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Healthy Alternatives to Incense

Numerous healthy alternatives exist to fill your home with heavenly scents without killing you softly.

By Anthony GramugliaPublished 7 years ago 2 min read
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Photo by Francesco Gallarotti

The scent of incense burning often signifies you've entered a spiritually pure and safe location, full of good vibes and happiness. An alternative world where the gentle smoke hanging over your head comforts and fills you with a sense of vitality.

But what many people don't realize is that this haven of incense is actually killing you. For those who wish to enter a space of unique aromas and fragrances, but don't wish to suffer the dangers burning incense has to offer, numerous healthy alternatives exist to fill your home with heavenly scents without killing you softly.

Health Risks of Incense

Photo by Francesco Gallarotti

While incense burning may leave a pleasant aroma in the air, there are numerous health risks to burning incense that most people remain unaware of. Burned incense releases a carcinogen called benzene into the air. If that name sounds familiar, it is because the same chemical is released into the air when one smokes a cigarette.

Short term effects of carcinogen benzene inhalation include headaches and queasiness. Long term? Leukemia and lung cancer. While burned incense is often associated with spiritual fulfillment and New Age vitality, the truth is that it can put you in the hospital - or, worse, in the ground.

Baking Food in Oven

Photo by Mira Bozhko

A common alternative is to bake food in the oven. The release of scents from baked goods can fill the house, and establish a pleasant aroma that reminds you of winter meals with your loving family.

Cinnamon apples work well, as, when you cook them, you fill the air with the sweet scent of cinnamon. Better still, you can then consume said smell by eating the apples.

You need to be careful not to burn the food, as that can release the scent of charred goodness into the air, which is never a pleasant aroma. Most baked goods release a delectable scent, so, no matter what choice you make, you will be satisfied.

Scented candles may be commonly associated with artificial aromas. They are manufactured. Fake. Not natural like incense. However, there are brands of soy candles that give off fragrances that are not made in a lab.

Instead, some candles release the scents of essential oils. They are slathered with essential oils that, when burned, release into the air. The fragrances are both far healthier and far more natural than your average sticks of incense.

Homemade Deodorizer

A long-term solution is the homemade deodorizer, a simple healthy alternative to incense that requires a little baking soda and essential oils. Simply drip the oils into the soda, shake, and let it sit.

After awhile, the scents will be released into the air over a long period of time. It is a milder fragrance, but it should last for weeks on end as opposed to hours.

Oil Burners

Oil burners remain an alternative to incense burning that remains awfully healthy, and won't give you cancer. To prepare an oil burner, take a small cup or saucer, and place it over a mild heat source. Drop essential oils mixed with a little water into the saucer.

Keep it suspended over the heat source. Let it wait. As it heats, the scents from the oil will be released into the air. No burning. No smoke. Just the spread of the oils throughout the entire home. You can choose whatever oils you found pleasurable, and let it sit.

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About the Creator

Anthony Gramuglia

Obsessive writer fueled by espresso and drive. Into speculative fiction, old books, and long walks. Follow me at twitter.com/AGramuglia

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