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Although incense’s origin is imprecise, it is often used in religious rites: whether to communicate with deities or to perform ceremonies. However, if you ask a contemporary of the 20th century the question: What is incense used for?, the answers will be diverse, but surely not of the religious type. To understand incense’s uses and benefits, it is fundamental to know what it is.
What is incense?
Incense was originally used for religious ceremonies and rites. It has an aromatic vegetable resin extracted from the Boswellia or incense tree. To obtain it, an incision must be made in the trunk. Then, a whitish liquid emanates that hardens on contact with air. No additives are needed because the resin has its aroma: incense.
Nowadays, incense is commonly consumed in the form of sticks. They are made using a bamboo core, covered with a layer of different scented resins from essential oils or, for the most natural ones, from aromatic plants leaves, and flowers.
Types of incense
In addition, other formats are widely used in countries with a strong incense tradition.
Cone: a mixture of powdered resin, sometimes flavoured with plants or essential oils. They have an intense colour and burn quickly.
Dhoops: made similarly to the cone but with an elongated cylindrical shape and a large diameter. This type is often useful for occasions where the incense needs burning for many hours.
- Cored sticks: have a bamboo wood core and a cover of a stump of flavoured or natural resin.
- Solid Sticks: contain no wood and are the most common in Japan.
- Spiral: its main characteristic is that it lasts for several hours due to its shape.
- Powder: this can combine with flavourings.
- Resin: burnt indirectly on a charcoal base or a ceramic plate at high temperatures
- Tears: put in a special burner with water.
- Aromatic wood: no additives as the aim is to obtain wood’s natural aroma as it happens with palo santo.
Incense benefits and uses
As mentioned above, incense is imporant during religious and spiritual ceremonies such as in Christian denominations, as well as being a fundamental element in Buddhism. Besides, in recent years, its use has spread to homes, to make the space more pleasant and relaxing. It is also useful for aromatherapy because of its therapeutic properties. In fact, it is necessary to smoke (generate smoke) with the incense of specific components to achieve a specific objective.
Incense therapeutic properties
Relieves anxiety and depression
Both Boswellia and lavender are anti-stress and antidepressants. They also help to create serenity.
Improves blood circulation
It contains an acid called boswellic acid, which acts as an anti-inflammatory and blood circulation stimulant. It is widely used for this purpose in China and Japan.
Helps concentration
It is very common for aromas such as sandalwood and sage to bring the mind into a relaxed state, ideal for concentration both in meditation and in other tasks requiring concentration.
Balances the feelings
Cinnamon serves to relax the mind and balance the strongest emotions. In addition, rose incense increases serotonin.
Helps you fall asleep
Another consequence of the relaxation provided by incense is that it combats insomnia. Simply burn a stick of lavender, vanilla, or jasmine before going to bed.
Reduces bacteria in the air
Burning myrrh has been scientifically proven to reduce airborne bacteria by up to 68%.
Can be used as an aphrodisiac
Blue lotus can activate the hypothalamus, which is responsible for sexual arousal.
Incense to eliminate odours
Outside the health field, it is used, among other things, to eliminate odours. This use is very useful for smokers who want to neutralize the smell in their homes after smoking. To do this, simply light a stick and let it burn.
To help you with this task, GB The Green Brand’s catalogue offers a range of incense and incense burners at more affordable prices and fast, discreet delivery.
The Aarti packets contain 20 sticks of burning incense to remove the smell of tobacco from your home. This way, the neighbours will not identify the smell when you leave.
This kit includes a burner where you can place the stick so that it does not spoil the furniture when consumed, and a pack of Aarti sticks. This way you have everything you need to start using it as soon as it arrives.
The holder is needed before burning the sticks, as they are like cigarettes: they accumulate ash as they burn. This product allows you to collect ashes instantly, and simply throw them away once the stick has been consumed.
