市面上的香品琳琅滿目，針對香的製作過程及香料成分來區分，可分為「天然香」與「化學香」。前者以純天然原料製成，後者是化學合成製品、添加香精的香品。
In the markets, we have a diversity of incense,
differentiated by the way the incense is manufactured and the ingredients
contained in the incense. Roughly, incense can be divided into natural incense
and artificial incense. The former is made from completely natural materials,
while the latter consists of chemicals as well as artificial additives.
香品好壞會影響品香人的健康，因此學習辨識、並針對身心狀況選擇香品極為重要。購買香品時，可依照下列方法選購，確保安全。
The quality of incense has a great effect on our
health; consequently, it is vital for us to know how to distinguish and pick
out the incense that suit our body and mind condition. As follows are the tips
for your reference:
一 、眼觀：觀香之形、色
天然香不添加人工色素，外觀顏色素樸不華麗，呈現自然木質的色澤。大部分的化學香均會添加人工色素，紅、橙、黃、綠……顏色明亮鮮豔，容易沾手、染色。
First, observe the
appearances of the incense.
Natural
incense contains no additives, and it appears plain and wood-colored, while
most artificial incense comprises additives to look colorful and thus can be
sticky and leave some dye on your hands.
二、 鼻嗅：品聞裸香氣息
未點燃的天然香，散發著淡淡的自然草本、清淡花材或原木香材的天然清香，讓人感到舒服放鬆。有些天然香品即使氣味濃郁，但不氣膩，亦能體會出天然香的品質。
化學合成的人工香，一打開香盒，即可聞到強烈濃厚的香味；乍聞之下似乎很香，聞久了則會頭暈、想吐。
Second, smell the incense.
Unburned natural incense
emanates light herbal fragrance, which relaxes and refreshes you. Additionally,
some natural incense can smell aromatic but still refreshing. On the other
hand, artificial incense permeates strong scent once you open the package. It
may smell good in the beginning, but in a while, you may feel nauseous or
dizzy.
三、燃香：嗅其熏香煙氣
純天然香品，從裸香、燃香到結束，其過程的香氣多層次且怡人舒服。化學香的人工香氣明顯，從燃香開始到結束，氣味一致並無層次感，而且會有較嗆鼻的氣味。
Third, burn the incense and
smell it.
Pure natural incense
has pleasant layers of fragrance before and after it is burned. On the
contrary, artificial incense has strong and pungent scents no matter it is
burned or not.
四、品嘗：嘗裸香的口感與變化
淺嚐天然裸香，入口輕輕咀嚼，會嚐到香材的滋味緩緩地散開，層次多元而豐富。天然合香由於用多種中藥材製成，有些嘗起來會痲、會酸、會苦、會刺、會甜，增添了味覺、嗅覺的豐富變化，。
品嘗化學香時，不會有酸、甜、香、麻的味道，口腔內有一股濃郁、無法化開的化學香精的味道，有的吃起來甚至像香皂，讓人覺得噁心。
Fourth, taste the incense and sense the change.
Natural incense can be
tasted and even chewed. If you do so, your taste buds may experience layers of
tastes. Natural incense is made up of many medicinal herbs, and as a result can
numb your tongue or taste sour, bitter, prickling, and even sweet, adding a
variety of tastes and smells to the incense. Yet, in case you taste artificial
incense, you would not experience any sour, sweet, or fragrant taste. Some
strong artificial additives may taste like soap, which can be a disgusting
taste.
五、感知身體能量場之反應
天然香藥，其香氣善於行散走竄，透達經絡，行氣活血。香氣的藥性會經由呼吸進入經絡，聞完之後，神清氣爽，精神力集中，身體氣血也會活化。化學香的氣味只會集中在鼻腔內，無法擴散到全身，甚至頭暈、不舒服。
Fifth, observe the change
of energy field in your body.
Natural medicinal herbs can
reach all the nadi paths and activate our blood circulation. The medicinal
properties of the herbs reach the nadi paths through our breath. After we
inhale them, we can feel refreshed and focused; furthermore, our blood
circulation can be improved. However, the scents of artificial fragrance can
only remain in the nasal cavity and cannot emanate to the whole body. You may
also feel dizzy or uncomfortable smelling artificial incense.
六、以熱水實驗
天然香品泡在熱水中會有一股淡淡的清香；合成化學香泡於熱水內，人工色素會溶於水中，讓清水變色，也會蒸出嗆鼻的味道，聞起來還會覺得刺刺麻麻的。
Sixth, conduct an
experiment with hot water.
Soak natural incense in the
hot water, and you can smell light fragrance, but if you soak artificial
incense in the hot water, the artificial colorings can run into the water and
give off a pungent and even prickly smell.
Our
five senses can be the best tools, with which we can distinguish the quality of
incense. Get the know-hows and guard your health!
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