A typical Zar incense or Bakhur Al-Zar generally contains ‘udiya (Aquilaria agallocha Roxb.

–
Agarwood), luban jawi (“Frankincense of Java “– Benzoin), Frankincense, Commiphora pedunculata,
sandalwood, mastika (mastic gum), ghasoul (Salicornia sp.), murr higazi (Commiphora abyssinica),
blended with traditional Sudanese perfumes.

Bakhur – Incense

There are two popular methods of incensing in the Muslim Sudan; the bakhra and the takhriga.
Bakhra is a sheet of white paper on which the fakir writes astrological formulas, magical seals, or
numerical squares, with holy verses from the Quran. A bakhra is burnt in a mubkhar (incense burner),
alone or with frankincense and ambergris. The patient bends over the incense burner, covered in a
cloth and inhales the fumes. The process is usually accompanied by incantations, a spitting cure, or
other forms of treatment.

The takhriga is a blend of herbs, spices, resins and other aromatic ingredients of which bakhur
al-taiman (the twin’s incense) is the most widely used. Traditionally the ingredients includes various
minerals (even ground coloured stones) and aromatic herbs such as qarad (Acacia nilotica – sunt
pods), ‘ain al-‘arus (Abrus precatorius), kasbara (coriander), cumin, Frankincense, Commiphora
pedunculata, ghasoul (Salicornia sp.), harmal (wild rue – Peganum harmala), shebb (alum), harjal
(Solenostema argel), um gheleghla (Astrochlaena lachnosperma), ganzabil (ginger), mahareb
(Cymbopogon nercitus), and sugar. Dufr (operculum) and ambergris is also used in some blends. The
takhriga is burnt mainly to expel the evil eye and subsequently protect against its influence and to
undo magical spells. Incantations are recited while dusting the ingredients over the fire. The inflicted
person has to wash his or her feet in rigla (purslane) water before undergoing the incense therapy.
(Ref)