Get Permission Sahu, Dutta, Prasad Mishra, Khute, Kumar, Gupta Soni, and Dewangan: A brief review on dhoop and its properties


Introduction

In today’s era the major concern is the change in the environment. The level of constant pollution has drawn the attention of the population. For the survival of human in this planet, the basic need is a clean environment. Clean environment comprises of clean air to breath, clean water for drinking, clean and fertile land and proper source of energy.1, 2 Presence of microbes in the air is the primary cause of many airborne diseases. Pathogens that are responsible for air borne diseases spread through air from infected person to non-infected one through the act of talking, laughing coughing, and sneezing. As per U.S. Centers for Disease Control a droplet of flu has the potential to travel up to six feet. Nowadays, for having clean air to breathe many approaches are implemented to cleanse it. For the same many chemical alternatives are available in the market, but they do have many unwanted effects that can hamper the health of organisms.3, 4 To counteract the unwanted effects of chemicals, herbal products can be taken as an alternative. Herbal products impart properties like fragrance as well as it induces a sense of positivity in the area it is used in addition to serve the purpose of cleansing the air. The current work basically focuses on elaborating the process of development of dhoop sticks, which can be used as an alternative to chemicals for decreasing microbial load in the air. For the preparation of the dhoop sticks all the basic ingredients that are required, are natural. The ingredient includes cow dung, clarified butter, certain herbs, cow milk. Cow dung has always been used as a disinfectant from ages.5, 6, 7, 8 in many religions while performing practices like home or havens , ingredients like cow dung, camphor, urine of cow, cow ghee are used that helps in cleansing the environment and impart a feeling of pleasantness.9, 10, 11, 12, 13 By utilizing the traditional knowledge a method has devised by which dhoop sticks can be prepared from economical sources. This dhoop sticks having pharmacopoeial quality can be made from cow product and plant powder and it imparts pleasant smell. These sticks can act as a disinfectant for the air in areas like home, hospitals and washroom.14, 15, 16, 17 Moreover incense sticks can also be formulated from ingredients such as bark, woods, essential oil and gums. Incense sticks are mostly used in places like USA, in the Indian subcontinent and Asian countries.18 The composition of incense of variety of brands and industries remain the same incense powder. Generally the incense powder is made up of coal powder, woodchip, adhesives along with the fragrance material. Fragrance material found in incense products plays a major role as it helps in providing aroma. Aroma can be of any kind such as rose, mogra, jasmine, chameli.19, 20, 21 Generally these fragrances material basically obtained from plant as plant extracts or chemicals derived from them termed as phytochemical. The materials obtained are organic matter such as poly cyclic hydrocarbons and poly aromatic hydrocarbons and are volatile in nature. When these fragrant materials are burned then it liberates aroma which we feel when incense is burned. These fragrant materials which may include woods, herbs, essential oil, resins are used in incense preparation either singly or in combination also.22, 23 Fragrance material can also be obtained from animal sources but their use can be matter of concerned in many religions. As compared to the fragrance material obtained from plant source, very few of them is obtained from animal source. Among the fragrance material obtained from animal source the most widely used fragrance material is operculum24, ambergris25, 26 and musk27 Operculum is a material that is obtained from animals such as snails, mosses, mollusks.28 The operculum is composed of protein named as “conchiolin”.29, 30 Conchiolin is like the protein keratin. Keratin is a protein that is found in nails and horns of animals as well as human beings. Apart from operculum one the more fragrance obtained from animal source is musk which is derived from male musk deer.31, 32, 33 Musk has very heavy aroma and its aroma is compared to smells like woodsy or earthy.34, 35 The name musk is given to it because of the smell it imparts, which is identical to the odor of male musk deer. In addition to the above mentioned fragrance material one more animal derived fragrance material is ambergris. Ambergris is found in the secretion of intestine of sperm whale and it is seen floating on tropical sea surface.36 in addition to its use as fragrance material in incense it is also used for manufacturing of perfume that is aroma based. The wood chips and coal powders are taken as base material that helps in proper and complete burning of the incense made.37 Lastly adhesive material plays the role of adhering the incense powder, coal powder a fragrance material to the bamboo sticks. Further, incense sticks can different when it reaches market in marketed from as the giants of incense industries can add some of the secret materials of their trade. In much Indian incense based industries add a material called diethyl phthalate (DEP) to reduce the release of smoke.38 In some countries' insect repellent is also added to the incense to ensure dual activity of fragrance as well as insect repellent.39

