10 Herbs Used as Incense for Healing and Purification
(By Tsem Rinpoche)
Since the start of time, humans have used herbs for a variety of different applications, including the flavouring of food in cooking, in healing and medicinal applications, for cleansing and purifying the environment and even for religious and spiritual use.
It is believed that when herbs are burned, the resulting fragrant smoke has the ability to refresh the air and enhance positive energy, making it an essential precursor to important religious rituals. Traditionally, many cultures burn incense, resins, or smudge herbs to purify the air and remove negative energy. For the sake of convenience, these days we mimic these ancient rituals through the use of essential oil burners and diffusers which are based on the same principles as burning herbs.
The smoke from natural herbal incense is believed to cleanse the surroundings and remove negative emotions, thoughts, stress and unpleasant energy in the home or office. Your environment is a sponge for negativity, and it is commonly believed that negative energies can absorb into walls and objects if not properly purified. Many believers light incense after a bad relationship break-ups, arguments and disagreements, illnesses, or sad events such as funerals as well as when purchasing a new home or a second-hand antique. It is said that clearing the negative energy from these events, places and objects refreshes the space and signifies a new start.
Furthermore, herbs have played a vital role in healthcare and medicine, due to their medicinal and versatile healing properties. Apart from modern western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine, herbs are also widely used by indigenous cultures all over the world for recovery and good health.
Here are a list of herbs and their benefits.
1. Rosemary (Rosmarinus Officinalis L)
Commonly used in western cooking, rosemary is one of the world’s most-used and best-known herbs. In Latin, rosemary translates to ‘The Dew of the Sea‘ and it is said that the ancient Greeks would wear rosemary garlands on their heads whilst studying.
In ancient and aboriginal cultures, incense comprised of wild rosemary or Ledum Palustre was used for shamanic rituals, and was highly valued by the aboriginal Ainu shamans of Japan. It was considered a sacred herb to the ancient Egyptians and Greeks, due to its medicinal properties and benefits.
In the 16th century, rosemary was commonly burned as dry herb incense or as an oil, in hospitals or wherever the sick lay. It was believed that rosemary had tremendous healing properties and was applicable for all illnesses, making it a very sought after commodity.
The benefits of rosemary include:
- Improved memory
- Lower stress levels
- Anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties
- Detoxification of bodily toxins
- Pain relief
- Stimulates blood circulation
2. Cedar
Signifying strength and dignity, wood from the cedar tree has been used since ancient times in the construction of altars, churches, thrones, buildings and ships. Since ancient times, Cedar was also widely used as incense, in perfumes and for embalming purposes.
There are many types and varieties of cedar which grow in all corners of the world, each with their own properties and applications. Cedrus Atlantica mainly grows in Morocco and Algeria, whereas Lebanon Cedar is on the wildlife protection list and can age up to an incredible 2,500 years.
Some types of cedar are extremely rare, such as the Himalayan Cedar or Cedrus Deodora, mainly found in Himalayan regions such as Northern India and Pakistan. The resin of the Himalayan cedar tree is often referred to as ‘gokul’ and it is known to be a powerful incense due to its vast abundance of essential oils.
Tibetan cedar wood is an old herb/resin which has been used in many aspects of daily life since ancient times. Its fragrance is relaxing and harmonising, and it stimulates mental focus and helps with the practice of meditation. It is also known to cleanse the environment of negative energies and brings a peaceful and serene atmosphere.
For more information and to experience the benefits of Tibetan cedar: vajrasecrets.com/tibetan-cedarwood-incense
3. Sage
Best known for its versatility in the kitchen, sage or Salvia Officinalis has been used for thousands of years in culinary, medicinal and religious applications. Prized for its healing and medicinal properties, sage has been used as an anti-depressant, for improving memory and concentration and to help patients suffering from Alzheimer’s.
Many cultures including the Native Americans, Celtic druids, pagans and ancient Romans all used sage in one form or another. In particular, the indigenous Americans burned sage smudge sticks as a way to purify the air and absorb negative energy such as conflict, anger and illness.
