waktu musim hujan, bentuk dalam molekul asal adalah seperti damar pokok yang kekuningan serta kehitaman apabila tempoh yang matang. Kebanyakan orang boleh mendapatinya apabila mereka yang mengerjakan umrah dan haji dan ianya banyak dijual di bazar uhud dan pasar madinah.
Muhabsi banyak di amalkan oleh orang-orang arab diwaktu mana mereka mengerjakan haji dan umrah, kerana ia akan memberikan tenaga yang akan membuatkan mereka tidak merasa letih dan dahaga, orang-orang arab juga percaya jikalau diamalkan ia akan membuatkan minda menjadi cergas serta dapat menghafal sesuatu dengan cepat dan cara pemakanannya hanyalah di makan sebesar sebiji jagung sahaja sehari dan ia telah menjadi tradisi bagi orang- orang arab.
Muhabsi mula di perkenalkan di tanah melayu diwaktu sebelum zaman kemerdekaan lagi ianya di namakan oleh orang-orang melayu dengan gelaran daging mukmin dan ada juga orang-orang melayu menamakan ia dengan nama agar-agar bukit tetapi ianya lebih dikenali dengan nama getah batu kerana ianya hanya terdapat dicelah-celah batu sahaja dan telah menjadi kepercayaan kepada masyarakat orang-orang melayu terdahulu getah muhabsi khasiat yang amat besar,oleh sebab itulah getah murhabsi di gunakan oleh bomoh serta pawang untuk mengubati penyakit-penyakit yang ganjil seperti hestiria dan santau serta sawan , namun begitu muhabsi lebih di kenali ramai pada era tahun tujuh puluhan yang mana telah di popularkan oleh seorang keturunan arab yang telah di jual di kedai-kedai india.
Tetapi hari ini ia telah pupus dan tidak lagi di jual di mana kedai India,i anya hanya boleh di perolehi di kawasan asia barat sahaja dan khasiat muhabsi adalah amat besar dan tinggi yang mana tidak terdapat pada tumbuhan seperti biasa,
1485 - Hapshepsut,
Ratu Mesir, memiliki 31 pohon getah wangi
(getah muhabsi - Commiphora myrrha) yang didatangkan
ke Mesir dan ditanam di Thebes
sebagai persembahan untuk kediaman dewa Amon.
(Rosengarten, 1969).
Ratu Mesir, memiliki 31 pohon getah wangi
(getah muhabsi - Commiphora myrrha) yang didatangkan
ke Mesir dan ditanam di Thebes
sebagai persembahan untuk kediaman dewa Amon.
(Rosengarten, 1969).
WHAT IS MUHABSI?
Frankincense trees, Boswellia sacra grow to a height of around 5 meters. Both it and the trees from which myrrh is derived, Commiphora myrrha, belong to the family Burseraceae whose members have resin ducts in their bar.
In
Oman the trees are found in a relatively restricted habitat,
just out of range of the monsoon rains but where cool winds
depress air temperatures in hot summer months in the Dhofar
region.
At the beginning of April, as soon as the temperatures start to rise, the frankincense gatherers cut the frankincense trees in many places. The first 'cut' is called the tawqii and consists of paring off the outer bark of the branches and trunk. This causes a milky-white liquid to ooze from the tree which quickly solidifies and is left in this condition for 14 days or so. The second 'cut' which follows this period, produces resin of an inferior quality and the real harvest begins two weeks after the second 'cut'. With this third 'cut' the tree produces frankincense resin of yellowish color which is sold commercially in the market.
The 'cutting' of the frankincense trees calls for great skill. The harvest lasts for 3 months and the average yield of frankincense resin for one tree is around 10 kilos. The Governorate of Dhofar produces approx. 7,000 tones of frankincense annually.
Omani frankincense, which is considered to be the finest quality in the world, is still much in demand in many countries. It is an important ingredient in the manufacture of incense which is burned on social occasions, in the manufacture of medicines, fragrant, powders, perfumes, candles as well as in halls of worship around the world.
At the beginning of April, as soon as the temperatures start to rise, the frankincense gatherers cut the frankincense trees in many places. The first 'cut' is called the tawqii and consists of paring off the outer bark of the branches and trunk. This causes a milky-white liquid to ooze from the tree which quickly solidifies and is left in this condition for 14 days or so. The second 'cut' which follows this period, produces resin of an inferior quality and the real harvest begins two weeks after the second 'cut'. With this third 'cut' the tree produces frankincense resin of yellowish color which is sold commercially in the market.
