In Europe, incense came from the East. The most ancient perfumers were probably the Egyptians. Incense accompanied them not only in life, but also after death. Now, thanks to the fascination of our contemporaries with exotic oriental teachings and medicine, incense is experiencing a new period of popularity. Incense is of different types: incense sticks based on bamboo chips, charcoal incense sticks, baseless incense sticks, cones, barrels, powders, "plasticine" incense and liquid essential oils. How to use incense correctly to get a beneficial result, not headaches or allergies.
It is necessary
- • Stand for aroma sticks and aroma sticks;
- • For tar, incense and fragrant herbs - incense burner, sand and coal;
- • Stands for baseless sticks, cones, barrels and spirals;
- • Scented lamp, warm water and a candle.
Instructions
Step 1
The most common type of incense is bamboo-based incense sticks. These sticks are mainly made in China or India. They are made using a bamboo straw that is dipped first in the aroma mixture and then in the aroma oil. The aroma mixture can include fragrant tree shavings (sandalwood, juniper, etc.), crushed aromatic herbs, and essential oils. When buying sticks, be careful. Indeed, for the manufacture of their cheap options, synthetic essential oils are often used, which do not give anything but a strong smell. In order to burn an incense stick, you need to set it on fire and blow it out gently so that it smolders without fire. It is better to purchase a special holder for aroma sticks, as they fall off in the form of ash when burned.
Step 2
Another type of incense is charcoal sticks or cones. The smell of burning bamboo is not mixed with the aroma of such sticks, but they are more fragile and require special stands for their use.
Step 3
There are also incense that is called "plasticine". Ghee, honey, or the resin of aromatic trees serve as a binding base for aromatic herbs and essential oils in such incense. Among such incense, non-natural ones are less common, but they can be attached to any surface. In India, they are popular in markets and streets.
Step 4
The cones and barrels are compressed fragrant herbs and fragrant tree sawdust. This is the most natural and convenient type of incense. Any flat candlestick or bowl that can withstand heat can serve as a stand for them. Ashes from such incense do not scatter, but remain on the stand.
Step 5
Incense in the form of resins (frankincense, myrrh, etc.) or free-flowing milled herbs require special incense burners. Incense burners, most often, are bowls on low scabbards (metal, stone or clay). Sometimes they are closed with a lid with holes, and sometimes they are hung (for example, a censer). In order to burn solid or loose incense, you need to take an incense burner, pour sand or coarse salt into it (half the volume), put a special charcoal tablet on the sand, which is set on fire. Charcoal tablets, more often, are treated with nitrate so that the charcoal can easily ignite from a brought match. Otherwise, the coal is sprayed with alcohol and then set on fire. The incense in the incense burner is thrown onto the hot coal. In this case, it is better not to overdo it with incense, the same incense only needs a couple of grains. Fragrant herbs should be crushed into a powdery state. If the grass is coarse, then it is better to grind it in a mortar.
Step 6
In addition, liquid essential oils of aromatic herbs and trees are used as incense. An aroma lamp is indispensable here. However, now they are produced in huge quantities, for every taste and wallet. A little warm water is poured into the container of the aroma lamp and a couple of drops of essential oil are dripped. It remains to light the heating candle, which is located under the bowl of the aroma lamp.
