香---簡單又快速的提神良方 Incense---a simple and rapid tool to revitalize you~

   用香氣來治療疾病是20世纪70年代興起的新型療法，利用植物的根、莖、葉、花或果實散發出的氣味，來調節人的心理、生理機能，達到治療疾病的目的。波蘭「香味療法」協會會長瓦‧布魯斯介紹，利用香味療法治病有兩種方法：

Aromatherapy, based on the use of the all the parts of plants, cropped up in the 1970s and was utilized to cure diseases. It is believed that aromatherapy can regulate our psychological and mental functions and subsequently cure our disorders. According to the director of Polish Aromatherapy Association, aromatherapy can be operated in two ways:

一、     通過按摩、淋浴，使揮發性香味物由皮膚進入人體。

First, we can message ourselves or take a shower to help our skin absorb volatile aromatic ingredients.

二、     通過呼吸道作用吸入空氣中散發的香氣。 

Second, we can directly inhale the aromatic ingredients in the air.

  

         這兩種方法和中國以香來養生養性具有異曲同工之妙，如：點香、品香、藥浴、香藥泡澡。古代雖無「芳香療法」的說法，卻已懂得運用芳香植物做為驅蟲避邪、淨化空氣、養性怡情之用。清代醫學家吳尚先在《理瀹駢文》一書说：「七情之病，看花解悶，嗅香提神，聽曲消愁，有勝於服藥者矣。」香氣透過呼吸，進入大腦深層邊緣系統，能夠舒緩緊張的情緒和壓力，激發人體自身的療癒力，調節失衡的身體機能，使身心恢復健康。

These above-mentioned methods coincide with Chinese aroma regimen. Chinese have a long history of widely using aroma in their daily lives. They burn incense, appreciate the scents of the incense, and even take a herbal bath. Though there was not such a term as aromatherapy in ancient China, people knew well how to smartly used aromatic herbs to chase away insects or evil spirits, purify the air, and enhance their living quality. In the Ching Dynasty, a doctor named Wu-Shan-Xian stated in his book that emotional discomfort can be relieved by appreciating the beauty of flowers, smelling the fragrance of the flowers, and listening to appeasing music. He even contended that the effect of such a therapy outweighs that of medicine. This is because fragrant scents can enter our brains through our airways and can subsequently relieve us of our tension, prompt our self-healing ability, regulate our mental and physiological functions, and restore our body and mind.

    居家或辦公點一盤香，香氣成為無聲的流淌，不但淨化空間、帶來愉悅，也能營造祥和的氛圍，在一呼一吸間，香藥已經成為健康身心、減低壓力的好方法！

To sum up, burning some incense at home or in the office can not only purify the space but also bring us pleasure. Such a silent enjoyment truly helps create a pleasant atmosphere, improves our health, and cut down our pressure!