Are Incense Ashes Good For Plants? The 87 Top Answers

Safety notice following house fires lit by incense sticks

The Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service (CFRS) has issued safety advice on using incense sticks after being involved in two separate house fires.

Crews attended a house fire in Keyston, Huntingdonshire on the morning of April 30, while less than an hour later crews were called to a similar fire in Soham.

A fire department spokesman said: “These fires were both started by incense sticks left unattended. Lighting incense sticks is a common and popular way to diffuse aromatic scents throughout the home. However, residents often overlook the risk they can pose if left unattended, particularly near curtains or by a window. Home fires from incense sticks are initially ignited when hot ash falls directly onto carpets or combustible surfaces.

“Incense sticks and candles can be dangerous if left unattended, so always make sure they are placed in a draft-free area and well away from curtains, furniture or other flammable surfaces. Be sure to leave plenty of space around the area and ensure the surface is level and stable. Taking the necessary precautions can help protect your family, property, and belongings.”

Make sure you follow these top tips when lighting incense:

Buy an incense holder so the ashes fall on it.

Place far away from curtains, furniture or other flammable surfaces.

Leave plenty of space around the area and make sure the surface is flat and stable.

Never leave incense sticks or candles unattended. It’s really easy for them to fall over and set nearby objects on fire.

For more information on home fire safety, see the Home Safety section.

Issue: February 3, 2001

Frozen ficus tree

I have a ficus tree that grows in a sheltered area where it almost never freezes. I usually cover it when it freezes, but one night it froze when I didn’t cover it. Now the leaves are starting to fall off, turning yellow, some have round spots (look like burn marks) and some of the branches have turned completely brown and dead. What do I have to do to keep the tree alive as much as possible? Thank you.Tamme Johnson (via internet)

This year was a return to the cold winters. There will be many plants, some of which are not houseplants, that have suffered frost damage, so the following advice applies to them as well.

The loss of leaves and the death of the trunk are good evidence that the tree has been injured. However, the degree of injury is not yet apparent and may not be fully revealed for several months. You can cut off dead wood, branches and twigs that become dry and brittle, and those that don’t have a green layer under the bark or epidermis layer when scratched lightly. If the branch is healthy, a slight scratch on the thumb nail will reveal a green layer. When the layer under the bark is black or brown, the branch is dead and can be trimmed.

Some branches that have lost leaves may develop new leaves if the injury was limited to the leaves. So wait before pruning too much. It would be wise to hold off on larger pruning if you wish to reduce the size of the tree. You don’t want to remove healthy wood and leave damaged branches behind. Remember that it is okay to prune dead and dying wood any time of the year.

It is also important to water properly. Because the leaf surface is reduced, the tree uses slightly less water until new leaves form. Be careful not to overwater. You should also reduce fertilization during this time. Applying a diluted (stronger than usual) liquid houseplant fertilizer once a month should be sufficient. The same advice applies to frost damaged trees in the landscape.

Does smoke damage plants?

Does smoke affect plant growth? Tovias (via the internet)

This is an interesting question, relevant to indoor plants (and outdoor plants to some extent). However, you didn’t give me a full reply email address (this often happens) so I can only reply in this way.

Plants can be affected by smoke both positively and negatively.

Smoke produced by burning a certain material means there is more carbon dioxide in a limited area. This is good for the plants and can increase their growth with sufficient light.

However, the smoke particles we see are particulate pollution that can coat the leaf surface and reduce photosynthesis. These particles can also clog stomata pores and reduce gas exchange in the leaf. These effects are bad for plants. Cigarette smoke and some other types of smoke also contain tar, which can clog stomata pores.

Particle pollution in smoke can also be harmful to humans. Plants can be used to purify the air. As we all learn in school, plants need carbon dioxide (which we exhale when we breathe) and produce oxygen (which we need). It’s good. Plants can also clean particles and chemical pollutants from the air, protecting our health. Plants with fluffy leaves are the most efficient at cleaning particles from the air.

Marisa Y. Thompson, PhD, is an arable horticultural specialist in the Department of Crop Science at New Mexico State University’s Los Lunas Agricultural Science Center, email: [email protected], office: 505-865-7340, ext. 113

For more gardening information, visit the NMSU Extension Horticulture page under Desert Blooms and the NMSU Horticulture Publications page.

Send gardening questions to Southwest Yard and Garden – Attn: Dr. Marisa Thompson at [email protected] or on Desert Blooms Facebook.

Please copy your County Extension Agent and your residency when submitting your question!

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White ash is used to fill an incense burner as a base for burning incense sticks, cones, Makko strips or charcoal (for wood chips, granules, pellets, pressed tablets). The ash is lightweight and breathable to allow oxygen flow to the surface. White ash is typically made from ashes from wood or rice husks.

Store the ashes in an airtight container and after use, sift through a fine sieve to remove any residue. Return to container and reuse, color will darken over time. To refresh ash, bake ash over aluminum foil in oven at 350-400 for 30 minutes. Smoked ash should last indefinitely.

While there are scents that repel mosquitoes, like citronella and lemon balm, there is no evidence that the scent of frankincense repels mosquitoes. In fact, frankincense has been claimed to attract mosquitoes(1). However, there is no solid, published evidence for either outcome. At this point, it’s good to assume that frankincense isn’t as effective as alternatives like natural citronella or other mint plants. In fact, mints like lemon balm are very effective against mosquitoes.

Many online retailers sell “incense sticks” and “incense coils” to repel or kill mosquitoes, but these typically do not contain actual incense(2). Many of these products use citronella or another mint plant as a repellent. These coils and sticks also don’t have high success rates, so brace yourself for disappointment if you use them (3). You’d better grow your mint plants or go outside with a bottle of Listerine and spritz every mosquito you see.

Where to get frankincense repellents and how to use them Frankincense comes in the form of C-oils and sticks. You can burn these on any old crockery in your kitchen cabinet or buy incense holders to add to your home decor. Attach or place the incense coil in one of these holders and light the tip with a candle lighter (you can use a regular lighter, but be careful). After a few seconds, gently blow out the flame and let the incense burn. These items are available from all major online retailers such as Amazon or Walmart. Most of the time, you can also buy smoked products at local smoke shops and head shops. You may even be able to find some at your local gardening store, although these may be limited in your area.

