“My favorite incense flavors are the more traditional scents: Frankincense, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Amber, Cedar, and Sage,” says Daniel Wyker, President of Between Heaven and Earth, Makers of Ascent and Ganesha’s Garden Incense. “I also love the many temple masala blends from India, especially some of the durbars and champas.  In fact my most favorite incense of all time is a champa incense that my sister bought for me at a small temple in India 12 years ago. I have been searching for it ever since, and it has inspired my quest to produce scents that move people.”

Dan and other “incense experts” reveal their favorite flavors of incense to burn and share the specific effects of different types of incense. If you have any questions about burning incense for sleep mediation, please ask below.

The Benefits of Burning Incense for Meditation

Incense for meditation and prayer is an ancient tradition. “Incense sticks are a traditional part of our religious rituals,” says freelance writer Vidya Sury, creator of Going A-Musing. “In my home, we burn  incense sticks (or joss sticks) of different fragrances. Our favorite flavors of incense are frankincense, sandalwood, roses, lavender, Michelia Champaka and jasmine. In fact, we make pot pourri from champaka petals.”

Frankincense for centering and purifying

“We use pieces of frankincense on hot coals,” says Vidya. “We cover the burning frankincense with a large bamboo basket and spread babies’ clothes on the basket to dry, so the smoke permeates the clothes. After a bath, there’s frankincense in the room to soothe the baby with its gentle wisps of smoke. We dry our long freshly washed hair, holding it over the smoke of frankincense.”

You might try Frankincense Essential Oil if you don’t have pieces of frankincense and hot coals. A candle and diffuser is a lovely way to avoid burning incense if you want to avoid smoke.

Frankincense for sanctification and cleansing

“Sometimes, if the atmosphere of the house feels ‘heavy,’” says deTraci Regula, author of The Mysteries of Isis: Her Worship & Magick. “I will use a purifying incense – usually Frankincense and/or Myrrh, both of which have ancient origins and are believed to purify and sanctify a space. The Fred Soll company has a pure resin stick incense which combines them both, and that’s my preference.”

Incense for meditation and centering prayer

“Frankincense is the original incense; in fact that’s where the word incense comes from. The effects of burning Frankincense are uplifting, centering and purifying with a warm sweet aroma. It’s one of the best scents for creating a meditative space.”

Both  Frankincense and Myrrh are types of incense that have been burned throughout the ages. The type of incense you prefer to use as a mediation for sleep depends on what scents relax and calm you.

Sandalwood for grounding and relaxing

“Sandalwood has been used in incense for at least 4000 years for good reason,” says Dan. “Its effects are both grounding and euphoric promoting a sense of well being and relaxation with a woody, sweet and exotic scent that wraps you in peace and harmony.”

Mindfulness meditation has become an increasingly popular way for people to improve their mental and physical health, yet most research supporting its benefits has focused on lengthy, weeks-long training programs. The good news for sleep mediation is that new research shows that even just 25 minutes of mindful meditation for three consecutive days alleviates psychological stress. You don’t need to burn incense or meditate every day…unless of course you find it’s the  natural remedy for sleep you’ve been missing!

6 Different Types of Incense for Sleep Meditation

Nag Champa, Sunrise, Sandalwood, Midnight, and Patchouli, and Celestial by Satya.  Many people burn incense to relieve stress and tension, because the scent of burning incense doesn’t just affect moods and spaces, it changes them.

Cinnamon for balancing emotions

“Supposedly the only substance whose scent arouses most males is that of cinnamon, which is often a component in mixed incenses,” says deTraci. “For women, jasmines and roses scents are supposed to enhance the romantic mood. And 60s hippie favorite patchouli is said to work on both!”

Patchouli to lift your spirits

“Patchouli has a satisfying earthy quality that is great to balance the emotions and help you relax,” says Dan. “At the same time it energizes and uplifts the spirits. As well as contributing to peace of mind, it is a great aphrodisiac. That must be why I like it so much!”

If you’d like to use incense to spice up your love life before mediation for sleep, you may like  Nippon Kodo – Morning Star – Patchouli incense sticks.

Amber for elevation and letting go (helpful in sleep meditation)

“Amber is a sweet layered scent, with spicy, earthy rich undertones,” says Dan. “Known as the “King of Scents” it will help you let go of daily concerns and enter the world of sensual arousal or spiritual elevation, depending on the intention.”

Cedar and sage for positive energy

“Burning Incense for Sleep Meditation” photo by Maurice Koop, via Flickr CC License

“Cedar and Sage drive out negative energies, spirits and influences,” says Dan. “They have been traditionally used as a smudge to purify people and places before any sacred ceremony.  They both help with creating a meditative and relaxing space.”

If you’re thinking about burning incense for mediation and prayer, heed Vidya’s advice: “The smoke can aggravate or irritate those with respiratory problems and COPD,” she says. “So it is better to avoid lighting an incense stick/cone near someone like that. Some people develop a headache from prolonged exposure to smoke.”

Burning incense isn’t just for sleep, mediation and prayer

Incense can can become a ritual for relaxing, cleansing, and purifying your thoughts and energy. And, mediation isn’t just for relaxing! Mediation can help students focus while studying, decrease the stress medical students feel, and make you a more compassionate person.

If you burn incense to help you sleep, make sure you don’t leave it burning all night long. The last thing that’ll help with mediation for sleep practice is a fire!

What do you think about burning incense for sleep meditation? I welcome your comments below…

Source of the mindfulness mediation for sleep: Just 25 minutes of mindfulness meditation alleviates stress – a Carnegie Mellon research study.