Heidi Norton
Incense has been used for thousands of years in worship and meditation, with the ability to change the atmosphere of a room in seconds. The sense of smell is the most strongly connected of the senses to areas of the brain that process memory, and incense can be a way to access certain parts of your mind. With so many different types of incense available, it can be hard to choose the purest natural form. Some of the most popular natural incenses include sandalwood, Japanese cedar, palo santo, lemongrass, and myrrh.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Natural plants and herbs, flowers, roots, barks, nuts, spices, essential oils |
| Free from | Charcoal, artificial glue, synthetic binders, toxic compounds |
| Properties | Medicinal, soothing, fragrant, pure |
| Benefits | Clears negative energy, offers peace of mind and calmness, improves concentration and focus |
| Production method | Hand-rolled, made according to traditional recipes |
| Brands | ZenBunni, Papier d’Arménie Paris, Pure Incense, Oribe, Hayashi Ryushodo, Muji, Agar 30, Mindroling |
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What You'll Learn
Natural incense is made from plants and herbs
There are many different types of natural incense, and they can be made from commonly found botanicals in temperate regions. For example, a blend of lemongrass, rosemary, and lavender powders can be combined with marshmallow root powder to hold it together. Other common herbs used in incense include juniper, hawthorn berries, yarrow leaves, rose petals, oregano, thyme, cedar leaves, desert sage, lavender flowers, nutmeg, and cloves.
Natural incense can also be made from flowers and herbs, such as fresh, in-season flowers that are not fully bloomed. Mature flowers are more likely to mold or lose their petals in the drying process. The flowers and herbs are cut, dried, and then tied into bundles with twine to burn as incense.
Some incense is made from sticks, which can be made from dried plant matter such as pine needles, bark, pine pitch, and yarrow, which are powdered and then air-dried. A binder such as honey is added to hold the incense together, but it is important to add less than you think you need as the plant material will soak it up.
Incense can also be made from resins, such as fir and pine resins, cherry sap, and cottonwood leaf buds.
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It is free of charcoal, glue, and wooden sticks
Incense has been used for thousands of years in worship and meditation practices. The sense of smell is the most ancient and primordial sense, with the power to rapidly alter our frame of mind.
When seeking the purest form of incense, it is best to avoid incense that contains charcoal, glue, and wooden sticks. Charcoal is commonly used to induce burning, but it is not a natural ingredient. Similarly, artificial glue is used to bind incense, but it emits toxic compounds when burned. Wooden sticks can also emit toxic compounds when burned, so it is best to avoid incense that comes in stick form.
Forest Homes offers incense made entirely of natural plants and herbs, free of charcoal, glue, and wooden sticks. Their incense is designed to create inspiring environments that support the best version of oneself. ZenBunni also offers natural incense, hand-rolled in small batches with ingredients sustainably grown by Indonesian farmers. Their incense is free of synthetic binders and "icky" ingredients.
If you are looking for incense that is purely and naturally fragrant, opt for those that are free of charcoal, glue, and wooden sticks. This way, you can enjoy the aromatic benefits of incense without exposing yourself to potentially harmful compounds.
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Incense can be direct-burning or indirect-burning
Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. It is made of plant materials and essential oils and is used for various purposes, including ambiance, therapy, and religious ceremonies.
Incense can be separated into two main types: direct-burning and indirect-burning. The preference for one type over the other varies with culture, tradition, and personal taste.
Direct-Burning Incense
Direct-burning incense, also known as combustible incense, is lit directly by a flame and then fanned or blown out. This leaves a glowing ember that smoulders and releases a smoky fragrance. Direct-burning incense is made from a mouldable substrate of fragrant finely ground (or liquid) incense materials and odourless binders. The composition must be adjusted to provide fragrance in the proper concentration and to ensure even burning. This class of incense can take nearly any form, including coils, cones, blocks, or sticks.
Indirect-Burning Incense
Indirect-burning incense, also called non-combustible incense, is an aromatic material or combination of materials, such as resins, that does not contain combustible material. Therefore, it requires a separate heat source, such as charcoal or glowing embers, to burn. Finer forms of indirect-burning incense tend to burn more rapidly, while coarsely ground or whole chunks may be consumed very gradually due to their smaller surface area.
The use of incense can be traced back to ancient civilisations in Egypt, India, and China. It was employed for various purposes, including worship, ritual, and pragmatism. For example, incense was believed to deter malevolent demons and appease the gods with its pleasant aroma.