Different types of Incense and Dhoopbatti in India

Incense

Traditionally India has been using incense in many occasions which may be of social importance or religious importance.40 In India incense sticks are referred as agarbatti. Agarbatti is form of incense where bamboo stick holds the incense paste around it. India was first to start preparing incense in a uniform system. In modern system of incense making, medicinal priest performs the responsibility of making incense. In many places of the world a belief system is quite prevalent that burning incense imparts mystical power of healing.41, 21

Types of incense42

There are different types of incense which shows different healing property. Below are few types of incense sticks are mentioned.

  1. Dragon’s Blood Incense — This incense helps in relieving in conditions like raging fevers, pain of ulcer, stomach virus symptoms, diarrhea etc.

  2. Lavender Incense — It provides soothing and calming experience. It is helpful to get relief after a busy stressful day.

  3. Sandalwood Incense — It reduces anxiety and induces feeling of spirituality in an individual

  4. Indian Cedar Incense — Helps in recovering from mood disorders and depression

  5. Amber Incense– the various systems of a body is balanced

  6. Patchouli Incense– soothes the nerves and makes them more stronger

Dhoopbatti

The name Dhoop came from the name of tree called Dhoop which indigeneous to eastern India. A chip from these trees imparts pleasant fragrance when they are burnt. Dhoop or Dhoopbatti is not similar to incense stick or Agarbatti. Even from physical appearance they are different. Incense dry and found as a stick but Dhoop is a found in paste form with little bit of dampness in it.43

Different types of dhoopbatti43

  1. Charcoal Type: In preparation of this kind of dhoopbatti an unscented stick is dipped in mixture made up of essential perfumes and oils. Additionally charcoal is added that will act as a fuel to burn the dhoop. For the purpose of binding the mixture to the stick black resins are used which impart the property of binding.

  2. Masala Dhoop: As the name suggests masala dhoop is made by mixing variety of aromatic ingredients to prepare a solid Dhoopbatti. Then by using water or other adhesives it is made into a sticky paste. Different types of natural ingredients such as sandalwood, rubber resins, natural oils, root extracts, and leaves and stem of different medicinal plants are utilized for preparation of masala Dhoop.

Herbs Used in Incense Preparation

As per previously conducted study, the essential oils of the many leaves of like Cymbopogon nardus (Citronella), Cymbopogon citratus (Lemongrass), Ocimum basilicum (Sweet Basil), Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi), Ocimum americanum (Hairy Basil), Eucalyptus citriodora (Eucalyptus), Eucalyptus globulus (Eucalyptus), Curcuma longa (Turmeric) rhizomes, Citrus sinensis (Sweet Orange) peels, Citrus limonum (Lemon) peels, Syzgium aromaticum (Clove) buds and Pinus roxburghii resins have shown effective mosquito repellent action.The extracts of Azadirachta indica (Neem) seeds has the property of mosquito repellents as well as helps in cleaning the atmosphere.44

Figure 1

Ocimum sanctum (Tulsi)45

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/typeset-prod-media-server/be22300e-6ad2-4e81-895e-9eac17544304image2.jpeg

Table 1

Plant profile

Synonyms

Sacred basil, Holy basil

Biological Source

Tulsi consists of fresh and dried leaves of Ocimum sanctum Linn.

Family

Lamiaceae

Chemical constituent

It contain approximately 70% eugenol , methyl eugenol , Carvacrol (3%) and eugenol-methyl-ether(20%)

Uses

The oil is used for antibacterial and insecticidal.

Figure 2

Azadirachta indica (Neem)45

https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/typeset-prod-media-server/be22300e-6ad2-4e81-895e-9eac17544304image3.jpeg

Table 2

Plant profile

Synonyms

Margosa

Biological Source

It consists of all aerial parts of plant known as Azadirechta indica.

Family

Meliaceae

Chemical constituent

Nimbin, Nimbinene, Nimocinol, Quercetin .

Uses

Which have insect repellent, insecticide, antifeedant, nematicide and antimicrobial..

