Sandalwood sticks properties. Incense sticks: harm and benefit

03.01.2021 Beverages

Sandalwood - a fragrance of spirituality, depth and sensuality

sacred aroma of meditation, brings you closer to the divine, reveals from the inside, restores the aura, relieves stress and depression, gives a feeling of well-being, aphrodisiac, increases sensuality, excites passion, cools after meditation, cleanses the room

Sandalwood famous for its woody, resinous, rich aroma, with a misty musky undertone. The fragrance of sandalwood is not strong, not flashy, without harsh notes, but very persistent. It has practically no analogue in nature. This is a classic, erotic, expensive fragrance. In India, everything that is most beautiful, expensive, the best is called a word. "chanda", those. "sandal".

In Hinduism, sandalwood is an integral part of religious services and rituals, is used in meditation, "transfers" the believer from the material world to the subtle world, brings him closer to the divine, clears the mind, helps to overcome obstacles on the path to enlightenment, helps to open the "third eye" , directs consciousness inward.

The smell of sandalwood is considered sacred, in Indian culture there has always been a clear connection between sandalwood fragrance and religious life.

According to Indian mythology, Paradise is filled with the aroma of sandalwood, the gods love it, so it was “offered” to the gods during puja (worship) - they used incense sticks with the smell of sandalwood, added sandalwood oil to smoking lamps. Holy places were cleansed with it, they smoked it in houses to drive away evil spirits. Interestingly, the smell of sandal attracts snakes. In Indian illustrations, one can find the image of sandalwood entwined with snakes.

It is believed that the smell of sandalwood allows the soul of the deceased to reach God, as well as calm the mourners and humble them with the inevitable.

In addition, sandalwood fragrance has excellent antiseptic properties, cleansing the room and killing bacteria and germs.

The scent of sandalwood one of the classic aromatherapy fragrances. This is a complex philosophical smell. It has the following effect:

- on a psycho-emotional level- relieves anxiety, stress, depression, a state of fear, relaxes and warms, makes it possible to open up from the inside, removes barriers, releases the imagination, opens the springs of creativity, helps to adapt to changes, protects against impulsive actions that are not related to the nature of Good and Light, removes obsessive thoughts, gives a sense of well-being, eliminates tearfulness, helps to adequately meet unpleasant life surprises, in stressful situations and conflicts

- at the medical level- normalizes heart rate, nervous system, relieves irritability, gives sound sleep, treats sexual disorders caused by psychological problems, relieves sexual tension, helps to realize any love desires and fantasies, makes sexual intercourse exquisite, increases sensuality, helps with neurotic loss voice, difficulty swallowing, menopausal problems, nervous hiccups, skin inflammation, irritation of the throat and nasopharynx, relieves tension after intense mental activity

- on a magical level- excites passion, "spiritual smell" used for meditation and harmony, personifying the balance of day and night, cold and heat, male and female, spiritual depth, develops intuition, restores the aura, gives clear dreams, helps to concentrate during meditation and "cools » after meditation

Aromatherapy is one of the oldest methods of treating a person with the help of smells. Incense sticks (or incense) are the most convenient and optimal way to influence the human body with the help of aroma. Incense sticks can be with or without a stem. Aroma sticks are made of thin bamboo, on which a special aromatic substance is applied along the entire length (except for the end of 3 cm). Such sticks burn together with bamboo and, in addition to the main smell, have a light woody aroma. Sticks without a stem are made only of aromatic substance, they do not have a special handle. The smell of such sticks is more delicate and deep.

Incense sticks are common all over the world, as many ancient cultures used incense during various events. To date, the most famous are Tibetan, Chinese, Nepalese and Indian incense. Each fragrance can bring a certain feeling and emotion to a person.

Choosing an aroma stick scent

Some incense is aimed at meditation and relaxation, others help to increase a person's performance. In order not to fall asleep at work, you need to know what various aromas contribute to.