In summary, burning citronella, sage, etc. to make incense is not a guaranteed way to reduce the presence of mosquitoes. Candles, incense sticks, citronella spirals: all of these are expensive and, in my opinion, not worth the risk. Because incense is vulnerable to wind, other scents, and external forces, it may not spread effectively around the environment. Your garden may smell nice, but your arm won’t feel good after the mosquitoes reach it. We’d recommend burning some incense if you plan on leaving your window open for a while on a summer’s night, but you’ll likely need extra protection if you plan on going outside.

The religious use of incense dates back to ancient times. The burned incense may be intended as a symbolic or offering to various deities or spirits, or as an aid to prayer.

Buddhism, Taoism and Shintoism in Asia[ edit ]

Tibet. Plumes of incense waft from huge burners in Lhasa

The first recorded use of incense is by the Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty, 2345-2494 BC.

The use of incense in religious rituals was either further or concurrently developed in China and eventually spread to Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and the Philippines. Incense plays an invaluable role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites, as well as those of Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto shrines to the deity Inari Okami, or the seven auspicious gods. It is said to be a method of purifying the environment, producing an assembly of buddhas, bodhisattvas, gods, demons, and the like.

In Chinese Taoist and Buddhist temples, the interiors are scented with thick incense sticks that are either hung from the ceiling or on special stands. Worshipers in the temples light and burn incense sticks in small or large bundles, which they wave or raise above their heads while bowing before the statues or plaques of a deity or ancestor. Individual joss sticks are then placed one by one or three by one or three by three into individual censers located in front of the statues or panels, depending on the status of the deity or the feelings of the individual.

In Japanese Shinto shrines to Inari Okami, or the Seven Lucky Gods, and in Buddhist temples, the incense sticks are placed horizontally in censers on top of the ashes, as the sticks used usually do not have a supporting core that does not burn.

The formula and fragrance of the incense sticks used in different temples across Asia vary greatly.

Christianity [edit]

Catholic tradition uses incense in worship contained in a censer

Frankincense has been used in worship by Christians since ancient times, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church/Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian Churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches. Frankincense is also increasingly used by some other Christian groups; for example, the United Methodist Church’s Book of Worship calls for incense sticks in the evening worship and prayer service.[2] The practice is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism in the Second Jewish Temple period.[3] The smoke from burning incense sticks is interpreted by both the Western Catholic Church and the Eastern Christian Church as a symbol of the prayer of the believers ascending to heaven.[4] This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141(140), verse 2: “Let my prayer be like incense before your eyes: the lifting up of my hands for an evening sacrifice.” Incense is often used as part of a purification ritual.[5]

In John’s Revelation, incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints in heaven—the “golden bowl of incense” is “the prayers of the saints” (Revelation 5:8; compare Revelation 8:3), streaming upward toward the incense altar of God.

A censer, a type of censer, is used to contain incense while it is being burned.[6] A waiter called a Thurifer, sometimes assisted by a “boatman” carrying the vessel for the incense, approaches the person performing the service with the censer filled with burning bricks of glowing charcoal. Incense, in the form of pebbles or powder, is taken from what is called a “boat” and usually blessed with a prayer and spooned onto the coals. The censer is then closed, taken by the chain, and waved by the priest, deacon, or minister or altar boy to whatever or who is being censored: the bread and wine offered for the Eucharist, the consecrated Eucharist itself, the Gospel during his preaching (reading), the crucifix, the icons (in oriental churches), the clergy, the congregation, the Easter candle or the corpse of a deceased during a funeral.[7]

Incense may be used in Christian worship at the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of worship, especially at solemn Vespers, at solemn evening singing, at funerals, blessings and exposures of the Eucharist, the consecration of a church or altar, and in other services. [8th] In the Eastern Orthodox, Anglo-Catholic, and Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, incense is used at virtually every service.[9]

Aside from being burned, grains of blessed incense are placed in the Paschal Candle[10] and were formerly placed in the tombs of consecrated altars, although this is no longer obligatory or even mentioned in the liturgical books.

Many incense blends are currently used, often with frankincense, benzoin, myrrh, styrax, copal, or other flavorings.

Hinduism [edit]

Incense stand used by Hindus to worship gods

Frankincense has been used in India since 3,600 BC. used.[11][12] The use of incense is a traditional and ubiquitous practice in almost all pujas, prayers and other forms of worship. As part of daily ritual worship within the Hindu tradition, incense is offered (usually by rotating the chopsticks clockwise three times) to God in his deity forms such as Krishna and Rama. This practice is still commonplace in contemporary India and among Hindus around the world. It is stated in the Bhagavad-Gita, “Krishna accepts with love the offering made unto Him,” and according to this principle objects are offered every day by temple priests or by those with an altar in their homes and shops.

Benzoin resin and the resin extracted from the tree Commiphora wightii were traditionally used as incense in ancient India. These resins would be spilled over embers that would give off scented smoke. However, the majority of modern Indian incense consists of a chemical base rather than natural ingredients.

Islam [edit]

Incense is used in several events such as the Tahfidh graduation ceremony and most notably in the regular rite of purification and cleansing of the Ka’aba in Mecca. It is said to perfume the air and uplift the souls of pilgrims. According to a hadith of Prophet Muhammad, the angels love fragrant fragrances and hate foul smells.

The first group of people to enter Paradise will shine like the full moon and those who will follow them will shine like the brightest star in the sky. You will not urinate, discharge nature, spit, or have any nasal discharge. Their crests will be of gold and their sweat will smell of musk. The aloe wood is used in their incense burners. Their wives will be hûr al-ʿayn (“beautiful-eyed”). All of them will look alike and resemble their father Adam, being sixty cubits tall.[13]

Olive tree leaves are also burned as incense in some Muslim Mediterranean countries.

