It is believed that the burning of sandalwood incense has been practiced for more than 5000 years. The main reasons for using this incense are to purify the air and release its fragrance.
This article will discuss some of the benefits of using sandalwood incense and oils in your spiritual practice.
I. What is Sandalwood, and How does it Relate to Incense?
Sandalwood is natural aromatic wood with a sweet aroma. Sandalwood incense has been used for centuries and has a long history of being associated with religious ceremonies. It is also said to have therapeutic benefits.
Sandalwood incense is derived from the fragrant oil in sandalwood trees native to Asia, specifically India.
Sandalwood has been used for centuries to produce incense sticks, perfumes, and other fragrances. The scent of sandalwood is so popular that it has been used to create many modern-day perfumes. The best sandalwood incense for meditation should contain a high percentage of pure sandalwood oil, which gives the wood its distinctive aroma.
II. Usage of Sandalwood Incense
Sandalwood incense has been around for centuries and is still widely used today. In ancient times, it was used in exorcism rituals or to guide the souls of the deceased into the afterlife. Today, sandalwood incense assists in meditation to help one focus on their spiritual energy or just for enjoyment.
III. Benefits of Sandalwood Incense Sticks
Incense is used in many different ways by different people. It can be used to generate a pleasant aroma in the house, to lift up mood, or for religious purposes. Incense has been used for centuries to worship gods and goddesses, such as Shiva, Buddha, or Vishnu. The smoke from the incense has also been said to spread good luck and fortune. The use of incense is an ancient practice that dates back more than 3 thousand years ago in China and India.
While extensive studies have attested the benefits of sandalwood essential oil, there has been hardly any study on the benefits of sandalwood incense stick. However, the benefits are comparable since the stick is also from the same tree and contains the same healing chemicals.
Besides releasing a fantastic aroma, sandalwood incense sticks have these 5 benefits.
1. Soothing effects
In the ancient Sanskrit language, “sāndāl” means “fragrance.” And this fragrant stick of wood will both rejuvenate your senses and relax your mind. It is often used for meditation and purification purposes. Consequently, sandalwood incense sticks might allow individuals to achieve a deep state of relaxation, peace of mind, and tranquility, without any side effects.
2. Eliminates Anxiety and Fear
Burning sandalwood incense sticks can be a great way to reduce stress and anxiety. A placebo-controlled study from the journal Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing reported a statistically significant reduction in self-reported anxiety using lavender-sandalwood aromatherapy in women receiving breast biopsies. Although this study was conducted using sandalwood essential oil, sandalwood incense sticks offer the same aroma. Therefore, burning sandalwood incense stick and lavender incense may positively impact you and relieve your stress.
3. Improves mood
Sandalwood incense can not only provide you with a pleasing scent, but it can also help to clear out negative energies and negative vibes from your space. Known as a purifier, sandalwood incense helps to cleanse your home and surrounding air by removing foul odors and vibes of negativity. It also has been noted for its ability to lift moods, promote relaxation, and relieve anxiety.
4. Helps You Sleep Better at Night
People often use incense to sleep well at night. Sandalwood is one of the most famous incense used for this purpose. It has been used as a natural remedy for insomnia or sleeplessness for centuries. The scent of sandalwood has been known to produce a calming effect on the body, making it easier for people to relax and fall asleep.
5. Lowers Blood Pressure
Burning sandalwood incense can help lower systolic blood pressure and calm the mind, primarily when feeling stressed up. As a matter of fact, sandalwood incense can protect you against heart diseases such as stroke, heart attack, and others. However, this is not an alternative medicine but rather an ancient way of relieving our minds.
6. Induces Wound-healing Processes
Burn 1-2 sticks every day alongside meditations and other treatments to increase your chance of healing wounds. The aroma from burning sandalwood activates certain olfactory receptors, which stimulates keratinocytes to make keratin. This helps in faster healing of the wounds – just one of many surprising benefits of sandalwood incense!
7. Improves Focus and Quality of Life
Burning sandalwood oil has a calming effect that can improve your focus on tasks, leading to an improved quality of life.
8. Natural Air Freshener
Sandalwood has a lovely fragrant smell that makes your home smell amazing. It can help get rid of unpleasant odors too. Sandalwood, a natural product, is safer and more environment-friendly to scent your home than the air fresheners you can find in stores.
IV. What Is The Best Way To Burn Sandalwood Incense?
It is said that burning incense can release negative energy while emitting a pleasant fragrance. With that being said, there are a few steps to follow to make the best of your incense sticks. First and foremost, be mindful of your body position and smoke direction. Make sure you are in an open area with proper ventilation to avoid polluting the indoor air. According to a recent study, daily exposure to incense burning is linked to poor lung function and an increased risk of developing respiratory problems such as asthma. In addition, incense smoke contains carcinogens that can lead to cancer or other deadly diseases. To minimize the risk of these adverse effects, it is crucial to avoid burning incense in a room or closed space. Instead, you should open windows for ventilation, turn on fans, and never burn them directly where they can be inhaled.
V. Conclusion
The soothing aroma of sandalwood incense is a popular choice for those who want to fill their home with a calming and relaxing scent. Some people like to use it when they are meditating, while others take advantage of its ability to freshen up the house after a long day or during doldrums after a busy day.
