Earthy Sandalwood Incense Sticks

One of the oldest and most common aromatherapy and medication tools is sandalwood incense.  It has been used for at least 4000 years.  It is one of the most preferred incense for meditation because of its calming effect.

Sandalwood comes from the sandal tree that almost grows exclusively in the forest of Karnataka, a state in Southwest India.  It is also found in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh.  The tree is grown until it reaches its full maturity after 60 to 80 years.  The tree is then uprooted during the rainy season when the roots are rich in precious essential oil.

Loose powder and incense sticks are the two primary forms of sandalwood incense.  Sandalwood is ground into a powder which can later be burned as incense over hot charcoal or any other source of heat.  The powder can also be mixed with water that can be turned into a thick paste and then rolled into a stick.   These sticks can later be burned so that the sandalwood aroma can be released.

MiKeRa Sandalwood Incense Sticks
& Metal Burner Box Gift Set

Sandalwood Incense Sticks Wonders

Sandalwood incense sticks produce a sweet and slightly earthy smell when lit.  The aromatic scent of sandalwood helps you relax your mind, bringing you a feeling of peace and serenity just like the scent of lavender.  It reduces aggression and irritability.    

It is thought to be an aphrodisiac.  Some claim that it can boost a person's sexual appetite.  This is a perfect incense stick to light up when you're trying to set a romantic mood with your wife or husband.

KARMA SENSES Sandalwood Incense Sticks,
Cones & Carved Wooden Burner Box Gift Set

Many people who practice Hinduism and Buddhism use this scent in meditating.  It lets you drift your mind to a more spiritual surrounding. 

Even those who practice witchcraft or pagan magic believed that the scent of sandalwood has magical properties so it is often used in different rituals.  It is said to promote spiritual awareness and can drive demons and evil ghosts.  This is also used for protection and astral projection.

The wonders of sandalwood incense sticks don't end there.  It has a healing aroma that can ease different ailments on one’s digestive system.  It stimulates the production of urine causing the muscles to contract and flush the excess liquid like mucus, out of your body.  It encourages your body to produce gastric juices that helps reduce colic, nausea and gastritis.  Because of its healing property, sandalwood incense sticks are burned during an Indian natural healing tradition called Ayurveda.  Natural antiseptics are released into the air when the incense sticks are lit.

 

KARMA SENSES Sandalwood
Incense Sticks x 20 Pack

KARMA SENSES Sandalwood & Vanilla Frost
Incense Sticks & Holder Gift Set

KARMA SENSES Sandalwood Incense
Sticks & Holder Gift Set

Colourful Candles, Brighter Home

One thing amazing about candles is that if it's used as a decor or lit in a room, it can magically transform any room from drab to fab.  It can add warmth and beauty and it makes the room feel cozy, romantic and inviting.  You can use it on special occasions or on any regular day when you just want to feel special. 

Why do I love candles so much? It's because with candles, your decoration options are endless.  They come with so much variety that you almost never run out of ideas on how and where to use them.  They come in different colours, shapes, sizes, designs, containers and scents.  All of them are very useful in any decorating projects.  My eye candy would have to be the colourful candles.

I appreciate the different candle designs like the beautiful KasseL candles but when it comes to simplicity and the effect it has on me, I'd go for the coloured candles.  I love looking at the vibrant colours and it just makes the room feel more alive than ever.

KARMA SENSES Pillar Candle
Sea Spray Scent

MiKeRa  Natural Soy Candle
Coconut Rum Scent

Do you know that candle colours have meanings too?  If the different scents can create such big effect on one's mental, emotional and spiritual well-being, so does the candle colour.

• White candles: White is perhaps the most common color that we identify candles with.  It represents purity, healing, truth and unity.  It can bring peace and can help you focus on what you want.

• Blue Candles:  It's my favorite color because it brings about inspiration and happiness.  The color also represents peace and tranquility.

•  Red Candles:  Red has always been a powerful color that is associated with love, passion and sexuality.

KARMA SENSES Pillar Candle
Strawberry Ice

• Purple Candles: This color is associated with wisdom and healing.  It can also be used to obtain success and power.

MiKeRa  Natural CoCoSoy Candle
Juicy Currant Scent

• Orange Candles: The orange color is very much associated with creativity and intelligence.  Use an orange-colored candle if you want to attract good things and succeed at it.

MiKeRa 'forest secrets' Natural Soy Candle
Mountain Wattle Scent

• Green Candles:  Green candles are linked to financial success and healing.  It represents prosperity and good luck.

MiKeRa  Natural Soy Candle
Apple Martini Scent

You can choose the colour of the candles you want to use base on the things you want to achieve.  Or if you want, you can choose the colour that compliments either the colour of the room or the motif of the occasion.  It’s up to you.  Either way, I'm pretty sure your home will still look fabulous!

What's your favorite colour?

Fruity Sweet Mango Scent

Finally, mango season has arrived! Mango has always been my favourite fruit. When I was young I remembered smelling the fruit before I hand it over to my mother who would slice it open so I can enjoy its sweetness. 

 

For those who are not so familiar with it, mango is a tropical fruit that is either round or oval in shape.  Its skin colour depends on which region the fruit is grown and how much exposure it gets from the sun. In some regions the mango skin is somewhat reddish and in some, ripe mangoes are bright yellow in colour.

One Versatile Fruit

One thing that mangoes are known for is its versatility.  It can be eaten on its own as a nutritious and delicious snack.  Because it is a very flavourful fruit, it is added to different dishes.  Add it on to the lime juice, honey, mustard, poppy seeds and pepper, it can be used as a salad dressing.  Mango flavoured desserts are also one of the most well-loved like flans, cakes and yogurts.

Mangoes are one very healthy fruit.  It contains fiber and a range of vitamins and minerals. It increases immunity, improves skin complexion, maintains good vision, controls blood pressure and protects against cancer to name a few.

Do you know that you can make your own facial pack using mangoes to hydrate your face?  Mango scent is also infused in soaps, lotions and body baths.  The explanation is simple. The fruit has collagen that moisturizes and hydrates the skin.

Mangoes in Aromatherapy

Aside from the health benefits from eating the fruit, exposing yourself to its scent can help you gain full concentration on the task at hand. It also helps relieve depression symptoms.  Whenever you find yourself in situations where you feel unable to get things back on track, just pause for a while.  Light a mango-scented candle like that of MiKeRa Tropical Delights natural soy candle range, or the MiKeRa tropical pleasure range and you'll feel happier and be able focus get things in perspective again.

MiKeRa Mango Daiquiri
Scented Natural Soy Candle

MiKeRa Mango Daiquiri
Scented Natural Soy Candle in
Coloured Glass

The scent of mango also plays a big role in the beauty and fragrance industry. 

Lighting candles inside your office is often not permitted, although soy candles do not give off any soot or carcinogens and are very safe if burned correctly. Imagine working alongside a sweet, fresh smelling mango soy candle in a glass jar! Working would be a pleasure and you’d be able to concentrate better and your quality of work would likely rise!

MiKeRa Mango Daiquiri
Scented Natural Palm Pillar Candle

But if you cannot burn candles in your workplace, then the best way to to enjoy its fragrance is by wearing it!  Have you tried Mango Mandarin of Bath and Body Works?  Or maybe Miss Marissa's Tropical Perfume Oil? These are just some of the perfumes available in the market that are infused with the sweet mango scent. 

Have you tried any mango-scented products before?  We'd love to hear what you thought about it.