The 'cutting' of the frankincense trees calls for great skill. The harvest lasts for 3 months and the average yield of frankincense resin for one tree is around 10 kilos. The Governorate of Dhofar produces approx. 7,000 tones of frankincense annually.
Omani frankincense, which is considered to be the finest quality in the world, is still much in demand in many countries. It is an important ingredient in the manufacture of incense which is burned on social occasions, in the manufacture of medicines, fragrant, powders, perfumes, candles as well as in halls of worship around the world.
Frankincense in Recent Traditional Medicine••One of the best-known formulations with myrrh and frankincense is QiLi San, the name referring to the small dose of the powder to be taken internally each time (7/1000 of a tael, about 0.4 grams).
•QiLi Sanis given for all kinds of injuries. No doubt, this ancient prescription provided the inspiration for the 20th century formula Yunnan BaiYao, an aromatic blend that is currently the most famous injury remedy in Asia.
•Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes frankincense and myrrh as blood regulating herbs that complement each other. They invigorate the blood, dispel blood stasis and reduce swelling, relieve pain and promote healing.
•QiLi Sanis given for all kinds of injuries. No doubt, this ancient prescription provided the inspiration for the 20th century formula Yunnan BaiYao, an aromatic blend that is currently the most famous injury remedy in Asia.
•Traditional Chinese Medicine recognizes frankincense and myrrh as blood regulating herbs that complement each other. They invigorate the blood, dispel blood stasis and reduce swelling, relieve pain and promote healing.
Medical Uses of Frankincense according to recent studies
Frankincense essential oil soothes and calms the mind, slowing down and deepening breathing , and excellent while meditating.
•Antiseptic (Antibacterial and antifungal) and anti-inflammatory , it improves wound healing and relieve swellings.
•Anxiety and Obsessive compulsive disorders.
•Asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis, coughs and colds.
•Menstrual disturbances ; dysmenorrheaand amenorrhea.
•Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis.
•Incensol(a component of frankincense essential oil) was found to possess neuroprotective properties in neurodegenerative diseases and boswellic acids were found to reduce brain edema in CVA as well as in cancer.
•Taking frankincense internally helps boost the immune system.
•Antiseptic (Antibacterial and antifungal) and anti-inflammatory , it improves wound healing and relieve swellings.
•Anxiety and Obsessive compulsive disorders.
•Asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis, coughs and colds.
•Menstrual disturbances ; dysmenorrheaand amenorrhea.
•Rheumatoid arthritis and Osteoarthritis.
•Incensol(a component of frankincense essential oil) was found to possess neuroprotective properties in neurodegenerative diseases and boswellic acids were found to reduce brain edema in CVA as well as in cancer.
•Taking frankincense internally helps boost the immune system.
Frankincense in cancer
•Chemical extracts of Boswellia species resins might possess anti-cancer activities, based on their anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic activities in rat astrocytomacell lines
•Frankincense essential oil have also been shown to possess cytostaticand cytotoxicactivities in multiple human cancer cell lines, including meningiomacells ,leukemia cells , hepatomacells ,melanoma cells, fibrosarcomacells, colon cancer cells , pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer cells.
•Derivatives of boswellic acid are suitable for the palliative treatment of progressive or relapsing brain tumors, due to, among other things, their described anti-edematous properties.
•InVitro study ;20 microgram/ml of boswellic acid acetate decreased viable cell number of myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells by 60% within 24 h.
•Recentstudies on brain tumors and leukemic cells indicate that boswellicacids may have antiproliferativeand apoptotic
•Frankincense essential oil have also been shown to possess cytostaticand cytotoxicactivities in multiple human cancer cell lines, including meningiomacells ,leukemia cells , hepatomacells ,melanoma cells, fibrosarcomacells, colon cancer cells , pancreatic cancer, and prostate cancer cells.
•Derivatives of boswellic acid are suitable for the palliative treatment of progressive or relapsing brain tumors, due to, among other things, their described anti-edematous properties.
•InVitro study ;20 microgram/ml of boswellic acid acetate decreased viable cell number of myeloid leukemia HL-60 cells by 60% within 24 h.
•Recentstudies on brain tumors and leukemic cells indicate that boswellicacids may have antiproliferativeand apoptotic
HK Lin and his team, from the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center and Oklahoma City VA Medical Center, set out to evaluate frankincense oil for its anti-tumour activity in bladder cancer cells. The authors investigated the effects of the oil in two different types of cells in culture: human bladder cancer cells and normal bladder cells. The team found that frankincense oil is able to discriminate between normal and cancerous bladder cells in culture, and specifically kill cancer cells.
