The benefits of incense
Alexandra Leon
Incense has been used for centuries throughout the world. It first appears in Valley of the Nile on the temple walls of Deir el-Bahari, where inscriptions show pictures of incense clouds. In China and Japan, records show incense being used in rituals to worship ancestors and the deities of their land.
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Although its main use was religious, incense was also used as for aesthetic purpose in the home but also for its medicinal and therapeutic benefits.
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Types
Egyptians used the resin of the Boswellia sacra tree to create a sweet-smelling frankincense. By combining the scent with either a vegetable oil or animal fat, incense was created in two forms. Rods, spirals and cones burn on their own after being placed in a container and lit. Pastes or powders must be placed on top of fire, coal or ash where they burn steadily and slowly with the fire.
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Benefits
In addition to adding an aromatic benefit, incense can also be used as a tool against disease. The benefit offered by incense truly depends on the fragrances used but general benefits include:
- Relieves headache symptoms
- Stimulates concentration
- Reduces stress
- Increases virility
- Lowers blood pressure
- Helps with depression
- Strengthens memory
- Helps with breathing
- Increases self-esteem
- Helps allergies.
- Stabilizes moods.
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TIP:Ā When buying incense, choose a brand made from natural and organic sources. These types of incense last much longer and have better scents.