Judaism [edit]

The “ketoret” is the incense described in the Bible for use in the temple. Its composition and use is described in more detail in the Midrash, the Talmud, and subsequent rabbinical literature. Although it was not made after the destruction of the Second Temple in AD 70, some Jews are studying the composition of ancient Temple incense for future use in a restored Temple as part of daily Jewish worship.

Contemporary Judaism still uses aromatic spices in a ritual, the Havdalah ceremony, which ends the Sabbath. Also, there is a boon to pleasant smells.

Mandaeism[ edit ]

In Mandaeism, incense (Mandaean: riha) is offered by Mandaean priests at stalls called kinta to induce in the world during rituals such as masbuta (baptism) laufa (communion) between people of Tibil (earth) and Uthras (heavenly beings). of the light) and masiqta (death mass) as well as during priest initiation ceremonies.[14] Various prayers in the Qolasta are recited when offering incense.[15] Incense must be offered during certain phases of the typically lengthy and complex rituals.

Contemporary Paganism[ edit ]

Incense is also often used in pagan rituals to represent the element of air, although more modern approaches to incense magic show that incense actually represents all the elements. This is attributed to incense wafting through the air, being created with fire, being made with raw materials grown from the earth, and water being used to create combustible incense. It is also believed to release natural energy [citation needed]. The use of “perfumed”, “dipped”, or synthetic incense is generally avoided, as artificial materials are believed to lack energies useful for magic.

Incense sticks with a wide range of scents are also used in spells and rituals for various purposes. Although many pagan traditions associate specific botanical materials with specific magical properties (see below), these definitions vary widely from one tradition to another. In general, Neopagans and Wiccans use incense for two basic purposes in modern rituals. First, incense is believed to create a magical atmosphere suitable for invoking (or inviting) deities and spirits, which are often present around the pagan altar. Second, burning incense is believed to release the large amount of energy stored in natural incense so that it can be used for magical purposes.

The following associations do not apply to all traditions, but give a general overview of the magical associations of incense.

Frankincense/Olibanum – Purification, creating a devotional atmosphere and spirituality. It is associated with the sun, with incense being particularly associated with masculine powers.

— Purification, creating a devotional atmosphere and spirituality. It is associated with the sun, with incense being particularly associated with masculine powers. Myrrh – has properties similar to frankincense, although it is also used for healing and attraction. Used in ancient times for embalming and associated with female powers.

— has properties similar to incense, but is also used for healing and attraction. Used in ancient times for embalming and associated with female powers. Benzoin cleaning

– Purification Sandalwood – Devotion and purification

– Devotion and Purification Copal – purification, spiritual purification and purification of physical objects. Copal is a generic term for many different types of resin, with varieties such as white, black, and gold.

— Purification, spiritual purification and purification of physical objects. Copal is a generic term for many different types of resin, with varieties such as white, black, and gold. Dragon’s Blood – burned for love, strength and courage. Can be used to add power to any spell.

– burned for love, strength and courage. Can be used to add power to any spell. Pine and cedar – clear rooms of negative energies.

References[edit]

Incense in Christian worship[edit]

In our increasingly fast-paced society, many people strive to become more aware of their physical and mental health. Mindfulness practices that involve burning incense, like yoga and meditation, are as popular as ever. However, incense burning is far from a new phenomenon. For centuries, incense has been used as an important part of religious ceremonies in many different cultures. Whether you’re burning incense as an act of worship or just to make your home smell better, consider whether incense smoke can harm your health.

Incense use over the centuries

No one knows when the use of incense first began. It may be as long ago as man first discovered fire (and subsequently discovered that burning different substances in fire produced a variety of different smells). The first historical mention of incense is found in Egyptian society in the 15th century BC. Frankincense was considered the “scent of the gods” and was burned as a kind of religious offering.

Since then, incense has been part of religious ceremonies in a variety of Western and Asian cultures. It is common in some households for incense smoke to be present for several hours a day or longer. Incense smoke was believed to have spiritual connotations, such as attracting or protecting against various energies and spirits. In Taoism and Buddhism, incense sticks are traditionally used to worship ancestors and deities. In some Christian traditions, incense is often used during worship and in a variety of religious rites.

Besides playing a role in various religious practices, many people use incense as a home air freshener. Another popular use of incense is to create a relaxing atmosphere during yoga and meditation.

How is incense burned?

To understand the different components of incense smoke, we must first understand what incense is made of. Incense sticks are traditionally made from plant materials such as various types of wood, herbs and resins, and essential oils.

Incense can be burned directly – typically in the form of joss sticks or incense cones – or burned indirectly. Indirect burning incense can be powdered or in the form of a paste or collection of raw materials. This type of incense stick is burned by placing it on a combustible surface such as lit coals or glowing embers.

When you burn anything—tobacco, incense, firewood, or even food—you are promoting a process called combustion. When burning incense, the combustion is a chemical reaction between the fuel source (incense) and oxygen, resulting in a gaseous product (smoke).

Can frankincense contain harmful pollutants?

When incense is burned indoors, the resulting smoke can be a major source of indoor pollutants as it produces noxious gases and particulates (Cheng, Bechtold, & Hung, 1995). In fact, many types of incense smoke have been found to contain similar carcinogens to cigarette smoke (Friborg et al., 2008).

The exact nature of the pollutants released into the air depends on the chemicals contained in the incense being burned. However, a study that tested 23 different types of incense found that the levels of carbon monoxide (CO), nitric oxide (NO), and sulfur dioxide (SO2) found in incense smoke can be high enough to keep your… affecting health (Jetter, et al., 2002).

The same study found that incense smoke emits high levels of particulate matter that can cause the air in your home to exceed US EPA’s National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). These standards were created by the EPA as part of the Clean Air Act to protect against air pollutants known to be harmful to public health and the environment.

Because incense is typically burned in closed spaces with little ventilation, the particles can build up in your home over time. If you burn incense sticks regularly, you may be exposed to more harmful indoor air pollutants than you think.

Is incense bad for the lungs?

