INCENSE INFORMATION

Soft dhoop logs can resemble poop!

Dhoop incense is an Indian incense consisting of the finest Indian aromatics expertly blended in accordance with centuries-old traditions and family secrets. Dhoop Incense is extremely fragrant when compared to many other types of incense. Some have compared it to walking through a wildflower garden at the height of bloom.

Dhoop incense is in the masala category of Indian incense. Indian incense can be divided into two categories: masala and charcoal. Masala incenses are made of dry ingredients, while charcoal incenses are made by dipping an unscented “blank” into a mixture of perfumes and/or essential oils.

Dhoop means “paste” and dhoop incense is made by mashing incense material into a paste and extruding it or rolling it into a stick shape. Dhoop sticks are made of solid incense material and do not have an inner bamboo core. They are also much thicker than a regular incense stick and resemble a log more than a stick. These dhoop logs are typically about 2 ½” – 3 ½” long.

Dhoop incense can be sold in cone form.

There are two types of Dhoop incense: a dry inflexible type and a moist soft type. If the dhoop is hard and inflexible, it can be burned upright in a dhoop burner or in a bowl of sand, salt, or ash. If the dhoop is soft and flexible, it can be molded into different shapes. Since logs of this type of dhoop can burn for several hours, a common practice is to break off a piece about an inch long, roll it between the fingers, shape it gradually into a cone, and then burn it like any other incense cone. Dhoop incense can also be purchased already in cone form. A dhoop incense cone will burn for about 20 - 30 minutes.

Dhoop incense sticks usually come in small matchbox like boxes that can double as a burner.

Dhoop incense usually comes in packages of 5 or 6 sticks that are connected in a row, side by side. These sticks need to be separated before they can be burned and sometimes they will break in the wrong place. If they break in the wrong place, they can still be easily burned in a bowl of sand, salt, or ash.

The packaging that dhoop usually comes in is a little cardboard box not much bigger than a matchbox and, therefore, can be easily carried around providing incense on-the-go. To add to the convenience and make dhoop incense even more portable, these little cardboard boxes usually have a metal “eyelet” holder in the top so that the box can be used as a burner. Since the box is made of cardboard and is flammable, however, it is not recommended to use the box as a burner and instead use a proper burner. Also, dhoop incense will sometimes come with a lightweight aluminum burner, which can get very hot and should not be used on any wooden surface. Again it is recommended that a proper heavy incense burner is used.

   

This incense kit includes blanks, scented oils, and the harmful chemical DPG. Beware!

Dipped incense, which may also be advertised as “hand-dipped incense”, “double dipped incense”, or “soaked incense”, is made using incense “blanks” that are dipped in fragrant oil. A blank is an unscented stick or cone of incense that only includes a “base” and a “binder”. Instead of using plant materials to scent the incense, the blanks are dipped in oils. The advertising terms “hand-dipped” and “double-dipped” make it sound like a high quality product, but the reality is that the materials used in making this type of incense are often inferior and unnatural.

Both the blanks and the oils used for dipped incense are often low quality and fake. The idea of dipped incense is fairly new in the long history of incense. They were originally manufactured with high quality materials and were a decent substitute for the real thing. Originally, blanks were made of Sandalwood powder and a type of glue. Modern blanks, however, are made using any wood powder available. In addition, most blanks are made in countries with few or no regulations over them and may contain anything, including saltpeter or unhealthy adhesives. Likewise, the oils the blanks are dipped in are not pure or natural.

Instead of using essential oils, commercial incense makers use synthetic fragrance oils. There is no known health risk associated with pure synthetic oils, but dipped incense manufacturers often use impure oils. Many commercial incense makers and oil sellers add an “extender” to their oils to stretch their supply. The most commonly used extender is dipropylene glycol methyl ether, or DPG. DPG is a chemical that can double or triple the volume of oil without adding much scent. It is relatively harmless in liquid state, but may produce poisonous gas when burned!

