People burn incense for various reasons. They may burn incense to help calm themselves, as part of a religious activity, or simply because they like the smell. Regardless of the reason, it is important that you know how to use incense properly.
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Part 1 of 3: Choosing Incense and Incense Holders
Step 1. Buy incense sticks
This type of incense consists of a thin stick of wood (usually a bamboo stick) covered with incense material, and there is a small part of the bottom of the stick that is not covered by the incense material. Some of the incense materials used have a smooth texture, and some have a rough texture. The aroma produced is usually quite strong, and is a blend of the aroma of incense and the aroma of burning wood.
Step 2. Buy solid incense sticks
This type of incense is made entirely of incense material and does not have a core stem (such as a bamboo stick). The aroma it produces is lighter, making it suitable for use in smaller rooms, such as a bedroom or office space. Because this type of incense does not have a core, the aroma produced is not as complex as the aroma produced by incense sticks because there is no additional aroma of burning wood.
Step 3. Find the right incense (incense stick) holder
Incense holders have many different shapes and types. The type of incense holder you choose will depend on the type of incense you are using, whether it is a core or solid stick. You can purchase a special incense holder to place your incense sticks in, or make your own incense holder using readily available materials.
- If you use incense sticks, try using an incense boat. An incense boat is a flat and elongated incense holder made of wood, metal, or ceramic, with a small hole at one end. On the incense boat there is usually a kind of elongated indentation that serves to accommodate the fallen ashes.
- If you are using solid incense sticks, do not use a wooden incense holder. The incense will burn to the bottom, so it is dangerous to use incense holders made of any flammable material. Instead, use a bowl filled with grains, rice, salt, or sand, and stick your incense sticks in the ingredients. If you still want to use an incense holder, make sure you use a ceramic or stone incense holder.
- Try buying an incense holder with a unique shape. In shops, you can often find incense holders sold in various forms, such as elephants, lotus flowers, leaves, or bowls. Such incense holders are usually made of ceramic (making them suitable for both core and solid incense sticks) and have a small opening in the top.
Step 4. Make your own incense holder
You can make simple incense using a bowl and materials such as sand or wheat germ, or you can make one out of clay. Below are some ideas you can try:
- Make a uniquely shaped incense holder using clay. Prepare natural clay (air it beforehand) and use a rolling pin to flatten it. Cut the clay into the shape you want using a craft knife or cookie cutter. You can make the surface flat, or lift the sides slightly to create a hollow (like a bowl). Take your incense stick and make a hole in the clay using it. Remove the incense from the clay and allow the clay to dry before you use it as an incense holder.
- Make an incense holder using a small bowl or bucket. Choose a container with an opening diameter that is wide enough so that you can easily collect the remaining ash that has fallen from the incense sticks. Fill the container with wheat germ, rice, salt, or sand.
Part 2 of 3: Using Incense
Step 1. Find a suitable place to burn incense
You should burn incense in a well-ventilated room because incense produces a lot of smoke. However, you should also keep burning incense away from open windows or doors as the wind can blow your incense out. Make sure there are no flammable objects near your incense, such as curtains or curtains.
Step 2. Light the tip of the incense stick
You can use matches or lighters to light your incense. Hold the flame at the tip of the incense until the tip of the incense burns.
Step 3. Let the fire burn for 10 seconds
A burning fire can die by itself. Once the fire has extinguished on its own, check the tip of the incense stick. If you can see the burning embers, the incense stick is burning properly. If you don't see anything, and the edges look dusty, you'll need to turn it on again.
Step 4. Gently blow out the flame
After the fire is blown and extinguished, you can see that there is a burning coal at the end of the incense stick and a little smoke coming out. After about 30 seconds, you can smell it. If the smell has emerged and you see coals burning at the end of the incense stick, you have successfully lit the incense. If you don't see any burning coals and the tip of the incense sticks out just ashes, you haven't lit it successfully. Relight your incense stick, but this time block one side of the incense with your hand and hold your hand behind the blazing fire as you blow.
Step 5. Put your incense in place
If you are using incense sticks, insert the tip of the incense stick (tip of a stick or bamboo) into the hole in the incense holder. If you are using a solid incense stick, you can insert either end of the incense holder. Most incense holders hold the incense vertically, or at a slight angle. If the incense holder you are using is holding the incense stick at a slight angle, make sure that the lit end of the incense stick is still directly above the incense holder. If the tip of the incense stick exceeds the incense holder, cut a bit of your incense stick or place your incense holder on a heat-resistant tray.
If you are using a small bowl or bucket filled with wheat germ, rice, salt, or sand, you just need to press the tip of the incense deeper into the material you are using until the incense sticks up firmly. You can stand the incense vertically or slightly at an angle. If you mount it at a slight angle, make sure that the lit end of the incense stick is still directly above the container. This way, after you light the incense stick, the ashes produced from the burning will fall into the container, not onto the table or floor
Step 6. Let the incense burn until it is completely burned
Most incense sticks will burn for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on their size and thickness.
Step 7. Apply safety procedures when using fire
As with all types of fire, do not leave burning incense. If you must go, extinguish the incense first by dripping a small amount of water on a burning coal or pressing the tip of the incense stick against a fireproof surface. Make sure the incense holder you use is placed on a heat-resistant surface, and away from flammable objects such as curtains, curtains, and the reach of children and pets.
Part 3 of 3: Knowing the Right Time To Burn Incense
Step 1. Use incense for meditation
Burning incense during the meditation process can not only relax your mind, but also help you to focus more.
Step 2. Use incense as an air freshener
Since incense produces a lot of scented smoke, you can use it as an air freshener. However, keep in mind that incense will only mask bad odors, so to really get rid of bad odors, you'll need to get rid of the source of the odor (garbage, dirty dishes, dirty trash, and so on).
Step 3. Use incense as aromatherapy
You can use incense to help you focus more. In addition, incense can also be used to increase motivation, relieve headaches, and reduce depression. Incense can help you relax and feel calmer.
Step 4. You need to be aware of the use of incense
Excessive use of incense can trigger lung disease. Burning incense produces aromatic smoke that fills the room, which you can inhale. Several studies have shown that inhaling such smoke every day can lead to lung cancer.
Step 5. Keep in mind that burning incense too often can increase air pollution
The smoke produced from burning incense excessively can reduce the air quality in your home, as well as trigger health problems such as asthma, headaches, and respiratory problems. In addition, incense smoke can also irritate the eyes, nose, lungs, and throat.
Tips
- You can light as many incense sticks as you want at the same time, but usually just one stick of incense is enough to scent a room.
- Incense can burn for 20 to 30 minutes.
- If you don't want to light the entire stick of incense, extinguish the incense by dipping the burning tip in water to make sure the embers are extinguished.
- If you are not sure about the type of incense you want to buy, ask the store clerk which types of incense are most popular to buy, then buy incense sticks individually. Try them one at a time until you find the type of incense you like.
Warning
- Don't leave burning incense.
- Make sure your room has good ventilation. Too much smoke in the room can actually cause headaches.
- Do not place the incense in a place where it is exposed to a lot of wind or where it is easily bumped.
- Place the incense holder on a flat, heat-resistant surface. This needs to be done to reduce the risk of fire if at any time your incense sticks and falls or there is incense ash falling outside the incense holder.
