The author of the text is MSc. Beata Romanowska
Incense is a resin obtained from the trees and shrubs of the incense Boswellia sacra, B. serrata, B. carferi, growing in the Middle East and Africa.In the days of the Roman Empire, the price of incense was higher than gold, therefore then other plants were burned to produce fragrant fumes.Nowadays, the term incense is used more broadly: it refers to a mixture of various dried parts of plants - leaves, flowers, seeds, fruits, roots, bark and resins used for combustion. Mostly fragrant plants are used.
There is no smoke without fire
In Slavic mythology, the gods are primarily associated with fire. The Slavs worshiped the earthly and heavenly fire (in the form of the sun's disk). Smelling with smoke - "a product of fire" - was a ritualIn this way, communication with the ancestors, gods, demons were chased away, the air and food were protected, and the air and food were cleaned.
Today we use plant smoke much less frequently than our ancestors, and rather for practical purposes that have nothing to do with mysticism: e.g. for smoking meat or changing / improving the smell in rooms and the associated well-being.
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Arcydzięgiel angelica archangelica (Photo: Fotolia.com) |
Why Incense Works
Modern science humbly confirms old knowledge about the therapeutic effect of incense.It has been found that inhaling the smoke of Boswellia sp. Incense activates ion channels in the brain, relieving it of depression and anxiety. According to researchers, incenzole acetate is responsible for this.Acetate, isolated from frankincense resin, has another property: it has anti-inflammatory properties and accelerates wound healing.Other scientists have confirmed the centuries-old phenomenon that certain natural fragrances relieve stress.
Household and guests
It is worth using native herbs for incense. The principle of using plants (in all their forms) that have grown in our climate zone seems very logical.These plants grow and support people from the same geographic environment for generations.They are guests from other regions, often welcome, but not household members. Therefore, incense from such plants is usually "tiring" for longer. So let's use them only "on holidays".
The common juniper is irreplaceable among native plants.Its twigs and pine cones were added to incense sticks in front of temples for the glory of Świętowit. Juniper is still a part of incense, the smokes of which add splendor to services in temples of many denominations.The smoke from its shoots (ultimately from pine cones), as well as the oil, is a powerful antiseptic (similar to cinnamon and eucalyptus).
Angelica angelica was considered to be one of the strongest protective and transforming plants. The root is used for incense. Angelica, like mugwort, St. John's wort, tansy and mullein was called a weather herb, used in incense to discharge and neutralize energy disturbances - storm, geopathic, and currently related to the work of computers and mobile phones.
Amber is a resin of probably four species of pines and one species of spruce, once growing in the B altic Sea.Amber incense improves the ionic structure of the air by providing negative ions.
Magic mixtures
You can use one or more herbs, remembering that more is not better.
Protective- sage, angelica, mugwort, juniper. You can also add lavender, spruce resin, thyme.
Cleansing- juniper, angelica, pine resin, ash seeds, thyme.
Antidepressant and mood-improving- St. John's wort, lavender, lemon balm.
Love- rose.
When should I collect herbs for incense?
Flowers in full bloom; leaves - young; herb - most often at the beginning of flowering herbs; bark and roots - in spring or autumn.It is also worth checking the lunar calendar to choose the right moment related to the phase of the moon. One of the rules is that theMoon during harvesting is in the sign responsible for the element of the part of the plant we collect.
Incense method
It is good to pour a little sand into a fireproof flat vessel, and place an incandescent charcoal on it (e.g. flammable charcoal for a thurible, censer or shisha).Set the charcoal on fire and when it gets hotter, sprinkle a pinch of herbs on it (it can be one herb or a mixture).
In old recipes, half the part of the roots is recommended in relation to the leaves (e.g. two herbs of the leaves - each in 1 volume and the root in 1/2 volume). If we burn "hairy" leaves, such as sage or mullein, then no additional source of heat is needed, they smolder on their own.
It is very important to be safe!You should open the window when burning incense in the room, because some herbs can create toxic compounds by burning.Our ancestors did exactly the same - they allowed devils and demons to escape.
It should also be remembered that young children, pregnant women and people who are allergic are more sensitive to the effects of incense and essential oils and should not use them.