4. Tibetan Sage (Ganden Khenpa)
Gaden Monastery in Tibet, founded in 1409 by Je Tsongkhapa who is widely known as ‘The Second Buddha’, is credited as the birth place of Ganden Khenpa, otherwise known as Tibetan sage.
Legend says that during a time when Tibet was plagued with illnesses, the great Lama Tsongkhapa, founder of the Gelug tradition of Tibetan Buddhism, sought a way to relieve the sufferings of all sentient beings. He cut and scattered his hair on the ground and where his hair fell, from the consecrated ground grew the herbal Ganden Khenpa. The herb was first harvested and burnt as an incense to purify the air of the monastery. Later, it was distributed to every household where it was burnt and used to cure the epidemic.
Since then, Ganden Khenpa has been used in traditional Tibetan medicine as well as for purifying holy spaces and as an offering to the Buddhas. Every household in Tibet still uses this herb and it is often called the ‘Obstacle-Clearing Grass’.
It is known for its anti-inflammatory properties, for helping to increase blood circulation and is even said to make the user wiser. Furthermore, according to some lamas, Ganden Khenpa is recommended for those suffering from SARS, who should inhale it deeply. It is also beneficial for people with rheumatism, arthritis, swellings and, according to the personal physician of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, for purifying polluted environments as well as to prevent colds and flu.
For more information and to experience the benefits of Ganden Khenpa: vajrasecrets.com/ganden-khenpa-loose-incense
5. Sandalwood
Sandalwood is the hardwood and roots harvested from the ‘Royal Tree’ or Santalum Album, found mainly in India. The wood is commonly used to make mala (rosary) beads and furniture due to its durability and aromatic scent.
Many cultures from all over the globe prize sandalwood for numerous reasons. The ancient Egyptians used sandalwood for medicinal purposes as well as for religious and cultural rituals and ceremonies. In Hinduism, sandalwood is also known as ‘chandana‘ and is used as a sacred herb in the worship of the God Vishnu. It is also used as part of ayurvedic healing.
In Tibetan Buddhism, one of the 35 Confessional Buddhas known as Tathagata Glorious Sandalwood (Chandanashri), is depicted holding a sandalwood branch in his hands. He uses it to purify the karma of those who pray to him, cleansing them and washing away their negative deeds. Buddhists also use sandalwood to purify offerings to the Three Jewels and to calm those who suffer from nervous tension and anxiety.
Today, sandalwood is still commonly used for its medicinal and healing properties which include:
- Anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties
- Diuretic properties
- Lower blood pressure
- Improved memory
It is also known to be a relaxant which induces calmness and is helpful in enhancing concentration.
For more information and to experience the benefits of Sandalwood: https://www.vajrasecrets.com/search?type=product&q=sandalwood+incense&options%5Bprefix%5D=last
6. Juniper
Found all over the world, juniper grows in a variety of species. The Tibetan word for incense is ‘sang’ (pronounced ‘sung’), which is also the folk name for juniper.
Apart from being used as incense in many world cultures, juniper is also widely used in cultural and religious rituals as well as in medicine and healing. It is effective for the treatment of pain, cramps and arthritis, and also possesses antiseptic and diuretic properties. Furthermore, it is used to cleanse and purify the blood, to lower blood pressure and to increase sweating to expel toxins which lie below the skin.
In Buddhism, juniper is often used in the construction of stupas. The central axis or ‘life stick’ of the stupa is traditionally constructed from solid juniper wood due to the belief that it purifies the area and rejects negative energy, and is engraved with mantras and Tibetan seed syllables.
For more information and to experience the benefits of Juniper: https://www.vajrasecrets.com/products/tibetan-juniper-incense-powder
7. Frankincense Resin
Frankincense resin is extracted from trees of the Boswellia genus. It is harvested by making a small incision into the bark of the tree and the precious gum resin will expel from the bark and form solid resin after a few weeks, also known as ‘frankincense tears’.
Frankincense resin is best known as one of the gifts offered to baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men. It is used in many rituals in Christianity, as well as in those of Muslims, Jews, Hindus and Buddhists.
