The towering snow-capped peaks of Tibet have been referred to as the seat of the gods. The immense vastness, the majestic mountains and the incredibly clear air all contribute to make the Tibetan population particularly receptive to cosmic energies. So it is no surprise that we find here a strong spirituality in which incense burning has been a long-held tradition and a central role in the culture. In the Buddhist monasteries, incense is burnt to accompany specific stages of meditative practice. The incense sticks usually used are hand-rolled incense sticks. The burning of incense is not just reserved for meditative practice but is also used in the everyday life of the Tibetans. No household lacks an altar, in front of which incense is lit every day in honour to the gods, to maintain health as well as to banish dark powers.

Incense is traditionally used as a remedy in Tibetan medicine. For every kind of disturbance of the human psyche there is a cure through a very specific incense mixture. Incense powders are produced according to complicated recipes, often containing up to 30 different ingredients. These are prescribed to the patient in the form of smoking mixes or incense sticks. The medicinal smoke from the incense is particularly useful for relaxation and for balancing nervous conditions, as well as for treating insomnia, general tension or emotional instability. We have put together a small, fine selection of incense from the roof of the world for you.