Most dipped incense makers are not out to sell an inferior product and many truly believe they are using quality ingredients. The sad reality is that incense makers can’t control the quality of the ingredients they use. Few people who dip could afford to have their blanks tested for dangerous chemicals. They might never add DPG to their oils, but they have no way of knowing if the company that sold them the oil added DPG. Many wholesalers “cut” their fragrance oils to increase profits and never tell the incense makers who buy the oil from them.

Despite all the above warnings, if dipped incense is made with a high quality blank and only pure fragrance oil, it should be perfectly safe. There are many dedicated incense dippers who make an honest effort to make a quality dipped incense use only the best ingredients but, unfortunately, it’s impossible to know what quality dipped incense offers – even if you make it yourself.

   

Small brass burners are one of the most popular options for burning incense cones.

Burning incense cones requires a quality heavy incense burner. Cone incense burners are “heavy” because they are made of heavier materials such as brass, copper, stone, or ceramic, as opposed to wood or some other flammable material. Since the cone burns all the way through, you need a burner that can handle the intense heat, which wood and some other materials cannot.

There are many heavy incense burners that are made specifically for burning incense cones. These burners are typically made of brass but can also be made of copper, bronze, or some combination of the above. Brass incense burners are in the shape of a bowl that is raised via feet or some sort of stem. They can come either with or without a lid and sometimes include chains for hanging. The smallest brass incense burners are made solely for burning cones while the larger ones can also be used to burn incombustible incense since they are large enough to hold a charcoal tablet. Brass burners are very functional and will last forever if you buy a good one and take care of it.

When buying a brass incense burner, it is important to buy one that is large enough. The burner should have a mouth at least an inch and a half across and two to three inches is best. If you can’t put three fingers in the mouth at once, it is too small and you’ll most likely burn your fingers when putting the lit incense cones into the burner. Another important measurement is the height of the bowl. The walls of the bowl should be at least one inch tall to ensure the incense cone can’t fall out.

Incense cones are hidden in the mouths of these dragon cone incense burners.

If you prefer to have a lid on your brass incense burner, you should make sure the lid has plenty of ventilation holes or the incense will be smothered and stop burning when the lid is on. If the lid is not cleaned frequently, oils and resins will ruin the finish and over time, the lid will take on a fragrance all its own that will be released when it is heated, becoming a part of any incense you burn. Some people prefer this “seasoning”, and others prefer to keep the lid clean to maintain the finish and so that the smell of whatever incense they burn is not influenced by the “seasoning” of the lid.

These combination burners have a cutout for an incense cone in the middle and holes around the edges to hold multiple incense sticks.

Other than the small brass burners, there are many other burners made specifically for burning incense cones. They come in all different materials, sizes, shapes, and designs. Cone incense burners can look like little figurines in which the cone is hidden inside and the smoke rises out of well placed holes or openings. Some of these create very cool effects such as a log cabin with a smoking chimney or a dragon with smoking nostrils.

You can also burn incense cones on Abalone shells or any disc or bowl shape made of an appropriate heat resistant material such as ceramic, clay, or stone. Many incense burners act as combination burners on which you can burn sticks as well as cones and some will have little cutouts in their design specifically for holding a cone. Whatever material or shape you choose for your cone incense burner, you should always make sure it is sturdy enough, has enough space to fit your fingers into without getting burned, and that it has enough ventilation so that the cone will burn evenly and all the way through.

   

The first step to burning incense cones is to choose a good censer because improperly burning this form of incense can be dangerous. While nearly anything can catch the ash from an incense stick, an incense cone will burn completely so the censer that is used has to be able to withstand the heat. Never burn incense cones on wood!

Burning an incense cone on top of ash helps it burn all the way through.

The most common form of censer for incense cones is the small brass burner. Unless you have a grilling style lighter to reach into the neck of the brass burner, it will be necessary to light the cone and get it smoldering before sticking it into the censer. Even if you have a long stemmed lighter, it’s still probably easier and better to light the cone and get it smoldering before sticking it into the censer. Since you will be putting the cone into the censer after it is already burning, it is important to have a censer with a mouth wide enough to fit your fingers into without getting burned.

