小孩可以聞香嗎？ Can children smell incense?

傳統的香，是一種藥香，採用古法炮製與中醫理論調製而成。透過蒸熏與嗅覺的方式，讓藥性進入人體。所以聞香時，注意空氣流通、留意個人身心狀況，選用適合兒童品聞的香品，〈如提高專注力、調整腸胃功能、促進食慾等〉。一般而言，品香並無性別或年齡之分！

 有些孩子對煙較敏感，就可用精油取代，或將香粉加上天然黏合劑〈如天然楠樹皮粉或以古法煉密的方式〉，製成香餅或香丸，再以「空熏法」的方式讓香丸、香餅發出香氣。

Traditional incense is comprised of herbs based on ancient Chinese medicine theories. By steaming and smelling incense, the medicinal properties of the incense enter our bodies. As a result, it is vital that we pay attention to ventilation as well as our body and mind condition. If the incense is for children, we can choose the kinds that can enhance children’s attention, gastrointestinal function or appetites. Yet, generally speaking, the incense products are for both sexes and all the ages. In case the kids are too sensitive to the smoke of the incense, we can substitute essense oil for incense. Or, we may also mix natural adhesives with incense powder, such as the powder of Phoebe zhennan, and then turn the mixure into an incense ball or pie. Finally, we can lay the products in the air to give off their scents.

 

 所謂的「空熏法」就是將香道專用的香炭，燃燒至一半後，45°角斜放入香灰內，露出一小段在灰面上，再將香丸或香餅放置約離香炭一公分處。透過香炭的高溫，讓香材散發香氣。這種「但聞其香不見煙」的取香方式，可以讓香氣顯得悠長，尤其是煉密的香丸，有著香甜溫暖的氣韻，一般孩子都會很喜歡。

To smoke the incense in the air, we have to use the coal specifically for incense ceremony. Burn half of the coal and then insert it 45 degrees into the incense ashes, with the burning part above the incense ashes. Keep the incense ball or pie about one centimeter away from the incense coal. By means of the heat from the burning coal, the fragrance of the incense permeates into the air. We can therefore smell the incense but see no smoke; in this way, the fragrance can last long, particularly the fragrance of the aromatic incense balls which carry a sweet and warm scent. Most children take delight in such incense balls.

 

 

  現在市面上還有一種插電的電子香爐，可以直接放置香丸，使用起來很方便。空熏法或電子香爐，都能讓香藥發揮作用，達到開竅、醒腦、調整臟腑、提高專注力與學習力的成效。

You may find some electronic incense burners, in which we can put incense balls. Such devices are users-friendly. No matter you smoke the incense in the air or use the electronic burners, the effects are similar. These approaches can help the users stay clear-minded, improve the functions of the organs, enhance concentration, and learning abilities.

 

 根據《禮記》記載：「男女未冠笄者，雞初鳴，咸盥漱，拂髦總角，衿纓皆佩容臭。」古代未成年的小孩，見長輩之前，必先盥洗完畢，整理服裝儀容，在衣襟上佩戴容臭〈香包〉，方可向長輩請安。香，是一種內在涵養的人文藝術，透過日常生活遵循的禮節，可以讓兒童在潛移默化下，怡情修心，潤澤心性，達到和諧靜美的處世態度。

In accordance with Chinese ancient courtesy, juniors had to clean themselves, tidy up, and wear incense sachets before they greeted their seniors. Incense is something that helps cultivate humanity and arts. By virtue of abiding by courtesy in daily life, the youngsters can therefore learn to be calm and composed as well as learn the conduct of life.