Burning aromatic blends of herbal and flower essential oils is part and parcel of ancient ritual traditions. More powerful than diffusing essential oils into the atmosphere, burning incense is known to have not only a greater cleansing impact on the environment, but a longer lasting one. The effect and properties of the ingredients go faster and last longer, allowing for greater more effective cleansing.
Most of the incense sticks found on the market nowadays are manufactured either in India or China and carry synthetic oils, fragrances, and chemical ‘fixatives’ to retain the scent long after the stick has burnt off. You can easily notice the harsh synthetic chemical smell underlying the synthetic aromas.
Many are not aware of the health hasards associated with synthetic smells and fragrances. That’s why, taking shortcuts to manufacture incense and room purifying products is not necessarily considered a harmful thing. And it’s good for business! The cost of artificial aromas amounts to a tiny fraction in contrast to the cost of natural plant-derived aromas. This is why synthetic incense sticks tend to be very affordable: labor in manufacturing them is cheap and so are there synthetic ingredients they carry. But, they are poisonous, they are irritating and harmful to the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. The medical community has noted and confirmed with research documenting respiratory disorders from breathing chemical-laden incense fumes:
Over the course of the study, 325 upper respiratory tract cancers and 821 lung cancers were reported. Long-term and frequent exposure to incense fumes was associated with a significant increase in the risk of squamous cell cancers of the upper respiratory tract. Did you know that in Thailand the Public Health Ministry has released guidelines to reduce this risk to worshippers and temple workers as they’ve become aware of the high levels of cancer-causing toxins from incense burned in temples and shrines? (Incense burned in Thai Buddhist Temples Can Cause Cancer, Public Health Officials Warn) The artificial aromas in most incenses today add toxicity to your environment and your body in the name of environmental (and spiritual) purification! Do you really want to breathe in toxins while you try to unwind, or meditate?
The Ayurvedic Tradition of Dhoop or Incense Burning
The oldest references to incense in the Vedas are found in the Atharvaveda and Rigveda. Incense burning was used to create soothing aromas for the environment; or as a medicinal tool – fumigating for bacterial cleansing; or to purify and cleanse the environment for spiritual purposes; alternately, incense burning has also been used as ritual tool during sacred rites, or meditation. In addition, did you know that there is a whole chapter in the Charak Samhita, the sourcebook of Ayurveda, fully dedicated to the therapeutic effects of herbal remedies delivered in smoke form?
Ayurveda uses many different kinds of herbs, flower, barks, etc. to make incense. Depending of what materials are used and what their prabhavas, ultimate subtle effects on the mind/body complex, an incense can have any number of effects on us. For example, incense can be used to cool the physiology in the Summertime, or warm it in the Wintertime. It can ground and stabilize our mind when we are stressed out; or it can energize and stimulate our mind when our thinking becomes slow and lethargic. Incense has also been known to be used spiritual growth – strengthening our connection and coordination with our sattva – our inner divine core that reverberates as light.
Scents that Heal
Modern science does not yet fully understand or appreciate the subtle healing powers of aromatherapy. In contrast, in Ayurveda, we speak of Sugandha Vigyan – the understanding of how scents or aromas (whether pure or chemically adulterated) enter into and effect the mind and body. Obviously, when a scent is chemically ladden, it will cause toxicity and damage. When it is natural, pure, and unadulterated, it will deliver balancing properties.
Through the ayurvedic science of Sugandha Vigyan, we learn that the scents of flowers and other plants contain “sookshma bhag” or micro-molecules, extremely small, sharp and fast-moving particles, that instantly penetrate into and travel in our physiology, reaching the brain center to procure immediate impact. When you inhale a pleasant aroma, it communicates with your limbic system instantaneously affecting molecular chemical changes in your brain chemistry and firing up neuronal pathways that generate waves of well-being (or repulsion – depending on what you are smelling!). From the brain, the aromatic molecules enter the blood stream and are delivered to the whole body.
Only natural aromas can deliver healthy-benefiting or balancing effects. But that’s only part of the story. To deliver a therapeutic action, an incense must retain the subtle prabhava, or subtle vibrational effect, of the herbs. The scent is one thing. The balancing therapeutic impact is another.
My SV Ayurvedic Incense Sticks carry and maintain the prabhavas of their ingredients because they are made with the same care and pranic preservation methods used in all of my other SVA Formulations. Thus far, I have made seven types of Ayurvedic ncense. They are meant to purify the environment you burn them in, transforming your mind-set within seconds. I have used specific flower and plant essence aromatic synergies.
You can choose from different plants and flowers, for different activities. now have several choices of incense for meditation, cleaning your living or office space, and opening your mind and heart to the divine without creating toxins for your body.
