Saturday, January 31, 2009

The Reasons Behind Burning Frankincense

By Louise Servage

The ancient practice of aromatherapy: the burning of herbs and other botanicals to achieve desirable results. The practice of burning frankincense has been done for hundreds of years if not thousands, in places linked with worship and meditation. The popular practice of burning frankincense sparked some people to incorporate the adding of frankincense essence to a lot of things that rely on scent to make relax people and make them feel good, things such as shampoos, lotions, perfumes and other aromatherapy items.

Feelings Soothed And Meditative

The practice of burning frankincense for meditative reasons signals a desire for introspection. The reason that many people burn frankincense lays in the belief that burning frankincense can enhance one's meditative prowess, and helps to slow and deepen breathing. The smell of frankincense can induce a potent introspection that many believe to be beneficial due to its calming and soothing effect.

While burning frankincense may be the traditional way of experiencing its effects, when used as massage therapy oil, frankincense's essential oil works well also. Not only does frankincense essential oil help to soothe and relax muscles and tissues but it also has anti-inflammatory properties and can act as an anti-septic agent. Regular massages with frankincense essential oil, can also promote better digestion as well as an improved reproductive system in women.

The relaxing and calming atmosphere that burning frankincense gives off, is most beneficial for people who are experiencing a great deal of stress. The slow and deep breaths that result form inhaling burning frankincense or the smell of frankincense can help people with some respiratory conditions. There are many more conditions that can benefit with the aid of this scent.

The Ways Of Burning Frankincense

There are many different ways of burning frankincense. Some of these are done with the use of a candle burner with a diffuser, all the way to the burning of incense sticks. Burning frankincense using a candle burner and a diffuser is similar with some differences in the way that the essential oil is burnt. Candle burners usually have a small pool that is filled halfway with oil and a tea light candle burning directly below it. Diffusers on the other hand do not use candles to create the heat, instead they use electricity. Burning frankincense in its sold incense sticks form is the usually done in places of worship and prayer.

The traditional method of burning frankincense is to take hardened frankincense resin, also known as "tears", and place these on live hot coals. This is the traditional way that people in the Middle East have used for a long time and some still use today. - 16035

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