IS BURNING INCENSE HARMFUL?
by Victoria Chasmar
www.charmedincompany.com
One of the most effective ways of accessing our emotions and stimulating our memories is through the use of scent. An easy and relatively inexpensive way of creating, clearing, and enhancing moods is to burn incense. It has been used by all different cultures for a variety of purposes ranging from religious ceremonies to relieving depression and from enhancing feelings to clearing negativity.
There are different forms of incense, such as cones, sticks, rope, pressed scent, resins, in fact many natural materials from Mother Nature can be burned as an incense or added to one. Which leads to the question of “Is burning incense Harmful?” Actually, the answer is yes, if you are burning the wrong type. There are many different types of incense and the quality of the incense varies depending on where it originated and what ingredients are used in making it. A lot of your cheaper incense is made with bamboo and unprocessed sticks and blanks. These blanks are usually dipped in perfumes and dried and packaged. When burned these blank based incense sticks can release harmful chemicals. This can create side effects such as headaches or irritability. These are some of the main reasons incense can have a bad reputation. Quality incense is either made on processed bamboo or is on charcoal blanks that are rolled with a blend of essential oils and/or natural ingredients such as woods, herbs, spices, and resins. Some types of incense are made entirely of pressed scent (some Japanese incense is made this way). It is not uncommon for Indian incense to have a large quantity of ingredients; usually well over 30 different scents are blended. This creates lingering aromatic scents with subtle after tones. If you have given up on burning incense due to negative effects such as headaches, you may wish to give Charmed in Company's incense a try. We only carry quality incense, proudly made by hand in the U.S.A. It is made to deliver the energetic notes you desire without negative side effects.
An alternative to stick or cone incense burning is smudging. Smudging is done by burning any combination of resins (frankincense, myrrh, copal, dragons blood, etc), herbs, spices, woods, and roots on hot, incense burning charcoal. This way of burning creates more smoke than sticks or cones, but has advantage of giving its creator the opportunity to customize a scent or blend for whatever effect is desired. Most people have seen smudging done. The most common places for using this type of incense burning is in Orthodox or Catholic churches where censors (incense burners) on chains are gently rocked/swung releasing the scents of frankincense and/or myrrh during service. Smudging with resins tends to create a less of an after burn scent and is sometimes found preferable to burning cones or sticks.
Another common place to see smudging done is at Native American ceremonial. Often called smudge sticks, banded herbs such as sage, sweetgrass, and cedar are tied and lit. The resulting wand of incense is then carried and used to clear the area of negativity and lift prayers. This method is also used to clear negative spirits within the home. Please note that Sage smudging is not recommended for anyone who is epileptic or has brain chemistry issues, pregnancy (it is a uterine stimulant) and high blood pressure. If you have any of these conditions burning /smudging with white sage can be harmful to you. You can clear using other methods such as a clearing mist or charcoal resin smudging.
Now that you are aware of ways that incense can be harmful, you may safely enjoy the power of scent in what ever form you find best suits your needs.
This article may not be stored on any device or printed without written approval by author. Inquiries should be sent to shoppe@charmedincompany.com
www.charmedincompany.com
One of the most effective ways of accessing our emotions and stimulating our memories is through the use of scent. An easy and relatively inexpensive way of creating, clearing, and enhancing moods is to burn incense. It has been used by all different cultures for a variety of purposes ranging from religious ceremonies to relieving depression and from enhancing feelings to clearing negativity.
There are different forms of incense, such as cones, sticks, rope, pressed scent, resins, in fact many natural materials from Mother Nature can be burned as an incense or added to one. Which leads to the question of “Is burning incense Harmful?” Actually, the answer is yes, if you are burning the wrong type. There are many different types of incense and the quality of the incense varies depending on where it originated and what ingredients are used in making it. A lot of your cheaper incense is made with bamboo and unprocessed sticks and blanks. These blanks are usually dipped in perfumes and dried and packaged. When burned these blank based incense sticks can release harmful chemicals. This can create side effects such as headaches or irritability. These are some of the main reasons incense can have a bad reputation. Quality incense is either made on processed bamboo or is on charcoal blanks that are rolled with a blend of essential oils and/or natural ingredients such as woods, herbs, spices, and resins. Some types of incense are made entirely of pressed scent (some Japanese incense is made this way). It is not uncommon for Indian incense to have a large quantity of ingredients; usually well over 30 different scents are blended. This creates lingering aromatic scents with subtle after tones. If you have given up on burning incense due to negative effects such as headaches, you may wish to give Charmed in Company's incense a try. We only carry quality incense, proudly made by hand in the U.S.A. It is made to deliver the energetic notes you desire without negative side effects.
An alternative to stick or cone incense burning is smudging. Smudging is done by burning any combination of resins (frankincense, myrrh, copal, dragons blood, etc), herbs, spices, woods, and roots on hot, incense burning charcoal. This way of burning creates more smoke than sticks or cones, but has advantage of giving its creator the opportunity to customize a scent or blend for whatever effect is desired. Most people have seen smudging done. The most common places for using this type of incense burning is in Orthodox or Catholic churches where censors (incense burners) on chains are gently rocked/swung releasing the scents of frankincense and/or myrrh during service. Smudging with resins tends to create a less of an after burn scent and is sometimes found preferable to burning cones or sticks.
Another common place to see smudging done is at Native American ceremonial. Often called smudge sticks, banded herbs such as sage, sweetgrass, and cedar are tied and lit. The resulting wand of incense is then carried and used to clear the area of negativity and lift prayers. This method is also used to clear negative spirits within the home. Please note that Sage smudging is not recommended for anyone who is epileptic or has brain chemistry issues, pregnancy (it is a uterine stimulant) and high blood pressure. If you have any of these conditions burning /smudging with white sage can be harmful to you. You can clear using other methods such as a clearing mist or charcoal resin smudging.
Now that you are aware of ways that incense can be harmful, you may safely enjoy the power of scent in what ever form you find best suits your needs.
This article may not be stored on any device or printed without written approval by author. Inquiries should be sent to shoppe@charmedincompany.com