Smoke of any kind, including bakhoor, can be an irritant for people with asthma or other respiratory conditions, so caution and good ventilation matter more here than for most people. It is not something we would recommend burning close to someone with breathing difficulties.

Why Smoke Can Be a Problem

Burning any material, whether incense, bakhoor or candles, releases fine particles into the air that can trigger irritation or a flare-up in sensitive airways, quite separately from the fragrance itself. This is a genuine, well-recognised concern rather than something specific to bakhoor alone.

Safer Alternatives

If asthma is a concern in your household, a reed diffuser, oil diffuser, or scented product that does not involve burning is a much safer way to bring bakhoor-style fragrance into a room. If you do want to burn bakhoor occasionally, do it in a well-ventilated space and keep anyone with respiratory sensitivities well away from the smoke. Our complete guide to bakhoor covers safety considerations properly, and our complete guide to perfume has more general guidance. A simple face mask or stepping out of the room during the heaviest part of burning can also make a real difference if you do want to burn bakhoor occasionally despite a respiratory condition. Our diffuser oils range is a good smoke-free alternative.