SVA Incense Sticks – 7 Herbal and Flower Blends to Choose from
Organic Rose Incense
When we feel emotionally down and out, unable to handle life’s constant challenges, we need something that can help us restore our emotional strenght. Smell your way to emotional balance with the SVA Organic Rose incense to instantly soothe your sadhaka pitta – the ayurvedic governing factor of the emotional heart. Aggravation of sadhak pitta is common. When sadhak pitta is aggravated, our outlook on life will remain grim and grey despite our best mental efforts. We will just not feel up to anything. Sadhak pitta aggravation takes the spark out of life. Pacification of sadhak pitta with rose aromatherapy can work wonders. The subtle aromatic principles of real rose in this incense opens the heart lotus and connects the soul’s light (sattva) to the mind – even as it soothes/cools the heart and mind in stressful situations. But, rose incense is not just for when you feel down. Regular use balances your sadhaka pitta and gives greater emotional stamina to handle emotional challenges. Rose carries a “somnasya jana” or bliss-enhancing property. Because we face emotional challenges every day, this incense is perfect to use regularly, specially during peack activity times of the day when stress escalades. Use it to create greater bliss in yourself and the environment of any room in your home, or office. You will find it can be especially beneficial if you are a vata or pitta body type, or a mixture of both, in your overall constitution. Learn more about the uplifting benefits of rose on my blog in this article: Queen of Flowers.
Blissful Jasmine Incense
I use only the purset Sambac Jasmine in this incense stick. Jasmine is another wondrous flower with a long list of health benefits. It cleans the water and air elements of the environment. Wherever it is used, real jasmine yields a sandhaniya (unifying) effect whether physically (as on our skin – read about it in my XXXXX) or mentally: on the mind and brain activity. This incense supports mental bliss by reestablishing the connection and coordination between “dhi, dhriti,” and “smriti:” the power to gather, store and recollect information. Charak says that lack of coordination between dhi, dhriti, and smriti leads to pragyaparadh, unsettling all 3 doshas of the body, inducing specific dis-eases. Daily use of this incense keeps pragyaparadh at bay. Daily use relieves stress, brings more mental energy, and returns us to our natural state, or “svabhava.”
Cooling Vetiver Incense
Vetiver is famous for its deep cooling effects, but has been somewhat overshadowed by the popularity of Sandalwood. It is in fact very widely used in the (ayur)vedic tradition for so many conditions and in varied contexts, either ritual or other. In my ancestral village in North West India, there is a long tradition of using Vetiver to refresh and cool things off on hot summer days. In the Summertime, increased agni in the environment dilates our circulatory channels, increasing heat in the blood too. Vetiver cools the blood and with regular use can even cool the muscle and fat tissues. As compared to sandalwood, vetiver is just as divine, but gives us a longer lasting cooling effect. When inhaled, the highly aromatic molecules of Vetiver pacify the heat present in the environment and the body. Overall, Vetiver Incense opens the brain channels and instantly brings a cool, calming, refreshing effect, especially reducing emotional anger and irritability. Learn more about Vetiver.
Alertness Rosemary Devi Incense
Rosemary is a unique flowering plant, that carries a mildly pungent sweet scent. It is a powerful stress-relieving plant. Its slight pungency unblocks the physical channels of the brain, connecting heart and mind. In Ayurveda, Rosemary is also known for improving blood circulation, supporting digestion, enhancing memory, and sharpening concentration. Mildly thermogenic, Rosemary carries just enough heat to keep things running smoothly without aggravating pitta. Overall, my Rosemary Incense is invigorating, refreshing, and stimulating. Read the research Sniffing Rosemary Can Increase Memory By 75%
Soothing and Uplifting Lemon Grass Devi Incense
Lemongrass has a delicious refreshing citrus smell. Burning this incense in your home creates a calming environment for you, and a bad environment for certain insects, especially pesky mosquitoes, that dislike it. In the physiology, Lemongrass opens the physical channels of the whole body – brain, lungs, and nasal pathways. Lemongrass Incense instantly calms vata dosha, clearing the mind. It alse relaxes the muscles.
Purifying Sage
Sage has a long tradition of being the purifying plant/herb for all things material and immaterial. A powerful plant, it is used in many ancient traditions and rituals from across the world to cleanse vibrational negatives charges as well. Enjoy this unique SVA blend to keep a handle on the your home’s or office’s etheric purity.
Calming Lavender
With its unique floral calming scent, Lavender is a favorite to unwind from a long hectic day, or to keep things under control during the day. It calms the mind, pacifies the emotions, and soothes the senses. Use it anytime of the day or night to get our calmness back on!
SV Ayurvedic Incense Sampler Pack
An assortment of each of SV Ayurvedic Incense sticks. Contains one of each type so you can experience the full pack.
Directions:
Light the end of the stick, gently fan out the flame with your hand, place in your incense holder. Make sure the burnt ash falls in a container or non-flammable surface.
Precautions: SVA Incense burns at a low heat. But any incense is cause for a fire hazard. Use your incense responsibly and safely – keep away from flammable surfaces and materials. Store in a cool dry place. Keep away from children.
Disclaimer
This product and statements have not been evaluated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration) and are not intended to be used to diagnose, treat or cure any disease. All of the information above is intended to be used for educational purposes only and may not be used to replace or compliment medical advice.