Cedar, lemongrass, citrus, fennel, sandalwood, cinnamon, rosemary, magnolia are stimulating aromas that increase efficiency, make a person concentrate on what is important. With the help of these aromas, you can improve memory, cope with stress, acquire a cheerful mood. In many eastern countries, such incense is lit in large offices.
Mint, lavender, jasmine, rose, almond, oregano, myrrh, laurel - these incense help to establish contact with people and their own Self. Such aromas are used for various contradictions, when a person does not know what to do. These tools will help you immerse yourself in the process of meditation and make the right decision.
Frankincense, orchid, lemon balm, chamomile, geranium, tea tree will help you calm down. Such incense perfectly relieves nervous exhaustion, pacifies after physical and mental overwork. They are able to overcome even severe depression.
Carnation, jasmine, sage, rose, opium, juniper - have a powerful energy component. Such incense sticks will protect your spirit from energy vampirism, from the evil eye, ill-wishers. They are able to restore the human aura.
Musk, patchouli, ylang-ylang, violet, nutmeg rose, ginger are the strongest aphrodisiacs. Such incense kindles sexual desire and attraction.
Sandalwood, patchouli, pine are able to fight bacteria and germs in the air. They are often used to disinfect rooms where there are patients. Even in ancient times, during periods of rampant typhus epidemics, pine branches were burned in every house so as not to get infected.

Before buying, it is important to decide what exactly you need - to relax or concentrate, to protect your home from envious people or to awaken passion in a partner. When the necessary incense is bought and brought into the house, you need to kindle it.

Special stands for sticks, which are called incense burners, can be wooden, marble, clay or glass. If you use a rod stick, you can take a wooden censer for it, since the rod itself does not burn without aromatic substance. If you use incense without a stem, then you need to choose a non-combustible material so that a fire does not happen. Today, incense burners can be a real piece of furniture - they are very beautiful, artsy, patterned. If you don’t have a special incense burner, you can use improvised means - a glass of rice, sand or salt. The incense stick will just need to be stuck into the bulk composition.

When the incense burner is ready, simply insert the stick into the holder. If the incense burner is homemade, stick the stick in salt or sand.
If the room is small, it is better to use half an aroma stick so that the pungent smell does not cause a headache.
Choose a place where the burning stick will stand. It is better to place it away from carpets, curtains and other flammable objects. Place the censer on the table (if there are no children in the house), on a bookcase or a high shelf.
Lighting aroma sticks is not difficult, just hold a lighter or a burning match to the end of the stick and wait until it lights up. It will not burn in the literal sense - only a barely noticeable smoldering. If a red light is visible at the end of the wand and the wand smokes heavily, everything is in order, you did everything right. If the wand is extinguished, it must be lit again. You are probably lighting the wand in a draft, so it will die out.
Place the smoldering stick in the holder so that it is tilted at a slight angle over the stand into which the ashes fall. If you are using a homemade incense burner, insert the stick into the bulk composition so that it holds well and does not fall.
The incense stick usually burns for half an hour, but long after burning, it fills the room with its aroma.
Do not leave burning incense unattended. If you urgently need to leave, just dip the burning end of the stick into the water.

This simple way to burn incense will help you achieve your desired goal.

Incense will help to relax and calm down, if necessary, increase efficiency and give your home a pleasant aroma. Along with all these advantages, incense also has its downsides.

Scientists have found that the constant use of incense sticks increases the risk of developing lung cancer. However, this does not threaten those who fumigate their house less than twice a week. In addition, a certain aroma can cause individual intolerance. Allergic reactions can manifest as dizziness, coughing, and even spasm of the respiratory organs.

When choosing incense sticks, special attention should be paid to the place where they are sold. Cheap incense of low quality may consist of synthetic substances, the combustion of which is very harmful to the body. To test the quality of the incense, sniff the sticks through the packaging. If they exude a sharp aroma, it is better to refuse them. Real incense sticks don't have a strong smell when they're not burning. It is best to buy this product in its home country, such as India. Keep in mind that aromatic compounds in India are sold not only in the form of sticks. They can be loose - the powder is poured onto burning coals. Animal figurines are also very popular. They are set on fire, and they envelop the room with a magical aroma.

Incense sticks are an effective way to relax in this noisy and fast paced world. Look for time for self-knowledge and relaxation, live in harmony with yourself. And incense, which helps to expand your consciousness, will help you with this.

Video: how to make homemade flavors

Many of us use incense sticks (incense). This product became very popular during the "esoteric boom" when the magic of the East began to penetrate our country. In those days, they were credited with all sorts of "magic" and healing properties, used during rituals, practices and various ceremonies. Then incense began to be used mainly as fragrances, to create a pleasant atmosphere, and so on.