Within a range of concentration, frankincense oil suppressed cell viability in bladder transitional carcinoma J82 cells but not in UROtsa cells. Comprehensive gene expression analysis confirmed that frankincense oil activates genes that are responsible for cell cycle arrest, cell growth suppression, and apoptosis in J82 cells. However, frankincense oil-induced cell death in J82 cells did not result in DNA fragmentation, a hallmark of apoptosis.
Article: Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity
Mark Barton Frank, Qing Yang, Jeanette Osban, Joseph T Azzarello, Marcia R Saban, Ricardo Saban, Richard A Ashley, Jan C Welter, Kar-Ming Fung and Hsueh-Kung Lin http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmccomplementa
Article: Frankincense oil derived from Boswellia carteri induces tumor cell specific cytotoxicity
Mark Barton Frank, Qing Yang, Jeanette Osban, Joseph T Azzarello, Marcia R Saban, Ricardo Saban, Richard A Ashley, Jan C Welter, Kar-Ming Fung and Hsueh-Kung Lin http://www.biomedcentral.com/bmccomplementa
rankincense oil-induced J82 cell death; A- treated with frankincense essential oil 1:1000 solution and B- untreated
Source:
Antimicrobial activities of frankincense•The use of Frankincense during Khareef
season in Dhofaris so common to prevent
indoor molds and germs growth when sun
Ultraviolet is markedly interrupted by the
long season of mist.
•Methanol and aqueous extracts of frankincense stem bark were found to exhibit broad spectrum inhibiting activity against bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative, and fungi.
•Methanol and aqueous extracts of Frankincense resin were found to significantly inhibit (>/90% inhibition at 100 microg/mL) hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease.
•Extracts of Frankincense gum resins and the boswellic acids, particularly the ketoboswellic acids (11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and 3-O-acetyl-11-beta-keto boswellic acid) were shown to be potent activators of human polymorph nuclear leukocytes.
season in Dhofaris so common to prevent
indoor molds and germs growth when sun
Ultraviolet is markedly interrupted by the
long season of mist.
•Methanol and aqueous extracts of frankincense stem bark were found to exhibit broad spectrum inhibiting activity against bacteria, both Gram-positive and Gram-negative, and fungi.
•Methanol and aqueous extracts of Frankincense resin were found to significantly inhibit (>/90% inhibition at 100 microg/mL) hepatitis C virus (HCV) protease.
•Extracts of Frankincense gum resins and the boswellic acids, particularly the ketoboswellic acids (11-keto-beta-boswellic acid and 3-O-acetyl-11-beta-keto boswellic acid) were shown to be potent activators of human polymorph nuclear leukocytes.
Frankincense in Respiratory System*Frankincense is traditionally used (particularly in Oman) to treat coughs (Antitussive& Bronchodilator).
*Modern research confirms that it inhibits the production of leukotrieneswhich mediate airways constrictions and inflammation.
*It is currently being researched and used therapeutically in hospitals in Europe.
*Modern research confirms that it inhibits the production of leukotrieneswhich mediate airways constrictions and inflammation.
*It is currently being researched and used therapeutically in hospitals in Europe.
Frankincense in AsthmaIn a double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 80 patients, 40 (23 males, 17 females) in the age range of 18 -75 years having mean duration of illness, bronchial asthma, of 9.58 +/-6.07 years were given a boswellia gum resin preparation of 300 mg, 3 times daily for 6 weeks. 70%of patients given boswellia extract showed significant improvement as evidenced by disappearance of physical symptoms (dyspnea, rhonchi, increase in FEV1, FVC and PERF, decreases in ESR and eosinophilcount) and lower number of attacks. In contrast, only 27%of patients in the control group showed improvement.
Frankincense in Arthritis•Boswellic acids were studied in 42 osteoarthritis patients in a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled crossover study. Pain and disability scores were decreased significantly, but radiological assessment showed no change.
•Boswellic acids work well in arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis.
•Boswellic acids in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The anti inflammatory effect of boswellic acid is similar to the conventional NSAID and act by inhibition of leukotrienessynthesis via inhibition of 5-lipoxygenas.
•Boswellic acids work well in arthritis, bursitis and tendonitis.
