Incense sticks are used in many areas. For example during meditation, yoga or simply as a room fragrance at home. What exactly do incense sticks do, which are the best and where can you buy the incense? Here you will find helpful tips for using incense sticks.
What are incense sticks?
Incense sticks are incense sticks that contain fragrances and spices. These unfold during combustion and give the environment a pleasant smell. Incense sticks are not just incense sticks. Depending on the country of origin, they can differ in the way they are made.
- Japanese incense sticks Contrary to expectations, they do not contain a wooden stick. Instead, water, fragrances and wood powder are pressed into sticks and then dried. Also the Tibetan incense sticks are made in this way. However, they have a larger diameter than Japanese incense sticks.
- In the manufacture of Indian and Vietnamese incense sticks the active ingredients are pressed onto wooden or bamboo sticks. The scent of the incense when burning is accompanied by a smoky note.
Origin of incense sticks
Basically, the history of incense sticks begins with the discovery of fire. While this was considered a gift from the gods at the time, prayer rituals were established with the incense of dry herbs, bark or resin. First and foremost, negative vibrations and spirits should be driven out – this meaning remains to this day. But many more have joined. Incense sticks are particularly important in Asia and in religions such as Buddhism and Hinduism. There they are integral part of religious ceremonies. In this country they are more popular private households to use or be in naturopathic shops, yoga centers and esoteric shops used.
What are the effects of incense sticks?
When it comes to incense sticks, opinions differ. While many swear by the effects of the sticks, there are those who believe incense and its effects are imaginary. So what can the incense really do? And which scent is suitable for what?
- The smoke should be one cleansing effect have and Free spaces from negative energies. So far, however, there is no scientific evidence for these effects.
- Selected fragrances promote the concentrationgive a gift clarity and inner peace. For this reason, they are often used for meditation or prayer. Fragrances such as sandalwood or frankincense.
- Incense sticks are said to be good against mosquitoes and flies help.
- They have a wellness or feel-good function and are therefore often used as aromatherapy used to calm the body, mind and spirit.
- incense sticks with Opium, Rose and Cinnamon are often also called aphrodisiac and are said to have a stimulating, warming and aphrodisiac effect on us.
Application of incense sticks
The use of incense sticks sounds simple, but requires some knowledge so that the incense can unfold its full effect. But nothing should go wrong with our step-by-step instructions. For the best scent experience you need the following utensils:
How do you light an incense stick?
- Place the incense stick holder on a fireproof surface.
- Now light the incense stick at the tip. As soon as it burns, fan it out with your hand until the incense stick is just glowing and starting to smoke.
- Now the scent should unfold.
- Then place the incense stick in the incense stick holder until it burns out. Alternatively, a bowl filled with sand is also suitable.
How do you put out incense sticks?
There are two options here. On the one hand you can let the incense stick burn out and on the other hand the embers can be easily extinguished with water. Important: After using the incense sticks, ventilate thoroughly!
Can you use incense sticks despite smoke detectors?
Smoke detectors are now standard equipment in apartments and houses. That’s why you don’t have to do without incense sticks. There are several options so you don’t trigger an alarm. You can switch off the smoke detector or remove the battery during the smoking process – but be sure to switch it on again afterwards! Alternatively, you can also put a disposable glove over the fire detector – and then quickly free the smoke detector again!
Which incense sticks are the best?
As is so often the case, buying incense sticks is an individual decision. The importance of the different criteria differs from person to person. What do you want to achieve with smoking? There are a few factors to keep in mind that will help you find the best incense sticks for your needs. When buying the incense sticks, the following criteria are important:
- place of manufacture
- manufacturing method
- Ingredients/Fragrance
- burn time
- ease of use
- purpose of use
We’ve scrutinized countless incense sticks based on the criteria above. Here are the five favorites.