To get the incense cone smoldering, first light the pointed end and let it burn for several seconds before letting the flame go out naturally or blowing it out. Once the flame is out, the tip should continue to smolder. To help make the entire cone burn, you should increase the air flow under the cone by putting a small amount of sand or ash at the bottom of the censer. This is true whether you are using a small brass burner or any of the other types of censers that are suitable for burning incense cones. Using the sand or ash will also help protect the censer and keep it from getting too hot since the sand or ash keeps the burning cone from touching the censer and acts as an insulator. Sand should be replaced after every four or five uses, while ash can be sifted and re-used indefinitely.

If the censer is not of the hanging variety, it should be placed on a ceramic tile or ashtray. Never use a brass or copper censer on a wooden surface because brass metal conducts heat very well, and even raised censers can burn the wood they sit on. Non-metallic burners don’t conduct heat like a brass or copper burner and, therefore, do not need to be placed on a ceramic tile or ashtray but you should still always test any new burner on a ceramic tile or ashtray first to make sure it doesn’t get too hot.

   

When choosing a stick incense burner the most important things to consider is if the burner will catch all the ash so as to avoid a mess and potential fire hazard, if it will hold the stick safely to avoid burns or fire, and if it is properly ventilated to keep the incense stick burning and producing a nice steady stream of smoke. Most stick incense burners are open air but some, such as glass bottles and incense towers, may completely enclose the incense stick. When choosing one of these enclosed types of incense burner, make sure there are enough holes to let air in and let the smoke out.

Incense “boats” can be very elaborate and some actually do resemble boats, such as these dragon boats. Dragons are a popular theme for incense burners.

Stick incense burners can hold the stick completely horizontally, completely vertically, or anything in between. It does not really matter what angle the stick burns at as long as the burner can hold the stick safely, catch all the ash, and provide enough air flow for complete burning. Because stick incense is the most popular form of incense, there is a huge variety of styles and designs for stick incense burners.

The most common stick holder is known as a “boat”. Though some do actually have sides that curve up to resemble a boat, most incense “boats” are long, flat pieces that curve up at one end with a hole in the raised end for inserting the uncoated end of the bamboo stick. These incense boats, or “ash catchers”, usually hold the incense stick horizontally but may also hold it at nearly a 45 degree angle. They are typically made of wood but may also be made of bone, ceramic, glass, and stone. Many of the wooden incense boats also have a box underneath that can be used to store incense sticks. The higher quality wooden incense boats will have a brass inlay where the ash falls, and the boats made of other materials can be very ornate and are usually hand painted. You can also buy unpainted incense boats that you can paint yourself if you want to add your own artistic flare to your stick incense burner. There is a seemingly infinite variety of designs for non-wooden incense boats with dragons, crosses, and skulls being some of the more popular design elements.

Incense pots and bowls can be very heavy and ornate.

If you prefer to burn your incense sticks vertically or near vertically, you can use an incense dish or bowl or even the ground. An incense dish will hold the incense stick straight up or at some angle and is usually made of ceramic or stone. Incense dishes and trays typically only have one or two holes and, therefore, can only be used to burn one or two incense sticks at a time. Some incense dishes and trays may have up to five or even more holes though. If you want to burn a whole bunch of sticks at once, however, an incense pot or bowl can burn as many sticks as you can safely fit. The pot or bowl is filled with sand or ash into which the uncoated bamboo end of the sticks are inserted.

Another category of incense stick burner is called “trees”. These holders are usually wooden or stone with a series of holes drilled into the top to which the incense sticks are inserted nearly vertically. They hold several sticks at once and take up less space than incense boats, while allowing for burning multiple sticks at once. This style of burner can be hard to find, however, so if you want to burn several sticks at once without investing in a large pot or bowl and all the sand or ash, your best bet is an incense dish or tray with multiple holes.

Incense bottles and towers take up even less space than trees and can be very decorative and fancy. Incense bottles are made of glass and have just a few small holes drilled into them. The usually just look like a regular drinking bottle that is decorative but can also come in all sorts of shapes and designs, such as a large glass heart. Incence towers are usually made of soapstone and usually have lots of openings for ventilation. These can be very ornate and stylish such as the ones below:

Note: Spaghetti sticks and cylinders burn completely so they cannot be used in wooden incense boats.

