When you're interested in a healthy lifestyle in your home or apartment, you can't overlook the incense trend. More than just a trend, what's also known as frankincense has many health benefits. There's something for everyone's taste, and each person has their preferences. But how do you use it and know which incense to choose among the hundreds of options available?
The Origin of Incense
Originally, incense is a resin that comes from Boswellia trees, a species belonging to the Burseraceae family. To produce resin, the tree must reach three meters in height. Additionally, it takes up to 10 years for the accumulated resin to produce superior quality. To do this, the bark is incised to remove a long, narrow piece. This is how the gum-resin is then collected in a designated container. After liquid harvesting, it takes an additional two to three weeks for the secretions to harden upon contact with air.
Two Harvesting Seasons
Regarding the harvest season, two techniques contrast: first, what is called reddish incense is produced by an incision in winter but is only harvested in spring. White incense, on the other hand, benefits from an incision in summer and is harvested in autumn. White incense is considered of better quality and purer, as the seasons in question naturally offer greater benefits in terms of product maturity.
Where is Incense Harvested?
According to historical writings, the first tree from which incense originated would have come from Dhofar, a southern region that constitutes the current Sultanate of Oman, on the border between Oman and Yemen. At the time, incense was exported through the port of Salalah, the capital. Meeting with great success, other countries then began to cultivate incense trees. Thus, the main production sites known today are Somalia, Yemen, and India. All these countries bring together the necessary conditions for the growth of Boswellia trees, which is why they still stand today as leaders in global incense production.
Legends and Religious Uses of Incense Around the World
Since ancient times, incense has been used by humans for various rites and protections. Its appearance also coincides with the arrival of the first humans in Mesopotamia. Today, thanks to all the studies conducted on the subject, we can affirm that incense has existed for at least 6,000 years.
Incense in Antiquity
Known as the greatest perfumers of Antiquity, the Egyptians were supposedly the first to use incense. To name it, they used the word "sénetecher" which literally means "that which makes divine". They used it especially during religious ceremonies but also as a balm for the preservation of mummies. This proves that among the Egyptians, incense held a prominent place and its use was truly sacred. This similarity is also found among the Greeks and Romans, during the same period. The divine nature of incense appears notably in Ovid's work Metamorphoses, where he asserted that the first incense tree grew on the tomb of Leucothoe, Helios's mistress who was punished by her father Orchamos.
Incense in Buddhism
Very important in the Buddhist religion, incense has been used here again since time immemorial until today. In Vietnam, it is used for the worship of ancestors because it is believed that the smoke it releases establishes a link between the dead and the living. To use incense according to traditions, a certain number of steps must be strictly followed: first, the incense sticks must be lit on an altar. Then, when it is time to pray, the sticks are taken and placed between both hands, and three salutations are performed. Once the prayer is finished, they are gently placed back on the altar as a closing of the ceremony.
More generally, in Buddhism, incense has a purifying function: thoughts and emotions are purified through its use, and the offering of incense helps to establish a good relationship with immaterial beings, thus bringing luck, happiness, and protection against evil.
Incense in Christianity
In Christianity, incense also holds a prominent place as it is one of the gifts brought to Christ by the Magi. To use it according to Christian tradition, incense must be burned in a censer whose purpose is to swing to better diffuse the fragrance into the air. Thus, the smoke of the incense rises towards the sky and symbolizes in particular prayer and dreams ascending to God.
In conclusion, we can see that incense has been used—and continues to be used—by many peoples and in many historical periods. Its use plays a dual role: on the one hand, it served for religious ceremonies and rites, and on the other hand, it was also used domestically as a home fragrance.
Is Incense Bad for Your Health?
The answer is a double-edged sword: yes and no. In reality, the danger of incense boils down to its use. Thus, using incense, even daily, in a well-ventilated room not exposed to pollution is not dangerous for health. On the contrary, using incense in a poorly ventilated and polluted room is not an appropriate solution. Likewise, it is strongly discouraged to inhale incense: this can damage the respiratory tract, cause headaches, and even be a carcinogenic factor when used too intensively. It is therefore very important to respect the necessary conditions for using incense for it to be beneficial: experts advise burning only one stick per day while keeping a distance and ventilating the room as soon as combustion ends.