1. Goloka
Goloka is one of the most common incense stick manufacturers. The company is based in Bangalore, India, and uses all proceeds from the products sold for charitable purposes – for example a meal project for children living in poverty or scholarships for underprivileged students: inside. In addition, at Manufacturing done by hand, without exception based on natural ingredients. the Production takes place without animal testing and is complete vegan. By the way, Goloka is known for the popular golden ones Nag Champa incense sticks. According to the manufacturer, they are intended to support meditation, but are also excellent as a room fragrance. An incense stick has a burning time of approx 45 minutes – ideal for a meditation or yoga session.
2. Nepali Gardens
Both Incense sticks from Nepali Gardens are also fair products. They are made in Nepal and do not require any synthetic additives. On the contrary, only organic and Demeter certified ingredients are used. More precisely: for the mixtures Raw materials from controlled wild collection by the Chepang used. These are forest nomads who are forced to settle down, who live in great poverty and who can improve their living conditions and preserve their dignity through the marketing of Nepali Gardens incense sticks. Overall, the incense sticks are in eight different fragrances available and can be used for a variety of purposes. According to the manufacturer, the average burn time is about 40 minutes.
3. Shoyeido
the Incense sticks by Shoyeido included exclusively natural ingredients and are mostly organic. The company is based in Japan and is one of the oldest traditional smoked goods manufacturers there. Especially if you use incense sticks without a wooden holder, the sticks are made for you. Due to the Japanese manufacturing method, the Shoyeido incense sticks convince with one pure fragrance without smoke aromas. In addition, they will vegan and produced without animal testing. Only the burning time of a stick is approx 30 minutes quite short.
4. Farfalla
Farfalla is actually a natural cosmetics manufacturer from Switzerland. In the meantime, however, the company also has incense sticks up your sleeve. The chopsticks have their origin in Tibet and consist without exception of natural ingredients and are not tested on animals. In addition, they are in recycled paper packaged and thus protect the environment.
5.HEM
the Incense sticks from HEM are a true bestseller on Amazon. Not only are they available in many scents, they are becoming made by hand. Overall you can choose between 22 varieties choose, which cover different areas such as meditation, aromatherapy or room scenting. The sticks from HEM are particularly suitable for beginners, as the burning time is only approx 20 minutes lies – ideal for touching! These are a bestseller Lavender Incense Sticks. They not only offer a beautiful fragrance experience, but also promote relaxation.
How often should I use an incense stick?
In theory, you can use incense sticks as often as you want. But that is not necessarily advisable. Because that inhaling the smoke from incense sticks – similar to passive smoking – carcinogenic and thus harmful.You should therefore avoid regular and excessive use.
Are incense sticks harmful to health?
Incense sticks are primarily used to increase well-being. They can help deepen meditation, promote better sleep, and provide many other benefits for the mind and body. Hardly anyone would come up with the idea that incense sticks are also harmful to health. So – should we be careful now, shouldn’t we? In fact, there are a few risks you should be prepared for.
- Avoid buying cheap products, as they usually contain synthetic additives that are not only harmful to the environment, but also dangerous to your health. Therefore, rely on incense sticks with natural ingredients.
- According to various studies, incense sticks cause huge amounts of particulate matter released into the air. They can enter the lungs and that’s why Lung Cancer Risk raise. Heart disease, asthma and nerve damage have also been linked to incense.
Who are incense sticks suitable for?
Incense sticks should be used exclusively used by adults. Since fire is used here, the sticks could pose a danger to children. In addition, children and dogs are sensitive to strong scents – so avoid using incense sticks in their presence.
Incense sticks: are there alternatives?
Concerned about using incense sticks but don’t want to miss out on the healing benefits? Aromatherapy with essential oils is a good alternative to the sticks. There are a lot of cheap ones now aroma diffuserwhich fill the room with the wonderful scent of essential oils – in a completely healthy way.
Here you can read how you can fumigate your apartment and what effects healing stones have.
Sources used: US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health, raeucher.info