12 Reasons to use Incense

Why Incense and Meditation are important to optimal health

Burning incense is a peaceful act, recalls loving memories in abundance, and compliments my yoga practice, meditation practice, and relaxing at home perfectly. It is worth wondering why incense has regularly been used for centuries across various religions and faiths be it Catholic, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu or most others?

So how do you pick the perfect incense for yourself? Consider what use you have for incense, find non-toxic, all natural, hand rolled sticks, and an aroma (or six!) that resonates with you, and you’re ready explore one of these 12 fun ways to use incense!

1. To practice yoga. 

You don’t want to be breathing toxic fumes, artificial fragrances, and yucky junk when practicing yoga.

2. To meditate. 

Tantalize your sense of smell as you sink into bliss.

3. To unwind. 

Ultimately life is about feeling good, connecting with oneself, and finding a sacred moment in this busy world to simply be.
Curled up with a mug of tea and a book.

4. To encourage emotional release. 

Scents can be geared specifically towards encouraging emotional reactions. Some foster tranquility, calming our nervous system; others promote a sense of joy and energy. Some incense fragrances even heighten sensuality and physical arousal.

5. To deepen spirituality. 

Incense is like a portal for me to deepen my attention spiritually. Historically, incense has been used to uplift the spirit, heighten the senses, and bring peace and harmony to the mind.

6. To get inspired. 

We all have aromas that resonate with us on some powerful level. For me, it’s vanilla. Over the years I’ve found raspberry, sandalwood, lavender and jasmine to elicit powerful emotions. Certain aromas inspire my poetry writing while others inspire my fiction, and others inspire my yoga practice.

7. To revamp your routine. 

Just like you might routinely come home and throw on the TV to zone out, consider lighting a stick of incense as part of your evening routine.

8. To heighten awareness. 

Connecting with one’s sense of smell through the use of incense is a profound way to heighten awareness

9. To nurturing a sense of self. 

You have a drink, a favorite food, a signature hobby, why not have a signature incense?

10. To heal. 

Journaling is a very therapeutic practice for me and, accompanied by incense, proves immensely healing.

11. To soothe. 

I really love taking a hot bubble bath with some incense on the windowsill of my shower.

12. To get it on. 

Yep, you heard me. Give the candles a break tonight and light up some incense to get in the mood instead.

Just as your personal belongings, the incense to be used during meditation should be of a special type to be used only during meditation.

Tibetan incense is widely used for meditation, relaxation, and cleansing one’s environment.  It delivers an aroma which can help to soothe and calm a restless mind. Our Tibetan incense is made up of pure herbs, spices, flowers, and minerals. There are no glues, dyes or bamboo sticks that would be harmful to inhale.  We carry over 100 unique blends of Tibetan incense, all traditionally prepared by hand, according to centuries old recipes from the monastic traditions in the Himalayas.

Sandalwood (Santalum Album) is number one according to most Buddhists. The aroma of sandalwood is warm, rich, sweet, and woody. Sandalwood has been in use as incense for over four thousand years. India was once the main source of sandalwood, but it’s also found on islands in the Pacific. This wood was once so treasured that its trade rivaled whaling for bloodshed and loss of life. Sandalwood is in short supply these days. Some forests have been depleted and since the greatest oil is found in the tree’s heartwood, it takes time for new trees to mature—sixty to eighty years. In India, the trees are protected by the government and in 1792 the tree was designated a royal tree. No individual may own one—even if the tree is on private land it still belongs to the government. However, poaching is still a problem.

Sandalwood powder and chips are most commonly used as incense, although the wood is often used in carvings, and for beads, and the oil is used as well. The scent of sandalwood promotes relaxation, openness, and grounding. Its special calming effect has been used to treat anxiety and depression, and it acts as a mild sedative.

It can aid with opening the Third Eye and is considered by some to have qualities of an aphrodisiac. It’s also a disinfectant. Sandalwood is one of the classic aromas that have been burned in monasteries and temples for centuries.