Incense sticks, Agarbattis and Dhoop are burned to produce a fragrant aroma in many Indian households. The word “incense” is derived from the Latin for “to burn. In many Indian, Japanese and Chinese traditional medicines, they’re used to deepen meditation.
In fact ancient Hindu-Buddhist and Christian culture, lighting up incense sticks is considered to be auspicious. lighting incense sticks is like welcoming peace, positive vibes and freshness into one’s life. Its other uses include religious rituals, repel bad odors and evil spirits.
11 Health benefits of lighting Incense Sticks.
Incense sticks are usually made of natural aromatic materials such as barks, resins, roots, seeds, oils & powders. With time other materials have been added to incense to enhance its fragrance & combustibility.
The smoke released from incense produce a sweet and pleasant smell that freshen up the scent of indoor areas. Some natural aroma include rose, lavender, jasmine, cinnamon, patchouli and sandalwood.
1. Improves the immune system
Incense sticks and agarbattis are made out of natural components that contain effective antibacterial properties. Thus they aid to keep diseases at bay by killing germs and sanitize your surroundings.
A study found that frankincense and myrrh resins had an anti–inflammatory effect in mice. Furthermore, the anti–inflammatory components like boswellic acid increase the blood flow in the body.
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2. Speeds up the healing process
Burning incense can be used as an antiseptic and disinfectant that prevent Infection and heal the internal wounds. The fragrance of Rose and Aloeswood have high serotonin levels that acts as a mild painkiller.
Sandalwood incense aroma heal infections by increasing the production of keratin, present in the outermost layer of the skin. Frankincense aromas has potential to heal boils, scars, acnes and pimples.
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3. Clears headaches and migraines
Some incense sticks have powerful healing properties to relieve pain and congestion. The next time you have a headache, flame up an incense & inhale the aroma. This would reduce stress and mental blockages.
Many incense contains natural mood stabilizer called serotonin which aids in sleeping and digestion. It would reduce depression, anxiety and headaches. For good results just breathe in a small amount of it everyday.
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4. Promote Heart Health
The fragrance of eucalyptus and peppermint are effective in reducing heart rate and palpitation. Boswellic acid frankincense are said to have anti-inflammatory effects and improve blood circulation.
The aromas of incense sticks help to stimulate the heart chakra and body’s receptors. Moreover, this may also combat the inflammatory effects in the body such as arthritis, cysts and Crohn’s disease.
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5. Helps with depression
A 2008 study on mice found frankincense extracts contain antidepressant properties that can lessen neurological damage. This may enables you to stay relaxed and boost your wellbeing.
Furthermore, good fragrance of incense sticks can raise serotonin in the brain naturally. The increased brain serotonin would improve your mood without any potential ill effects or risks of addiction.
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6. Aids Sound Sleep
Lightening aroma sticks and candles work as stimulants that aids you to retire in the bed faster. These scents have natural sedative properties that helps body to relax by giving soothing sensation.
Incense aroma can be best alternative to sleeping pills for good sleep. This may reduce anxiety and slow down the nervous system. Chamomile and patchouli scents induce profound relaxing sleep.
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7. Relax and unwind
Studies have shown that scents like lavender can activate your senses, relax the nerves and alleviate your mood. That’s why many people like to burn incense in their study area or workplace to reduce anxiety.
Frankincense, Cedarwood and Sage incense drive the negative energies out and influences vibes from your surroundings. Orange peppermint, cedar and vetiver incense can make grounding enjoyable.
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8. Stimulate creativity
Incense fragrance enhance your abilities by stimulating ideas, creativity and improve mental performance. The scents like Lemongrass & Geranium stimulate the state of mindfulness and thoughtfulness.
Moreover, burning incense not only stimulate your senses and engage them in present moment but also can evoke memories of the past. It can work as a gentle timekeeper for any formal or informal setting.
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9. Improved Focus
The fragrances of sandalwood, aloeswood, rose, lavender and jasmine have subtle effect on the mind and body. Feeling Burning incense sticks help to create a calm, serene and aromatic environment.
The scents like peppermint and lemon are believed to have psychoactive effect that improve your concentration. That’s why incense are widely used in many religious practices and meditation practices.
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10. Increase Sensual desire
The mind get stimulated by natural aphrodisiac scents like Jasmine, Cinnamon, Vanilla, Rose & Blue Lotus. Try these fragrance out in your perfume burner next time you want to create “get in on” mood.
These fragrances help to drive passion and loving moments by activating your hypothalamus gland. Furthermore, they also increase the production of testosterone and blood flow to the reproductive organs.
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11. Air Purification
The incense aroma can combat bronchitis, asthma, sinusitis, allergies and frequent colds. Incense works as natural air freshener that help to cover unpleasant household smells like damp clothes, cooking etc.
The essential oils in incense sticks help to clear your nasal blockages that replicate benefits of aromatherapy. The positive vibes can rejuvenate our mind and soul by relieving the stress and anxiety level.
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Can incense smoke be harmful to your health?
The studies on the health effects of incense sticks smoke are mixed. Some of them suggest that it has possible anti–inflammatory and antidepressant effects other found it can cause negative health effects like cancer.
According to US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) suggest that burning incense can increase the risks of cancer, asthma and contact dermatitis. However, these researches on the possible health effects are limited.
A study show incense smoke produce carcinogenic particulate matters. These compounds include polyaromatic hydrocarbons, carbonyls and carbon monoxide that may cause inflammation and oxidative stress in lungs and liver.
Various studies show inhaling incense smoke may cause harmful effects :
- Studies suggest long–term exposure of incense can cause lung cancer, cardiovascular diseases and trigger wheezing in asthmatic children.
- As per a study done on Chinese adults show incense smoke could increase the risk of high blood pressure.
- Another study on rats found it could impact negatively on metabolism, weight and good cholesterol levels.
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Safety Tips for Using Incense sticks
Anytime you’re using incense, it’s important to keep safety in mind.
- Open your windows during or after burning incense sticks would reduce exposure.
- You should avoid burning incense if you have any pre–existing respiratory conditions.
- Never leave the burning incense unattended to minimize any fire hazards indoors.
- Use an incense burner or place it on any fire–resistant surface or any isolated place.
Conclusion
As per Ayurveda incense sticks fumes boost your focus and make you more motivated. Burn it before any presentation. Although health benefits of incense are debatable but limiting its exposure may lower the risk.
Incense smoke not only used to remove foul odors but also used to evoke a state of meditation and peace for centuries. So, to start or end your day on the right note flame up an incense in your bedroom or living room.
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FAQs related to the safe use of incense sticks
Can inhaling incense smoke be harmful to your health?
Burning up poor quality incense stick would be a toxic pollutant reaching your lungs. These harmful compounds may include carcinogenic particulate matters. polyaromatic hydrocarbons, carbonyls and carbon monoxide. They may cause inflammation and oxidative stress in the body. Thus always buy a premium quality incense sticks made up of natural ingredients.
What can be alternatives for incense to scent an indoor space?
Major alternatives of incense sticks include – smudging, aromatic candle wicks, sage, oil diffusers, natural home deodorizers.
How to burn incense sticks safely ?
Use a match stick to light the tip of the incense and gently blow the flame out once it is ignited. The incense would shine and produce aromatic fumes. These incense are available in wide varieties – coils, cones, powders and sticks.
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