A Brief History of Incense

The use of incense dates back thousands of years, and it has been used for a variety of purposes in many different cultures and religions.

Incense was widely used in ancient Egypt for religious and ceremonial purposes. Incense burners were placed in tombs and temples to honor the gods and to mask unpleasant odors. Incense was also used in the mummification process to purify the body and to protect the deceased from evil spirits.

in China and Japan incense has also been in use for centuries in both religious and secular contexts. Incense was used mostly to create a sacred atmosphere. It was also used in traditional Chinese medicine to help with healing, and to promote relaxation and well-being. Interestingly the ancient Greeks and Romans used it for similar reasons as did the Persian cultures in the Middle East  and it is still widely used today in Islamic, Jewish, and Christian religious ceremonies to this day. The most commonly associated use of incense comes from India though where it continues to be an important part of Hindu and Buddhist religious ceremonies.

Throughout history, incense has been used for religious and spiritual purposes, as well as for medicinal and practical reasons. Different cultures have used different types of incense and have developed their own methods for burning and using incense. Today, incense is still widely used for spiritual and religious purposes, as well as for aromatherapy, meditation, and to create a pleasant ambiance. One things for sure, the use of incense continues to be an important part of our routines and rituals.