Benefits of Incense - By: Sher Bahadur Thapa

Primarily, Incense is composed of aromatic biotic materials, that release odorous smoke when burned. This term Incense symbolize to the substance itself, rather than to the aroma that it brings forth. It is used for various purposes, be it to cherish mood or for religious purposes, incense has been prized by humans since antediluvian times. These customary aromatic sticks were used in almost every religion or culture for a conglomerate array of applications, right from pleasing their Gods, Deities and Dead ancestors to uplift and cleanse their mood and spirit during a social gathering. Apart from the lingering aroma that invigorates the spirit and provide complete harmony to the senses, incense possess certain priceless benefits too. A few beneficial properties of incense sticks are mentioned below.

In ancient Egypt, the ash of Frankincense, a prized raw material used to make incense, was used as kohl to treat eye infections and as a beauty enhancer. It was prescribed widely to treat hemlock poisoning, tumors, ulcers, vomiting, dysentery and fever. Various ancient scriptures also document that it was used by the Chinese to treat leprosy. With the two classifications of resins, the female frankincense is much more valuable than its counterpart and was also used as a primary ingredient for anointing. In contemporary times, it is used as an anti-inflammatory, best for inflammatory problems caused by arthritis pains by improving blood supply.

Several years ago, people started using burning incense and warming fragrant oils. Almost all major religions are using incense in their sacred ceremonies or rituals and many still do. When people use it in rituals, the smoking incense is placed in an incenser that is attached to a chain and after that the user swings it upwards and outwards to spread the perfumed smoke of the incense wherever intended. Pagans also utilized incense in their rituals prior to the major religions. Still today, the Catholic, Greek Orthodox Jewish and Hindu religions prominently use incense on regular basis in some of their rituals. It was believed (and still is) that prayer is made more impelling when incense is burned while conducting prayer.

Modern biologists state that the fragrance of these essential oils stimulate the olfactory nerves to produce various physical, emotional and psychological effects independent of the thinking process. According to them, as we smell our mind subconsciously creates responses, based on various parameters, which are sent to the olfactory epithelium via the nerves. This data is then transmitted to the conscious part of the brain and cause an instant and overwhelming reaction, either pleasant or unpleasant, in a way that no other sensation can. Materializing this, the healing art of aromatherapy uses various essential incense oils for a wide range of physical, mental and emotional conditions including:

Relaxation
Stress and anxiety relief
Pain and discomfort relief
Insomnia and restlessness
Infections and wound healing
Burns
Enhanced self image
Stimulating immune function
Treatment for constipation
Severe bacterial infections
Depression
Hypertension
Arrhythmias, etc.

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This article is about incense sticks, it's uses, history and benefits. Visit following links for more information. Incense Sticks Use of Incense Sticks

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