The many health benefits of juniper include stronger immune systems, improved oral health, regulated menstruation, prevention and elimination of gas, reduced stress and as an antiseptic. It is used in traditional Chinese and ayurvedic medicine. Frankincense is also used during meditation and visualisation as it increases awareness, serenity and relaxation.
For more information and to experience the benefits of Frankincense resin: https://www.vajrasecrets.com/tibetan-frankincense-incense-sticks
8. Myrrh Resin
Commiphora Myrrh is a resin harvested through sapping the myrhh shrub. Like frankincense, myrrh is most famous for being one of the gifts offered to baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men, along with gold.
Myrrh resin is used in many cultural and religious rituals. For example, the ancient Egyptians used myrrh during the embalming of pharaohs. It was also readily used by the Romans.
Myrrh is very effective against candida and parasites. It has strong antiseptic properties and can eliminate fungus in the digestive system without destroying good bacteria. It can also help boost and strengthen the immune system and analgesic ailments. During the time of the plague that swept through Europe, myrrh was one of the main remedies against the epidemic.
Lastly, myrrh is known to be effective in clearing and purifying the air when burned as an incense. However, it should not be used if you are feeling depressed as it can bring on or intensify negative and sad emotions.
9. Golden Leaf (Sunpati)
Sunpati, also known as ‘Golden Leaf’ or ‘Balu,’ is a distinctly sweet-smelling herb commonly used in religious rituals and healing applications. Found in the Himalayan mountains of Nepal and Tibet, it is also the official flower of the kingdom of Nepal.
Tibetans believe that drinking sunpati in a tea can aid digestion and stimulate appetite. Some species of sunpati are also proven to have antimicrobial effects against harmful bacteria and fungi.
Burning the resin of this herb has a cleansing effect on the environment. It can also help protect against negative spirits and illnesses, as well as to connect with the divine.
10. Agarwood
Precious agarwood resin is produced from a fungal infection that affects the Aquilaria Agallocha tree. The infection causes a resin to form to protect the tree from further damage and gives off a distinct aroma. It is generally believed that the older the tree and the more resin it has produced, the more valuable and potent the resin will be.
Agarwood resin is one of the world’s most expensive and sought-after resins. It is used in a variety of different cultures including Arabian, Japanese, Chinese, Tibetan and Indian traditions for both religious ceremonies as well as medicinal applications.
Agarwood is highly praised due to its powerful and immediate effects. It is known to have anti-oxidant and anti-ageing benefits as well as being effective against asthma and excellent for kidney health and function.
Agarwood increases our awareness and it is known to be very helpful for meditation and prayer as it can increase our ability to focus. Its warm nature has a calming and uplifting effect on our psyche and it is said to remove sadness of the heart. It is also known to be effective in cleansing the environment, bringing serenity and tranquility.
For more information and to experience the benefits of Agarwood: https://www.vajrasecrets.com/search?type=product&q=agarwood+incense&options%5Bprefix%5D=last
Conclusion
The burning of natural herbs as incense is very effective and is proven to have many benefits. In Buddhism, offering incense to the Three Jewels helps remind us of our vows and beliefs. In addition, offering incense creates the causes to have morality and ethics and to be of benefit to others. Sangsol, a Tibetan Buddhist incense offering ritual, is generally performed during religious ceremonies and special events such as the Tibetan New Year (Losar), pujas (prayer ceremonies) or marriages. Further descriptions and explanations of how to perform the incense offering prayer can be found here.
I hope the above list of herbs and resins, its benefits and properties — spiritual, religious and medicinal — will inspire you to experiment with different types of incense, purify your personal life, and enhance your time of worship.