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Direct-burning incense is lit directly with a flame
Incense is composed of aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils. The sense of smell is the most strongly connected of the senses to the areas of the brain that process memory. This means that certain scents can rapidly adjust not only the atmosphere of a room but also the atmosphere in your mind and spiritual body. This is perhaps why incense has been used so extensively by so many cultures since ancient times.
Incense generally comes in two types: "direct-burning" and "indirect-burning". Direct-burning incense, also known as combustible incense, is lit directly by a flame and then fanned or blown out, leaving a glowing ember that smoulders and releases a smoky fragrance. This type of incense is either a paste formed around a bamboo stick or a paste that is extruded into a stick or cone shape.
To make direct-burning incense, raw materials are powdered and then mixed with a binder to form a paste. This paste is then cut and dried into pellets. Certain proportions are necessary to ensure effective smouldering. For example, an excess of oils may prevent incense from smouldering effectively. Resinous materials such as myrrh and frankincense are typically balanced with "dry" materials such as wood, bark and leaf powders.
Water-soluble binders such as "makko" are also important, as they ensure that the incense mixture does not crumble when dry. Mixture density is another consideration: incense mixtures made with natural binders must not be combined with too much water or over-compressed during forming, as this would result in uneven air distribution or undesirable density in the mixture.
Direct-burning incense is the most common form of incense and has been used by many cultures for thousands of years. Examples of natural direct-burning incense include Japanese cedar, sandalwood, camphor, lemongrass, ginger, green tea, cedar and sage.
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Indirect-burning incense requires a separate heat source
Incense is composed of aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils. The use of incense dates back to ancient times, with the earliest documented use by the ancient Chinese for ceremonial rites. Indirect-burning incense, also known as "non-combustible incense", is an incense type that cannot burn on its own and requires a separate heat source. This type of incense is an aromatic material or a combination of materials, such as resins, that does not contain combustible material. Finer forms of this incense tend to burn more quickly, while coarser or whole chunks may be consumed very slowly, having less surface area.
Indirect-burning incense is traditionally heated using charcoal or glowing embers. Charcoal provides fuel for combustion, while an oxidizer like sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate sustains the burning of the incense. In the West, frankincense and myrrh are the best-known incense materials of this type, likely due to their mentions in the Bible. These resins are also used in combination as a powerful purifier of negative influences and to increase spirituality.
To burn indirect-burning incense, you can place it directly on top of a heat source or on a hot metal plate in a censer or thurible. A censer called an egōro or shǒulú, usually made of brass with a long handle and no chain, is used by several Buddhist traditions in Japan and China. Instead of charcoal, makkō powder is poured into a depression made in a bed of ash.
When burning incense, it is important to prioritise safety. Incense should always be burned on a heat-resistant surface, and one should be careful with incense sticks as they can easily topple over and start a fire. It is good to use an incense holder or stand to keep them upright, and it is recommended to look for holders made of heat-resistant materials like crystal, metal, or ceramic. Never burn incense on flammable surfaces such as wood or fabric, and always keep the surrounding area clear of flammable objects.
Additionally, the smoke from burning incense contains hazardous chemicals that can cause respiratory issues, eye irritation, and nausea. To reduce exposure, it is advisable to open a window or turn on a fan to disperse the smoke. If you have asthma, be cautious as burning incense can trigger an attack. If you experience shortness of breath, difficulty breathing, sneezing, itchy eyes, or a runny nose, stop burning incense and leave the room immediately.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is a substance that releases fragrant smoke when burned. It is used in therapy, meditation, and ceremony, and as a simple deodorizer.
Incense made from natural plants and herbs is considered the purest form as it does not contain charcoal, glue, or a wooden stick, which may emit toxic compounds when burned.
There are many companies that sell natural incense, including Pure Incense, Forest Homes, and the Good Liver.
Popular types of incense include lemongrass, moldavite, mother earth, musk, myrrh, nag champa, frankincense, ginger, green tea, and sandalwood. Each type of incense has a unique meaning and effect, such as improving memory, increasing concentration, creating a sensual atmosphere, or bringing good luck.
Natural incense can be burned to change the atmosphere of a room, enhance meditation or spiritual practices, or simply enjoy the fragrance. It is important to ensure proper ventilation when burning incense to avoid any negative health effects.
