冰片是什麼？
What Is Borneol?
冰片，又稱「龍腦」，是取自龍腦樹樹脂或天然草本提煉的香藥結晶。它氣味清涼通透、質地潔白如霜，在中藥中屬「開竅醒神」之品，亦是古代香方中不可或缺的提氣香材。
Also known as “Longnao” (dragon brain), borneol is a resin crystal derived from Dryobalanops (or synthesized from herbal sources). Cool and penetrating in scent, borneol was prized in classical Chinese medicine for clearing the senses, and in incense formulas for its uplifting, brightening character.
宮廷香方中的冰片角色
Borneol in Royal Incense Formulas
在宋、元、明、清等歷代宮廷中，冰片常用於：
隨身佩香｜ 避穢醒神，提升儀容氣場
殿中薰香｜ 淨化空氣，使香氣清雅不悶濁
帝王寢香｜ 夜間助眠、避夢魘、清氣養神
調和香方｜ 提升沉香、乳香、藥材等整體香氣層次
Throughout the Song, Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, borneol was widely used in palace incense:
Worn in sachets for purification and clarity
Burned in halls to lighten and refine the fragrance in court spaces
Blended into sleeping incense to calm the mind and dispel nightmares
Combined with woods and resins like agarwood or frankincense to enhance brightness and projection
香氣之妙：宮廷裡的「清」
Fragrant Clarity: The Essence of Courtly Scent
冰片的氣味清冷卻不刺鼻，如同冬雪落於溫火，既淨且靜。它不爭香主調，卻能令整體香氣提升，展現香方的精神之氣。宋人重氣韻，非濃烈，而冰片正是氣韻的核心靈魂。
The scent of borneol is crisp but not harsh—like snow melting into warm coals.
It never dominates the blend, yet elevates the entire formula with subtle clarity.
In the Song Dynasty, refined incense was valued not for intensity but for spirit—and borneol was the quiet soul behind that elegance.