Incense --- for some of us it conjures up memories of dorm rooms with towels wedged to the bottom of the door. (Insert innocent look.) For many others it recalls the scents during worship. Incense figures prominently in many world religions, and a fine description of its history can be found here.

But incense apparently does even more than carry our prayers aloft. A new study points out the efficacy of frankincense for alleviating the symptoms of anxiety and depression. (The usual caveats apply - we are not doctors. Consult yours first. This is not medical advice.)

Religious leaders have contended for millennia that burning incense is good for the soul. Now, biologists have learned that it is good for our brains too. An international team of scientists, including researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, describe how burning frankincense (resin from the Boswellia plant) activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression. This suggests that an entirely new class of depression and anxiety drugs might be right under our noses.
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“In spite of information stemming from ancient texts, constituents of Bosweilla had not been investigated for psychoactivity,” said Raphael Mechoulam, one of the research study’s co-authors. “We found that incensole acetate, a Boswellia resin constituent, when tested in mice lowers anxiety and causes antidepressive-like behavior. Apparently, most present day worshipers assume that incense burning has only a symbolic meaning.”

To counter that news, The Buddhist Channel reports that :

Incense burning produces over 4 times more particulate matter than cigarette smoke.
According to the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, toluene can cause headaches, confusion, and memory loss. Xylenes can cause headaches, lack of muscle coordination, dizziness, confusion, and changes in one's sense of balance, irritation of the skin, eyes, nose, and throat; and difficulty in breathing.
Inhaling incense smoke may cause respiratory dysfunction, allergies, allergic contact dermatitis, growths and tumors, and genetic mutations.
As allergies and chemical sensitivities are on the rise, many yoga studios have looked for alternatives to incense and restrict the wearing of scent to class. Some safer alternatives include natural potpourri and fresh flowers.

There we go, thinking that incense was part of a mystical journey to another consciousness, and it turns out it was part of an aroma therapy treatment that can cause dangerous health risks.

Still, ritualist that I am, I love it when there is incense during worship -- despite the time that a friend of mine was carrying the thurible (that swinging incense pot) down the aisle of the church and managed to set his garment a'smolder when his swinging got too vigorous and shot a spark or two out onto his robe.

Or there was the time when an aggressive Lutheran thurifer (they get to do this so seldom) on Christmas Eve almost wiped out the entire soprano section of the choir who were positioned near the altar and found it hard to sing in a fog of smoke. "Joy to the world --cough--cough-- wheeze."

Still, I love the stuff, and have some at home not for any exalted reason, just because I love the scent. I tend to favor a peach/ginger incense from Pier I, and a $1 a tube variety from my local Indian food store.

What are your opinions? Have you ever used incense when you pray or meditate? Does it help? Hinder?

RELATED BLOGS

Minette at ScentSignals makes a case for use of incense on Memorial days.

Tania describes the "Zen of Incense" and offers pointers for its use.

Susie of Arabia provides a great picture of a huge sidewalk incense burner in Jeddah.

Lady Rose offers a recipe or homemade incense.