•Boswellic acids in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. The anti inflammatory effect of boswellic acid is similar to the conventional NSAID and act by inhibition of leukotrienessynthesis via inhibition of 5-lipoxygenas.
Boswellic acids versus NSAID•In contrast to non-steriodalanti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID), which are well known to disrupt glycosaminoglycansynthesis, thus accelerating articulardamage in arthritic conditions, boswellic acids have been shown to significantly reduce glycosaminoglycandegradation.
•Long-term use of boswellia does not lead to irritation or ulceration of the stomach.
•Boswellic acids have no effect on 12-lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, or the peroxidationof arachidonicacid by iron and ascorbate, suggesting the boswellic acid component to be a specific, non-redox, noncompetitive inhibitor of 5-lipozygenase, the key enzyme of leukotrienebiosynthesis.
Frankincense Immunological Applications•In an immunological study, boswellic acids also have been shown to possess anticomplementaryactivity via C3-convertase inhibition. C3-convertase is involved in the production of anaphylatoxin.
•Inhibition of graft rejection to the same extent as high dose steroids.
Frankincense In Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseUlcerative colitis (an inflammatory bowel disease) respond well via inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase as well.
1997; Patients given Frankincense gum resin preparation (350 mg 3 times daily) for 6 weeks compared with sulfasalazine (1 g 3 times daily), parameters of ulcerative colitis (e.g. stool properties, histopathology, rectal biopsies, blood work) were improved. Remission was 82%with the resin and 75% with sulfasalazine.
A more recent (2001) study led by the same principal investigators evaluated 30 patients (17 males, 13 females ranging in age from 18 to 48 years) with chronic colitis.
Twenty patients were given a preparation of the gum resin (900 mg daily divided in 3 doses for 6 weeks), and 10 patients were given sulfasalazine(3 gm daily divided in 3 doses for 6 weeks).
Among the 20 patients treated with boswellia, 18 showed improvement and 14 went into remission. Among the 10 treated with sulfasalazine, 6 showed improvement and 4 went into remission.
.
Although corticosteroids are widely used in the treatment of IBD, ithas major side effects that limit its chronic use in these patients.The boswellic acids have not shown such deleterious side effectsin any of the clinical studies published to date.
Recent (2001) studies of experimental ileitis and Chrondisease have used an AKBA extract called H15.
•Long-term use of boswellia does not lead to irritation or ulceration of the stomach.
•Boswellic acids have no effect on 12-lipoxygenase, cyclooxygenase, or the peroxidationof arachidonicacid by iron and ascorbate, suggesting the boswellic acid component to be a specific, non-redox, noncompetitive inhibitor of 5-lipozygenase, the key enzyme of leukotrienebiosynthesis.
Frankincense Immunological Applications•In an immunological study, boswellic acids also have been shown to possess anticomplementaryactivity via C3-convertase inhibition. C3-convertase is involved in the production of anaphylatoxin.
•Inhibition of graft rejection to the same extent as high dose steroids.
Frankincense In Inflammatory Bowel DiseaseUlcerative colitis (an inflammatory bowel disease) respond well via inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase as well.
1997; Patients given Frankincense gum resin preparation (350 mg 3 times daily) for 6 weeks compared with sulfasalazine (1 g 3 times daily), parameters of ulcerative colitis (e.g. stool properties, histopathology, rectal biopsies, blood work) were improved. Remission was 82%with the resin and 75% with sulfasalazine.
A more recent (2001) study led by the same principal investigators evaluated 30 patients (17 males, 13 females ranging in age from 18 to 48 years) with chronic colitis.
Twenty patients were given a preparation of the gum resin (900 mg daily divided in 3 doses for 6 weeks), and 10 patients were given sulfasalazine(3 gm daily divided in 3 doses for 6 weeks).
Among the 20 patients treated with boswellia, 18 showed improvement and 14 went into remission. Among the 10 treated with sulfasalazine, 6 showed improvement and 4 went into remission.
.
Although corticosteroids are widely used in the treatment of IBD, ithas major side effects that limit its chronic use in these patients.The boswellic acids have not shown such deleterious side effectsin any of the clinical studies published to date.
Recent (2001) studies of experimental ileitis and Chrondisease have used an AKBA extract called H15.
Chemical Properties•The gum resin of Frankincense contains biologically active boswellic acid (3-alpha-hydroxy-urs-12-en-23-oic acid) and its derivatives (collectively called terpenoids)
•Acid resin (63%) and Volatile oil (10%) dissolve to 65% in Alcohol. While Gum (27%) and Ash (0-1%) dissolve into 3 portions of water forming thick mucilage.
