Toxicity of Nag Champa

Nag Champa is an incense from a tree native to South Asia. There is no evidence that pure Nag Champa is toxic, but products marketed as having its aroma often have proprietary ingredient lists. Though unlikely, these products could include toxic elements; incense smoke is also known to be toxic.

Ingredients

• The original scent of Nag Champa is that of the Peela Champa (Michelia champaca) tree, an evergreen with yellow or orange flowers. Retailers may advertise other ingredients such as halmaddi, a resin derived from the Tree of Heaven (Ailanthus malabarica).

Toxicity

• Champa extract, used medicinally in India, was not found to be toxic, even in high doses, in laboratory mice. Ailanthus, on the other hand, contains chemicals of a class known to include many toxins.

Other Ingredients

• The name "Nag Champa" may be applied indiscriminately to various scented soaps, oils and incense blends with unknown ingredients. Consumers might confuse Nag Champa with other ingredients that may have harmful properties.

Incense Smoke

• The burning of incense releases chemicals called polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which have been associated with lung cancer. Heavy exposure to Nag Champa incense smoke could cause a toxic reaction or increased cancer risk.