Welcome to Nado Poizokhang, the premier provider of high-quality Bhutanese incense. We are a family-run business dedicated to providing our customers with the finest incense products since 1991. The finest quality plants and herbs are harvested and cultivated sustainably from rural communities. We are committed to adding value to the lives of rural communities by working closely with the rural communities and providing employment opportunities.
As Bhutan's oldest hand-made incense manufacturer, we are proud to offer a wide range of incense products using natural herbs and medicinal plants ranging from trees, fruits, barks, and stems to flowers, leaves, and roots, depending on the type of incense product. All our products are prepared using traditional formulas dating from 700 years ago and are free from any chemical or environmentally harmful substances.
We invite you to explore our range of products and join us on a journey to experience the ancient traditions and natural beauty of Bhutan through the traditional art of incense making. Tashi Delek la!
Our Story
The story of Nado Poizokhang begins with our founder, Mr. Nado. Mr. Nado was first introduced to the art of incense making by his abbot, Geelong Nerchendrep Tshering Dorji. Under his guidance, Mr. Nado learned the traditional methods of incense making and the importance of using only natural ingredients sourced from the Himalayas.
In 1991, Mr. Nado seized the opportunity to put his expertise into practice by establishing Nado Poizokhang after the privatisation of the government-owned incense factory where he worked. With the support of his family and community, Nado Poizokhang has become the oldest and most reputable producer of high-quality incense products in Bhutan and has received international recognition.
For over 30 years, Mr. Nado has been dedicated to providing customers with the finest incense products while also supporting rural communities through employment and sustainable sourcing practices. Under his leadership, Nado Poizokhang has become the oldest and gained a reputation for producing high-quality incense products that have been well received both within Bhutan and internationally.
Today, Nado Poizokhang continues the legacy of our founder, Mr. Nado, as we honour his vision and passion for incense making. We are proud to offer natural, high-quality incense products that reflect the richness and beauty of Bhutan's cultural heritage.
Our Vision
Our vision at Nado Poizokhang is to be a leader in the incense industry, fostering a connection between the ancient traditions of Bhutan and the modern world. We aim to preserve and promote Bhutan's rich cultural heritage by adhering to traditional incense-making methods, using only the finest ingredients from the Himalayas, and operating with high integrity and transparency. We aspire to leave a positive impact on the communities we serve through fair trade practices and focus on environmental sustainability. Our ultimate goal is to bring joy, peace, and wellness to the lives of our customers and all those connected to our brand.
Our Values
At Nado Poizokhang, our values guide everything we do. Therefore, we are dedicated to:
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Providing the highest quality incense using only the finest ingredients sourced from the Himalayas and manufactured in traditional methods that dates back to 700 years.
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Preserving our Bhutanese heritage and cultural traditions, showcasing the richness and beauty of Bhutan to the world through our incense products.
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Supporting and empowering the communities where we source our ingredients through fair trade and sustainable development practices.
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Maintaining sustainability and responsibility in the collection of herbs and plants.
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Continuously innovating while staying true to our brand and heritage.
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Operating with honesty and transparency, while upholding our commitment to quality and authenticity.
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Embodying the Bhutanese principle of gross national happiness, valuing compassion and the welfare of others in all our business practices.
Our Mission
Our mission is to preserve the cultural heritage of Bhutan through the traditional art of incense making. We are committed to maintaining the integrity of our methods while continuously innovating and improving our products. By sharing the beauty and richness of Bhutan through our incense, we aim to contribute to the sustainable development of our communities and showcase the unique cultural heritage of Bhutan to the world.
The Art of Incense: A Timeless Tradition
Incense burning has been a cherished tradition in Himalayan Buddhist culture for centuries. Its origins can be traced back to Indian Buddhist rituals of offering scent and the ancient Bon smoke-offering. With its deep cultural and religious significance, incense is considered not just as a source of pleasant fragrance, but as a symbol of purity and perfection personified in the form of the female goddess "Dugpoema".
Whether in a small village or grand state temple, the offering of incense is an essential and daily practice that holds great meaning and purpose. It not only stimulates the senses but is believed to bring physical pleasure and mental tranquillity to those who experience it. Join us in embracing this timeless tradition and enriching your life through the art of incense.
