In Ayurveda, our health and well-being isn’t only about eating well or exercising regularly—it requires the complex and vital balance between our mind, body, spirit, and environments. As a holistic system of traditional Indian medicine, Ayurveda teaches us the deep interconnectedness of all elements in our lives. On one hand, making a change in one area can throw our whole systems off balance: what we eat often makes an impact on our skin, for example. On the other hand, paying close attention to when our systems feel off balance can help us identify how to restore balance and health and improve our overall well-being.
When our spirits are feeling disheartened or weary, it can be difficult to know where to turn for comfort. According to Ayurvedic tradition, however, infusing our environments with positive energy can make an immediate material impact on our moods. The external world has a profound impact on our inner well-being. Understanding of the influence of our environments can thus empower us to improve our own mental state by making a change in the space around us. Something as simple as lighting a candle can instantly fill us with feelings of calm, tranquility, and self-acceptance.
Both candles and incense—plant material that is burned to release a fragrant smoke—are wonderful tools for uplifting the energy of an environment. By infusing the space with positive and calming energy, they also induce feelings of spiritual tranquility, confidence, and relaxation, boost productivity and focus, and increase one’s sense of groundedness. Here are 5 transformative benefits of incorporating candles and incense into your routine.
WELLNESS BENEFITS OF CANDLES & INCENSE
They can improve concentration, memory and focus
Several natural ingredients found in candles—including our own!—are renowned in Ayurveda for their ability to improve focus, concentration, and memory. Basil oil, for example, can increase mood and energy levels while also reducing headaches. Studies have shown that lemon can reduce stress and improve focus, and that peppermint combats mental fatigue and improves memory.
They can restore balance to one’s fire elements
In Ayurveda, attaining balance between mind, body, spirit, and environment is also a process of balancing the five elements that make up all matter: earth, fire, water, air and ether. These elements manifest themselves as three principles: Vata (ether and air), Pitta (fire and water) and Kapha (earth and water). While many people know their dominant dosha, in truth we contain all three of these principles and must work to balance them in order to maximize our well-being. Candles and incense can be used as sources of fire to infuse warmth and passion into your space and to bring the elements into balance.
They combats stress and anxiety
Research has shown that inhaling healing and positive fragrances plays an important role in influencing our mood, cognition, and emotional health. Scents like jasmine and lavender are known to have a powerful capacity to induce relaxation, boost happiness, and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. They can also reduce pre-existing tension, both mental and physical—which explains why lighting a lavender-scented candle at the end of a long day can make you feel instantly relaxed.
They promote Restful sleep
A large number of Ayurvedic botanicals are renowned for their ability to combat insomnia and promote restful sleep. These ingredients—often found in candles and incense—include lavender, rose, chamomile, geranium, and jasmine. If you’re having trouble sleeping, take a moment before heading to bed to relax alongside the soothing, floral scents of a candle or burning incense.
UMA RECOMMENDS
We recently launched our Pure Love Collection, geared specifically toward boosting feelings of love, intimacy, care, and contentment, feelings which promote greater harmony with others and the environment. Our Pure Love Wellness Candle is formulated with ingredients like sweet, lifting, and precious rose, soothing and anxiety-relieving jasmine, and grounding, aromatic sandalwood. The result is a candle that is sure to transform your space into one filled with love, confidence, and beauty.
