Joss-sticks increase cancer risk: Official

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Ian Pegler
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Joss-sticks increase cancer risk: Official

Post by Ian Pegler »

from The Register:
Researchers have warned that burning joss-sticks and incense is associated with "an increase in some types of lung cancer, and cancers of the upper respiratory tract, such as throat and mouth cancer", the Guardian reports.
CLICK HERE to read the article.

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Re: Joss-sticks increase cancer risk: Official

Post by simonwheeler »

In what represents a terrible blow for hippies
Do you think this is deliberate?!!

:twisted:
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Re: Joss-sticks increase cancer risk: Official

Post by Helen-Healing »

I've burned joss sticks for years & years & I haven't succumbed to the Big C yet. :roll:

I cough & feel lousy when I walk the high street in rush hour though. Or not even rush hour, just normal traffic.
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Re: Joss-sticks increase cancer risk: Official

Post by Ian Pegler »

simonwheeler wrote:
In what represents a terrible blow for hippies
Do you think this is deliberate?!!

:twisted:
I note that there are still plenty of smokers out there in spite of the massive warnings on the packets. Would it really make any difference if there were warnings on joss-stick packs? Are there any 40-a-day joss-stick whiffers out there? It's hardly likely to be a significantly increased risk, surely, given the way in which joss-sticks are generally used?

I never use joss-sticks myself because...


(wait for it)


I love the smell of nay balm first thing in the morning...


:mrgreen: :P



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Re: Joss-sticks increase cancer risk: Official

Post by Ian Pegler »

It's hardly likely to be a significantly increased risk, surely, given the way in which joss-sticks are generally used?
I just came across the following BBC report:
Fry-ups raise bowel cancer risk

Eating a typical breakfast fry-up every day significantly increases the risk of bowel cancer, say researchers.
CLICK HERE to read it...

Surely this is more of a concern than the occasional joss-stick lighting...?

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Re: Joss-sticks increase cancer risk: Official

Post by Satyr »

simonwheeler wrote:
In what represents a terrible blow for hippies
A terrible blow for pagans too. Luckily due to the fact that I have allergic rhinitis, I don't burn that much, so I don't think I will have a problem.
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Re: Joss-sticks increase cancer risk: Official

Post by simonwheeler »

When I work in a shamanistic way with clearing energy I can use loads of frankincense or smoke from wafting burning sage; I would say that the "health benefits" outweigh any increased risks. A quick thought- if I'm wrong then could we have a case for a group action against the Catholic church?!
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Re: Joss-sticks increase cancer risk: Official

Post by Helen-Healing »

When I went to an overone masterclass with Jill Purce in London a few years ago, I had a bad experience with sage smudging. We (about 25 of us) were in a room with all the windows closed & she started the day by smudging/clearing with a big bunch of sage. As it so happens, I had a bit of a cold (unusual for me) and when she got to me, the smoke went right into my lungs & I started to cough my guts up! Image I had to go out in the garden even though it was pouring with rain. I never got over it, and had to go home at lunchtime. :x I never did get to finish the class as the dates now coincide with Wimbledon! :twisted:
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Re: Joss-sticks increase cancer risk: Official

Post by Lorraine »

I think your experience, Helen, is a shining example of how some people over-do the smudging. Imho, unless an area is really tight with stagnant energy and needs a lot of cleansing, you only need a little smoke to do the work, even more so if it's sage leaves as opposed to bundles.

I'd suspect the joss sticks which cause the problems are cheapo ones from India/China which are full of chemicals. Try Japanese ones... always light and clean.

:)
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Re: Joss-sticks increase cancer risk: Official

Post by simonwheeler »

Yes- there's a big difference between smudging:
-a space that is empty of people
-a space with people in it
-people!
Nobody should be left coughing and spluttering- a bit pointless really...
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Re: Joss-sticks increase cancer risk: Official

Post by Helen-Healing »

Lorraine wrote:I'd suspect the joss sticks which cause the problems are cheapo ones from India/China which are full of chemicals.
Lorr
Yes. Cheapos are the pits. You should always lash out a fair bit of cash for decent joss sticks - not many people seem to realise that. The smell from some of them make me want to throw up.
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