Incense

Aromatherapy or Incense? These both go hand in hand and often people think of it as an air freshener. Many people are not aware of the many benefits incense has.  There are a lot of health benefits in using incense and not only does smell do wonders for the body, it gives our bodies and immune systems a boost.

Incense goes back many, many years to the cultures of India and Northern Africa. It’s used often for religious and spiritual ceremonies that have an effect on the mind along with the body. The word incense is Latin and is believed to have magical powers. Japan is actually now the number one producer of incense in the world today.   We have all experienced some of these fragrances in an incense but most likely never paid any attention to it other than the smell.

Here are some examples of what effects it has on the body. Lavender is in a lot of spray air fresheners but using it as an incense, this fragrance is known to have a calming and relaxing effect and even a stress reducer. The effects on this have been known for some time.

Jasmine:  We think of it as a flower or even a bush and it is used in fragrances that we wear, but it is known for balancing your hormones and increases the libido.

Cinnamon is good to create an erotic and romantic ambiance to a room, but also gives the air a warm feeling.

Citrus, creates a stimulant for hunger and promotes imagination.  This incense is perfect for the creative people such as painters and writers.

Clove is medicinal.  This has a soothing property that can help with pain and any other physical upsets.

There are so much more fragrances in which to pick from and it depends on what is right for you. These are just a few examples of what certain fragrances of incense can benefit people when using it.  Some people also use incense when they are meditating or for saying prayers and can be considered part of a religious ritual.  Some use incense to cure some ailments such as headaches, insomnia, fighting off depression, enhancing your concentration and even to increase your motivation.

It comes in many forms such as the traditional stick that everyone is familiar with but also can be found as a cone, spiral, or in a powder.  The cone is the easiest to burn as all you will need is a ceramic dish in order to catch the ash.  If you prefer a stick you will an incense holder to put it in. You can also make your own incense, you just need to know which combinations of herbs, grains, and oils you’d like to use.  Do remember that if you buy a low-quality type of incense that it can be bad for your overall health.  Poor quality of this product is considered to be an air pollutant.