•So Alcohol extracts about 75% of frankincense (W/V; 1:195% ethyl alcohol or 1:270% ethyl alcohol)
•Standardized*alcoholic (ethanol) extract of Frankincense gum resin contains 60% to 65% boswellic acids.
•Specific gravity of the oil is 0.87 –0.88 @ 25 C°.
* Primary extraction contains about 45%
•Acid resin (63%) and Volatile oil (10%) dissolve to 65% in Alcohol. While Gum (27%) and Ash (0-1%) dissolve into 3 portions of water forming thick mucilage.
•So Alcohol extracts about 75% of frankincense (W/V; 1:195% ethyl alcohol or 1:270% ethyl alcohol)
•Standardized*alcoholic (ethanol) extract of Frankincense gum resin contains 60% to 65% boswellic acids.
•Specific gravity of the oil is 0.87 –0.88 @ 25 C°.
* Primary extraction contains about 45%
•The exudates of the frankincense tree contains volatile oils (frankincense essential oil) and terpenoids (Boswellic acids) and both are alcohol soluble, and gum (the water soluble portion).
•The terpenoids are comprised of four pentacyclic triterpene acids: beta-boswellic acid (the most abundant), 3-o-acteyl beta, 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, and 3 o-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid.
•Of the four primary boswellic acids, 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) has been determined to be the most potent inhibitor of 5-LO.
•The terpenoids are comprised of four pentacyclic triterpene acids: beta-boswellic acid (the most abundant), 3-o-acteyl beta, 11-keto-beta-boswellic acid, and 3 o-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid.
•Of the four primary boswellic acids, 3-O-acetyl-11-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) has been determined to be the most potent inhibitor of 5-LO.
Major components of Frankincense Essential Oil in (high-low) manner•Alpha-Pinene
•Limonene
•Alpha-Thujene
•Octyl-Acetate
•Beta-Caryophyllene
•Sabinene
•P-Cymene
•Myrcene
•Incensol
•Delta-Cadinene
•Beta-Pinene
•Beta Elemene
•Alpha-Cadinol
•Alpha-Copaene
•Camphene
•Limonene
•Alpha-Thujene
•Octyl-Acetate
•Beta-Caryophyllene
•Sabinene
•P-Cymene
•Myrcene
•Incensol
•Delta-Cadinene
•Beta-Pinene
•Beta Elemene
•Alpha-Cadinol
•Alpha-Copaene
•Camphene
Structure of β-boswellic acid, one of the main active components of frankincense
Beta-boswellic acid, keto-beta-boswellic acid and acetyl-keto-beta-boswellic acid (AKBA) have been indicated in apoptosis of cancer cells, particularly brain tumors and cells affected by leukemia or colon cancer .
Acetyl-boswellic acids also exhibit anti-inflammatory behaviour by inhibiting leukotriene synthesis. Specifically, it inhibits the activity of the enzyme 5-lipoxygenase through a non-redox reaction. Clinical trials have investigated the effectiveness of boswellic acids in treating ulcerative colitis, but a study on chemically induced colitis in mouse models showed little effectiveness. This latter study also linked large doses of boswellic acids to hepatotoxicity and increased lipid accumulation. Paradoxically, low doses of Boswellia serrata extract may have hepatoprotective effects.
Boswellic acids are also thought to decrease the symptoms of asthma ; a small 1998 placebo-controlled trial of Boswellia extract for the treatment of asthma showed good results. Boswellia extracts are sold in tablet, capsule and tincture form, but no dosage guidelines have been developed. The risk of hepatotoxicity due to Boswellia administration has not been assessed.
