Incense and Health

Many people enjoy the aroma of incense for its scent, and it can also be used to calm the mind or help with meditation. In the past, incense was burned to purify a room or space and to create a mood for prayer and ritual. While this is still a common practice, there are concerns about incense smoke and health. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce risks associated with incense burning by making sure that it is done properly and opening windows while the sticks are burning.

Incense contains both natural and synthetic ingredients that burn to produce particulate matter, gas products and organic compounds. These compounds can be absorbed into the lungs to cause irritation and other health issues. Studies have linked incense to respiratory diseases, including asthma, and have shown a link between incense burning and air pollution.

The type of incense used can make a big difference in how the particles disperse. Resins and other woody materials produce more harmful particulate matter, while plant leaves and herbs generally emit less. The type of fragrance is also a factor. The best way to minimize the health hazards of incense is to choose natural ingredients and avoid artificial fragrances, which are known lung irritants.

Inhaling incense smoke close up is not ideal over the long term, but billions of people over millennia have enjoyed and huddled around much greater volumes of toxic smoke from burning candles and other flammable objects. The dangers of inhaling too much incense smoke may be heightened for individuals with respiratory sensitivities, but the vast majority of people can safely enjoy incense and its fragrance from several feet away.

Using pure pressed powdered incense ingredients tends to be the safest form. These can be purchased in traditional Japanese shops or from the major manufacturers. Pressed cones sold in Western gift stores are often made by amateurs and are more likely to contain toxic perfumes and other chemicals.

The chemicals in incense smoke aren’t just a nuisance, but have been linked to various health risks, including cancer and heart disease. Inhaling these volatile compounds over time can affect the lungs, leading to oxidative stress and inflammation in the lungs. These chemicals can also affect the nervous system, resulting in reduced brain activity and slower reaction times. Long-term inhalation of these substances can even lead to Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and dementia. A study conducted in 2021 found that chronic exposure to particulate matter can reduce the size of the brain’s prefrontal cortex and cause cognitive delays. These effects are similar to those seen in smokers. The good news is that the risk of incense smoke causing these conditions is not considered to be as severe as that of smoking tobacco, and opening windows while incense is burning can significantly reduce the amount of inhalable particulate matter. However, additional research on longer-term exposure to incense is needed to determine if it can cause neoplasms and other health issues.