10 Benefits of Burning Incense

Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. The term “incense” is used for either the material or the aroma. Some of the popular uses of incense include aesthetics, religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremonies. Incense may also be used as a simple deodorant or insect repellent.

Incense is composed of aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils. The forms taken by incense differ from the underlying culture and have changed with advances in technology and its increasing number of uses. Generally, incense today is seen as any plant matter which is burned for its aromatic or spiritual properties.

Incense can generally be separated into two main types: indirect-burning and direct-burning. Indirect-burning incense (or non-combustible incense) is not capable of burning on its own and requires a separate heat source. Direct-burning incense (or combustible incense) is lit directly by a flame and then fanned or blown out, leaving a glowing ember that smolders and releases a smoky fragrance. Direct-burning incense is either a paste formed around a bamboo stick or a paste that is rolled into a stick or cone shape.

Besides its main types, incense also exists in other popular forms. These include sticks, spirals or coils, cones, loose powders, and special raw plant materials.

Brief History of Incense Burning.

Incense burning was seen as a ritual full of a lot of significance in ancient times. It was believed to have originated in Egypt in the time of the Old Kingdom and there were stories of it once being used by priests for fumigating tombs.

The act of burning incense was discovered in India and Southern Asia as early as 3300 BC. Used alongside their worship and prayer, it was believed that burning incense could ward off evil spirits while purifying the surroundings.

Over 2000 years ago, the trade of spices and incense played a significant economic role between the East and West. In those days, the spice trade routes which included the Middle Eastern Incense Route wound their way through the Middle East to the Mediterranean region. There, incense was popularized by the Roman Empire. It has been estimated that 3000 tons of incense traveled this incense route each year.

1. Increase calm and focus: 

A great way to burn incense is to burn it with essential oils from plants. Essential oils like rosemary, peppermint, and citrus have been shown to improve mental cognition, clarity, and focus. So if you burn these uplifting fragrances when working or studying, you will find it easier to focus as well as discover that your concentration is enhanced.

The fragrances of incense and essential oils are less intrusive than having music playing in the background in a bid to focus. Fragrances also have a subtler effect on the mind and body, making them a perfect pair for work, study, or engaging in any activity that requires a high level of concentration.

2. Reduce stress and anxiety:

Some incense herbs are particularly known for their ability to ease anxiety and curb stress. Sandalwood, lavender, and rosemary are great choices for this as they have proven to be effective in reducing anxiety in several research studies. Burning incense to this end will have relaxing effects on your body such as reducing your heart rate and breathing speed. It will also ease your mind to stop you from worrying about one thing or the other.

3. Aid sleep: 

Burning incense with lavender scents is popular for producing a sedative effect. Insomnia is an increasing problem, especially today with the modern, super busy lives that we lead. Besides lavender, other scents such as vetiver and chamomile have been associated with aiding sleep. Having an incense stick burning while you fall asleep is also much safer than using a candle that has a naked flame.

4. Complement a yoga or meditation practice:

As burning incense increases calm and enables you to focus, this makes it the perfect way to create the right atmosphere for yoga and meditation practice. Burning incense, meditation, and yoga have now become popular combinations owing to the effects of stress release and heightened focus that the scents of incense permeate into these activities.

Notably, the burning of incense can act as a doorway to spirituality, formal or informal, recognized religion or secular. Incense is and has been for thousands of years in daily use in many religions of the world – Hinduism, Buddhism, and Christianity. Another reason why it is so great is for meditation and yoga.

5. Stimulate creativity: 

Burning incense can help boost creativity and a flow state by clearing and stimulating the mind. A well-selected incense fragrance can be used to enhance your abilities, kindle ideas, and improve your mental performance.

6. Purify your space: 

For thousands of years, incense has been used in different religions and cultures for atmospheric purification purposes. Incense purification does not only extend to spiritual aspects. Amazingly, incense has also been discovered to kill microorganisms in the air as well. One study showed that burning incense for an hour reduced the bacteria in the air by 94%!

7. The great fragrances:

 Incense alongside the essential oils used to burn has several mesmerizing fragrances which are great for giving your spaces extra pleasant scents. These familiar fragrances also help to make you feel comfortable and light, which is part of what creates the relaxing effect of incense. These fragrances are very unique, and they last in spaces for a very long time too. Because incense burns very steadily and slowly, this allows the fragrances to deeply infuse into the air of a room, keeping the area smelling lovely for up to weeks!

8. Some incense does not emit excessive smoke:

A sign of a good incense stick is that it does not emit excessive smoke while it still makes the surroundings highly fragrant. This makes people less likely to get into coughing fits because of the smoke emanating from the incense stick. Therefore, even if your space is very confined, lighting up a good incense stick will not lead to you feeling suffocated by the smoke.

9. Increase sexual desire:

Aromatherapy is a great way to boost your sex drive. Using incense with fragrances such as jasmine, vanilla, and rose will easily get you in the mood. The science behind this is that when these fragrances are inhaled, our sense of smell stimulates the nerve endings of the olfactory bulb, which lies at the back of the nose, which in turn stimulates a part of the brain called the limbic system that triggers our libido. So especially if your libido is letting you down, it is time to treat yourself to some sweet incense smells to get you back in action.

10. The simple pleasure of enjoying a lovely scent:

 Of course, the simple act of enjoying a smell is a benefit on its own. Taking in pleasurable aromas can make us significantly happier, trigger fond memories, and boost our moods. So you can light up some incense, and curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea, a book, and some chilled-out music. Or run a bath and burn an incense stick to enhance your me-time, allowing you to fully and pleasantly relax away from the hassles of everyday living.

Safety Tips for Burning Incense.

Of course, anytime you are burning incense, it is important to keep safety in mind. Here are some do’s and don’ts to keep in mind.

Do:

• Open a window during or after burning for some necessary ventilation.
• Burn one stick at a time. Too much smoke can be detrimental to your lungs especially if you have asthma or any other lung condition.
• Go for all-natural incense that was sustainably cultivated.

Don’t:

• Leave incense burning unattended.
• Burn incense if you have pre-existing respiratory conditions.
• Use incense with synthetic or artificial properties.

Top 3 Incense Sticks to Buy Today!

1. Satya Nag Champa Incense: Satya Nag Champa incense is a combination of Champa flower, floral, and oriental-spicy aromas with a base note of wood and patchouli. It is reminiscent of jasmine or magnolia flowers. The aroma that is emitted from this agarbatti creates a soothing and calm environment. The preparation consists of the formulation of a masala mix using natural extracts in the form of dough through the ancient method and the mix is rolled by hand onto bamboo sticks.

2. Satya Arabian Jasmine Incense: This is another wonderful incense stick that is also hand-rolled in India. The Satya Arabian Jasmine incense carries a wonderful magic scent containing notes of beautiful amber with a wildflower honey base scent and a seductive earthy jasmine theme.

3. Satya Super Hit Incense: The Satya Super Hit incense is a sweeter version of the original Satya Nag Champa incense, made from a mixture of herbs, floral extracts, and oils, which are also hand-rolled onto a bamboo stick.

Each of these sticks can burn for up to 45 minutes!