Essential Oil As Incense: And How To Burn

Incense is a popular tool, used commonly amongst religious and spiritual relics, however, more and more types of people are enjoying the immense effects incense has. In this article we discuss 'Essential Oil As Incense: And How To Burn'. Read on to learn more.

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 1. Essential Oil as Incense
  1. Essential Oil
  2. Incense
  3. Essential Oil as Incense... But Why?

2. How to Burn Essential Oil as Incense

  1. So how do you burn essential oil on an oil warmer?

3. The Bottom Line

 

Essential Oil as Incense

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Essential Oil:

What is Essential Oil?

Essential oil is the strong-scented aromatic liquid/oil extracted from various plants; there are hundreds of essential oil scents to choose from. Popular essential oils are sourced from flowers, herbs, petals, stems, fruits, seeds, resins, and carpels.

Uses of Essential Oil

There are many uses for essential oil, the most common being aromatherapy. Some examples of how to use essential oils for aromatherapy purposes include: applied as massage oil (alongside carrier oil), burnt as incense, applied on wrists (diluted), and used within cosmetic products. Other uses of essential oils include as food additives, in medicine (holistic or otherwise), in aromatic products, as perfume, and as religious ointment.

How Are They Extracted?

Essential oil is commonly extracted through methods such as cold-pressing and steam distillation. Both methods maintain the individual scent and healing properties of the plant in which the essential oil is being extracted from. Once extracted, essential oils are usually potent in aroma and may cause skin irritation, so, they should always be diluted before use.

Brief History

Essential oils were prominent within popular ancient civilisations, becoming a significant part of their way of living. The ancient Greeks, Egyptians, Romans, and the Mesopotamians would mostly use essential oil as we do today; however, it had more of a religious and spiritual value back then. Essential oils were seen as a representation of statue, prosperity, and respect - many Pharaohs would wear it as perfume or ointment. The ancient Egyptians were known to use essential oil as an offering to their gods.
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Incense:

What is Incense?

Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases a pleasant, smoky fragrance when burnt. Burning plants, crafted incense, and extracts can help to freshen the air and increase spiritual clarity. Some popular incense types include: sticks, cones, coils, loose, and natural. Natural is our favourite, but why? - click here to learn more.

Uses of Incense

 Incense is an ancient tool used to cleanse energy, rid bad odours, and enhance spirituality. It has a long history of use, ultimately becoming a worldwide phenomenon. Nowadays, incense is used by all sorts of people and for all sorts of reasons. Not only is it used to enhance spirituality, but more and more people burn incense to freshen their homes.

Brief History

Incense dates back thousands of years - the earliest relocation being as early as 3000 BC in India and China. The ancient Egyptians also burnt incense, especially resins, essential oils, and botanicals. Incense has a lot of sacred value - they would cleanse sacred beings, such as priests and pharaohs, with incense smoke before being mummified. This brought soul eternal fortune and protection.

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Essential Oil as Incense... But Why?

Due to modern influence, incense has become more harmful - more additives and chemicals are used in production. This said, there are still some natural options and essential oil is our favourite. 
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Burning essential oils isn't only a more natural, ancient, and health-conscious solution to incense cleansing, but they are fresher, more pleasant, and more potent in fragrance (as opposed to sticks, cones, and coils). There is also a wider variety of essential oil fragrances out there. Whether you prefer floral, sweet, spicy, earthy, woodsy, fresh, minty, herbaceous, or citrus, with essential oils you will never get bored. 
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Essential oils are enriched with healing properties - each one has its own individual benefits. For example, Lavender is great for improving sleep and anxiety, whereas Frankincense can help to uplift energy and improve nausea.
Other healing essential oil examples include:

- Sweet Orange

- Myrrh

- Agarwood

- Saffron

- Peppermint

- Jasmine

- Sandalwood

- Vanilla

- Rose

And so much more...

How to Burn Essential Oil as Incense

Essential oils should always be diluted in water or carrier oil before being burnt or applied topically. This is because they can catch flame and cause irritation if not. However, do not worry, this will not affect the fragrance of your oil - essential oils are extremely powerful in aroma, even when diluted.
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We enjoy burning our essential oils on a ceramic oil warmer, apposed to using an oil diffuser or other electrical warmer. This is because it is a more natural, earth-giving, and ancient way of burning plant matter. It allows us to connect closer to our incense, even before it produces smoke.
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So how do you burn essential oil on an oil warmer?

Here is a step-by-step guide on how to burn essential oil as incense.

Firstly, you will need:

  • One ceramic oil warmer.
  • One tea light candle.
  • A long lighter or match stick.
  • A pourable jug of water or carrier oil.
  • Your chosen essential oil/or oils.

How to burn:

1: Place your ceramic oil warmer on a heat-proof surface, out of reach from children and pets. Ensure there is nothing on or around it with the potential of catching light.

2: Place an unlit tea light candle onto the bottom ledge of your warmer, below the top surface.

3: Carefully fill the top bowl-like surface of your warmer with cool water or carrier oil (2/3rds full).

4: Place 4-10 drops of your chosen essential oil the water. If wanted, add a sprinkle/ small amount of botanicals and resin into the water for added effect.

5: Light your tea light candle with a long match stick. And enjoy for 10-25 minutes!

6: Never leave incense burning unattended. And use this time to meditate, journal, create, or relax.

7: Once done, blow out the candle and leave your warmer cool (for around 30 minutes).

8: Once cool, reuse and refill the left over oil and water. Or soak the remaining incense up with a specified sponge (separate from dishes) or paper towel. Then discard. Now you can wash you warmer and leave to air dry.

The Bottom Line

To conclude this article on 'Essential Oil As Incense: And How To Burn', burning essential oils is a great solution to healthy incense cleansing. They are fresh, healing, and full of variety. A must-try!

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