   

The most common type of stick incense burner is the simple wooden incense “boat”.

Stick incense is the most popular form of incense because it is convenient, burns consistently all the way through, lasts a long time, and produces a clean, high quality smoke. Though it is not exactly rocket science to burn an incense stick, this article will aim to cover some general tips and safety precautions.

The most obvious first step to burning an incense stick is to get it lit. To light the incense stick, hold a flame to the coated end until the stick lights on fire. If the flame does not go out naturally after several seconds, blow it out. You do not want the stick to be on fire. You simply want it to smolder. The tip should glow red and release a steady stream of smoke. It may take up to 30 seconds of smoldering before the true scent of the incense stick is released.

Once the incense stick is smoldering, you should place it securely into an appropriate incense stick burner. The most common type of incense stick burner is the “boat”. To burn an incense stick in a boat simply place the bamboo end of the stick securely into the little hole in the raised part of the boat. This hole is very tiny and on the more ornate incense boats it can sometimes be well hidden into the design so you may have to look very closely to find it. An incense dish or tray may also have one or more holes for burning incense sticks and, since these usually hold the incense stick vertically or near vertically, it is especially important with these to make sure the stick is snug into the hole so that it does not fall out and potentially cause a burn or fire.

Some incense trays can hold multiple sticks

If you want to burn more than one incense stick at a time, you can either use a dish or tray with more than one hole or use an incense “tree”. An incense “tree” is a column with holes drilled into it that hold incense sticks near vertically so that when filled with incense sticks it resembles a pine tree. Some dishes and trays may have up to five or even more holes for incense sticks, though most will only have one or two. Also, it should be noted that some incense boats have two holes for incense sticks but most only hold one. If using an incense tree, make sure it is sturdy and in a place where it cannot be easily knocked over.

If you have kids or pets and are worried about your incenes burner getting knocked over, the safest way to burn incense sticks is to use an incense bottle. An incense bottle is just a decorative glass bottle with a split ring or clip in the bottle opening that is used to hold the incense stick while it burns. The stick hangs down into the bottle and the ash drops into the bottom of the bottle so that there is no cleanup necessary. Simply insert the uncoated part of the incense stick in between the two rings or into the clip, light it, and then slip it down into the bottle.

Similar to an incense bottle, an incense tower holds the stick vertically and completely encloses the stick. Unlike an incense bottle, an incense tower holds the stick up rather than letting it hang down. An incense tower has two parts; a base and a tube or column that fits down onto the base. To burn an incense stick in an incense tower, put the incense stick into the hole in the base and light it. Then slide the column or tube over the burning incense stick and fit it down snugly into the base.

The ideal way to burn incense sticks is in a large censer filled with sand or ash, such as a ceramic or stone pot or bowl. With this type of censer, you can burn many sticks at once and there is little to no cleanup. Sand must be replaced after every four or five uses but ash can be used indefinitely and the ashes form the burning incense stick can just be mixed in with the ash without having to be cleaned or emptied.

The ideal way to burn incense sticks is in a bowl or pot filled with sand or ash.

The cheapest way to burn incense sticks is to just stick them in the ground. Push the uncoated end of the bamboo into dry ground and clear away any combustible materials from underneath the sticks. If you’re going to burn them in the ground, however, it is especially important to not leave them unattended as a strong wind might blow sparks off the end that could start a fire. You should also keep burning incense sticks away from paths where anyone might walk next to them.

Finally, though “spaghetti stick” incense and incense cylinders make look similar to incense sticks, they do not have any uncoated stick and will burn all the way through so these can never be used in a wooden incense boat. The cylinders would typically be too thick to fit into the hole in a wooden boat anyway but the spaghetti sticks can fit so it is important to remember to never burn this type in a wooden incense boat. They can, however, be burned in a soapstone or metal boat.

   

Those who never or rarely use incense often think of it as merely an air freshener or an odor eater and are unaware of the many benefits of incense to the mind and body. Even many incense fans who use it regularly may not fully appreciate all its physical and psychological benefits.