Use & Benefits of Incense
The Art of Incense-Making as a Ritual and Therapy
In Bhutanese culture, the burning of incense is both an offering and a therapeutic practice. Each day at sunrise, incense smoke can be seen drifting out of homes and temples as the incense is offered to enlightened beings, celestial deities, suffering sentient beings, and even malevolent spirits. The smoke, created through meditative visualisation, is believed to bring peace and happiness to all recipients.
In addition to its spiritual significance, incense is also used for fumigation purposes. Herbal ingredients in incense sticks and powder have cleansing properties, and the smoke is infused with blessings and powerful mantras for even greater potency. Incense is used to purify holy objects, heal the sick, and pacify malevolent spirits.
Finally, incense has therapeutic benefits for both the body and mind. Composed of a variety of herbs, incense has the power to unlock energy channels, stimulate the senses, and promote internal bliss through aromatherapy. It helps to relax the body and calm the mind, and its regular use can nourish and stabilise the psycho-somatic composition of a person.
The Art of Incense Making
Making incense involves a careful process that starts with cleaning, drying, and grinding the ingredients into powders. Juniper chips powder is used as the base ingredients. Special herbal powder mix including zangdrup (the great six), which determines the quality of the incense, are mixed with the base ingredient.
The mixed powder is then combined with a liquid/soup like mixture of sugarcane/sugar, honey, guggul, camphor, safflower to form a dough-like mixture. Color is added at this stage. The mixture is then left to ferment for weeks before being blended with a binder called Tse to form a perfect dough. This dough is then extruded to form a soft, spaghetti-like incense, which is straightened by hand using a board, cut to the desired size, and left to dry for five days.
Once dried, the incense sticks are bundled in the desired number and left to dry for weeks before being packaged.
Higher the quality of incense, higher the burn-time and heavier the weight and older the incense, finer the quality.
Incense Burners: A Dedication to Ancient Buddhist Traditions
Our incense products are made with unwavering commitment to ancient Buddhist scriptures, ensuring the materials and methods of production align with the sacred teachings. Our incense comes in two forms: hand-made sticks and powder and follows two distinct categories of ingredients – Kriya tantra, made with no meat or alcohol, and Upa tantra, which allows for a wider range of ingredients.
Our incense recipes incorporate natural elements such as flowers, bark, wood, leaves, fruit, and roots, with some of our special incense blends containing up to 108 ingredients, a significant number to Buddhists. The majority of our ingredients are sourced from the remote Himalayan region, where they grow at elevations exceeding 4,000 meters. The collection process is done by yak herders, travelling with their herds, as well as families residing in the high Himalayas.
Our hand-made incense sticks come in two forms, Zur poe and Riwosangchoe, each serving different purposes. The Zur-Poi type comprises seven grades, used for offerings and meditation, while the Riwosangchoe incense is used for special ceremonial events.
The incense powder is available in two varieties – the fine herbal powder (ZANGDRUP) and the coarse plant leaf powder (SANG) from high altitude regions. Each type provides a unique fragrance experience for those seeking to create a peaceful, meditative atmosphere.
Our Products
All incense products are crafted in accordance with ancient Buddhist scriptures, which dictate the materials used and the production process. The scriptures distinguish between Kriya tantra incense, made without meat or alcohol, and Upa tantra incense, which allows for a wider range of ingredients. Our incense blends feature flowers, bark, wood, leaves, fruit, and roots, with most products containing around 40 ingredients and some special ceremonial incense made with 108 natural ingredients, a significant number for Buddhists. The natural components used in our incense are sourced from the Himalayas, where they grow at elevations above 4000 meters. The collection is performed by yak herders as they move their herds in search of summer and winter pastures and by families living in the remote Himalayan regions.
Our incense products come in two forms: traditional hand-made sticks and incense powder. The traditional hand-made sticks include Zur Poe and Riwosangchoe, with seven grades of Zur Poe incense sticks suitable for offerings and meditation. Riwosangchoe incense comes in two types, each used for special ceremonial purposes.
We also offer two types of incense powder, including a very fine herbal powder (ZANGDRUP) and a coarse high-altitude plant leaf powder (SANG).
Whether you're looking for traditional hand-made incense sticks, special ceremonial incense, or versatile incense powder, our three lines of products offer something for everyone. Browse our selection today to find the perfect incense for your needs!
Contact us
Lamdon (Ms.) / Chimi Pelmo (Ms.)
Nado Poizokhang
Managing Partner
Changangkha, Thimphu, Bhutan
Mobile +975-17110885/17111316