The Dangers of Incense Def

Incense is a fragrant substance that may be burned in religious ceremonies or used to perfume homes and offices. Its name is derived from the Latin word incendere, meaning “to set on fire.” The burning of incense releases volatile, aromatic compounds that emit pleasant scents when they are burned. However, exposure to the chemicals produced by incense def can cause health problems and lung damage.

Incense burns produce particulate matter, gas products and other organic compounds that can damage the respiratory tract and irritate the skin. When inhaled, these pollutants can lead to respiratory symptoms like chronic coughing, runny nose, sneezing and asthma. Additionally, inhaling incense smoke can increase the amount of allergens in the bloodstream, increasing a person’s susceptibility to allergic contact dermatitis.

There are several different kinds of incense, with the differences largely based on their method of production and their intended use. Typically, incense can be divided into two groups: whole and powdered. Whole incense is usually made by grinding raw, aromatic resins into a fine powder and mixing it with essential oils. These oils are generally of a floral fragrance, but they can also include citrus and other fragrances. The mixture is then kneaded into small pastilles and dried. Arabian incense (bukhoor) is of this type, as are the Japanese kneaded incenses called neriko or awaseko.

Powdered incense is generally more popular, as it can be easily mixed and blended into various styles of incense. For example, the frankincense incense of the Eastern Orthodox monastic tradition on Mount Athos is made by mixing powdered frankincense and fir resin with various fragrances. It is then kneaded into small, pastille-like masses, and the mixture is rolled until it becomes hard. This form of incense is known as moskolibano, and it comes in a variety of colors, which often correspond to the fragrances used.

A few studies have examined the effect of incense burning on the respiratory tract. In one, rats were exposed to incense smoke for 14 weeks. The researchers found that the rats developed inflammatory changes to their alveolar pneumocytes, including necrosis and degeneration. These changes were associated with a rise in cord blood IgE levels.

Medical uses of incense in ancient times are not well documented. However, early medieval medical texts do mention the use of medicinal incense. For example, a composite manuscript dated to the 9th century contains excerpts from Hippocrates’ Aphorisms along with the De succedaneis liber, hermeneumata, Isidore of Seville’s Etymologies and instructions on phlebotomy, as well as a few unattributed incense recipes.

The OED’s entry for incense notes that the word may refer to a number of substances, but it is most commonly used to describe the fragranced smoke that is burned in religious services and for personal use. It is unclear whether this use is due to Christian influence, though some historians suggest that it is rooted in traditional pre-Christian rituals of purification. However, it is important to note that many of the ingredients mentioned in these recipes, such as cozumber and confita, do not appear in earlier Biblical, Egyptian, Greek or Roman incense recipes or medicines.