We know that burning incense sticks can add high levels of particulate matter to the air in your home, but why is this particulate matter so bad for your health? These particles and chemical compounds are dangerous because they are small enough to be inhaled. They can penetrate deep into your airways, including your lungs, and even get into your bloodstream.

According to the EPA, exposure to the particles found in frankincense smoke has been linked to asthma, pneumonia, and even cancer. In fact, long-term exposure to frankincense smoke has been found to be associated with an increased risk of cancers of the upper respiratory tract, as well as squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs.

In addition, the levels of carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, and nitrous oxide found in frankincense smoke can cause inflammation in lung cells, indicating asthma and other respiratory problems (Cohen, et al., 2013). Children and unborn babies are particularly vulnerable to the effects of carbon monoxide and other airborne pollutants because their bodies are still growing and developing. Carbon monoxide can also cause side effects in people with existing heart conditions.

Is incense smoke as harmful as tobacco smoke?

How harmful is incense smoke? A 2015 study found that frankincense smoke and tobacco smoke may bear more similarities than you might think. The two types of smoke were found to have similar toxicities and elicit similar mutagenic responses in cells exposed to the smoke (Zhou, et. al., 2015). Under certain conditions, frankincense smoke was found to be toxic even at lower concentrations than cigarette smoke. However, when interpreting these results, it is important to note a few things:

When you burn incense, you are not exposing your airways to the same concentration of smoke as you would from smoking a cigarette. This may play a role in how different types of smoke affect your lung cells.

Only four incense sticks and one cigarette were tested in this study. This sample size is too small to extrapolate the results to frankincense and cigarette smoke overall.

The study’s lead researcher worked for a tobacco company. When considering any scientific study, it is always important to be aware of possible sources of bias.

To learn more about how dangerous incense smoke is compared to tobacco smoke, read this article from the UK National Health Service.

While we cannot conclude with certainty that incense smoke is worse for your health than cigarette smoke, we do know that it can be a source of high levels of indoor air pollutants. This is especially true when incense is burned in small, enclosed spaces where the particles released in the smoke can accumulate over time, much like cigarette smoke can accumulate in a habitual smoker’s household.

Note: Your pets breathe the same air as you do, so any pollutants released from incense smoke can affect both human and animal members of your household.

What alternatives to smoking are there?

When using incense sticks to make your home more pleasantly scented, there are several ways to achieve the same effect. The first step is to take extra care to keep your house clean. Find and eliminate all sources of bad odors. If you’re not trying to cover up a bad smell, it doesn’t take as much effort to keep your house smelling nice.

After that, consider using scented plants, essential oils, or dried flower potpourri to give your home a fresher scent without adding harmful volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to the air you breathe. However, you should consider avoiding aerosol air freshener sprays. Some indoor air fresheners can contain high levels of VOCs, which can increase indoor air pollution and cause a variety of health effects.

Are there ways to reduce indoor air pollution caused by smoking?

For some people, incense plays an important role in religious beliefs and practices. Giving up frankincense altogether may not be an option. Here are some steps you can take to protect yourself from the side effects of habitual inhalation of incense:

Increase Your Ventilation – Consider opening windows and doors to improve airflow in the room where you are burning incense.

—Consider opening windows and doors to improve airflow in the room where you are burning incense. Switch to a Safer Incense Type – Not all incense sticks are created equal. By choosing incense sticks made from natural, herbal ingredients with no added harmful chemicals, you may be able to reduce the amount of air pollutants released in the smoke. Consider trying smokeless or low-smoke incense sticks. Burning incense resin on a charcoal briquette should be avoided if possible. The smoke from burning charcoal can produce additional air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (Cohen, et al, 2013).

—Not all incense sticks are created equal. By choosing incense sticks made from natural, herbal ingredients with no added harmful chemicals, you may be able to reduce the amount of air pollutants released in the smoke. Consider trying smokeless or low-smoke incense sticks. Burning incense resin on a charcoal briquette should be avoided if possible. The smoke from burning charcoal can produce additional air pollutants such as carbon monoxide (Cohen, et al, 2013). Keep your incense sticks in one room – Avoid regularly using incense sticks in high-traffic areas of your home, especially if members of your household suffer from lung diseases. Having a dedicated area dedicated to burning incense and little else can help reduce your exposure to the airborne pollutants found in incense smoke.

Room air purifier and incense smoke

If you can’t avoid burning incense on a regular basis, using a smoke room air purifier can be another way to reduce the amount of pollutants that build up in your home. However, no air purifier can completely eliminate smoke or the particles contained in incense smoke.

Incense smoke, when burned regularly and in large quantities, can be harmful to health, as can inhaling any type of smoke. The best way to prevent incense from affecting the air quality in your home is to burn it as sparingly as possible. It may be best to enjoy the benefits of incense in an alternative “smokeless” manner, or only with proper ventilation and avoiding direct inhalation of incense smoke.

Table of Contents

Frankincense comes in many forms, but in its simplest definition, it is any plant material that is burned for its aromatic or spiritual properties. Most people are familiar with Indian agarbatti sticks or small cones, but raw plant material such as palo santo wood shavings or sweet grass can also be considered incense.

sticks

spirals or coils

cones

loose powder

Vegetable raw materials

Incense has been an important ritual since ancient times. It is believed to have originated in Egypt during the Old Kingdom and was once used by priests to fumigate tombs. Incense sticks have long been used in connection with ceremonies, rituals, and spiritual and religious occasions.

Incense burning was practiced as early as 3300 BC. Discovered in India and South Asia. It was believed that in addition to worship and prayer, burning incense could ward off evil spirits while purifying the surrounding area.

More than 2,000 years ago, the trade in spices and incense played an important economic role between East and West. Back then, the Middle Eastern incense route meandered through the Middle East to the Mediterranean region, where it was popularized by the Roman Empire. It is estimated that 3,000 tons of incense traveled this route each year.

The spiritual purposes of incense can vary depending on the religious ceremony or intention during its use. Catholic churches can burn incense to connect their congregation to the legacy of their founding patron. Palo Santo wood was burned to clear out bad energy during the heyday of the Incas, and more recently has been adopted by a growing community of energy-conscious people (though the question remains whether we should be).

