Who has never entered a church and been enraptured by the intense, enveloping and pungent aroma of incense? That very particular smell transports us out of time and drags us into a space that smells of sacredness but also of well-being, meditation and relaxation.
Monk in meditation
Precisely because of its ability to calm the mind and promote states of relaxation, incense has become increasingly common over time even in the West, where it is not uncommon to smell its persuasive scent both in spas and in private homes, to create an atmosphere of a thousand and one nights, as in centers where disciplines such as yoga, meditation and Pilates are performed.
Incense sticks in a spa
The word comes from the verb “incendere” (“to burn”) and commonly refers to all substances of vegetal origin that, when burned, produce a scent., more specifically (and correctly), however, it refers to the aromatic resins derived from plants of the "Boswellia" type, which grow in Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. The intense Indian incenses, the delicate Japanese, Nepalese, and Tibetan ones are also renowned. Since ancient times, incense has been of great importance both for therapeutic uses (for example, in Ayurvedic medicine) and devotional purposes (suffice it to say that it was one of the gifts of the Three Wise Men to the newborn Jesus). There is evidence of its use in ancient Egypt, among the Etruscans, the Mayans, and the Romans, so much so that it became an important product of trade and commerce.
Always considered a gift appreciated by the gods in many cultures and religions, it also symbolically represents the transformation of matter into spirit, through the purification of fire, incense is still used today in aromatherapy for its stimulating and relaxing properties, capable of calming thoughts and relaxing the body (it is said to even help in cases of depression and anxiety), but also for its anti-inflammatory and antiseptic properties.
Packaged incense
To meet the needs of the market, there are now flavored incenses capable of releasing wonderful scents (even if not always completely natural), suitable for all needs and purposes: lavender (for relaxation), myrrh (astringent), vetiver (toning), patchouli (pain-relieving and purifying), sandalwood (calming), cedarwood (balancing), juniper (anti-inflammatory), geranium (aphrodisiac), eucalyptus (decongesting), white musk (antiseptic), nag champa (perfect for meditation), cinnamon (improves concentration), ylang ylang (calming), amber (anti-stress) and also holy basil, agarwood, white sage, lemon, Palo Santo, mango, peach, lemongrass, apple, coconut, Himalayan herbs, saffron, ginger, lotus flower, spices, valerian, strawberry and many others, because incense really lends itself to being expressed in a thousand fragrances. The forms in which it can be found are also many and range from the most common stick, to bundles of herbs (smudge), to grains, resins, strings, bricks and cones. (including the backflow incense burner variant).
Incense cones
Clearly, depending on the type of incense, the bases are combined, which can be made of carved or decorated wood, round, square, rectangular, pyramid-shaped, lotus-flower-shaped, smooth, in ceramic, stone, brass, iron, bronze and even silver, diffusers and burners with fascinating and arabesque shapes, typical such as the Copalera (of Central and South America), fountain-shaped for an absolutely suggestive effect (to be combined with the appropriate “backflow” incenses and even shells (such as the Abalone, also known as “Venus' ear”), or in a very modern shape, to create a fascinating contrast with the archaic symbolism of the incense itself. In short, whether you want to encourage meditation, spiritual awakening and self-healing processes, lighten your thoughts or seek physical and mental well-being, or whether you simply want to create an atmosphere of great intimacy, incense has been a fundamental ally since the dawn of time, especially when combined with scented candles, crystals, stones and essential oils... but that's another story. story, or maybe another article.
Crafted incense holder
