Choosing the right incense for your mood or to lift your spirits

Burning incense to release scented smoke not only fills your home with a wonderful smell, but is also a form of aromatherapy. Incense is commonly used as part of religious ceremonies, as well as during yoga and meditation, as the aromatic smoke transmits signals to the limbic system in the brain, affecting emotion and memory processing. 

There are many different types of incense, with different fragrances and properties related to your mood, health, and wellbeing. Different ones can help you relax, reduce stress, improve sleep, relieve feelings of depression or anxiety and create a positive atmosphere. We sell a range of high-quality incense and so today we’re guiding you through how each incense can affect your mood, to help you choose which one is right for you. If you have any questions and specific needs, feel free to contact us for recommendations. 

Incense to soothe and reduce stress

One of the most common reasons that people burn incense is to create a calm and relaxing atmosphere in which to relax, meditate or practice yoga. The simple act of lighting your incense stick, often accompanied by relaxing music and soft light from candles can transform your space and remove you from the stresses and strains of everyday life. 

There is a range of soothing incense options, with the most popular being Nag Champa. Its soothing fragrance is commonly used in Hindu and Buddhist monasteries to create a calming ambiance for meditation or relaxation, and we find it gives a wonderful scent while definitely making us feel more relaxed. 

Our Ayurveda incense sticks are also a great choice if you’re feeling stressed and want to relax. The combination of cedar, fir, pine and aloe vera produces a soothing scent that is said to promote harmony, peace, and quiet, as well as purifying the space. 

The sacred tree of Peru, Palo Santo, is another incense with a very relaxing aroma, which was used by the Incas as a spiritual remedy for purifying and cleansing. Lighting some palo santo after a stressful day is a great way to clear the mind and encourage relaxation. Another benefit is that it deters mosquitos, so perfect for a bit of summer stress-busting. 

Help with anxiety or depression

If you are suffering from anxiety or depression, incense alone won’t be the cure, but there is some evidence that specific incense really can help. According to Science Daily, “burning frankincense (resin from the Boswellia plant) activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression.

This suggests that an entirely new class of depression and anxiety drugs might be right under our noses”. More research has to be done in this area, but frankincense has been prized for centuries, used in religious ceremonies all over the world and as part of Ayurvedic medicine. It is widely felt to ease anxiety, elevate your mood and aid with relaxation, so burning frankincense resin is one way to help to manage anxiety and depression. 

Lift your spirits 

If you need a pick me up, we’d recommend Dammar incense. It is known to lift sadness and melancholy, with its light and uplifting aroma. Many people say it gives them a feeling of safety, clarity, serenity and peace, so it’s a great choice. 

Another good one to try if you want to feel more positive and give yourself a boost is Myrrha. It has a long history in religious ceremonies and is praised for its ability to fortify and revitalize the spirit. We love its uplifting and energising qualities. 

Sharpen your senses 

As incense is commonly used in rituals and traditional medicine, healers and spiritual leaders have used it to improve their mindset and sharpen those senses. 

Opopanax is popular as a way to heighten intuitive awareness and evoke, stimulate and awaken sensory perception. Whereas Copal Gold, is said to aid in mental and spiritual endeavours and to stimulate creativity and imagination. Last but not least, if you’re looking to feel more confident and improve self-awareness, Copal White is an excellent choice. 

Cleanse and purify

Another popular use of all incense is to cleanse and purify a space. Many types of incense have antimicrobial properties and some are particularly used to remove negative feelings or entities and create a positive and calm environment. One of these is Dragon’s blood, a resin with a sweet, soft fragrance that is commonly used in India to cleanse a space and create a calming environment.  

Find your favorite incense

Whether you simply like the smell of incense, use it to enhance your meditation, or find certain scents that match certain moods, we have a great range of high-quality incense for you to try. We can recommend the best-selling brands and blends and match them to when and how you will be using them. Please contact us and let us help you find the right incense for you.