Sambrani (Styrax Benzoin) or Devadhupa malacca

Sambrani (Styrax Benzoin) or Devadhupa malacca 

Did you know that Sambrani or Styrax Benzoin or gum Benjamin, a common ingredient in incense-making and perfumery used throughout many cultures, is known by two common types of benzoin - Benzoin Siam and Benzoin Sumatra of Indonesia?

Sambrani, with scientific name Styrax Benzoin or Devadhupa malacca in Sanskrit, is Benzoin gum, also known as benzoin resin and gum Benjamin. The resin is obtained from the Benzoin tree, a species of tree native to Sumatra, Indonesia, member of the Styrax genus in the family Styracaceae, and is also native to rainforests of many countries of Southeast Asia. The naturally occurring resin is Sambarni or Paal Sambrani, a Tamil name, while it is called Loban in Hindi, and its lighted smoke is an ancient tradition that has been followed for several centuries in India due to it’s amazing benefits to dry hair by women and for babies, and also as mosquitoe repellant.  

In its original form it was called Benjamin, a word of Hebrew origin which over ages has been adopted for several substances now in use. In Upper India, Benjamin was the name given to the resin of 'boswellia thurifers', but in commerce it is generally applied to the resin of the Styrax Benzoin of Benjamin tree. Its native growth is reported particularly in Sumatra, Borneo, Siam and Java chiefly in Java and Sumatra. However, it is mentioned that the Styrax benzoin tree is raised from the seed, and is of moderate size, and confined to the islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Over the centuries it has become very popular through out India as Sambrani. There are two types of benzoin gum commonly marketed, one is called “Benzoin Gum Siam” got from Styrax Tonkinensis and the other is “Benzoin Gum Sumatra” got from Styrax Benzoin. 

The balsam of Styrax Benzoin is obtained by incision in the trunk of the tree practiced after it has attained the age of five or six or seven or eight years. The juice which first exudes is the purest and most fragrant. It becomes hard on exposure to the air and turns brittle and semi transparent. The resin is white and transparent at first. About 3 lbs is the yield by each tree for several years. The white Benjamin is termed cowrie Luban in India and is a superior kind. It is a gum resin and is generally met with in the form of dry hard grey masses, rather shining, brittle, formed of ovid , whitish tears like stripped almonds. The best product comes to India from Sumatra. It is much used as a perfume and as incense in places of worship, in the composition of Frankincense in the manufacture of pastilles called agarbathis, oudbathis. Benzoic acid is procured from this substance.

In India, the balsam resin of the Styrax Benzoin of Benjamin tree, is marketed under two names, one is called “Paal Sambrani” and the other is “Computer Sambrani”. Paal Sambrani is the naturally occurring resin (one of the two) and Computer Sambrani refers to a mixture of ingredients in which Sambrani is one of the main ingredients. Both types are used as prayer incense.

Benzoin Gum Siam, reddish yellow in colour and internally milky white, is available in four different grades ranging from large shaped resin to almost fine powder. Its chemical composition consists of benzyl benzoate, benzoic acid, methyl benzoate and allyl benzoate. Apart from its use in perfumery and incense industry, it is also used in pharmaceutical preparations. In view of its pleasing odor with a discretely similar to vanilla, it is used to flavor artificial vanilla and chocolate products. 

The Benzoin Gum Sumatra, however, is distinct from the Siam type and has reddish to greyish brown colour. Its chemical composition consists of benzyl benzoate, styrene, cinnamic acid and benzyl cinnamate. Its main use is in soap and detergent fragrances. 

Sambrani's medicinal uses as benzoin tincture is to treat throat infection cold sores, treat dry skin, wounds and inflammation, and also to relieve muscle pain, gout and arthritis. It is also used to treat digestive problems, and as a diuretic. 

A common sight in South Indian homes, before the advent of electric hair dryers, was the use of lighted Sambrani (in the form of a thick, shapeless and lumpy rock-like material) in a special holder to generate an ameliorative smoke, a very fragrant smoke to dry hair by women by burning sambrani with a wicker basket placed over it; Women used to sit with their back to the smoke, leaning backward and letting their hair fall over the basket so that the smoke enveloped their hair, dried it and also left its fragrance behind. Its smoke was also used for babies, after they had their bath, to prevent them from catching a cold. 