Thus, burning two sticks at the same time would produce too much smoke and have a harmful effect on health. The use of incense is also not recommended for people suffering from asthma as well as pregnant women, but it has no dangerous effects on children and the elderly. Therefore, incense should be used sparingly, and a balance should be found so that it has positive effects!
What are the benefits of incense: why burn incense?
If they have been used for decades, it is because incense has also proven its effectiveness. Indeed, it is proven that incense has a positive effect on concentration and relaxation. Its use is also recommended in certain cases of post-traumatic stress or depression and can serve to replace the use of anxiolytics. Moreover, it also helps to soothe tensions and bring inner peace. It acts as a calming agent for the mind and impacts our physical, psychological, and emotional state by activating certain parts of our brain.
In Egypt, China, and Greece, incense has healing, anti-inflammatory, and antiseptic properties. However, it's the use in resin form, not sticks or cones, that prevails.
Thus, incense has the power to communicate messages, to convey meaning and to solicit emotions and intellect. It is recognized as an artistic and poetic expression that enriches humanity, just like cuisine, music, or literature!
What are the best incenses and how to choose them?
In order to choose your incense correctly, you must first consider its form: in cones, sticks, spirals, or even in resin form and even as a candle, there are as many forms of incense as there are different scents.
For ease of use: cones and sticks
Cones and sticks are the easiest types of incense to use. You simply need to get either an incense holder for sticks, or an incense burner for cones. They are easily found everywhere and at all prices. Thus, you only have to light your incense so that the ash falls onto the incense holder or into the censer, ensuring optimal and safe effect against fire hazards.
For traditional and religious use: spirals
In China particularly, the most used incense is in spiral form. It is particularly found in temples and monasteries. To use it, you must burn the outer tip so that it consumes itself towards the center. Depending on its shape and size, spiral incense can last several hours or even several days. In some parts of the world, it is even thrown directly into flames! This technique, however, requires some mastery and is not recommended indoors.
For pure and natural use: resin
This is the purest form of incense as it is its original form. To use it, you need to be equipped with resin, a specific incense holder (charcoal burner), charcoal (in tablets or directly as charcoal), a metal spoon or tongs designed for this purpose. You then need to fill your incense holder with sand or stones to absorb some of the heat. Once the incense holder is ready for use, you add the hot charcoal, light it, and let it heat for 10 to 15 minutes. With the spoon or metal tongs, you then add the resin to the hot charcoal to release smoke. Once finished, it is very important to let the charcoal cool completely before disposing of it. It is also advisable to place the incense holder beforehand on a ceramic tile or other non-flammable support to avoid burning the furniture you are using, as the very strong heat emanating to the base of the incense holder can cause damage.
For practical use: the candle
Finally, the candle is also an excellent alternative for using incense indoors. It can be found in many general and specialized stores. Several scents are available, and its advantage is that it produces only little smoke, leaving the room scented and purified without creating an opaque atmosphere.
In conclusion, each incense has its advantages and its usage process. It's up to you to decide which type of incense suits you best and is most likely to meet your needs!
Little or a lot of smoke?
Depending on one's desires, it is possible to obtain incenses that produce a lot of smoke or, on the contrary, very little or no smoke. This is the case for Indian and Japanese incenses.
Indian Incense
Indian incense is known for producing a very dense and thick smoke with purifying properties. The belief in India is that when traditional incense burns, the smoke emitted at the beginning of combustion settles towards the bottom of the room, thus eliminating bad energies. At the end of combustion, the smoke must rise to the top of the room, signifying that the room is cleansed of all negative waves.