With a background in aromatherapy, our founder chose to develop fragrances based on their physiological effects, which can then be used to support meditation and mood enhancement.

Today, incense burning is synonymous with the practices of various religions, including Catholicism, Buddhism, and Hinduism, but its uses transcend the spiritual as it is now commonly used in yoga studios, wellness offices, and our own homes.

While burning incense can vary widely in its form, its essential function is to burn over time. Use a lighter, match, or other open flame to ignite the smallest tip of the incense. Let it catch fire, then quickly blow out the flame. What is left should be a smoldering ember that will burn slowly and release its aromatic compounds.

Place the incense in a bowl designed specifically for incense or in a bowl of sand. You can extinguish the embers by smearing them on a hard surface, but generally expect them to just burn out. Always keep embers and open flames away from flammable materials such as curtains, paper or dry herbs.

Sitting around a campfire is as much a part of human behavior as walking on two legs and making abstract connections. Burning incense takes this activity to a smaller level. There are some studies on incense smoke and the effects on human health. Some of these studies could be considered biased (paid for by tobacco companies). The quality of materials can vary, so it’s important to buy incense sticks that list their ingredients. An insidious species of ingredient continues to creep into the incense market, making expensive resins appear cheaper through the use of synthetic fragrances.

Traditionally, incense was made from tree resins, aromatic herbs, and woody plants. In today’s commercial incense market, it’s much harder to find something made out of quality materials. Much of the incense found on store shelves today is a combination of artificial fragrances and unsustainably harvested plants.

Ingredients listed as “Fragrance” or “Perfume” are completely unregulated by the government. These chemicals are unhealthy for people and the environment, and inhaling their smoke has other consequences for our respiratory system.

Synthetic fragrances are known to cause headaches and skin irritation in the short term, but can have even more serious negative effects on our health in the long term.

When burned, they fill your home with airborne phthalates and parabens. These substances are known as endocrine disruptors, which means they have negative effects on our hormone levels.

When buying incense sticks, make sure you do your research. Be sure to burn incense sticks made with natural ingredients like charcoal and essential oils. Avoid synthetic fragrances at all costs.

When you burn incense sticks made from all-natural ingredients, you can reap many benefits from the experience. The act of indulging our sense of smell is more powerful than you might think.

The idea of ​​aromatherapy is based on the fact that aromatic substances can be used for medicinal and healing purposes. When we perceive an odor, signals are sent to our limbic system. This part of the brain is responsible for memory, emotions and hormone regulation. Different scents trigger different reactions in our brain.

Inhaling essential oils and pleasant aromas from incense sticks can produce various desired effects on us, but these are some of our favorites.

Increase calm and focus. Essential oils from plants like rosemary, peppermint, and citrus have been shown to improve mental awareness, clarity, and focus.

Essential oils from plants like rosemary, peppermint, and citrus have been shown to improve mental awareness, clarity, and focus. Reduce stress and anxiety. Some herbs are specifically known for their ability to relieve anxiety and curb stress. For example, inhaling lavender oil has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety in multiple studies.

Some herbs are specifically known for their ability to relieve anxiety and curb stress. For example, inhaling lavender oil has been shown to be effective in reducing anxiety in multiple studies. support sleep. Lavender is also known for its calming effects and is believed to promote sleep and fight insomnia. Burning incense sticks containing lavender essential oil while getting ready for bed can help you fall asleep faster.

Lavender is also known for its calming effects and is believed to promote sleep and fight insomnia. Burning incense sticks containing lavender essential oil while getting ready for bed can help you fall asleep faster. Complement a yoga or meditation practice. Frankincense has a reputation for being associated with yoga and meditation. Because some of the essential oils most commonly used to scent incense help relieve stress and increase focus, burning incense is a perfect addition to a yoga and meditation routine.

Frankincense has a reputation for being associated with yoga and meditation. Because some of the essential oils most commonly used to scent incense help relieve stress and increase focus, burning incense is a perfect addition to a yoga and meditation routine. stimulate creativity. Burning incense can help increase creativity and flow by clearing and stimulating the mind.

Burning incense can help increase creativity and flow by clearing and stimulating the mind. Clean your space. Buddhist monks have used incense to purify their atmosphere for thousands of years. Amazingly, a study showed that burning incense sticks for one hour reduced airborne bacteria by 94%!

Buddhist monks have used incense to purify their atmosphere for thousands of years. Amazingly, a study showed that burning incense sticks for one hour reduced airborne bacteria by 94%! The simple pleasure of enjoying a wonderful scent. Of course, the simple act of enjoying a smell is a benefit in itself. In fact, ingesting pleasant aromas has the ability to make us happier, trigger fond memories, and improve our mood.

If you’re interested in burning incense for any of these benefits, be sure to find the best quality. Incense sticks made from inferior materials and synthetic fragrances are actually a pollutant, especially when burned indoors. Look for companies that list all of the ingredients they use and find out which essential oils resonate with you the best.

At Sea Witch Botanicals we make all of our incense sticks using pure essential oils and natural resins. We believe in keeping our waterways clean and that starts with cleaning the air we breathe. Made with no chemical preservatives or synthetic fragrances, our incense sticks are made from bamboo charcoal, which purifies the air as it burns by drawing out impurities and germs.

Made from all-natural essential oils, Norden incense captures the olfactory memories of our favorite destinations and travels. During the warm summer months, we love opening the windows and lighting incense sticks – the perfect way to naturally scent our space.

Not sure how to use your incense stick? Scroll down for some helpful tips and tricks from the Norden team.

Choose your favorite scent. Norden incense is available in four unique scents: Joshua Tree, Øresund, Ojai and Idyllwild. You can try three of our best selling scents in our Norden Incense Set.

Place an incense stick in an incense holder. We love the Nordic incense burners in black or ceramic—but we’re pretty biased. Before lighting, make sure your incense is on a stable surface and away from flammable objects.

Light your incense stick and let the flame consume the tip.

