/ Aromatherapy
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Aromatherapy can work alongside your yoga practice to enhance it, but it can also help to improve your quality of life, aid relaxation, and even improve your quality of sleep.
One of the most well-known incense fragrances around is lavender, famous for making us sleepy and relaxed. But what else can lavender bring to our yogic practices? Keep reading to find out.
What is Lavender?
Lavender is found all over the world in the modern age, but did you know it originates in the Mediterranean, Middle East and Indian Subcontinent, and it’s actually related to the mint family?
It has been used for at least the last 2500 years in alternative medicine and as a holy or ceremonial herb. It was used to make perfumes in Ancient Egypt, and traces were found in Tutankhamun’s burial chamber when that was explored by Egyptologists, and it was even reported that the chamber still had the faint smell of lavender.
Ancient doctors also used it for its healing qualities. Skin complaints such as burns, cuts or bruises would often be treated with lavender, even as late as the 1930s. In Ancient Greece it was also used by doctors to treat indigestion, sore throats, and headaches.
In modern times, it is commonly used as a sleep aid by those who struggle to sleep or wind down after a stressful day. Lavender incense is often burned around the home to help to relieve tension between loved ones.
Benefits of Lavender
- Helps to alleviate chronic pain
- Reduces symptoms of anxiety or depression
- Improves sleep quality
- Promotes hair growth and healthy skin
- Encourages feelings of love and compassion
How to use Lavender
Burning lavender incense is one of the most effective ways to access its healing properties. This can either mean burning it in particular rooms of the home, or using it specifically during meditation sessions.
To access the most intense benefits of lavender incense it is best to use it during meditation. As you inhale deeply during the meditation sessions the lavender incense will amplify the effects of the meditation, especially if its purpose is to relax, destress, or improve sleep quality.
In order to see more general benefits to yourself and your family, try burning lavender incense in family rooms. This will help to ease familial tensions, improve communications, and help to flourish feelings of love, support, understanding and compassion.
For example, maybe you are finding you and your partner are so busy that communication has become fraught, you feel like you don’t have the quality time together that you need to feel supported.
If you want to bring the love and empathy back to the relationship, try burning lavender incense in the home and spending an evening together. It will relax you into each other’s company and encourage open and honest communication.
The Takeaway
Lavender incense is not only a great sleep aid, but also brilliant for facilitating truthful conversation, promoting feelings of love and understanding, and helping to relieve stress and tension. And it smells great!
See more: Here’s How to Heighten Your Senses with Musk Incense