Figure 3

Eucalyptus globules (Eucalyptus leaf)45

https://typeset-prod-media-server.s3.amazonaws.com/article_uploads/0096feb0-2355-4243-be6d-1f24ff3de3f1/image/c7169a2c-3bcb-4ce8-b9a1-903a17a3f0aa-uimage.png

Table 3

Plant profile

Synonyms

Eucalyptus, Dinkum oil

Biological Source

Eucalyptus oil is the volatile oil is obtainted by the distillation of the fresh leaves of Eucalyptus globulus and other species of Eucalyptus.

Family

Myrtaceae

Chemical constituent:

Euclyptus oil cheifly contains cineole, also known as eucalyptol (about 80%). It also contains pinene, camphene and traces of phellandrene, citronellal, geranyl acetate

Uses

Eucalyptus oil is used as antiseptic, expectorant and antibacterial properties.

Figure 4

Syzygium aromaticum (Clove)45

https://typeset-prod-media-server.s3.amazonaws.com/article_uploads/0096feb0-2355-4243-be6d-1f24ff3de3f1/image/76158748-144b-4232-8264-18ecddc4ad3f-uimage.png

Table 4

Plant profile

Synonyms

Caryophyllum, Clove flower, Clove buds

Biological Source

Clove consists of dried flower buds of Syzygium aromaticum

Family

Myrtaceae

Chemical constituent

Clove contains about 15 to 20 % of volatile oil; 10 to 13 % of Tannin (Gallotannic acid), Resin, Chromone and Eugenin

Uses

Clove oil is biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, insecticidal and antioxidant properties.It is used for flavouring agent.

Figure 5

Mentha piperita (peppermint leaf)45

https://typeset-prod-media-server.s3.amazonaws.com/article_uploads/0096feb0-2355-4243-be6d-1f24ff3de3f1/image/bba484eb-3adf-47e7-bd44-28762132d303-uimage.png

Table 5

Plant profile

Synonyms

Oleum mentha piperita, Mentha oil

Biological Source

The oil is obtained by steam distillation of the fresh flowering tops of the plants known as Mentha piperita Linn.

Family

Lamiaceae

Chemical constituent

Peppermint oil contains chiefly 1-menthol to the extent of 70% in free, as well as, in the form of esters, depending upon variety (like American, Japanese, Indian).

Uses

Peppermint has significant antimicrobial and antiviral.

Figure 6

Citrus aurantium (Bitter orange peel)45

https://typeset-prod-media-server.s3.amazonaws.com/article_uploads/0096feb0-2355-4243-be6d-1f24ff3de3f1/image/40ca2c53-d758-488e-9ee3-829dc415a345-uimage.png

Table 6

Plant profile

Synonyms

Orange Cortex

Biological Source

Orange peel is dried or fresh outer part of the pericarp of the ripe or nearly ripe fruits of Citrus aurantium Linn.

Family

Rutaceae

Chemical constituent

Bitter orange peel contains about 2.5% of volatile oil, it also contains several other compounds like hesperidin, iso-hesperidin, neohesperidin, vitamin C and pectin.

Uses

Orange peels are used as stomachic, aromatic and carminative. Orange peel oil is natural insect repellent.

Method of Preparation of Incense with

Cow dung

In this kind of preparation of incense with the help of mortar and pestle, the plant products such as (LemonGrass Oil (Cymbopogon lexuosus), Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum), Neem (Azadirachta indica) along with Maida, Saw dust, Loban (Styrax benzoin), Rui (Calotropis gigantea), Durva grass (Cynodon dactylon), Ashoka (Saraca asoca), etc), were crushed with distilled water and then it is mixed with fresh cow dung. As per publications it has been said that ratio of cow dung and plant paste should be in the ratio of 1:1. After that the mixture is made into incense stick or cards or coils as per need and then the final product can be dried under sun or in oven at 70 degree Celsius.46

Essential oil

For preparation, firstly sandalwood, charcoal powder or white powder, which are base materials are mixed with water. Then to this mixture ghee is added and a wet mass is obtained and different volatile oils such as neem oil, lavender oil or eucalyptus oils are added to wet mass after diving the wet mass into three equal parts. The fragrance material or perfume is added. Then by the help of mould method incense sticks are prepared. In mould method the wet mass is put into a plastic mould of cone shape. After that mould is kept as it is for some period and then mould is opened. After that cone shaped incense stick is obtained which is kept for 2 days under Sun for drying.47

