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 Boswelia. They are white and coagulate on contact with air, transforming into yellowish, brittle grains, which when burned they give off a penetrating and very relaxing aroma.
Projecting aromatic smoke into the sky has been one of the most repeated rituals in the history of mankind. Which has benefits? How to choose the incense?
Medicinal properties of frankincense
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 remove skin blemishes, combat dryness and wrinkles, on canker sores and mouth sores, and for its 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 plasters 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 consumed. 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 a stick. They are very fragile and very common in Japan.
- cones: this is the pressed powdered resin, sometimes mixed with essences and medicinal plants. It burns fast and is very aromatic.
- Spiral: Incense can burn for hours without extinguishing.
- Powder: sometimes combined with aromatic substances.
- tears or drops: they are poured into a censer with water.
- pure resin: Incense is deposited on a bed of charcoal 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 mixed and complex formulations of resins and essential oils that do not always deserve to be considered as authentic incense.
Incense varieties and what to use them for
the real frankincenseaccording to experts, is the one obtained from some African and Asian trees of the genus Boswellia. One is the Boswelio corterialso known as frankincenseoriginally from East Africa and South Arabiaand another no less appreciated is the Boswellium 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, other incenses, essences or resins widely used are:
- Myrrh: aromatic resin.
- therapeutic uses: toothaches, mouth infections, respiratory conditions, asthma, arthritic pain.
- magical uses: ward off evil spirits and negative energies; in witchcraft, to undo spells.
- Copaiba: Brazil balsam, resin and essential oil.
- therapeutic uses: venereal diseases, bronchitis, urinary inflammation, dermatitis, mycosis.
- magical uses: shamanism.
- juniper and each: the essential oil obtained by distillation of the galbulous.
- therapeutic uses: dermatological problems, toothache, osteoarticular inflammation, neuralgia, muscle contractures, edema.
- Magic uses: as a purifier and depurative.
- Cedar: the essential oil obtained from the wood.
- Therapeutic uses: respiratory conditions, urinary infections, dermatological problems.
- Magical uses: to stimulate meditation and spirituality.
- Benzoin: gummy resin.
- therapeutic uses: nervous tension, stress, respiratory conditions and dermatological 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, gases, respiratory conditions, stomatitis, joint inflammation, neuralgia.
- Magic uses: to enhance creative abilities, purify and debug.
- Sandalwood: essential oil obtained by distillation of the wood.
- Therapeutic uses: urinary and respiratory conditions, poor blood circulation problems, high blood pressure, skin wounds, dental pain and thrush.
- Magic 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
Conscious of death and in need of transcendence the human being has felt Already since the dawn of civilization the urge to communicate with the supernatural and delve into himself.
As the gods must have resided on high, it was towards them that man directed his supplications with all kinds of ceremonies, which included animal or vegetable offerings to the heat of the flames or the light of the candles.
Evidence of such a practice is known from symbolic representations found on ancient Babylonian tablets dating back to 1,700 years before Christ.
In ancient Egypt, about 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.
incense It appears in Greek and Roman mythology. In the Bible There are very different passages that collect the use of incense, as in the case of the offering that the wise men of the East they make the Child Jesus, consisting, as is known, of gold, frankincense and myrrh.
And the same can be said of the Ayurvedic 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 chase away “bad 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 made it possible to neutralize 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.
Incense burning remains one of the pillars of spiritual practicein order to propitiate the appropriate atmosphere for meditation or prayer.