What is incense for? Much more than perfume!

Although each religion has its own dogmas and rituals, there is one item that manages to unite different beliefs and peoples: incense. Adepts of the most different beliefs like to use it. But what is incense for?

Most people think that incense is used to purify rooms or just to flavor them. This concept, while not false, is too simplistic.

The smoking of spaces and people by aromatic plants is an ancient knowledge. The spiritual properties of herbs have been known for a long time and have been spreading over the years, just like any science.

What is incense used for in Egypt?

In ancient Egypt, for example, incense was used in burials to ward off evil spirits and to make the environment more pleasant in a time of pain. In addition, the Egyptians also used incense to help sleep or relieve anxiety.

guessing the future

Some ancient peoples also believed that incense had supernatural powers. Babylonian seers used cedar wood incense to ask questions of the dead.

If the incense smoke wafted to the right, then the answer to the questions was yes. If it floated to the left, it was no. This knowledge, unfortunately, has been lost over the years.

The Greeks and Romans used incense to ask favors from the gods. They believed that incense was a kind of offering that calmed the wrath of the deities.

What is incense for today?

Today incense is used by both religious and people of no faith. The most common use is related to attempts to change people’s state of mind.
Some indigenous people light incense sticks indoors to ward off evil spirits and diseases. And whoever thinks that this is just a hoax, is sorely mistaken. Science recognizes that smoke from herbs like thyme and lemongrass has antiseptic properties.

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Incense is also used by housewives to maintain the harmony of the environment, peace between siblings or even as an aphrodisiac. The explanation for each of the phenomena also has scientific foundations.

When lighting an incense, the plant molecules are released into the air and are inspired by the human respiratory system. Once in our body, its chemical properties act on our brain. The result can be either a feeling of relaxation or a state of excitement, depending on the plant used.

What is incense for in modern religions?

Christian and African religions still use incense in their rituals. In Catholicism this substance is used as a symbol of devotion, of prayers ascending to heaven, or of the presence of the Holy Spirit spreading through an environment.

In Candomblé and Umbanda, incense has spiritual value. Several nations consider that incense purifies the body of the people present in the terreiro.

Types of incense sticks suitable for daily needs
There is a type of incense indicated for each emotional or spiritual situation. Check out a list of aromatic herbs used in incense and their indications:

Rosemary: fights depression;
Lavender: natural tranquilizer;
Algae: fights anxiety;
Vanilla: decreases impulsivity;
Cherry: indicated to spice up relationships;
Litter: increases disposition.

now that you already know what is incense for, how about using it to improve your day-to-day? Tell us in the comments what your favorite scents are.