Blow out the flame carefully. Your incense should be glowing and giving off a slight puff of smoke as it burns slowly.

Let the fragrance spread in your room. It’s always a good idea to keep a window or door open while incense is being burned to provide ventilation.

We find incense to be relaxing and a great addition to any morning or afternoon routine. Our incense stick has an approximate burn time of 45 minutes per stick – so sit back and enjoy.

If you have any questions, please contact [email protected]!

14 reasons to burn incense sticks and the benefits

Smells, flavors, scents (however you describe them) can be used to trigger certain reactions. For example; to promote relaxation, aid sleep, enhance concentration, stimulate creativity, increase motivation and increase sexual desire. There are also a number of religious, aesthetic and practical reasons. Another dimension is that certain fragrances or ingredients can be used for specific purposes.

Below we examine these properties and uses of incense sticks, highlighting various benefits and suggesting fragrances for occasions and purposes.

1. Relax and unwind

Light some incense sticks, curl up on the sofa with a cup of tea, a book and relaxing music. Alternatively, you can run a bath and replace the candles with an incense stick or two. Gentle fragrances will enrich this time and give you time and space to free yourself from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Frankincense, sandalwood, and cedarwood are all “soothing scents,” so they’re good for general relaxation.

2. Reduce stress and anxiety

A Step Up From Relaxing – Reduce physical activities like heart rate and breathing. Also, encourage your mind to stop worrying and running from one thing to another. Opt for the purest and highest quality sandalwood. Lavender and rosemary are good choices here too. 2

2 3. Meditate

Frankincense is used in many religious practices to deepen awareness, sharpen the senses, and uplift one’s spirit when practicing meditation. Traditionally, the passage of time was also measured by burning fixed-length incense sticks.

Sandalwood and lotus are most commonly used for meditation – but you choose what suits you best. One that gets you where you need to be without taking over your mind.

4. Spirituality

Incense burning can serve as a gateway to spirituality, formal or informal, recognized religious or secular. Frankincense is and has been in daily use in many religions of the world – Hinduism, Buddhism and Christianity – for thousands of years. 2

5. Generosity and mindfulness

Whether formal or informal, religious or aesthetic, you create good karma by taking an incense stick and lighting it as an offering. A simple way to do something without expecting anything in return. An act of generosity and letting go.

Make this a mindful activity and choose a quality incense stick. Take your time and pride in preparing, choosing your chopstick, incense bowl and lighting material. Light it up, “listen” to the scent and relax.

6. Stimulate creativity

With a well-chosen fragrance, one’s own abilities can be increased, ideas stimulated and mental performance increased. Aloe wood-based incense sticks are known for this, as well as for “uplifting” scents like lemongrass, citrus scents, geranium, and ylang-ylang. 2 7. Increase focus

Burn aloe wood and uplifting scents while working or studying to increase focus and increase concentration. Less intrusive than background music, scents have a more subtle effect on the mind and body, making them a perfect partner for work, study, or the pursuit of a hobby that requires detailed concentration.

8. Support sleep

Insomnia is a growing affliction, especially in our modern, always-on and interrupt-oriented society. Lavender is particularly associated with sleep aids, as are vetiver and chamomile. Burning an incense stick while falling asleep is far safer than using an open flame candle.

9. Increase sexual desire

Yes! Use scents like jasmine, vanilla and rose to create a spirit of optimism. Exactly for this purpose we carry a very popular Romance Selection Box with luxurious Indian incense sticks from Sacred Elephant. The mind is a powerful thing that is easily activated by these aphrodisiac scents. Also try cinnamon to encourage passion and loving moments.

10. Yoga practice

Help focus the mind and prepare the body by creating the right aromatic atmosphere. When engaging in such a natural and healthy activity, you should avoid anything artificial, toxic, or just plain distracting. Try Sacred Elephant’s yoga selection – 4 fragrances carefully selected to suit many types and styles of yoga – from energetic to calming and meditative.

1 11. Medical

The effects of good aromas produced by incense sticks have been shown to increase serotonin in the brain. As an alternative to taking medication, non-pharmacological methods of increasing levels of serotonin in the brain can not only improve mood, but do so without side effects or the risk of addiction.

Serotonin is considered a natural mood stabilizer and helps with sleeping, eating and digestion. Serotonin also helps reduce depression, regulate anxiety, and reduce headaches.

In summary, serotonin is good and frankincense helps it flow! Rose tops our list of recommendations for this attribute; Also try a good aloeswood stick.

12. Cultivate a new interest

Some people drink and appreciate fine wines – others burn incense! There is an interesting journey with scents here… What do you like, what motivates you, what touches you the most? Turning incense burning into an interest will encourage you to slow down, see things in more detail, and even improve your ability to focus and focus. There is much to discover, learn and appreciate. 13. Air purification

Certain herbal ingredients have antibacterial properties – such as Nag Champas. Plus, incense is an easy, quick, and accessible way to mask unwanted household odors like cooking, pets, damp clothes, etc. Cedar, myrrh and citrus scents “purify” the air leaving freshness and a new beginning. 1 14. A magical experience

Scents trigger significant reactions in our brain and can instantly remind us of past events, people and emotions. We can be taken back to ancient Egypt, spring in Japan – or anything in our own memory banks. The good feelings are just a moment away. Affordable in price, easy to use, huge selection as well as interesting and engaging.

What’s not to like!

14 reasons to burn incense sticks and the benefits

We think this is a decent list for incense newbies and experienced folks alike. As you can see, there are many reasons and the advantages are many.

Vectis Karma is here to help you choose the incense stick that best suits your needs and budget. Contact us with any questions you have or if you are looking for advice. Email us HERE.

Read general information about incense here, including how to make incense and comparisons between Japanese, Indian and Tibetan incense.

After archiving our forums last year and after the sun went down, we at Fencing.net combed through the archives to try to preserve and convert any old threads that were used as sources of information. One of the surprising things we found was how popular a thread was about how to lay out incense sticks. Of course this isn’t our specialty, but for some reason the original post ranks right on Google and is therefore very popular.