Recently, there have been many discussions on the Web on the topic “are aroma sticks harmful”? The use of incense is said to increase the risk of lung cancer, asthma, and other diseases. They are also credited with a psychotropic effect and are sometimes even classified as narcotic substances.

In fact, incense sticks have practically no effect directly on health. They cannot cure a cold or relieve stomach pain, nor can they cause cancer or asthma. Incense does not have a narcotic effect and does not contribute to the expansion of consciousness.

Incense sticks can only be harmful if they are of poor quality. Then you can earn a headache and an allergy. Also, outdoor incense will seem too smoky and spicy and may cause discomfort. This, by the way, applies to most Indian incense, as in India they are used to drown out the unpleasant odors that literally soak the streets.

In order to avoid such troubles as allergies and headaches, you should carefully consider the choice of incense sticks, and do not buy incense that is packaged in a bright wrapper and is inexpensive. High-quality aroma sticks are never cheap. In addition, you need to make sure that they do not smell too intense and “poisonous”. If you feel a strong smell even through the packaging - it is better not to buy such sticks. You still can't use them at home.
Incenses with "popular" smells, such as rose, vanilla, pine, lavender, strawberry, as a rule, leave much to be desired, because artificial flavors are used in their manufacture.

"Types of incense".

Among all the variety of incense sticks presented in stores, there are undoubtedly higher class and really good quality incense. These are Japanese incense. As you know, the inhabitants of the land of the setting sun are distinguished by a scrupulous approach to business and are literally obsessed with the high quality of production. Japanese aroma sticks are a fundamentally different product, which is most often handmade in a family business, recipes are inherited under great secrecy, and raw materials (herbs and plants) are harvested at certain times of the year and in certain places.
In addition, Japanese incense is baseless. This means that the aroma of the stick is not distorted by the smell of smoke and burning bamboo base (as happens with Indian incense). The Japanese do not welcome perfume additives, so the aroma of these incense is never sharp and "chemical", and you will not get a headache or an allergy.

Japanese aroma sticks, like good tea and aged wine, are not cheap compared to Indian and Nepalese ones. However, they deserve it.
There are several Houses in Japan that have been producing incense for several centuries. One of them is Shoyeido. This company has a long history and an excellent reputation, the products are certified, and the level of quality is beyond doubt.

People burn incense sticks for many reasons - for relaxation, for religious purposes, or simply because they like the smell of incense. It is important to know how to use them correctly.

Steps

Part 1

Choice of chopsticks and censer

Consider purchasing incense sticks with a core. Such sticks consist of a thin wooden rod (usually bamboo) covered (with the exception of 2–3 centimeters from the bottom) with an aromatic substance. The aromatic substance can be both smooth and smooth, and granular in appearance. The aroma obtained during combustion is usually quite intense, consisting of the smell of the aromatic substance itself and the burning wooden core.

Consider purchasing solid incense sticks. Such sticks consist entirely of aromatic substance and do not contain a core. They have a milder scent, so they work well in smaller spaces like a bedroom or office. Since these sticks do not have a core, their aroma is uniform, without the admixture of the smell of burning wood.

Find a suitable chopstick stand. These coasters, also called incense burners, come in many different shapes and sizes. The type of stand will depend on which sticks you use, with or without a core. You can purchase an incense burner that fits the chopsticks you use, or you can make your own using household items.

Consider making your own incense burner. You can make your own chopstick stand out of clay, or use a cup filled with something crumbly and non-flammable. Here are some options:

Blind a figured clay incense burner. Take a lump of natural self-hardening modeling clay and roll it into a flat sheet. After that, cut out the desired shape from it, using a craft knife or a pastry knife. You can leave the cut out figure flat, or bend its edges, giving it the shape of a vase. Take an incense stick and stick it into the clay, making a recess in it. Take out the stick and wait for the clay to harden before using it as a coaster.
Make an incense burner out of a bowl or cup. Take a vessel large enough to contain the ashes that fall from the burning incense stick. Fill it with grain, rice, salt or sand.

Light the tip of the incense stick. This can be done with a match or a lighter. Bring a flame to the wand and wait until it ignites.

Let the stick burn for about 10 seconds. The flame will go out on its own. When this happens, look at the tip of the incense stick. If a glowing smoldering light is visible on it, the wand burns properly. If the glow is not visible and the tip is covered with ashes, it is necessary to light the wand again.

