29 Nov The Benefits of Incense, Types, and Ideas for Use
Incense is a mix of herbs and other plant resin that is known for its distinct aromatic properties when burned.
Incense comes in several forms and makes smoke that is intentionally breathed by others or used to bring a scent to objects nearby.
The burning of set-length incense sticks for religious ceremonies, burials, and other cultural and religious rituals dates back to 3300 BC in India and other areas of Southern Asia. It was also commonly used in ancient Egypt for sacred rituals and to ward off evil spirits.
In modern times incense is used ritually, spiritually, recreationally, and sometimes for claimed health benefits. Incense can be found across the world, purchased for a variety of prices, and used by almost any adult.
Spending time in a room that has been recently incensed can serve many purposes to an individual. Let’s explore a few benefits of incense.
The Benefits of Incense
Burning incense is believed to have several benefits for those who take in the aromatic smoke let off by the burning herbal resin.
Incense Helps with Relaxation
Incense comes in many uplifting fragrances and research has shown that scents such as Lavender, Chamomile, and Jasmine promote relaxation of our nervous system.
When we burn incense sticks in our home, we promote an environment of peace and calm after a stressful day outside the house.
Burning incense shortly before sleeping can help a person aid sleep and allow the person to fall asleep longer. Just be sure to put out any burning incense before falling into a slumber.
Incense Deepens Concentration During Meditation
Not only does incense smoke such as Peppermint help improve concentration, but they also block out other scents that may serve as a distraction when practicing meditation.
A clear and neutral scent of meditation incense around us while meditating helps us to focus on the task without intrusive thoughts about unrelated activities while promoting an aromatic atmosphere.
Try incense burning when meditating to have a deeper connection with your mind and spirit.
Incense Brings Back Pleasant Memories
Incense smoke has been proven to be linked directly to our memories. Wildberry incense can mimic the smells that surround a particular memory in our minds and bring it forward for careful reflection and enjoyment.
Burning incense during activities will also link that activity to the smell of the incense, making it easier for us to recall activity details when paired with incense in the future.
Incense Is A Natural Timer
Cell phones and other modern timers can be loud and obtrusive in our daily lives. They jar us obnoxiously from one task to the other.
In their place, we can burn a standard stick of pleasant incense. It takes around 30 minutes for one stick of bamboo core incense to burn, making it the perfect natural timer for many quiet activities.
Incense Clears Negative Energy
When entering a new space or beginning a new practice such as journaling or self-centering, a clear energy is very important.
The burning of incense has long been said to help clear out lingering negative energy in the spaces where it is lit.
Try lighting incense in newly claimed spaces or before performing new activities to get yourself started on the right foot.
4 Types of Incense
There are several common types of incense used today. The type you should use depends on how long you want the incense to burn, where you are burning, and what your purpose for burning incense is.
If you love burning incense, here are some of the following incense types
Bamboo Core Stick Incense
Incense formed into small sticks with a core of bamboo is the most common form of incense. This incense burns steadily, have sticks that last around 30 minutes, and is readily available in many places.
They will smell of both the incense material and the bamboo core when burned.
Cylinder Incense Sticks
Cylinder incense sticks do not have a core of bamboo. They are made purely of incense that has been dried and turned to paste before being shaped into a stick for burning.
These sticks burn similarly to bamboo core sticks but will not have any added bamboo scent.
Hand-Dipped Incense Sticks
These sticks are made by hand and carefully dipped with the personal taste of the incense burner in mind. They may be made of natural materials or synthetically scented materials.
Coil Incense
Coil incense is a variation of traditional stick incense. They do not have a core material and are a pure incense product that is shaped into a long winding coil for burning.
Coil incense is used when an individual needs incense to burn for an extended period of time which is not capable with most sticks.
Can I Make My Own Incense?
It is possible to learn how to make incense at home with some patience and practice. Most homemade incense is a mix of common herbs such as Sage and Cedar that have been dried and crushed.
After drying and crushing the herbs are mixed with special powder and water and then shaped into an incense cone for burning.
Making your own incense can be rewarding but for those who are new to incense burning it may be more enjoyable to buy premade incense at first.
5 Tips for Using Incense
If you are new to incense, here are some ways on how to use incense effectively:
- Burn incense in a room that has strong ventilation so that you can enjoy its aroma without experiencing extreme incense smoke build-up. After burning incense, open a window to clear out any lingering smoke.
- If you have asthma or are pregnant, check with a doctor before burning incense. Do not burn incense around pets whose noses are often much more sensitive than human noses.
- To put incense out you should use water to protect the quality of the remaining incense and stop current smoking of the incense. Some people will like their fingers and pinch the end of an incense stick to stop burning but a dip in the water is just as effective.
- Monitor burning incense at all times. The likelihood of an incense stick starting a fire is slim but it is unwise to leave any burning object unattended.
- Try out several different scents of incense to find the ones that are most useful to you at different times. You may find some incense calms and relaxes you while others help you focus and feel energized.
With some experimentation and time to relax, you can both enjoy and experience the benefits of incense in your daily life.
Conclusion
Understanding the usage of incense holds importance in various spiritual and cultural practices, offering a range of benefits to enhance our well-being and elevate our spiritual experiences. Incense has been used for centuries as a tool to purify, cleanse, and sanctify spaces, create a serene atmosphere, and deepen our connection with the divine. By selecting and using the appropriate incense for our intentions or desired outcomes, we can align ourselves with the intended purpose, whether it is cleansing, protection, spiritual connection, or personal transformation.
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