Islamic history mentions prophets using Bakhoor for spiritual purposes. It is clear that these aromatic wooden chips were famous in traditional times and were often a part of religious ceremonies. Even today, Bakhoor holds an integral place in the fragrance industry.
What is Bakhoor?
Bakhoor or fumes from perfume-soaked wooden chips are distinct and unique. In fact, the chips soaked in Oud oils are obtained from the fungus-infested resin of the Aquilaria tree. The chips seep in resin and form Bakhoor, which is ignited in the Bakhoor burner, and the aromatic fumes spread all around.
How is the Bakhoor burner used ?
The wood chips are placed on the burner and soaked in fragrant oil. Along with the oil, the burner also contains some other perfumed natural ingredients such as:
1. Sandalwood
2. Essential oil prepared from flowers etc
3. Natural resins
A charcoal piece is placed inside the traditional Bakhoor burner or the mabkhara. Then, ignite it with a matchstick or lighter, and sprinkle the scented Bakhoor over it. The fragrant fumes slowly start spreading in the whole room.
The unique small wooden chips, balls, or blocks of Bakhoor are loaded with perfumed oils. Oud wood shavings get burnt in many Arabic homes because of their pleasant aromas. In reality, the whole process of burning Oud and Bakhoor is an important part of the traditional Arabian culture. Furthermore, the exotic and soothing aromatic fumes spread throughout the room in no time and make it very pleasant and welcoming.
Oud and Bakhoor:
The two Oud and Bakhoor have often been confused as one. Oud is Chips or small slivers of the infected Agarwood tree. The wood is raw and has not undergone proper processing or polishing. These chips from the trees contain the resin that lends the smell to Oud.
Bakhoor, on the other hand, is processed and cleaned incense prepared out of natural and unnatural ingredients along with Oud. It is optional, though! But, the wood used is soaked liberally in Attar oil of some form or the other. The wood can also be used in powder form.
Qualities of good quality Bakhoor:
Choice of the Bakhoor chips is significant. The chips we pick off the street are not of good quality. Bakhoor gives off authentic “Bakhoor-odor” if prepared out of pure resin-infected Agarwood. Original Agarwood or Oud is high quality and expensive. The perfume industry highly values the Agarwood tree fragrance, and it gets extracted after a tedious process!
Just light your Bakhoor in the Bakhoor burner in your house. It causes the fragrant molecules to instantly spread through the atmosphere and make the environment pleasant and satisfying. The experience is very exotic and peaceful. One word of caution, if you want the smell to last long, don’t place the Bakhoor on top of the charcoal, rather, place it near the lit charcoal and let the scent spread slowly!