So we’ve decided to prioritize this content and put it in our Miscellaneous category for anyone who might find it useful. What follows is a brief summary of what was originally posted on the forums, along with some updated information.

Water is the most effective way to extinguish incense when you want to stop both the burning and the fragrant incense smoke. This is easy to do with a cup or in a sink. This is handy for any type of incense – sticks, incense cones, incense sticks, etc. Just add water. Simply smothering incense alone may be able to stop the burn, but that’s not always enough when you’re trying to also stop the smoke and odor usually associated with incense.

Some people lick their fingers and pinch the incense to put it out – it’s quicker and easier, but not always as effective. Specifically, it only works well on incense sticks. Other types, like cones, aren’t as easy to overwater.

If you want to save the incense, you can break off the part that is currently burning and drop it in water alone. Otherwise, if you drop the whole rod/cone/coil in, the whole thing will get wet and probably won’t reignite.

And if you’re a beginner to incense, we definitely recommend grabbing this popular strain pack over on Amazon, which includes a sampler of popular scents and a burner to get you started:

Wood ash removal is a sooty job that nobody likes to do. A sneeze at the wrong time and it’s everywhere. However, you can put that messy dust to good use in many areas around the home. Here are ways the benefits and uses of wood ash are helping you live a better life. and just think you wanted to throw it away.

Outside

Ash contains phosphorus, potassium, calcium, boron and other elements that growing plants need to be healthy and strong. Ash is very alkaline and increases the pH in garden soil; This provides a great place for seeds to grow.

A pH is the natural level of acidity that is present in all liquids. Solutions with a pH less than 7 are acidic and solutions with a pH greater than 7 are alkaline; An example of this is water with a pH of 7, which is completely neutral.

For your lawn

A light spray of water on the lawn will encourage grass growth.

Ash “Tea” boosts potassium in your plants and helps them bloom. Place about 5 pounds of ashes in a permeable mesh bag or cloth and steep with water. After 4 days, pour some of this “tea” into a watering can and water your plants once a week as soon as they start flowering; Tomatoes especially love this.

For your trees

Spread It Around the Base of Trees – Hardwood trees like apple appreciate the nitrogen that ash produces as it helps nourish the roots and fruit; Just a little pinch here and there is great.

For repellents

Insects and animals hate ash, so it’s a fantastic and cheap natural pesticide. To keep pests out of your home, you can also mix equal parts ash and water in a glass jar and leave for a week, then spray on your firewood.

For icy weather

Ash contains salt, so melting smooth ice is no problem! Sprinkle ash on icy spots and it should be melted within the day without leaving salt stains on your car or clothes.

indoors

Here are some household uses to clean and maintain your home using only white ash. These are simple and effective ways to save a bit of money on expensive cleaning products. Please be careful when trying these uses for wood ash. When using on or near fabrics, remember to test a small concealed area first before attempting, just in case.

As a polishing or scouring agent

Dry ash removes dirt and grime from many surfaces such as glass, stainless steel and even frying pans. Clean your oven glass by dipping a piece of newspaper in water and then in ash and gently scrubbing the glass.

For stain removal

White ash combined with water to form a paste can remove water stains and stains from furniture. Gently buff the surface and then wipe with a soft cloth.

Washing clothes and removing chemicals from cotton, bamboo and hemp fabrics is easy by using ash in the wash cycle.

Tip: Coat fresh stains with dry white ash and wait 5 minutes, then rub with a soft piece of bread (the middle piece) to remove the stain. Bread is a natural absorber of oil and moisture, so no wonder this works!

odor removal

Just like baking soda, ash is a great odor eliminator. Fill a small bowl with ashes and place in the refrigerator. Change it every few days until the bad smell is gone. Sprinkle in litter boxes to neutralize the smell there too!

Hundreds of years ago, wood ash was used as a method to protect and preserve cheese from surface damage or consumption by wildlife. This trick has been a tradition for many centuries and is the key to improving the age of cheese. Today, most fresh goat’s cheese is covered with powdered activated charcoal mixed with salt for preservation. Some cheeses from France, like Morbier, have vegetable ash in the center. This gives a distinct flavor and helps preserve the cheese for a long time.

How often should you burn incense sticks? by Be Media Agency

A scent can trigger many reactions; Based on this idea, aromatherapy has several benefits ranging from relaxation to stimulating creativity. Incense is a great medium to practice spirituality.

Unfortunately, not all incense sticks are ethical. In some cases, the incense consists of nefarious ingredients that can cause negative effects. And if you’re an aromatherapy fanatic like me, you know how important incense sticks are and how difficult life can be without them.

So in this blog I have covered everything you need to know about incense, from how often you should burn incense sticks to the number of incense sticks you should burn for good luck.

How often should you burn incense sticks?

When I started my spiritual journey I was very nervous about using incense sticks, but now I can’t imagine my life without them.

I remember googling “how long to burn incense sticks for?” because I was really at a loss as to what kind of incense to use and how long to let it burn.

Incense sticks usually last up to an hour, depending on the length. And their scent can last up to 20 hours depending on room size and airflow.

When it comes to the question of how long you should smoke – you can let an incense stick or an incense candle burn completely (this takes about half an hour). And yes, if you feel stuffy, you can stop burning the incense sticks or incense cones right away. We do indeed reap the benefits of aromatherapy from incense, but not when we’re uncomfortable with it.

Finally, to know how often you should burn incense sticks – It’s perfectly fine to burn incense sticks every day or burn them on alternate days and it really depends on your comfort and time.

For example, I meditate daily and my lavender-scented incense helps me focus; so I burn it every day.

It is important to understand how to properly burn incense sticks.

How to properly burn incense sticks

Often people do not know how to use incense properly. Several factors should be considered before beginning your smoking journey. Here is a complete list of things to consider before burning incense sticks:

Can you burn incense sticks in an enclosed space?

Frankincense undoubtedly has a beneficial effect on your well-being, but it’s still smoke. Certain particles and vapors can be harmful in excess or over time. Typically, chemically derived incense can become a problem when lit in an enclosed, unventilated space.

