Creativity, motivation, releasing anxiety and more… all areas where many claim incense can benefit (depending on what you’re burning). But there are also many ways you can burn in incense. 

Cone, stick or resin? What type of incense do you use? Believe it or not, all incense is not created equal. Like anything, there’s a crunchy version and a synthetic version. While there are a few studies about the dangers of incense the main points I have about the incense is “What are you burning?” and “How’s the ventilation in the room?”

In order to not release dangerous VOCs (volatile organic compounds) in the air which can cause harm to your body. You don’t want these VOCs in your home! But there are ways to help purify the home… but I digress. 

DIRECT BURNING

Direct burning is usually done in the form of incense sticks or cones in which you directly apply heat and burn causing the aroma. When it comes to cones in the cone actually burns the incense with less smoke as there is no wood to burn. You also have to make sure the incense is scented in natural incense and not synthetic which can also be harmful to your health. The wood inside the incense also needs to be “clean” wood as it burns as well. 

INDIRECT BURNING 

Resin incense is the most common for of indirect burning. You put the resin on charcoal and burn the charcoal, in turn burning the resin.  The traditional way would consist of taking coals from a fire putting it on a stone (or non-flammable surface), then placing the resins or loose incense herbs over the charcoal to release the smell. The important aspect here is to only buy the herbs or resin from place you trust. You have to ensure the product is pure. (Omg I sound like I’m talking about drugs “Make sure the product is pure”, but seriously that’s important).  I get mine from my local health food store that I trust. 

You also have to make sure the charcoal you’re using is pure also. I use this one made from coconut husks.

There’s also bamboo charcoal that is a better alternative than regular charcoal which often has additives to burn faster and longer, these can release VOCs into your home… (BOOOO!)

WHAT’S SO BAD?

Well, I don’t know exactly what could be in your incense but neither do you. The exact type of pollutants released into the air (and your home) depends on the chemicals present in the incense being burned. That’s why I’m a crazy person when it comes to gettin only pure and natural incense and charcoal. Whether you choose stick, resin or a cone incense, choose something clean and pure to the best of your ability and stay away from synthetic incense. 

FINDING THE GOOD STUFF

Incense De Santa Fe 

It’s a cone type incense in the shape of a rectangle. This company offers 7 different types of natural wood incense made in the US. There is also a sample back where one could try all the offering for a good price. 

Blackbird 

Its a modern twist on incense cones. Their most popular mix is called Blood Countess, a dragon’s blood resin and frankincense Combination to lift the mood and add some edge.

Nippon Kodo

It’s a Japanese specialty brand that isn’t too pricey but has been around a very long time! These are natural and trusted brand.

Maroma 

This is the brand my local health food store and local Whole Food’s offer. It is a natural brand with ingredients I can understand (Yay me!).  These also offer the tradition scents like frankincense and myrrh that aren’t blended so you decide for yourself on the scents you like. 

Also check out your local health food store to see what they offer for incense, just make sure you read the packaging to ensure there’s no artificial or synthetic fragrances. 

Essential oils can be used to help calm the mind and relieve a the stress and anxiety of everyday life.  

Instead of banging your head on the wall, try these essential oils. Remember everyone's body chemistry is made differently. Just because one oil doesn't work for you, try another before giving up. Also don't force it. If you hate the way one oil smells don't use it! 

You can use these in an inhaler (15-20 drops),  with a carrier oil on your body (12 drops per ounce for a typical 2% dilution) or in a diffuser(5 drops per 150ml). 

Lavender- This is the oil you're most likely to have in your cabinet already. It has been used to beat stress, depression and anxiety. There is a full review in the International Journal of Psychiatry in Clinical Practice (2013). 
Vetiver - It has a smokey spicy woody type scent. My husband isn't really a fan of this oil but I love it. According to a 2015 study on rats, vetiver oil is used in aromatherapy for relaxation. The study showed vetiver has anti-anxiety abilities similar to the drug diazepam. It is a grounding oil. I read in The Healing Power of Essential Oils that is has also been used to help with ADHD. 
Ylang Ylang - It has a floral scent but I love it. Besides being and awesome "get it on" essential oil. Ylang Ylang is great for anxiety. 
Orange oil - It smells orangey (haha) There are studies that show orange oil used to help with presurgical anxiety in dental patients and it did in fact help! 

