Is burning incense good or bad for health?
Let's analyze it based on the following two points:
What incense to burn:
Many people oppose burning incense at home, believing it's as harmful to the body as cigarettes. It's important to understand that burning incense falls into two categories: natural and chemical(Note: The term "chemical incense" here refers specifically to inferior incense sticks synthesized with chemical materials. It does not include products such as essential oils extracted from natural materials. While essential oils are technically considered chemical compounds, they are not harmful to the body. The main focus here is on "natural" and "high quality".). Natural incense, derived from medicinal materials like agarwood and sandalwood, offers better quality than its chemical counterparts, which are often made from coal or petrochemicals, emitting harmful substances like benzene when burned. Throughout history, burning natural incense has been a healthy lifestyle choice, adding a sense of ritual to life. Therefore, the health effects of burning incense depend on the type used.
How to burn incense:
Even natural incense produces smoke during burning. The purpose of burning incense is to enjoy its aroma, not inhale its smoke. When using incense, keep at least 1 meter away from the incense and ensure good ventilation. Those with respiratory issues or allergies should seek medical advice before use. So is it possible to choose smoke-free incense? wrong! Natural incense must have smoke. In the incense culture, watching the smoke of incense has always been one of the criteria for evaluating the quality of an incense.In addition, when burning natural incense, be careful not to overdose. The time of burning incense should be controlled within 2 hours a day. Pregnant women should not burn incense. Pay attention to fire prevention when burning incense. Use some fire-proof incense tools, such as ceramics, glass, and copper. Tools etc.
Appropriate burning of high-quality natural incense will not cause harm to the body. It is also a ritual for life and a sustenance for a peaceful life.
The above insights are derived from literature summaries on incense culture by Emily Teng. For any inquiries, please contact us at your convenience.
Inhale Serenity, Exhale Peace.