Aromatherapy beginners often ask us – how many incense sticks should we burn per day? It is recommended to use two or three incense sticks or incense cones daily if you have a well ventilated home. Anything beyond that can create a lot of smoke and make you uncomfortable.

If you are burning incense in an enclosed space and have pets or children at home, make sure the incense stick is far from their reach.

You can safely burn incense in an enclosed space by keeping these two considerations in mind:

A. The size of your room

If your space is small, you’ll have fewer sticks to burn than someone with a larger space. If you only burn incense in your room, two sticks or incense cones per day is fine.

In general, if you have a larger space like a house, two or three sticks should be enough to feel the essence of incense in the room. However, if you own a space the size of a yoga studio, you’ll need to burn four or five chopsticks for the same effect.

B. The intensity of the scent

Another factor is the emphasis on the scent. Burning incense every day requires you to consider which scent you are going to use. While a combination of scents might sound like a good idea, the reality might be different.

If you burn incense sticks every day, it’s best to use the same fragrance family for a week, then let the air clear for a day or two before switching. Using this method reduces the chance of mixing two incompatible smells.

If you prefer a faint reminder of the aroma of incense, burn one stick a day if you live in a smaller space, and opt for two sticks if you live in a larger space.

Burn incense at home

As we established above, when burning incense at home, you need to consider your space, the importance of the smell, and other family members.

When burning incense at home, be sure to use an incense holder and ensure the stick is not in direct contact with the airflow, a fan, or an air conditioner. This makes waterfall backflow incense burners the most effective and safest means of using incense.

There is a minimal amount of smoke as the fragrance is released slowly. Its design combines pleasing aesthetics with the benefits of aromatherapy creating a tranquil environment.

When using a backflow incense burner, you can see the smoke from the incense fall down the burner instead of rising and spreading into the air. These are incredibly easy to use:

Gently hold the tip of the incense stick with tweezers while you light it

Place it on the burner, cone up.

After 15-30 seconds you will notice smoke coming out of the ground like a waterfall.

Now let the waterfall incense work its magic while you relax.

Incense sticks outside your home

Yes, there are benefits to burning incense sticks outside the home. But there are a few factors to look out for when burning incense sticks outside the home and these are:

Always think of other people

Think of other people in a park or on the beach as you smoke. If you are not exposed to the smoke, others may be and it may affect them adversely. Don’t use overpowering scents and keep your distance from other people.

fire hazards

Anything you burn poses a fire risk. While the chance of ash or embers falling off the incense and igniting something is close to 0%, always have water on hand to extinguish anything that continues to burn after falling is. For your safety and the environment, burn incense on an altar that catches the ashes.

How many incense sticks to burn for good luck?

According to many Asian cultures and feng shui principles, it is better to light an odd number of incense sticks for good luck.

It’s better to stick with an incense stick if you’re going to burn them in an enclosed space or a small space. If you use incense sticks in your studio, you can use three or five depending on space and ventilation.

Read: How Many Incense Sticks or Cones Should You Burn at One Time

So what are you waiting for? Start your incense journey now!

So now you need to know how often you should burn incense cones and stick at home to reap the benefits of aromatherapy. Take a look at our backflow waterfall incense burner to safely enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy.

Don’t forget to explore our other blogs

aromatherapy

to become a pro in your circles.

Incense sticks have been used for many years for therapeutic, religious, and home perfuming and home improvement purposes. Each incense stick is basically a combustible wood, e.g. B. sandalwood, etc., putty rolled around a bamboo stick. The wood putty consists of finely powdered wood that is carefully mixed with bark, herbs, flowers and other botanicals and a fragrance. It can also be shaped into cones or columns. These little good luck charms have brought us both so much joy and enjoyment during lockdown lately, at a time when our living space and its balance, atmosphere and scent have become so important.

Now… stop squeezing… not all incense sticks are created equal. Some use synthetic ingredients, fragrances, chemical fire accelerants and enhancers. They are also manufactured all over the world, but it is generally accepted that India and Japan are in many ways leaders in this field. We chose the Indian company Satya.

Why did we choose Satya? Well, it comes down to the ingredients they use, how they’re made, and their reputation from an environmental and ethical perspective. We are a vegan owned business and the aforementioned qualities are very important to us and Satya ticked every box. Let me show you a green certificate issued to Satya after careful, unbiased inspection.

As you can see, the manufacturer is very open to a review of its ethical credentials. In addition to the information on the certificate, the company has confirmed to us that the end product comes in recycled cardboard, they operate a zero child labor policy, all elements of the end product are biodegradable and zero waste, all ingredients are fair trade and their employees Those who hand roll the products are paid fairly and work in a clean and safe space.

For this reason, Satya is our chosen partner for incense. The ingredients are natural and largely non-toxic. All the classic nasties, as you can see from the certificate, are absent after ignition. We recommend that the light puff of smoke can cause irritation if you have asthma or other breathing conditions, but the emissions are super light compared to cigarette smoke etc. Also, it won’t set off your smoke alarm (unless you wave the incense). directly below).

As I said earlier, not all incense sticks are created equal, but rest assured that our Satya incense sticks are as good as they can get. They also outperform other products in terms of burn time, with some burning for an hour or more. In addition, the “dwell time” is significant in some cases, with moderate dwelling for 4+ hours and mild dwelling all day.

You can buy Satya incense from us knowing it is genuine Satya as we buy direct from their UK distribution network who import it straight from their manufacturing facility in Bangalore, India. Like anything popular and of high quality, they get “cheated,” but Satya sure takes that as a compliment.

If you would like to find out more about our Satya range and the characteristics of each fragrance, please visit our products page https://www.manmane.co/collections/incense/products/satya-incense-sticks

Plus, you can save even more money and find your favorites by purchasing from our bundles. All packages are here https://www.manmane.co/collections/incense

I’ve intentionally kept this blog as simple and hopefully not boring as possible, but if you have any questions please email me personally at [email protected]

Have a nice day and Namaste

Mike & Kirsty.

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