Burning Incense and Diffusing Essential Oils. The healthy approach.

By Lori Lines

A mixture of essential oils can provide therapy whether it is  burned or diffused. It will be burned by using incense and diffused by way of a variety of methods, popularly known as aromatherapy. Here we will discuss the difference between the two ways and how it can be beneficial for your body. We will also discuss what will be the most appropriate type of aromatherapy in accordance to your desired ways for healing to take place.


First of all, what is incense? Incense has been used and burned for thousands of years by different cultures all around the world. It is mainly coming from a mixture of aromatic plants, herbs and some essential oils extracted from those herbs. With the discharge of the aroma or its smell, when being burned, it is believed to have therapeutic claims.


On the other hand, diffusing essential oils by several methods (which will be discussed later) emits a certain aroma has healing effects. There are several methods of essential oil diffusion and they are as follows:

• Cold Air Diffusers. Also known as Nebulizers - adapts the principle of operation of an atomizer. The oils are forced through a pinhole by way of a stream of high pressure air. This will produce a very fine vapor that contains the oil in liquid form, and will be suspended in air for a time. Due to the oil suspension at high velocity, the energy levels will also increase which will then raise the healing potential of the essential oil on this state.
• Ultrasonic Diffuser. This method of diffuser operates by breaking up water and the essential oils through the principle of atomization. This will then create microscopic molecules and eventually create mist.

Is there a difference between the two methods of diffusing in terms of healing or therapy? There is actually none in terms of that aspect. The main difference of the two is the manner of diffusion of the essential oils. Cold Air diffusers tend to emit a sound while in operation while ultrasonic diffusers are very quiet. If you are using diffusers usually at night time and are very sensitive in terms of any kind of noise while sleeping, it would be best to use an Ultrasonic Diffuser.


The critical difference between diffusing essential oils and burning incense is that burning incense emits smoke, which is similar to tobacco smoke or a wood smoke, a proven carcinogen. According to several researchers, the smoke that was emitted from burning incense contains air pollutants such as Carbon Monoxide, Nitrogen Oxides, Sulphur Oxides and some Volatile Organic Compounds. Though it is a fact that burning incense produces smoke that contains harmful air pollutants, it is not yet proven whether consistent inhaling smoke from burning incense can affect bodies rather than heal them. Some suggest that incense should be burned in a well ventilated room and should not be inhaled excessively. On the other hand, diffusing essential oils back in the days are similar to burning incense as the essential oils used to be diffused by way of potpourri or the candle method (by introducing fire to the essential oils, which also emits smoke). Nowadays, as mentioned above, Ultrasonic Diffusers and Air Diffusers have eliminated the emission of smoke, thus creating a difference between the two types of aromatherapy.
 
In terms of the choice of aromatherapy method between burning Incense and diffusing essential oils, some factors and differences vary from each user. It means that it will still depend on the way you want them to be. Burning incense, apart from producing smoke while in operation, should be used on some special circumstances (such as using them on a well ventilated room) and apart from it, it is potentially using up the essential oils during the burning process. This could mean that the therapeutic process is not actually efficient. This is in contrast with the modern diffusing method (Ultrasonic and Air), wherein it is not wasting the essential oils while in operation rather it is fairly suspended in the air creating a more effective therapy method. If the main aim of the use of these essential oils is to deodorize the room through its emission of pleasant odors, then by all means, please use incense sticks and burn them (even diffuse the essential oils use by introducing fire also known as the candle method). But if you do want to use these essential oils as a deodorizer as well as for therapy, then the better method to use is the modern diffusion of essential oils. 

It is advised to use essential oils, when using a diffuser, only 20 minutes per hour and no more.

In my opinion, I like the diffusing method provided by Young Living because their diffusers are of high quality and in different price ranges. To me, diffusing essential oils is a cleaner way to go rather than inhaling smoke.  Check them out here and see if any of them will work for you.

---