Wednesday, January 28, 2009

The Thoughts Behind Burning Frankincense

By Louise Servage

The ancient art of aromatherapy is the practice where through the burning of herbs and other botanicals favourable results are achieved. Burning frankincense in particular has been done for thousands of years in places of worship and meditation in an incense burner. The popularity of burning frankincense is spurred on by the want of some people to infuse the essence of frankincense in an array of modern day objects that rely on scent to make people feel good 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.

Burning frankincense may be the traditional way of experiencing the scent but as a massage therapy oil, frankincense essential oil works well also. Not only does frankincense essential oil help to soothe the muscles and the tissues but it also helps as an anti-inflammatory and anti-septic agent. Regular massages with frankincense essential oil also promote a better digestive system as well as an improved reproductive system for women.

The relaxing and calm atmosphere that burning frankincense promotes is most desirable for people under a great deal of stress. The deeper and slower breaths that occur to a person inhaling burning frankincense or the smell of frankincense help with some respiratory conditions. There are many other conditions that may improve with the aid of this scent.

Ways Of Burning Frankincense

There are several ways to burn frankincense. These are with the use of a candle burner, with a diffuser and through the burning of incense sticks. Burning frankincense with 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 with some oil filled halfway with a tea light candle burning directly below it. Diffusers on the other hand do not use candles to generate heat, instead they use electricity. Burning frankincense through incense sticks is the usually done in places of worship and prayer.

The centuries old method is still the most common means being used for burning frankincense; this is done by taking hardened resin, called "tears", and placing them on live coals. This is the method that people in the Middle East discovered a long time ago and still find it the best. - 16492

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