Incense has been a fragrant staple since ancient Egypt, offering a pleasant aroma to any space. It’s often chosen for mental and spiritual healing properties, especially during meditation, where the positive vibes from the incense are said to clear out negative energies. Burning incense comes in different methods, depending on the type of incense you’re using. The widely known and frequently used stick incenses can light up with a single match and burn autonomously due to specific materials that allow the fire to travel. However, incenses made from different herbs like sage or harmal need to be lit continuously. These herbal incenses, once ignited to a certain point, extinguish on their own and must be kept alight in a vessel.
How to Use Incense?
Utilizing incense varies according to individual goals. Those who use it during meditation mostly aim to cleanse themselves and their surroundings of negative vibes. Moreover, the pleasant aroma emitted by incenses also makes them a favorite for scenting environments. Burning sage and harmal as incense is often for performing certain rituals. These rituals, which may involve walking around oneself or spreading the incense smoke in homes or offices, are believed to purify mentally and spiritually, as well as clear out negative energy. Additionally, incense is used to neutralize the energy of natural stones owned by individuals.
How Should Incense Be Extinguished?
Extinguishing incense varies with the type of incense burned. Incenses made from natural herbs tied together are put out by pressing them onto a surface of glass, metal, or another non-flammable material after burning. On the other hand, pre-made incenses in various forms come with the ability to self-extinguish once done burning, negating the need for any additional intervention.
What Are the Methods for Storing Incense?
Incense storage methods differ between ready-made and natural incenses. Ready-made incenses are preferably stored in wooden boxes to keep them away from direct sunlight and at room temperature. Exposing incenses to damp places might make it difficult to burn them. Natural incenses, made by tying herbs with string, can be stored in dry places away from sunlight and could also be kept in glass jars. Ensuring these herbs are dry is crucial before use.
What Are the Benefits of Burning Incense?
Incense has been a long-standing option for emitting fragrance. Besides infusing spaces with delightful and lasting aromas, it’s also considered part of alternative medicine. It’s used in rituals and meditation sessions for mental and spiritual relaxation. Although different types of incense have their unique benefits, the general advantages of burning incense can be outlined as follows;
- Incense helps to calm individuals down with its smoke.
- It cleanses the person and the environment of negative energies.
- Incense significantly contributes to more positive thinking.
- Variations in aroma make environments smell more pleasant.
- It aids in improving concentration.
- Incense helps regulate blood circulation and improves breathing.
- The smoke from incense can enhance memory retention.
When Should Incense Be Burned?
Incense can be burned at different times and for various reasons, depending on personal beliefs. The timing for burning incense can greatly vary from one person to another. Some of the most common instances include feeling down, restless, or tired. Burning incense can help in cleansing one’s self of negative energies. Seeking mental clarity, enhancing concentration levels, and the desire to purge bad thoughts and feelings following unpleasant events are also times people opt for incense. Moreover, incense burning is also done simply to refresh the air in enclosed spaces.
What Plants Are Preferred for Making Incense at Home?
The choice of plants for homemade incense varies depending on the purpose of burning incense. When aiming to ward off evil eye, the usage of harmal is preferred. Additionally, sage, used since Ancient Greece, is known for its pleasant and refreshing aroma. Burning sage incense not only alters the atmosphere of a space but also purifies it and its occupants of negative energy. It’s also effective in alleviating respiratory and throat ailments. Sage incense has been noted for promoting better sleep. Sandalwood incense is mostly used during meditation, facilitating concentration. Beyond improving focus, it’s renowned for relieving body fatigue, pain, and reducing stress levels.