Incense: properties, types and what to use it for

Incense is obtained from gum resins, which are extracted by making an incision in the bark of the trunk, usually from the African and Asian tree of the genus Boswellia. They are white and coagulate on contact with air transforming into yellowish, brittle grains, which when burned, they emanate a penetrating and very relaxing aroma.

Projecting the aromatic smoke towards the firmament has been one of the most repeated rituals in the history of humanity. Which has benefits? How to choose the incense?

Frankincense medicinal properties

Frankincense is used in aromatherapy as a purifying, restorative, stimulating and balsamic tonic.

It is indicated in nervous disorders, nervous irritation, palpitations and, as has been pointed out, for Promote meditation and concentration.

But its most notable therapeutic use is as an expectorant in respiratory conditions, such as mild asthmatic attacks, colds, flu processes, spring allergies, laryngitis and bronchitis.

Frankincense essential oil is also indicated to eliminate skin blemishes, combat dryness and wrinkles, on canker sores and mouth sores, and by his power anti-inflammatory in arthritic pain, bursitis and neuralgia.

Its use internally should be monitored by a specialist doctor, although due to its potential toxicity not recommended.

Frankincense is applied in a standardized extractor, with a content of between 40 and 65% boswellic acidin inhalations for respiratory conditions and poultices for dermatological problems.

Types of incense and presentations

Incense, when burned directly, is lit in a receptacle or censer; then it turns off the flame so that it continues to smoke and is consuming. It is marketed under different presentations:

wands: are the most common. They are usually thin bamboo sticks covered with pressed incense. They are widely used in religious rituals in India and China.swabs: they are formed with the incense paste, without rod. They are very fragile and very common in Japan.cones: it is the resin in pressed powders, sometimes mixed with essences and medicinal plants. It burns fast and is very aromatic.Spiral: incense can burn for hours without being extinguished.Powder: sometimes combined with aromatic substances.tears or drops: are poured into a censer with water.pure resin: the incense is deposited on a bed of coal embers or a burning metal plate.aromatic woods: model used in Japan for the traditional Koh ceremony.

Today they meet incense of many different kindsand often it is about mixed and complex formulations of resins and essential oils that do not always deserve to be considered as authentic incense.

Varieties of incense and what to use them for

the authentic incenseaccording to experts, is the one obtained from some African and Asian trees of the genus Boswellia. one is the boswellio corterialso known as frankincenseoriginating from eastern Africa and southern Arabiaand another no less appreciated is the Boswellio serratus either solai guggolcommon in the India.

It is a medium-sized, deciduous tree, with compound leaves, and white or pink flowers. It grows naturally in ravines and gorges.

Along with frankincense, others widely used incense, essences or resins are:

Myrrh: aromatic resin. therapeutic uses: toothache, oral infections, respiratory conditions, asthma, arthritic pain.magical uses: ward off evil spirits and negative energies; in witchcraft, to undo spells.Copaiba: balsam of Brazil, resin and essential oil. therapeutic uses: venereal diseases, bronchitis, urinary inflammations, dermatitis, mycosis.magical uses: shamanism.juniper and every: the essential oil obtained by distillation of the galbulas. therapeutic uses: skin problems, toothache, osteoarticular inflammation, neuralgia, muscle contractures, edema.magical uses: as a purifier and purifier.Cedar: the essential oil obtained from the log. Therapeutic uses: respiratory conditions, urinary infections, skin problems. Magical uses: to stimulate meditation and spirituality.Benzoin: gummy resin. therapeutic uses: nervous tension, stress, respiratory conditions and skin problems.magical uses: to strengthen mental faculties and clairvoyance.Copal: gum resin obtained from the trunk by incision. Therapeutic uses: headaches, respiratory conditions.magical uses: in healing rituals with shamans.Laurel: the essential oil obtained from the leaves. Therapeutic uses: indigestion, bad taste in the mouth, gas, respiratory conditions, stomatitis, joint inflammation, neuralgia.magical uses: to enhance creative abilities, purify and purify.Sandalwood: essential oil obtained by distillation of log. Therapeutic uses: urinary and respiratory conditions, poor blood circulation problems, high blood pressure, skin wounds, dental pain and thrush.magical uses: to enhance spirituality and as protection against the evil eye.

There is even more: pine resin, amber, sage, galbanum, gum arabic, jasmine, mastic, cinnamon, balsam of Peru, elemi, rosin, camphor, lotus, cocoa, cinnamon, etc.

Origin of the use of incense

Aware of death and in need of transcendence the human being has felt already since the dawn of civilization the urgency to communicate with the supernatural and to delve into himself.

As the gods must reside in the heights, man directed his supplications towards them with all kinds of ceremonies, which included animal or vegetable offerings to the heat of the flames or the light of the candles.

Samples of such practice are known in symbolic representations found on tablets from ancient Babylon, dating back to 1,700 years before Christ.

In ancient Egypt, some 1,300 years before the Christian era, it was customary to burn myrrh and other resins. as an offering to the gods in a highly ritualized ceremony known as kyphiwhich took place at sunset.

the incense It appears in Greek and Roman mythology. In the Bible there are very different passages that record the use of incense, as in the case of the offering that the Magi from the East they make the Child Jesus, consisting, as is known, of gold, frankincense and myrrh.

And the same can be said of the Ayurveda texts from classical Indiawhere the use of incense was widespread.

Even today its use remains as a firm tradition in many parts of the globe, from China, where it burns to drive away “evil spirits” and purify the atmosphere and soulto Tibet, Thailand, Japan or Mexico.

In the Middle Ages in the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela the use of incense it allowed neutralizing the bad odors given off by the crowds of pilgrims, but it was also a essential component of the liturgyas it still is in the monasteries of the orthodox christianity.

The burning of incense remains one of the pillars of spiritual practicein order to promote the right atmosphere for meditation or prayer.