If you’re looking to add ambiance and fragrance to your home, then incense is a beautiful way to do so. Sitting in your room while watching the smoke from the incense burns around the room is both a relaxing and grounding experience.
The use of incense spans both religions and cultures all around the world. That said, there is no clear consensus on how much incense you should be burning.
Some say it should only be burned for special occasions, while others burn it regularly for relaxation and peace.
With this in mind, in this article, we will explain everything you need to know about burning incense, including when to burn it and how much.
Let’s get straight into it.
Benefits Of Burning Incense
The practice of burning incense has been used for centuries, for a range of different reasons, too. Some of which include medicinal and spiritual.
Below, we have outlined some of the benefits that are associated with burning incense. These include:
Reducing anxiety and stress.
Removing negative energy and purifying the air.
Helping the mind to focus.
Promotes peace and relaxation.
Enhances the connection to divine and spiritual awareness.
Supports prayer practices and meditation.
Promote healing – both emotionally and physically.
You can burn incense on its own or in combination with other forms of prayer and meditation. It is a great way to access the benefits that burning incense provides – everyone should give it a try!
How Much Incense Should You Burn Each Day?
On average, a standard incense stick will generally burn for around an hour. That said, this is dependent on the length of the incense stick.
When looking at a 21cm incense stick, it should have the ability to burn for around one hour. Likewise, the scent that this stick produces should last for 24 hours.
That said, this is dependent on the space in your room and the airflow. As such, you may be wondering, how much incense should I burn a day?
Well, there are two important factors that help to determine how much incense you should burn. Below, we have outlined these factors for you.
Amount Of Space
Think about it. If you have a small room, it would be somewhat pointless to burn more than one incense stick at a time.
That said, if your space is larger, for instance, you’re hiring a yoga studio or your house is big, then burning more than one incense would be effective.
That said, regardless of the amount of space you have, the right amount of incense to burn depends on how strong or weak you want your incense to be.
Scent Prominence
Should you burn incense every day? While you can burn incense daily, you may find that it alters the small of your house.
As you may already know, there is a range of incense scents that can be purchased or blended inside your home. That said, when blending scents, make sure to pair complementary ones.
Hence, if you choose to burn your incense sticks daily, then you should make sure that it is the same scent. When switching between scents, you should make sure that you’re clearing the air – this usually takes around two days.
Likewise, the type of intensity you prefer will also influence how much incense you should burn daily. If you prefer a scent that is lighter, then you would benefit from burning less incense. Can You Burn Too Much Incense?
Below, we will look at some issues which may arise when burning too much incense. These include:
Synthetic Fragrances
When it comes to incense brands, even reputable ones, they tend to use synthetic products in their formulas. While they may claim to be completely natural, this is usually an oversight.
Even well-known brands have been seen using synthetic products in their incense.
Therefore, when breathing in this smoke, it can often have an adverse effect on your throat, nose, and eyes – potentially creating further respiratory issues, too.
Moreover, depending on the type of incense you’re using, it can have the ability to potentially damage your lungs.
Excess Smoke Inhalation
When you’re burning a lot of incense, the result is a lot of smoke. As such, this may cause you to inhale more smoke. Regardless of where the smoke is from, it is bad for your lungs.
When burning incense, it is important to ensure you have adequate ventilation. Therefore, if your space is big enough, you could benefit from adding a fan or something similar to your room.
You can always open one or more windows if you have a small room. That said, regardless of the size of your room, you’ll want adequate ventilation when burning incense.
This is especially true when it comes to stick incense. Since these sticks are made from wood with scented oils and powders attached to them, you’ll be inhaling all of this.
In this regard, it is better to burn core and resin incense.
Potential Fire Hazard
Incense can be a cause of concern when it comes to fire starters, too. If left unattended, like a candle, it could potentially result in a fire.
Therefore, make sure to never leave your incense burning unattended. Plus, make sure your fire alarms are working effectively.
Health Issues Related To Smoke Inhalation
When burning too much incense, some people have been known to suffer from health issues. As such, it isn’t uncommon to experience dizziness, headaches, or even nausea when burning incense.
If this happens to you, the first thing you should do is stop burning the incense and significantly improve the airflow or ventilation in the room.
Moreover, incense can also be harmful to animals, such as cats and dogs. Since their smaller bodies are more likely to inhale larger amounts of smoke.
Tips For Using Incense Effectively And Safely
While burning incense has the ability to provide your room with aromatic wafts through the air, creating an ambiance that is both calming and spiritual, knowing how to use one properly is important.
Whether you’re using it because you simply enjoy the scent or for meditation, it is important you keep in mind a number of factors when burning incense both effectively and safely.
Below, we have outlined some tips on how to enjoy your incense safely.
Never Leave A Stick Burning Unattended
Keep caution in mind when burning incense – ensure that the area is well-ventilated and there are no flammable products nearby.
Place The Sticks In A Ceramic Dish Or Ashtray That Is Specifically Designed For Burning
Be careful not to touch the ember tip of your incense stick as this could burn.
Final Thoughts
Incense has the ability to provide a room with a peaceful and calming atmosphere. However, understanding how long and when to burn your incense is important.
This is generally dependent on the strength of scent you’re looking for as well as the size of your room. That said, you should generally stick to burning one incense stick per day.
Hopefully, this guide has informed you about everything you need to know about burning incense.
Hi, my name is Andrea Daehma and I have been collecting and using crystals in my everyday life for just over six years now.
I have my own collection of crystals gracing my house, several for every scenario I could think of.
Learning about crystals has truly changed my life, and I want to help others turn their life around too. Please enjoy my website and find your own small stone to begin your crystal journey with!