Figure 7

Method of preparation of incense with essential oil

https://typeset-prod-media-server.s3.amazonaws.com/article_uploads/0096feb0-2355-4243-be6d-1f24ff3de3f1/image/041dceba-d766-4cb4-8ce0-831a7eb85d7d-uimage.png

Characterization

Evaluation of chemical properties of incense stick powders is performed by electrical conductivity. pH is determined by use of pH meter. FTIR of incense sticks are done by preparing KBr pellet technique and then the analysis done by Perkin-Elmer, spectrum 6500 with resolution of 2 cm-1. FTIR helps in determining the functional group present in the incense stick powder. XRD analysis is performed for the identification of different phases present in the incense stick powder. XRD analysis verifies whether there is amorphous phase and crystalline phase in incense stick powder. XRD pattern can be recorded using Philips X’PERT PRO instrument equipped X’celerometer in the 2θ range of 20-70 with a step size of 0.02 and a time of 5 seconds per step at 40 kV and a current of 30 mA.48

Benefits of Using Dhoop49

  1. Dhoop imparts benefits to body, mind and soul. Dhoop incense is known to improve concentration that can help us while studying, doing meditation and it also prevents infections, relieves headaches, fights depression, and reduces anxiety and tension.

  2. Dhoop sticks due to its soothing fragrances helps in calming the mind as well as creates a peaceful atmosphere around.

  3. The resins and herbs used in preparation of Dhoop sticks, are having beneficial effects on patients of asthma, bronchitis and cold.

Uses of Incense and Dhoop

Antimicrobial

Dhoop are known to impart antimicrobial activity. Antimicrobial are referred to the agents which has the ability to either kill or stop the growth of microbes.1 Antimicrobial medicines are classifies based the microorganisms they act on. For example, antibiotics are used against bacteria and antifungals are used against fungi. Antimicrobials are also classified according to their function. Agents capable of killing the micro-organism are termed as microbicidal, and others who stop their growth are known as biostatic. As incenses are prepared from many herbs that have microbial property, so it imparts anti-microbial activity.50

Mosquito Repellent

Mosquitoes are one the major vectors of many deadly diseases. A mosquito sucks the blood from human beings and in turn causes disease in them. Several mosquito species belonging to genera Anopheles, Culex and Aedes are vectors for the pathogens of various diseases like Dengue fever, Malaria, Yellow fever and several other infections. Dhoop with mosquito repellant property can help in acting on this vector and impart relieve to human beings.51

Limitation of Dhoop

Although dhoop shows many advantages whereas there is a disadvantage associated with it is that in few individuals it allergic conditions like dermatitis as dhoop or incense enhances the risk factor for elevation of IgE in blood. However to have a clear picture further study has to be conducted. Meanwhile while using incense or dhoop, ventilation of the room should be taken into consideration so that the unwanted effect of the incense or dhoop can be under control.37

Conclusion

As air borne diseases are quite prevalent now a days so there is a need to have air with low microbial load to reduce the incident of air borne diseases. Presently many chemical alternatives are used to deal with the situation, but they also impart many side effects. In present scenario dhoop with antimicrobial property can act as a savior. Moreover in countries like India, where most of our functions and social gathering start with lighting a dhoop or incense stick, it can perform dual functions. Additionally, the cost to prepare dhoop is quite economical and can be bear by anyone so it can be a better option against the costly chemical alternatives. Present work tries to conclude that if a focused approach is taken towards manufacturing of dhoop by using natural ingredient then it can be a potential market in future.

Source of Funding

None.

Conflict of Interest

None.