For more interesting information:
- Incense Offering to Dorje Shugden
- 10 Houseplants That Can Purify the Air in Your House
- Improving Your Air the Natural Way
- Dorje Shugden Retreat: A powerful practice to fulfill wishes
- A Psychoactive Antidepressant
- Sacred Mountains Around the World
- How to Prevent Mice and Rats in Your House
- Kalarupa
- Trode Khangsar – A 400 year old Dorje Shugden Chapel in Lhasa | 拉萨400年历史的多杰雄登护法殿—布旦康萨
- Alexandra David-Néel
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If you are in the United States, please note that your offerings and contributions are tax deductible. ~ the tsemrinpoche.com blog team
Revisit this blog again …….very useful information for us to know where and how our incense powder make of. Reading this blog and coming to understand better of herbs name which I haven’t heard before. Smoke cleansing is a practice performed by various cultures, religions, and faiths around the world. A ritual steeped in history, smoke cleansing involves the burning of various herbs, resins, wood powders, and essential oils for health or spiritual purposes.
Its good to know many of plants rather herbs have many benefits and very useful in curing diseases and clearing negative energy in an environment. Herbs and incense when burned will brings fresh, fantastic energy at home. Its effects are truly fantastic in purification rituals as well. The different types of herbs, and other ingredients are used, which is based upon that which is regionally, culturally, spiritually, or historically significant.
Excellent article, well researched full of interesting information, I really learnt a lot .
Thank you Rinpoche for this great sharing.
Herbs are plants with fragrant or aromatic properties. Herbs can be used to flavour food, included in fragrances. Some herbs are part of natural medicines when consumed. Herbs are used by different cultures all over the world for recovery and good health. Consuming herbs helps to prevent and manage health related diseases such as heart disease, cancer and diabetes. Very beneficial in long run as it may also help to reduce blood clots and provide anti-inflammatory and anti-tumour properties. Herbs are rich in antioxidants, especially cloves, cinnamon, sage, to name a few by helping to reduce low-density lipoproteins which is called ‘bad’ cholesterol. Researchers had studied that fresh herbs contain higher antioxidant levels compared to processed or dried herbs. Amazing they do have such a wonderful properties. There are many ways to use those herbs in our cooking to flavour a dish or as decoration or some sort. In healing and medicinal applications, for cleansing and purifying the environment and even for religious and spiritual use . Well good to know the above herbs as mentioned .
Thank you Rinpoche for sharing.
Thank you for wonderful information sharing on healing with herbs. The effect of plant based herbs incense has great benefits and much more safer. It’s amazing to discover
the natural qualities keeps us healthier and prevent us from various illness.
I loved to have sandalwood for my prayer offering it’s so much soothing and keeps the environment calms and relax.
Understand that some acupuncturist uses smudging — or burning sage — to help rid their patients of negative emotions.
A doctor of acupuncture and Chinese medicine, and a reiki master/teacher, says the sage smoke unburdens people of their negative energy and makes them feel better. They see patients start to relax and go into a more neutral state within minutes.
Native Americans and other indigenous peoples have burned sage for centuries as part of a spiritual ritual to cleanse a person or space, and to promote healing and wisdom. It’s been used since the time of the ancient Egyptians and Romans to treat digestive issues, memory problems, and sore throats. The name sage comes from the Latin “salvia,” which means, “to feel healthy.” The practice of “smudging” has more recently become popular in other cultures, too.
Personally, I prefer to use herbs and natural remedies to heal my body. After all, chemicals can be harmful to our body. Herbs have been used as medicine or supplements for well-beings since the ancient time, they are proven to be effective. The effect of natural remedies might be slow but they are safe to use. Tibetan incense is made from many natural ingredients, not only it helps to calm our mind when we are doing meditation, it also contains healing property.
Since the time of Magadha Sangmo, a disciple of Buddha Sakyamuni, offered incense to her Guru with an invitation for a meal at her husband’s home, thousand miles away, When Buddha graced her invitation, thousands of people received the precious Dharma from Buddha and took refuge as Buddhists. Ever since it had been a tradition still practiced today. Learning of what Tibetan incense is made from, it is good to know the medicinal properties and aroma that it offers. It can purify our environment and air with a nice smell. I always imagined the smoke clouds of bringing my aspirational prayers up to the Buddhas. May we all have the merits like Magadha Sangmo to be blessed.
Thank you, Rinpoche for this informative article and may we always have the connections to the Buddhas with the wisdom cloud from our offerings of incense.
