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Incense - Benefits, Use, History & Health

The word incense comes from the Latin word incēnsus which means "set on fire" or "burnt". Incense burning is a practice done around the world for a variety of reasons. Here we'll discuss incense use as well as how it is made.

Incense comes in many different shapes and sizes, but in the simplest sense, it's any plant substance or aromatic material which is burned for its aromatherapeutic or spiritual qualities. Most people are familiar with the Indian agarbattis, or small conical sticks, but even raw plant materials like palo santo or sweet grass can be used as incense.

Popular forms of incense

  • Sticks

  • Spirals or Coils

  • Cones

  • Loose powders

  • Raw plant materials

Burning incense has been an integral part of religious ceremonies, rites, and special ceremonies in many cultures throughout the ages. It has been associated with funerals, weddings, and even exorcisms.

Burning incense has been used for thousands of years in India and southern Asia. It was thought that burning incense would ward off evil spirits while cleansing the surrounding environment.

For thousands of years, the spice trade has been an important economic activity between the eastern and western worlds. During ancient times, the Middle Eastern Spice Trade Routewound it's way from the Middle East to the Mediterranean Sea, where it was popularised by the Romans. It’s been calculated that 3,000 tons travel this path each annum.

What does incense do, spiritually?

Depending on the religious practices or traditions involved, the purpose of incense use may differ greatly. For example, Catholics may light candles to honour the legacy of their patron saint, whereas others may simply want to cleanse themselves spiritually. As for Palo Santo, some believe it cleanses negative energies from our homes and communities, while others see it as an effective way to ward off evil spirits.

Incense is often associated with various religious traditions, such as Catholicism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, but they’re not just for spiritual purposes. They’re also used in yoga classes, wellness offices, and even at home.

Burning Incense

While burning incense can differ greatly in appearance, the primary goal is to create an ember that burns over time, releasing incense smoke. To do so, light your incense with a lighter, match, candle, or any other open flame. Once lit, allow the incense to continue to smoke until only a small amount of ash remains. Blow out the flame immediately to prevent it from spreading. The remaining ash should be a smouldering ember which will slowly smoke and emit its aroma.

To extinguish an incense stick, place it in a special container designed for incense sticks, or a bowl of fine sand. If you want to snuff out the embers, put them on a fireproof surface, such as concrete or ceramic tile. Never use anything else.

Is incense bad for you?

Sitting around a campfire is an integral part of human nature. People love to spend time together, whether they're sitting around a campfire or just hanging out. Burning incense gives people something to do during those times. A study was done about how incenses affect our bodies. Some of these tests were sponsored by tobacco companies. Quality varies among brands, so make sure your incenses list what's inside them.

Synthetic fragrances continue to sneak their way into the incense market, giving consumers the impression that incenses are less expensive than they actually are.

Synthetic vs. natural fragrances in incense

Incense traditionally has been composed of plant resinous material, aromatic herbs, and woods. Today, most commercially available incense consists of synthetic fragrancies and unsustainable plant sources.

Fragrance ingredients are not regulated by the FDA, so they're not safe for us or the environment. Breathe in their fumes and you could be at risk for developing asthma or other health issues.

Synthetic fragrances may temporarily cause headaches and skin irritation, but their use can lead to more serious health issues in the long run.

Burning these products releases toxic fumes into the air, which pollute the air we breathe. They contain hormones that disrupt our hormonal balance, so they're bad for us.

When shopping for incense, ensure you know which ones are safe to burn. Be careful when buying incense because some contain harmful chemicals.

The benefits of burning incense with essential oils

Incense has many health benefits. The act of indulg­ing our sense of smell is more powerful than we may realize.

Aromatherapists believe that certain smells can help people relax and relieve stress. They also think that smelling essential oils can improve moods and promote overall health. Some studies suggest that inhaling these fragrant vapours may help reduce anxiety, depression, headaches, migraines, insomnia, and fatigue.

Burning incense and inhaling its fragrant smoke can produce various desirable effects on us, but here are some of our favourites; 

  • Essential oils from plants like rosemary, mint, and lemon increase calmness and concentration.

  • Some herbs are specifically known for their ability to ease anxiety and calm down stressed people. For example, inhaling lavender oil has been proven to help calm anxious people.

  • Lavender essential oil has been known to promote relaxation and aid in falling asleep. You could burn incense with lavender essential oil before going to bed to help you fall asleep faster.

  • Incense has a repu­tation for being linked to both yoga and medita­tion. Given that certain essential oils often found in incense help relax and focus, burning incense during a session of either activity is an excellent way to enhance the experience.

  • Burning incense can stimulate creativity and increase flow states by clearing and activating the brain.

  • To cleanse your space, burn incense. Buddhist monks have been doing this for millennia. One study showed that burning incense for an hour reduces the number of airborne microbes by 94%.

  • Of course, smelling something pleasant isn't just for fun. Smelling something pleasant can make us feel happy, trigger fond memories, and boost our mood.

If you want to burn incense to achieve one of these benefits, look for high-quality incense that doesn't contain harmful chemicals or artificial fragrances. Find brands that list their ingredient lists, and find out which scents work best for you.

Our carefully curated selection of incense brands is crafted using pure essential oils and natural resin. They are free from chemicals and artificial fragrances. Burning them releases a scent that purifies the air.