References

1 

The Plain English Guide to the Clean Air ActClean Air Act2007https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2015-08/documents/peg.pdf

2 

Air Pollution: Current and Future Challenges2007http://www.epa.gov/airquality/peg_caa/concern.html

4 

5 

C Vickers Public Health Impact Of Chemicals: Knowns And Unknowns2016file:///C:/Users/ram/Downloads/WHO_FWC_PHE_EPE_16.01_eng.pdf

6 

M Waziri J S Suleiman Physicochemical Properties and Antimicrobial Activity of Evaporated Extract of Cow Dung Against Some PathogensJ Sci Res2012511354110.3329/jsr.v5i1.11962

7 

D Girija K F Deepa I Xavier P R Antony Shidhi Analysis of cow dung microbiota—A metagenomic approachNISCAIR Online Periodicals Repository20131233728

8 

K C Teo S M Teoh Preliminary Biological Screening of microbes isolated from cow dung in KamparAfr J Biotechnol201110916405

9 

True Ayurveda Int J Herbal Med 220144698103

10 

G K Randhawa J S Kullar Bioremediation of Pharmaceuticals, Pesticides, and Petrochemicals with Gomeya/Cow DungInt Sch Res Notices201120111710.5402/2011/362459

11 

S A Mandavgane V V Pattalwar A R Kalambe Development of cow dung based herbal mosquito repellentIndian J Nat Prod Resour NPR2005442703

12 

S Charmi P Deval D Paras K Janak B Dhruvesh D Urmila In vitro screening of antibacterial activity of cow urine against pathogenic human bacterial strainsInt J Curr Pharm RevRes201131912

14 

M F Yassin S. Almouqatea Assessment of airborne bacteria and fungi in an indoor and outdoor environmentInt J Environ Sci Technol2010735354410.1007/bf03326162

16 

G E Flores S T Bates J G Caporaso C L Lauber J W Leff R Knight N Fierer Diversity, distribution and sources of bacteria in residential kitchensEnviron Microbiol20131525889610.1111/1462-2920.12036

17 

S A Awosika F A Olajubu N A Amusa Microbiological assessment of indoor air of a teaching hospital in NigeriaAsian Pac J Trop Biomed201226465810.1016/S2221-1691(12)60077-X

18 

JT Friborg J M Yuan R Wang W P Koh H P Lee M C Yu Incense use and respiratory tract carcinomasCancer2008113716768410.1002/cncr.23788

19 

M N Seeni Test of the efficiency of desert rose (AdeniumarabicumForssk.) seeds as a hypolipidemic and an antioxidant in male albino ratsInt J Pharm Res Allied Sci2017622236

20 

R Abbaszadeh F Tabari K Taherian S Torabi Lavender Aromatherapy in Pain Management: A Review StudyPharmacophore201783504

22 

P O Staub M S Geck C S Weckerle Incense and ritual plant use in Southwest China: A case study among the Bai in ShaxiJ Ethnobiol Ethnomed201171431746-426910.1186/1746-4269-7-43

23 

S W See R Balasubramanian U M Joshi Physical characteristics of nanoparticles emitted from incense smokeSci Technol Adv Mater201681-2253210.1016/j.stam.2006.11.016

24 

B D Nongmaithem P Mouatt J Smith D Rudd M Russell C Sullivan Volatile and bioactive compounds in opercula from Muricidae molluscs supports their use in ceremonial incense and traditional medicinesSci Rep2017711740410.1038/s41598-017-17551-3

25 

R Clarke The origin of ambergrisLat AmJ Aquat Mammals2006513310.5597/lajam00087

26 

C Brito V L Jordão G J Pierce Ambergris as an overlooked historical marine resource: its biology and role as a global economic commodityJ Mar Biol Assoc United Kingdom20152011111210.1017/s0025315415000910

27 

Y Elsayed S Dalibalta I Gomes N Fernandes F Alqtaishat Chemical composition and potential health risks of raw Arabian incense (Bakhour)J Saudi Chem Society20162044657310.1016/j.jscs.2014.10.005

28 

B P Gergely F Naggs T Asami Novel shell device for gas exchange in an operculate land snailBiol Lett20161272016015110.1098/rsbl.2016.0151

29 

C P L Prasuna K V Narasimhulu N O Gopal J L Rao T V R K Rao The microstructures of biomineralized surfaces: a spectroscopic study on the exoskeletons of fresh water (Apple) snail, Pila globosaMol Biomol Spectroscopy200460102305231410.1016/j.saa.2003.12.004

30 

M Cusack G Curry H Clegg G Abbott An intracrystalline chromoprotein from red brachiopod shells: Implications for the process of biomineralizationComp Biochem Physiol B1992102193510.1016/0305-0491(92)90278-y