Kindle the fire carefully. Fan the fire so that a smoldering fire is visible with a thin column of smoke rising from it; while you should not see the flame. After about 30 seconds, you will feel the aroma coming from the stick. These signs indicate that the stick is burning correctly. If you can't see anything and the tip doesn't glow, having an ashy appearance, it means that the wand is completely extinguished. In this case, light it again. This time cover the tip with the palm of your hand, gently fanning the flame.

Place the incense stick in the holder. If you are using a stick with a core, place the unscented wooden tip in the stand. If you have a stick without a core, it does not matter which end you fix it in the holder. In most incense burners, the sticks are mounted vertically or at a slight angle. If the stick is at a slight angle, make sure its burning tip is above the stand. If the top tip protrudes beyond the stand, cut the stick or place the censer on a wider fireproof stand.
- If you are using a bowl or cup filled with grain, rice, salt, or sand as a stand, gently stick the tip of the stick into the loose material so that it stands up on its own when you release it. You can stick the stick vertically or tilt it slightly. In the latter case, the top of the stick should not protrude beyond the stand, so that the ashes from it fall on the stand, and not on the table or on the floor.
Wait until the stick burns out to the end. Most incense sticks burn for 20-30 minutes, depending on length and thickness.

Take precautions. As with other burning objects, do not leave a lit wand unattended. If you need to go away, extinguish the wand by dipping its burning tip in water or pressing it against a fireproof surface. Place the incense burner on a heat-resistant surface, away from curtains, curtains, children and pets.

Part 3

When you can and when you can not burn incense sticks

Use incense while meditating. Their aroma will allow you not only to relax and distract from extraneous thoughts, but also help you focus on the subject of meditation.

You will need

Stand for aroma sticks and aroma sticks;
For resins, incense and fragrant herbs - an incense burner, sand and coal;
Stands for baseless sticks, cones, barrels and spirals;
Aroma lamp, warm water and a candle.

Instruction

The most common type of incense is incense sticks. Such sticks are made mainly in China or India. They are made using a bamboo straw that is first dipped in an aromatic mixture and then in an aromatic oil. The aromatic mixture may include shavings of fragrant trees (sandalwood, juniper, etc.), crushed fragrant herbs and essential oils. When buying sticks, be careful. Indeed, for the manufacture of their cheap options, synthetic essential oils are often used, which give nothing but a strong smell. In order to burn an incense stick, you need to set it on fire and lightly blow it out so that it smolders without fire. It is better to purchase a special stand for aroma sticks, since they are in the form of ash when burned.

Another type of incense is charcoal sticks or cones. The aroma of such sticks is not mixed with the smell of burning bamboo, but they are more fragile and require special coasters for their use.

There are also incense, which is called "clay". The binding base for aromatic herbs and essential oils in such incense is ghee, honey or resin of fragrant trees. Among such incense, they are less common, and you can attach them to any surface. In India, they are popular in markets and streets.

Cones and barrels are compressed fragrant herbs and sawdust of fragrant trees. This is the most natural and convenient type of incense. Any flat candlestick or bowl that can withstand heat can serve as a stand for them. The ashes from such incense do not scatter, but remain on the stand.

Incense in the form of resins (incense, myrrh, etc.) or loose ground herbs require special incense burners. Censers, most often, are bowls on low (metal, stone or clay). Sometimes they are covered with a lid with holes, and sometimes they are suspended (for example,). In order to burn solid or loose incense, you need to take an incense burner, pour sand or coarse salt into it (half the volume), put a special charcoal tablet on the sand, which is set on fire. Coal tablets, more often, are treated with saltpeter so that the coal easily catches fire from a match. Otherwise, coal is sprinkled with alcohol, and then set on fire. Incense in the censer is thrown on hot coals. In this case, it is better not to overdo it with incense, the same incense needs only a couple of grains. Fragrant herbs should be ground into a powdery state. If the grass is coarse, then it is better to grind it in a mortar.

In addition, liquid essential oils of fragrant herbs and trees are used as incense. Here you can not do without an aroma lamp. However, now they are produced in huge quantities, for every taste and budget. Pour a little warm water into the container of the aromatic lamp and drip a couple of drops of essential oil. It remains to set fire to a heating candle, which is located under the bowl of the aroma lamp.