All enlightened beings are worthy of homage and worship. They are the best beings to take refuge in and we should offer them our prayers as we can put our full confidence in them. Of all the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, I personally find that Manjushri is extremely important. This is because what keeps us in samsara (cyclic rebirth) is our total ignorance and misunderstanding of the reality of existence. What is necessary to penetrate this deep ignorance that keeps us bound in a perpetual state of reincarnation is wisdom. We need many types of wisdom which can be acquired by relying on Manjushri as our yidam (meditational deity). By focusing on his meditation, practice, mantra and path we can gain wisdom in order to have the tool to penetrate the reality of existence. Therefore, Manjushri is an extremely important Buddha for us to focus on and take refuge in.
Tsem Rinpoche
(Photograph: this is the beautiful outdoor Manjushri statue who is in a teaching pose. He is floating above a koi fish pond nestled among lush greenery in Kechara Forest Retreat, Malaysia)
每一位觉者都能成为我们朝拜、膜拜的对象。他们是我们至高、至好的皈依，我们应该向他们做祈请，并且对他们生起全然的信念。在众佛菩萨之中，我个人认为文殊菩萨极为重要。这是因为使我们身陷娑婆（轮回）的是我们自身的无明，以及对实相的曲解。智慧是一种必要，它能穿透我们深不见底的无明，那个使我们受困于无止境投生的无明。我们需要多种智慧，而依止文殊菩萨作为我们的本尊，即能使我们成就多种智慧。透过文殊菩萨的观想、修持法门、心咒及修行道路，我们能成就智慧，拥有了知实相的“器具”。故此，专注于文殊菩萨的修持法门、皈依他，对我们而言都极为重要。
詹杜固仁波切
（相片：这尊户外文殊菩萨像呈转法轮姿。他被茂密的草木环绕，安坐在马来西亚克切拉禅修林的鱼池之上。）
Medicine Buddha puja encourages healing of all levels – physical, mental and emotional healing for those in need.
High resolution file of this thangka is available for download for all dharma practitioners around the world and for those who just want sacred images in their environment. Enjoy, be blessed and share this with others.
Here is the link to free download of this image and many other images: https://www.tsemrinpoche.com/tsem-tulku-rinpoche/downloads/buddha-images.html?nggpage=7
Listening to the chanting of sacred words, melodies, mantras, sutras and prayers has a very powerful healing effect on our outer and inner environments. It clears the chakras, spiritual toxins, the paths where our ‘chi’ travels within our bodies for health as well as for clearing the mind. It is soothing and relaxing but at the same time invigorates us with positive energy. The sacred sounds invite positive beings to inhabit our environment, expels negative beings and brings the sound of growth to the land, animals, water and plants. Sacred chants bless all living beings on our land as well as inanimate objects. Do download and play while in traffic to relax, when you are about to sleep, during meditation, during stress or just anytime. Great to play for animals and children. Share with friends the blessing of a full Dorje Shugden puja performed at Kechara Forest Retreat by our puja department for the benefit of others. Tsem Rinpoche
Listen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZbzgskLKxT8&t=5821s
Interesting to learn about the various plants and herbs and the many benefits it bring. Never thought incense can be natural method to help healing and purification. Everything natural is always good for us. Hope more people would purchase incense made from natural resource and not made from chemical as it will harm our health. Thank you Pastor Antoinette for this sharing.
Thank you for letting us about the usage of the herbs and how beneficial these can be to overall mood and health.
Hope to try out the sage incense from Vajrasecrets.
Thank you Pastor Antoinette for this interesting and informative article on the many different herbs and their wide range of benefits and uses, from flavouring food to healing as well as cleansing and purifying the environment, and for medicinal purposes.Some herbs are used to relieve stress and for their calming effect.It is little wonder that incense plays a huge role in religious and spiritual rituals as offerings and for cleansing and purifying the air of negative energies and emotions.It is amazing too that some herbs are used for improving the memory.
I am particularly taken by the legend behind the origin of the Tibetan Sage (Ganden Khenpa), of how Lama Tsongkhapa, seeking a way of relieving beings of the suffering of disease and epidemic, scattered his hair on the ground in Ganden Monastery and how from that sacred ground, the sage sprung up.
