Many use incense to practice yoga, to get inspired, to meditate, to unwind, tomake their routines more delightful, to release emotional build up, to get connected spiritually, even to improve sexual experiences. But what does incense really do for our air quality and wellbeing? Scientists explain.
Many of us have used incense before as air freshener frequently unaware of the many physical and psychological benefits of this practice, namely soothing and calming our state of being. Natural and plant based incense benefits our wellbeing according to traditional users by enabling us to clean the air, to soothe and calm anxiety, to enhance focus, stimulating our creativity, increasing our motivation, heightening sexual desire, helping to relieve muscle tension, among others. Some of these benefits have been scientifically proven as we will discover in the next section.
Cleaning the air
Several studies demonstratethe antibacterials powers of incense. One of these studies observed thatthat 1h treatment of incense smoke on aerial bacterial population caused over 94% reduction of bacterial counts and the ability of the smoke to purify or disinfect the air and to make the environment cleaner was maintained up to 24h in the closed room. Absence of pathogenic bacteria in the open room even after 30 days is indicative of the bactericidal potential of the medicinal smoke treatment. This demonstrates thecapabilities of incense tocompletely eliminate diverse plant and human pathogenic bacteria of the air within confined spaces.
Activating cells to soothe and calm
Another studyonsingle and multi-ingredient herbal and non-herbal incense in50 countries across 5 continents found that incenseactivates ion channels in the brain that alleviate anxiety or depression. This suggests an entirely new class of depression and anxiety remedies might be right under our noses, literally.Gerald Weissmann, M.D. and Editor-in-Chief of The FASEB Journal explains "Studies of how psychoactive drugs work have helped us understand modern neurobiology. The discovery of how incense acetate, the compound in incense, works on specific targets in the brain should also help us understand diseases of the nervous system. This study also provides a biological explanation for millennia-old spiritual practices that have persisted across time, distance, culture, language, and religion--burning incense really does make you feel warm and tingly all over"
Important note: Choosing incense correctly
Burning low-quality incense can be harmful to your health. Poor quality incense is actually a pollutant, especially if it’s burned indoors or in small places. It can harm your lungs if you breathe it in over a long period of time. If you are interested in burning incense because of the benefits of the pleasant aroma, make sure you use high-quality incense that isn’t toxic. In thismatter, researchers from the South China University of Technology say that although the belief of the pleasant aroma and improved moods and relieve of stress, there should be further research about the differentparticle matter that is released into the air during incense burning. Therefore, make sure thatyou get high-quality sticks or coils. Find 100% natural and clean incense here.
References
Green Med Info http://www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/killer-germs-obliterated-medicinal-smoke-smudging-study-reveals
Science Directhttp://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0378874106004314
Ncbi https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17913417
Tao deWan http://www.taodewan.com/Home%20Projects/Benefits%20of%20burning%20incense.html
FAQs
The smoke from burning incense contains a variety of hazardous chemicals, including benzene, toluene, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). These chemicals can cause respiratory problems, eye irritation, and nausea.
Does incense improve air quality? ›
Cleaning the air
One of these studies observed that that 1h treatment of incense smoke on aerial bacterial population caused over 94% reduction of bacterial counts and the ability of the smoke to purify or disinfect the air and to make the environment cleaner was maintained up to 24h in the closed room.
Does burning incense purify the air? ›
Incense burning itself is not a "purifier" of the air, but rather a source of pollutants.
Can incense cleanse your house? ›
While most commonly burned for its scent, incense can also have strong antibacterial qualities. Marie begins each day by opening the windows and lighting incense to cleanse the air and enhance clarity. How to Use to Cleanse a Room: Light the end of an incense stick and let the flame burn for ten seconds.
Should you open a window when burning incense? ›
Open a window during or after burning.
Consider the size of your room. Only burn one stick at a time in smaller rooms.
Where is the best place to burn incense in the house? ›
Bathroom. The warmth and moisture in the bathroom make it an excellent place to burn incense, enhancing your shower or bath experience and creating a spa-like atmosphere. The steam from your shower or bath can help release the incense's fragrance, filling your bathroom with a relaxing and rejuvenating scent.
Which incense kills mold? ›
Agarwood incense scents and smoke has the natural ability to kill bacteria, mold, and stains staying long in the interior, kitchen and home odors, hall, restroom, helping support respiratory health for the whole family.
Is incense OK for lungs? ›
Incense burning emits smoke containing particulate matter, gas products and other organic compounds and causes air pollution, airway disease and health problems. When incense smoke pollutants are inhaled, they cause airway dysfunction.
Which is healthier, incense or candles? ›
Neither are ideal. Incense puts volatile organic compounds into the air in addition to smoke particles fine enough to go to the deepest recesses of the lungs. Candles can rarely smoke (usually if the wick is too long), but also release aromatic VOCs, some of which can have deadly effects.
What should you not do when burning incense? ›
DON'TS OF BURNING AN INCENSE STICK
- Don't burn low-quality incense or products containing synthetic fragrances or harmful chemicals.
- Avoid placing incense on flammable surfaces or near flammable objects.
- Don't burn incense in an enclosed or poorly ventilated space.
Incense sticks generally burn for about an hour, but the scent tends to linger in a room for a few hours afterwards. Burning 1-2 incense sticks a day in one space should be plenty, however if you choose to use different scents for different rooms, you may wish to burn more.
Does incense bring positive energy? ›
The act of burning incense becomes a ritual, a deliberate effort to infuse their surroundings with positive energy. It becomes a bridge between the tangible and intangible, where the fragrance becomes a conduit for inviting good fortune and cultivating an atmosphere of abundance.
What are the symptoms of negative energy in the home? ›
- Jan 11, 2024. 10 signs your home has negativity and dark energy. ...
- Warning signs of negativity in your house. ...
- Having unknown fear. ...
- Bad dreams. ...
- Constant arguments with family members. ...
- Being fearful without any reason at home. ...
- An ailing family member or constant breaking of things. ...
- Unable to focus on work.
Burning incense creates carcinogens, toxic volatile compounds, and more particulate matter than cigarettes. It also liberates endocrine disrupting phthalates. and is associated with respiratory issues, poor cognitive function, and an increased risk for DNA mutations and cancer.
What does burning incense do spiritually? ›
Burning incense has cleansing properties as the smoke helps to eliminate the negative energy of a space and makes room for positive mindfulness. Whether people need help meditating, working, or relaxing, burning incense before they begin can help to remove negative energy and reduce stress.
Is incense healthy to breathe? ›
Incense burning emits smoke containing particulate matter, gas products and other organic compounds and causes air pollution, airway disease and health problems. When incense smoke pollutants are inhaled, they cause airway dysfunction.
Are there any benefits to using incense? ›
Incense has a general harmonizing effect and helps to increase the flow of energy into the body. It is recommended to use to increase efficiency, and relaxation, as an attraction of the opposite sex, get rid of negative emotions and unpleasant thoughts, and are also actively used for energy cleansing of space.
