Many incense products on the market contain harmful man-made chemicals. However, Utama Spice is made from natural ingredients that are good for your health and environment.
Keep incense burning on a safe, heat resistant surface away from flammable materials and liquids. Also, make sure your holder can’t fall over.
Burning incense
Incense is a great way to add a wonderful scent and a sense of calm. However, it is important to burn incense safely as the smoke can be a hazard to pets and children. Make sure to open a window before and after using incense to avoid toxins from being released into the air.
The smoke produced by burning incense contains particulate matter, gas products and other organic compounds. These pollutants can cause airway disease and other health problems when inhaled. A 2015 study found that the components in incense smoke were toxic to cultured cells at lower concentrations than cigarette smoke.
Burning incense can also produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been linked to cancer. Whether or not these chemicals increase your risk of cancer depends on the amount you are exposed to, so it is best to use incense sparingly. The best option is to choose an incense made from natural ingredients that do not contain PAHs.
Making your own incense
You can make your own incense using ingredients you probably already have in the kitchen. This can be a fun project for the family, and is an inexpensive way to add natural scents to your home. Just make sure to use a heat-resistant bowl and avoid placing it near fabric, small children and pets.
To begin, place your dried herbs into a mortar and pestle or clean coffee grinder and crush them into a fine powder. This will help the incense burn more slowly and create a stronger aroma. You will need around 1.5 teaspoons of crushed herbs for each incense cone.
Next, mix your herbs with a little makko powder or other binding agent to hold the mixture together. You can find makko powder at many herb stores, but if you cannot find it, you can use cedarwood powder or sandalwood powder instead. Once the incense has been shaped, place it on a heat-resistant bowl and light its tip. After a few seconds, blow it out.
Choosing a safe holder
Whether you’re burning incense for relaxation or for spiritual purposes, there are some important safety concerns to consider. For example, the smoke from some types of incense can trigger respiratory problems in people with asthma. It’s also essential to use a safe holder for your incense, and to keep it away from any flammable materials.
There are many different holders available, from ceramic to stone and wood. They come in a wide variety of shapes and styles to fit with any décor. Some even have an attractive ash catcher that collects the ashes from your incense sticks.
When using a wooden or stone holder, be sure to place it on a flat surface so that it won’t fall over. It’s also important to remember that once the incense is lit, it should be kept at a safe distance from children and pets. Burning incense can cause fires if it’s left unattended, so it’s important to monitor it regularly and never leave it burning unsupervised.
Fire safety
The smoke produced by burning incense can trigger many types of fire alarms. It’s important to burn incense in spaces that are well ventilated and to be aware that ash can fall on flammable surfaces like draperies and carpeting.
The ashes from incense can also discolor wood or glass surfaces. Make sure to keep a plate or ceramic incense burner in the holder to catch the ash and avoid letting it spill on to surfaces you value.
Also, don’t blow out the incense stick; it releases toxic carbon monoxide into the air as it is extinguished. Carbon monoxide is an odorless gas that can cause a variety of health problems. Other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from incomplete combustion are also released when incense is burned, such as formaldehyde and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which are linked to certain types of cancer. Try switching to a different type of incense that doesn’t produce as much smoke or use plant-based alternatives for air freshening.