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| Burning Frankincense |
Using Charcoal
Prepare a censor or fireproof dish. Adding sand or white ash to the censer is a good idea. It absorbs heat from the censer and lets air under the charcoal for better burning. Or use a resin censer which has a screen on top to let the ashes fall through in to the censer bowl. Frankincense is one incense that burns very well on charcoal and the smoke itself is very intoxicating. Try to use a high quality charcoal disk or tablet like the chemical free bamboo tablets from Japan or the type used for Hookahs which have a very small amount quick lighting agents in them. in the middle east coals are taken right from the home’s hearth are used. To light the charcoal use pincers or tongs, chopsticks (wood or metal) work very well for this. Hold it over a candle flame turning it gently until it begins to glow around the edges. then place it in your censer and wait until it has a white ash coating evenly over its surface. When the charcoal is ready (in about 4-5 minutes) sprinkle the frankincense directly on the coal or use a piece of thin foil on top of the charcoal to let the resin burn more slowly - then let the wonderful scent arise. Hougary comes in large roundish hunks or tears and we recommended that you pulverize , breakup or grind it slightly before burning to allow it burn evenly and disperse its scent quickly. Though you can place a whole tear on an electric , incense stove or candle heater and it will slowly melt and release its heavenly scent. Electric Incense Heaters Electric heaters are now available at a reasonable price and are highly recommended for getting the most from fine natural incense of all types. It is especially desirable to use with delicate woods and botanicals. The heater allows them to realize their essential oils before combustion. Many things that are not very aromatic when burned on charcoal have a lovely aroma on a heater. Resins are warmed slowly and a richer scent will be exuded for a longer period of time. Although with some incense botanicals smoke is desired , with many, smoke means the end of the release of the essential oils that carry all the fragrance. So if you want the most from your incense material use a temperature controlled electric heater. When using a heater be sure to experiment with the temperatures for different types of incense, always preheat and start with a setting below 30. If your incense begins to smoke too quickly turn down or off completely. It is best to try it for yourself and find what works for you.
Frankincense Burning in Catholic Churches
Although frankincense is still burned in religious ceremonies, the incense used today in Catholic churches is a mixture of balsams (Grieve 1959);
about 66% frankincense, 27% benzoin (Styrax benzoin), and storax (Liquid-ambar orientalis). This combination is used for liturgical purposes because the odor given off during burning is distinctive, different from the pure frankincense used in secular perfume industry. The smoke of this mixture is also visible with
The finest Omani Hougari frankincense and the most expensive and no words can describe what it is indeed!
Hougari pieces are large, whilst the complex, wonderful aroma is a very clear lemon, which becomes More limey in the greener pieces. Hougari Superior is comprised of hand-picked Hougari pieces, chosen for their 'green' colour and their size. It is ideal for prayer and meditation bringing a deep sense of relaxation and peacefullness.
Hougari regular are large as Hougari Superior but with yellow tint , and less limy incense. It is the most commonly used type of Hougari.
Smaller in size and whiter in color pieces of resin, less aroma than the Hougari types, and more easy to use. It is ideal for prayer and meditation ringing a deep sense of relaxation and peacefulness.
Characterized by its high content of incense oil and the dark brown color, and considered the best for the frankincense oil production.
Arabic gum is the hardened sap of the Acacia senegal tree. Acacia senegal is one of more than 1100 varieties of acacia tree. Most common in the African grassland savannas along the southern edge of the Sahara Desert, it is found as Far East as Oman and India.
Arabic gum is unique among the natural gums because of its extreme solubility in water and its lack of taste. As a food additive, it has been extensively tested and appears to be one of the safest for human consumption. In beverages, Arabic gum helps citrus and other oil-based flavors remain evenly suspended in water.
In confectionery, glazes and artificial whipped creams, Arabic gum keeps flavor oils and fats uniformly distributed, retards crystallization of sugar, thickens chewing gums and jellies, and gives soft candies a desirable mouth feel. In
cough drops and lozenges, Arabic gum soothes irritated mucous membranes. Many dry-packaged products, such as instant drinks, dessert mixes and soup bases, use it to enhance the shelf life of flavors. In cosmetics, too, it smoothes creams, fixatives and lotions.
Not used as incense (no aroma). Chewable only (excellent). No clear medical uses. Its source is Somalia, and used commonly as a natural gum and in some food industries
Myrrh is a shrubby desert tree known variously as gum, myrrh tree, guggal gum, guggal resin, didin, and didthin. Myrrh is an Arabic word meaning bitter. The highly valued aromatic gum resin of myrrh has a bitter, pungent taste and a sweet, pleasing aroma. A particularly treasured variety of myrrh is known as karam or Turkish myrrh
Myrrh grows to a height of about 9 ft (2.7 m). The light gray trunk is thick and the main branches are knotted with smaller branches protruding at a right angle and ending in sharp spines. The hairless, roughly toothed leaves are divided into one pair of small, oval leaflets with a larger, terminal leaflet. The yellow-red flowers grow on stalks in an elongated and branching cluster. The small brown fruit is oval, tapering to a point.
out excessive clouding and thus is ideal for ceremonial purposes.
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