Frankincense Among the Ancient Arabs: Wisdom Surpassing Its Time
Many people believe that the ancient Arabs burned frankincense out of simple thought and limited knowledge, with the purpose of warding off evil spirits and other similar beliefs. However, from my reading of pieces of ancient Arab heritage, I find a deeper thought, different from the prevailing perception of the ancient Arab philosophy.
In fact, the Arabs were greatly concerned with mental healing and mood improvement. For them, healing the mind was more important than healing the body. What may be considered trivial by some people today, was seen by the majority of our Arab ancestors as something of utmost value and necessity. The ancient Arabs believed that sound thinking and proper decision-making stemmed from a good mood and a peaceful mind. This is the crux of the matter.
Our Arab Ancestors’ Perception of Life’s Impurities: A Preemptive Scientific Vision
Our Arab ancestors believed that life, with its burdens, imposes impurities on the soul, just as it does on clothing. While clothes can be washed with water to cleanse them, the soul requires a means to wash away its dirt. Our ancestors found this in three things: pleasant fragrances, beautiful melodies, and kind words. This foresight predates the scientific knowledge of our current civilization.
Today, numerous studies and research have been published indicating that scents, music, and positive speech carry positive effects on individuals’ psychological and mental health.
Among these researchers are Dr. Rachel Herz, a psychologist and associate professor at Brown University and the University of Warwick, and Dr. Noam Sobel, a professor and neuroscientist at the Weizmann Institute of Science in Israel. They are renowned for their research on the impact of scents on memories, emotions, and social behavior.
In addition, Dr. Evangelos Himonides, a professor at the University College London, and Dr. Hanne Mette Ridder, a professor of music therapy at Aalborg University in Denmark. They are well-known for their research on the influence of music on learning, psychological and social development, and mental health.
Moreover, Dr. Barbara Fredrickson, a professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and Dr. Ilona Boniwell, founder and president of the European Positive Psychology Institute and a professor at the University of Angers in France. They are well-known for their broaden-and-build theory and studies on positive thinking, positive emotions, and their effects on mental health.
These researchers are now studying and understanding what our ancestors comprehended thousands of years ago. Modern scientific research has proven the validity of these ancient concepts, confirming the potency of these three factors on psychological and physical health. As a result, we can say that our Arab ancestors’ beliefs about pleasant fragrances, beautiful melodies, and kind words are the beginnings of what is known today as positive psychology and complementary therapies.
From this perspective, the Arabs began the customs of burning incense, intending to use its fragrant scents to ward off “evils from the soul,” not to repel evil spirits. In their terminology, psychological ailments and troubles were called evils that afflict the soul. This was also their view on the corruption of one’s temperament, and the negative impact it leaves on our perception of the world, our decisions, and the words we speak. Even the temples of those ancient times were adorned with incense by their monks and priests. They wanted them to serve as sanctuaries and refuges for people, where their souls would be cleansed, and their hearts recharged, refreshing the spirit.
Today, it is believed that incense helps soothe nerves and enhance mood. The pleasant scents produced can stimulate the central nervous system to secrete hormones, such as endorphins and serotonin, which promote feelings of happiness and relaxation. Incense can also alleviate tension, anxiety, and improve focus and meditation.
Furthermore, certain types of incense are thought to possess antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial properties. This can aid in improving physical health by bolstering the immune system, reducing inflammation, and minimizing illnesses. Some kinds of incense are also believed to have calming effects on the respiratory system and may help alleviate symptoms of asthma and bronchitis.
Our Arab ancestors recognized these benefits long ago. Incense burners were prevalent in their homes, and no household was without one. They believed that trees were the benevolent spirits of the Earth, gifting us their goodness through aromatic resins that we inhale, transforming into smoke that easily enters the heart and dissolves into the soul. This belief aligns with the ancient Arab concept that the soul, too, is like smoke.
Presently, numerous natural and pure types of incense can be utilized to influence our moods and psychological well-being. These varieties are characterized by their composition of natural and organic materials, such as resins, herbs, flowers, and wood. Examples include frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood, patchouli, agar wood, musk, rose attar, and amber.
Frankincense is an aromatic resin extracted from the Boswellia sacra tree, widely used in religious ceremonies, meditation, and relaxation. It is believed to possess anti-inflammatory and nerve-soothing properties. Historically and to this day, the primary sources of frankincense are Yemen and Somalia.
Myrrh is another natural and pure resin derived from the Commiphora tree. Traditionally used in religious and therapeutic ceremonies, myrrh is thought to improve psychological and physical health. Various types are available in most Arab countries, with the finest variety known as “Laqham” — a renowned Socotran myrrh found worldwide.
Sandalwood is a fragrant wood extracted from the Santalum tree, characterized by its warm and soothing scent. Sandalwood is used for meditation, mood enhancement, and relaxation, with its primary sources being India, Australia, and Indonesia.
Patchouli is an aromatic herb belonging to the mint family, notable for its strong, earthy fragrance. Patchouli is utilized in perfume manufacturing and as incense to elevate mood and soothe nerves.
Agarwood, or “gaharu,” is a type of incense made from a blend of natural resins, herbs, and woods, such as red and black agarwood. It is used for purification, cleansing, and improving psychological and physical health, with Indonesia being its primary source.
Musk is an aromatic substance extracted from the glands of the musk deer (Moschus moschiferus), which inhabits Central Asia and the Himalayan mountains. Its main sources are Afghanistan and India. Morocco also produces a synthetic musk variety, which is globally supported due to environmental conservation, wildlife protection, and animal welfare concerns.
Morocco is a leading source of incense in the Arab world, producing distinctive varieties for scenting homes, clothing, and fostering positive energy, such as rose attar and amber.
Thus, we find that our ancient Arab civilization has preceded the world in guiding humanity towards happiness and psychological and physical well-being, utilizing natural tools without the need for ingested medications, mind control, or hormone manipulation. Our ancestors employed herbs, aromatic oils, and incense to promote mental, physical, and emotional health and safety.
Through this, the civilization contributed to the dissemination of the concept of holistic healing and the balance between body and spirit (psyche), reflecting the wisdom and culture of our Arab people and their great heritage. This demonstrates the importance of reviving this heritage and adopting it in our modern era to maintain our quality of life and well-being. Today, we need our Arab universities to place greater emphasis on incense research and studies, developing modern and more effective methods for extracting beneficial scents from various incense varieties, at the lowest possible cost.