In this context, a bit of mythology should be of interest to readers - a story, more a myth, in Tamil Nadu. A Pandian King wanted to know if a woman's hair was fragrant naturally, and to know the fact he arranged a poetry competition. A poor poet, Dharumi who wished to win the contest prayed to Lord Shiva to help him. Shiva obliged and composed a poem about the natural fragrance of women's' hair, and the poet read it in the court of the Pandyan King. and won accolades and honour for it. But the royal poet of the court, Nakkeeran, challenged it and said the fragrance of womens' hair was a result of the flowers that were used to decorate the hair, scents and the incense, particularly Sambrani that was used to dry the hair. This observation, though true, irked Lord Shiva, as his pride was hurt, and he tried to burn Nakeeran with his third eye. On a special plea by the Pandyan King, Shiva spared Nakeerna's life, and also blessed him for telling the truth.  

Sambrani is popular is Bengal as 'dhuno' and in the Durga pujo offering dhuno in a Dhunuchi (ধুনুচি) burner (ornamental brass or clay holder) is an essential and most watched frenzied dance called 'dhunuchi nritya'. It is a popular evening event as dhunachi aarti on the banks of the Ganges in Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh.

Narasipur Char

Sambrani Benefits: For Babies, Hair Drying, and Cold.

Sambrani Benefits: For Babies, Hair Drying, and Cold.

If there is one tradition that I completely love and makes me feel very good is to use sambrani. Sambrani is called benzoin resin in English and it is the resin of a tree that is dried, powdered and sold in the markets, either as a powder or in blocks. Sambrani usage has been in the culture for many years and in fact every South Indian home will have sambrani holders that will be more than 100 years old. Many countries use sambrani, in Arab countries they use it directly and in some countries they use it in incense. You can also use it instead of sandalwood shavings as a base for making incense cones.

 

To light up sambrani smoke, coal is collected in sambrani holder and the sambrani powder is sprinkled over it. I just love the smell of sambrani, it has a unique beautiful fragrance that is different from the normal incense sticks. The smell of sambrani transports me back in time and somehow fills me with peace and happiness. Even Ayurveda, advises us to use sambrani, as it calms the nerves, and produces tranquility, thus making the person ready for prayers. Years back women after having their hair wash, used to light up sambrani and keep a straw basket above it. The steam will seep out of the pores of the straw basket. If we keep our wet hair near the basket, it will dry it very soon and also leave a beautiful fragrant smell in our hair. Even if we have hair wash during winter months, if we use sambrani, we will not get a headache, especially if we have long, thick hair. I try to follow this tradition, once in a while. Sambrani is also used for babies, after children have their bath, sambrani is lit and brought in that room. This prevents them from catching a cold but make sure not to bring the smoke too near the babies, as it will make them cough. No auspicious day is complete without sambrani, sambrani is always lit during our prayers and rituals. Nowadays a new variety of sambrani called computer sambrani is available. This type does not need any coal, these are like cones made with sambrani, just light them like dhoops. Somehow, I hate them because they produce black smoke and smell so weird. I feel even if we light up sambrani once in a while, we should do it the proper and traditional way with coals. I regularly light up sambrani every Friday morning, take it to every room in the house, this tradition also wards of mosquitoes and cleanses the whole place. A person who is very good with siddha medicines suggested that I powder neem leaves and kungilium along with sambrani for using it around the home. After powdering it like that, I feel it is even more effective for warding of the mosquitoes. Every once in a while when you have plenty of time, take an oil bath, play some divine music, light up sambrani and dry your hair with it. Then you will understand why I am going on and on about sambrani so much 

 METHOD:

1. This is sambrani powder, it comes as a block or like this in powder form. Use this as such for drying your hair, when using it keep a straw basket above the sambrani holder after sprinkling the sambrani powder. The fumes will seep through the pores, now you can dry your hair with the fumes. Keeping the straw basket prevents accidents and it also lets out fumes evenly.

2. For using it around the home, take fresh neem leaves, dry and powder them in a mixer. Now take sambrani, kungilium and add to the powdered neem leaves and powder together well. It need not be very fine, even if it is a bit coarse it is ok. To use, sprinkle the powder over hot coal and take it around the home.

3. To use sambrani holder, collect hot coal in sambrani holder, sprinkle little bit sambrani powder, it will start emitting smoke. Once the smoke stops, add some more sambrani powder. Also try to fan the coal periodically to prevent it from loosing it's heat.

- Sri Eswaran