You can use these oils alone or try a mix to see what you think . 

Of course if you are under a doctor's care or taking prescriptions talk to a doctor before taking any oils. 

There are many ways to do  the same thing. Essential oils sprays are an example of that. I share my recipe and a video of another recipe! The bottle to the right is a 2ml bottle. I like to use dark glass bottles to ensure the mixture holds for as long as possible. 

The way I make it is using witch hazel, grain alcohol (like Everclear) essential oils and distilled water. The grain alcohol will mix with essential oil and allow it to mix with the water and witch hazel. Essential oils on their own do not mix with water. Witch hazel and grain alcohol will also help to ensure bacterial won't overgrow. (but if you notice a change in the smell or color then it may be rancid)

If you're using a 2ml bottle then 20 drops each of the Everclear, witch hazel and essential oils. Mix these all together then add the distilled water and shake shake shake!   

I hope you know what I mean by the onion arms. I mean if you have a middle school kid, I'm sure you do. I'm "au naturale" but I don't want to smell like the natural outsides right? So what do you do about deodorant? You may ask. Or you may ask what's wrong with the regular old deodorant and antiperspirant? Well, I'm glad you asked.

Once my Toms phase was over I discovered Schmidt's at my local health food store. It's a little more expensive than Tom's ($8.99 on their website) but it works. No you won't stay dry but you will smell good all day. They also have some great scents! My favorite is the Ylang Ylang & Candula. I've also tried the Rose & Vanilla but for me it is overpowering and I don't love rose that much. But if you love floral smells it is perfect for you!
​I love the various essential oils Schmidt’s use. But please note if you’re allergic to an essential oil in the deodorant get a different scent. The hubby used a their bergamot deodorant and he was red and itchy under his arms and who wants that?

Stretchmarks are a right of passage for motherhood. Buttttttt if you could minimize that right of passage, you probably would right? Well, moisturizing the skin and keeping it elastic so it can stretch to fit a little human, is the best game plan. While nothing is fool proof when it comes to strechmarks here are a few oils to help! These are also great for skin with eczema 

• Organic Shea butter - ultra-moisturizing thanks to its vitamin content, along with oleic, stearic, palmitic and linolenic acids which help prevent drying. 
• Organic Coconut oil - contains proteins that can contribute to cellular health and tissue repair.
• Organic Rose Hip Oil - contains high levels of linoleic and linolenic fatty acids, which are believed to support skin texture, prevent discoloration and reduce wrinkles.
• Organic Jojoba oil - close to the oil our skin creates and provides all day hydration. 
• Vitamin E Oil - a potent antioxidant that can help protect the collagen fibers in your skin. It promotes skin elasticity, which is important when your skin is rapidly stretching and growing.
• Organic Marshmallow root - contains flavanoids, which contain anti-inflammatory properties. The flavanoids are able to reduce inflammation while the mucilage holds them in place and prevents further damage.
• Ylang Ylang Oil
• Lavender Essentusl Oil -  has also been shown to speed up wound healing,  it can strengthen the skin, a crucial factor for healing stretch marks.
• Orange Essential Oil - helps reduce skin fragility and helps perk up the skin due to its high level of antioxidants. 
• Organic Apricot oil - Paula Begoun, author of “The Complete Beauty Bible,” notes that apricot oil is one of the oils that has a lipid content similar to that of your skin. When the skin’s lipid content becomes too low, dry and irritated skin results; topical application of apricot oil helps soothe and heal this rough, damaged skin.
• Beeswax provides a protective barrier that holds moisture in the skin.

Now if you don't want to experiment and make some yourself it is available on my etsy shop. But try them out individually first and see what you love.