After its first harvest was burnt to purify the air, the Ganden Khenpo has since been also widely used as offering to the Buddhas and in traditional medicine and for healing. Polluted environments can be purified by it. It is also recommended for epidemics such as SARS!Thus this Tibetan sage has a wide range of benefits as do other herbs.
Thank you kindly Rinpoche and Pastor Antoinette for this most informative article. Not only have you provided an excellent resource of reference of the herbs you have listed being used as incense, but also you have thankfully added the many medicinal benefits and history of use in relation to these fragrant delights to the senses. Incense offering is one of the easiest, most effective and efficacious ways we can show respect and pay homage to the three jewels, not to mention your dwelling will smell very inviting. Although I may search many miles before I find Golden Leaf here in Canada. Perhaps higher elevations here somewhere. Be well and may you enjoy long life and well being. Many thanks once again.
Thank you for the informative piece on natural herbal incense, their benefits and beautiful stories behind the herbs. The story of Gaden Khenpa is especially beautiful. Among the herbal incense introduced here, I like the smell of Juniper, Gaden Khenpa and Frankincense resin especially.
It’s good to offer good incense to Three Jewels, apart from this, it’s good for our health and environment as well to use the natural herbal incense compare to some commercial incense made from artificial and not good for our health ingredients.
This is also one of my favourite topics! Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Antoinette Kass for sharing the benefits of herbs and how it can help in terms of health and spiritual. A very interesting topic to read so that we can understand and apply holistic traditional medicine. And something that is not related to politics with religion….lol!!????
Thank you Rinpoche & Pastor Antoinette Kass for sharing the benefits of herbs and how it can help in terms of health and spiritual.
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Thank you for posting this Pastor Antoinette! 🙂 I use most of these. Particularly Agarwood, Sandalwood, and Ganden Khenpa. One I would recommend highly is Patchouli. That incense is heavenly and really relaxing, so is Lavender incense. Both of those relieve stress, anxiety quite well. Aside from all of those Medicine Buddha incense and any other mixture of Tibetan incense is really helpful. I found Medicine Buddha incense really useful for arthritis, and cases of flu and colds. So many different types to try! 🙂 I have so many different kinds in my drawers at home that I could open a store LOL :D.
There are two kinds of Sandalwood incense though, White and Red. I find the Red sandalwood the best for relaxing.
Thank you Pastor Antoinette Kass for this clear explanation of benefits of herb. Using herb is the most natural way in dealing with all kind of illness and stress I personally love to burn essential oil daily in my house daily because it help to clean the air and also help us to relax .
Thank you for fixing the problem!!!
Wow ….interesting knowledge of all those herbs which are used for making incense. The health benefits of using herbal incense are countless. There are so many different herbs for a variety of different applications in the market. Some are used in food flavouring , healing , cleansing and purifying of negatives environment and for religious use . The most calming, soothing herbs for incense do wonders for relaxation and sleep. Herbs are widely used by different cultures all over the world for recovery and good health. Interesting to know of the tibetan Sage (Ganden Khenpa) ‘s legend behind it. Amazing how the epidemic were cured by the burning it as incense. Its wonderful to know its benefits and properties of the herbs and resins.
Thank you Rinpoche and Pastor Antoinette Kass for this sharing.
Thank you, Pastor Antoinette for these 10 herbs that offers much benefits on its own when compounded with incense, also produce effects of healing and purification. Through our daily offering of incense to the Buddhas, we can make a connection with the higher beings, be reminded of our belief and at the same time, purify the environment and imbue positive energies in our surrounding. How wonderful.
Normally when we think of herbs, we think flowers, leaves and at best, bark of trees and twigs. Herbs are wondrous plants that give healing and purification powers when used correctly.
What impacted me the most from this article was that herbs can also be from the latex of trees or shrubs which on extraction solidifies and form resins. Two of such herbs are the healing frankincense and myrrh. The are extracted from the trees and form solid resins which are then used for their properties of healing and purification.
A must read so that we can understand and apply holistic traditional medicine.