Japanese Incense
In contrast, in Japanese tradition, incense produces little to no smoke. This function lies in the fact that in Japan, incense is primarily used as a home fragrance, and it is therefore more practical to use this type of incense in traditional houses and apartments to be able to continue one's activities while the incense burns, avoiding being bothered by the smoke.
Natural Incense, a Real Priority to Consider in Your Choice
Now that we have discussed the different forms of incense and their combustion, it is very important to remember that you should always choose natural incense rather than industrial, as the latter prove to be very harmful to health since they are dipped in or mixed with chemical components. To differentiate good incense from bad, you can apply the following tips:
- Check if the mention "100% Natural" appears on the product packaging. If this is the case, you can purchase the product with confidence because this label is protected and verified.
- Carefully examine the list of ingredients: if your product indicates the use of artificial dyes, synthetic fragrances, saltpeter, charcoal, or sawdust, we advise you not to buy it. The presence of these ingredients leads to the release of benzene during combustion, which is very harmful to health.
- Prefer slightly more expensive incenses to entry-level ones: the last piece of advice we can give you is to pay attention to the price of your incense. Incense that is too cheap often guarantees poor composition. It is therefore preferable to add a few euros to get durable and quality incense without negative health effects!
Which Incense Scents for Which Effects?
If you are looking for a particular type of incense according to your needs, here are our recommendations:
-
For well-being: lily of the valley and lotus
-
For indoor purification: sage, frankincense, myrrh cones, rosewood
-
For energy and optimism: cinnamon, vanilla, clove
-
For creativity: star anise
-
For concentration: cypress
-
For sensuality: musk, narcissus
-
For serenity: white sandalwood, lavender, pine
-
For sleep : sandalwood, cinnamon, agarwood
-
For meditation: frankincense, cedar, sandalwood, floral scents
-
For love : white plum
-
For entertaining guests: cherry blossoms
-
For harmony and balance: spicy sandalwood
-
For relaxation: blue iris
There are also many other fragrances, each with a well-defined role. To find out which incense is right for you, you can base your choice on your fragrance preferences: floral, woody, spicy, sweet... You are sure to find the one that suits you among this wide selection. Moreover, as incense is generally very fragrant, don't hesitate to stimulate your senses when you go to the store and smell the different fragrances available through the packaging!
Can you use frankincense essential oil and for what effects?
Yes, it is entirely possible to use frankincense or olibanum in essential oil form. It is generally consumed topically, and it is important to strictly follow the dosage indicated for each product, which varies from one brand to another.
The benefits of frankincense in essential oil form are numerous: it is said to first help relieve joint and respiratory pain and inflammation thanks to its immunomodulatory function. It also has a positive effect on wound healing. In addition, frankincense essential oil is also used to treat various respiratory disorders such as rhinitis, bronchitis, or asthma. Finally, it can also be used to help promote sleep by significantly improving sleep quality.
How to use white sage as incense?
White sage is a sacred plant traditionally used by Native American peoples of North America. It is particularly found in religious ceremonies, as well as to honor a birth or death. A true ancestral ritual, it is believed to have the power to drive away negative waves to create positive energy in a room.
There are two forms of white sage: either in stick form or directly in the form of leaves to burn. To use it traditionally, you can purchase leaves in stores designed for this purpose. Then, simply place the leaves in a heat-resistant bowl; an abalone shell type bowl is recommended for this incense. Light the leaves with a match or lighter, wait a few seconds, then blow on the flame to extinguish it. Fumigation will naturally occur: when smoke begins to escape, pick up your bowl (be careful not to burn yourself, hence the importance of choosing a heat-resistant receptacle so you can transport it!) and go from room to room in your home to let the smoke spread.
When you pass through the rooms, the windows must be open for two reasons: first, this allows excess smoke to escape and prevents any risk. Second, the evacuated smoke contains the negative energies of the dwelling and must therefore be released outside to purify the interior.
We hope you enjoyed this article on incense, its origins, and its use. Feel free to leave us a comment to tell us what place incense has in your life, what your favorite scents are, and what recommendations you would give to those who wish to start using incense!
