Incense and sacred herbs have been used for centuries by cultures all over the world and are still important today. It is thought that as soon as man harnessed fire that they were using different herbs, berries, woods and materials to vary the smoke. Here’s a run down of the history of incense and its uses then and now. We have a wide range of quality incense products on sale and are happy to help you choose the right one for you. Please don’t hesitate to browse our website and get in touch with any questions.
Incense in the ancient world
Incense was used by Ancient Egyptians, as they believed that the aroma dispelled demons and pleased the gods. While burning wood and bouquets of aromatic plants and herbs would have been the earliest use of incense, experts have even dated an incense burner back to 24th and 25th Century BC, so you can see that it is a very ancient practice. In fact, 350 litres of perfumed resins were found stored in alabaster containers in the tomb of King Tut, showing how important it was to the Egyptian culture and belief system.
Ancient Greece, the Indus Civilization and Ancient China were all using different incenses in religious ceremonies, with the Song Dynasty making incense ceremonies a major feature of their religious rituals. It has always been believed to be beneficial to the environment or the individual, so much so that the Samurais in Japan used it to give their armour an aura of invincibility.
There was a global trade route in incense between the 7th Century BC and the fall of the Roman Empire, particularly focusing on transporting frankincense and myrrh from Arabia to the Mediterranean, further demonstrating the importance of this commodity.
Incense and religion
Religious leaders have long used incense in their ceremonies and incense continues to be important in many world religions to this day. Egyptian priests were known to use it to fumigate tombs and drive out bad spirits and the Incas used Palo Santo to clear bad energy. Frankincense has been burned during Catholic church services for centuries and burning incense is referenced frequently in the Bible, with the Three Kings bringing gifts of frankincense and myrrh to present to the baby Jesus. This represents its enormous value and importance, said to be worth more than gold at that time.
In Asia, incense is a central part of worship in the Chinese Taoist and Buddhist temples and Japanese Shinto shrines, as it is believed to purify the surroundings and brings forth deities. As well as scenting the air, the worshipers use incense as part of their prayer ritual and present them to the gods by placing them in front of their statue or plaque after completing their prayer.
In India, incense has been recorded since 3,600 BC. It is used in almost all forms of worship. In Hinduism worshippers present incense to gods such as Krishna and Rama as part of their daily worship. It is used alongside other offerings in temples and homes and given by rotating the sticks three times and then left on an altar.
Although to a lesser extent, incense is also used as part of rituals in Islam and Judaism to purify, cleanse and please the angels, as they are said to love fragrant smells. Incense made of aromatic spices is also used in Contemporary Judaism as part of the Havdalah ceremony on the Sabbath.
Native Americans have used incense in their sacred traditions for centuries. The important smudging ceremony, otherwise known as the sacred smoke bowl blessing is performed to cleanse negative energies, heal people when they are unwell, offer blessings to the community and attract positive forces. A range of plants and herbs are used in this ceremony, with sage being one of the most important.
Pagan traditions also use various types of incense to create a magical atmosphere around the altar and release natural energy. In Paganism there are magical associations with a number of different natural incenses. For example, frankincense is used for purification and spirituality, myrrh for healing and attraction and dragon’s blood for love, strength and courage. Copal is associated with purification and cleansing – both in a spiritual and physical sense and pine and cedar are said to help cleanse space of negative energy.
Incense and health
Incense in ancient cultures was also used in a medical context. Certain plants and herbs when burnt were believed to protect against negative forces such as illness, boost the wellbeing and improve mental health. In Greece it was used to treat illnesses as diverse as snake bites and asthma and even cure bad breath. Healers are still using incense alongside other rituals to treat a wide range of conditions throughout the world.
Recent research has revealed that burning plants and smudging can actually help people suffering from coughs, colds, asthma and even migraines as it is an effective air purifier. Studies have also shown that smoke-based remedies using incense has a powerful antiseptic effect, eliminating bacteria in an enclosed space. More research is needed, but modern science seems to support what ancient cultures have known for centuries, which is that incense is good for you!
Using incense in your home
Incense is a wonderful way to create a positive environment in your home, banish bad smells and make you feel good. Different kinds of incense promote different reactions, from relaxation to giving an energy boost, or improving concentration. You can read our article on how to choose the right incense to suit your mood or to lift your spirits to find out more, or contact us for recommendations on what to choose for you. Browse our shop for the best quality incense which is endorsed by shamans and enjoy the many benefits of incense in your own home. Buy online and we’ll ship anywhere in the world and are happy to answer any questions you may have.