31 

D Li B Chen L Zhang U Gaur T Ma H Jie The musk chemical composition and microbiota of Chinese forest musk deer malesSci Rep2016611897510.1038/srep18975

32 

M Xiuxiang Z Caiquan H Jinchu L Cao M Zhibin F Jinchao Musk deer farming in ChinaAnim Sci20068211610.1079/asc200516

33 

M Zarzo D T Stanton Understanding the underlying dimensions in perfumers' odor perception space as a basis for developing meaningful odor mapsAttention Perception Psychophysics20097122254710.3758/app.71.2.225

34 

K Benmiloud M Merad S Ghalem Computational Study of Interaction between Olfactory Chemokine Receptor and Dienone MusksJ Biochemical Technol20191035665

35 

T M Srinivasan Historical Note: Ambergris in Perfumery in the Past and Present Indian Context and the Western WorldIndian J Hist Sci20155025010.16943/ijhs/2015/v50i2/48241

36 

K Patwardhan Agarbathi (Incense Sticks) manufacture made simple Kashinath Patwardhan2005148https://www.yumpu.com/en/document/view/11555806/incense-sticks-manufacture-made-simple-cmell-aroma

37 

T C Lin G Krishnaswamy D S Chi Incense smoke: clinical, structural and molecular effects on airway diseaseClini Mol Allergy200861310.1186/1476-7961-6-3

38 

J J Jetter Z Guo M Fau A Jenia M R Flynn Characterization of emissions from burning incenseSci Total Environ20122951-3516710.1016/s0048-9697(02)00043-8

39 

N Balasubramanian ScentedOilsandPerfumes121120152194410.1021/bk-2015-1211.ch008

40 

We set the mood with Wind Blown Scents, Welcome to the world of redolence2018http://www.raghubira.com/incense-india.html,date28

41 

Market Infrastructure solutions for the new age of global financial markets2018http://gmex.vn/news/Incense-of-india.html.28

43 

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia2018https://www.tirangaagarbatti.com/Agarbatti/agarbatti.html

44 

M S Ranasinghe L Arambewela S Samarasinghe Development of herbal mosquito repellent formulationsInt J Pharm Sci Res201679364351

45 

J shaik K Vishakha Evaluation of antibacterial activity of Commiphora myrrha against antibiotic resistant clinical pathogensIndian J Pharm Biol Res2015331710.30750/ijpbr.3.3.2

46 

G Mukherjee S Ghosh Use of Cow Dung as Mosquito RepellantInt Res J Pharm Med Sci202031613

47 

A B Raut A N Shah S A Polshettiwar B S Kuchekar Preparation and evaluation of antimicrobial herbal based incense sticks for fumigation against infectious bacteriaJ Chem Pharm Res20113470719

48 

V K Yadav B Singh N Choudhary Characterization of Indian Incense Stick Powders for their PhysicalWorld J Environ Biosci2020913943

49 

M Roth The benefits of Dhoop sticks!2018https://www.speakingtree.in/blog/the-benefits-of-dhoop-sticks

50 

S R d Paiva M R Figueiredo T V Aragão M A Kaplan Antimicrobial activity in vitro of plumbagin isolated from Plumbago speciesMem Inst Oswaldo Cruz20039879596110.1590/s0074-02762003000700017

51 

M S Ranasinghe L Arambewela S Samarasinghe Development of herbal mosquito repellent formulationsInt J Pharm Sci Res20167936435110.13140/RG.2.2.17857.25443



jats-html.xsl


This is an Open Access (OA) journal, and articles are distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 License, which allows others to remix, tweak, and build upon the work non-commercially, as long as appropriate credit is given and the new creations are licensed under the identical terms.

  • Article highlights
  • Article tables
  • Article images

Article History

Received : 08-05-2021

Accepted : 20-05-2021


View Article

PDF File   Full Text Article


Copyright permission

Get article permission for commercial use

Downlaod

PDF File   XML File   ePub File


Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

Article DOI

https://doi.org/10.18231/j.jpmhh.2021.002


Article Metrics






Article Access statistics

Viewed: 25667

PDF Downloaded: 1496