The list below will make it clear why just about every religion since the beginning of time has used incense for its spiritual powers, why tribal healers and physicians throughout history have used incense for its healing powers, why monks have used incense for thousands of years for its concentration powers, why artists use incense to inspire creativity, and why couples use incense to heighten sexual experiences.

1. Enhances Concentration & Focus

   Whether it is while studying or at work, the use of specific incenses enables clear thinking and helps in developing a state of complete awareness. Monks recognized this benefit of incense long ago and use it during their meditation to clear the air as well as their thoughts. Jewelry makers and other workers who require intense concentration also often use incense to help them focus and to switch back and forth between working under the microscope and working away from it.

2. Stimulates Creativity

   Just as a good song or beautiful scenery can inspire the imagination, a pleasing aroma can get the creative juices flowing. The many botanical scents of incense can transport one’s mind away to a tropical island, a rainforest, a mountainous range, or any other earthly heaven. The scents of incense can put one in a dream like state where the imagination can run wild.

3. Increases Motivation

   Incense has long been used by religious and spiritual leaders to purify the air and the soul. Certain incense smoke has antibacterial, fungicidal, and insecticidal properties and, therefore, really does purify the air. It is said that the incense increases positive energy and drives away negative energy. The pure air is like health food for the brain and the body, resulting in an increased motivation and energy level.

4. Boosts Confidence

   With increased focus, creativity, and motivation naturally comes increased confidence. When your body is relaxed and your brain is firing on all cylinders, you’re at your best, and when you’re at your best, you’re at your most confident. Burning incense before a big date, a big test, or a big presentation can really increase your confidence and, therefore, your chances of success.


Incense can increase sexual desire and set the mood between two lovers.
5. Heightens Sexual Desire

   Everyone knows that pheromones are nature’s aphrodisiac, which is why they are used in perfumes to attract the opposite sex. Similarly, by indulging the sense of smell, incense acts as a powerful aphrodisiac. The scents created by incense wet the sexual appetite and increase sexual attraction. Additionally, we’ve already covered that incense can boost confidence and enhance focus, and nothing attracts the opposite sex more than confidence and focus. Therefore, even if one were to use incense by himself and then meet up with his partner elsewhere, his increased confidence and focus will naturally turn his partner on. If a couple uses incense together, the smells will kick in the pheromone effect and they most likely will have a hard time keeping their hands off each other.

6. Prevents Infections

   Many types of incense have antibacterial properties and can be used as a disinfectant to kill germs in the environment. In a recent Chinese study, incense was used to sterilize a hospital ward and was found to be just as effective as more standard means of sterilization such as using steam. By keeping your environment sterile, you can prevent infections and disease. Because many herbs, such as Myrrh, also act as antiseptics, gathering the smoke from certain types of incense and rubbing it over a wound may actually help the wound heal faster since the smoke can kill germs on the wound.

7. Relieves Headaches

   Our sense of smell is a direct path to the brain and certain odors trigger an immediate response via the Limbic System. Particular aromas stimulate the brain to produce essential chemicals, such as serotonin and dopamine, which cause feelings of happiness, relaxation and contentment. For headache relief, certain incense aromas can help open the nasal passages, while others can lower blood pressure.

8. Fights Depression

   In a new study an international team of scientists have discovered how burning frankincense (resin from the Boswellia plant) activates poorly understood ion channels in the brain that alleviate anxiety or depression. Incensole acetate, a Boswellia resin constituent, was administered to mice and found to stimulate TRPV3, a protein which helps reduce anxiety and depression symptoms. The compound significantly affected brain areas known to be involved in emotions as well as in nerve circuits that are affected by current anxiety and depression drugs.

9. Reduces Anxiety & Tension

   The calming effects of incense are well known by Monks and spiritual leaders. Certain incense aromas work to slow down the heart rate and soothe nerves. These calming effects help to relieve built up tension in the muscles, enabling incense to also be used as a muscle relaxer.

10. Aids Insomnia

    As a result of the calming effects of incense, incense can also be used to induce sleep. The sedative properties of incense make it a great natural treatment to aid insomnia.

Though this list is far from complete on all the effects incense can have on the body, it shows that there is many benefits of incense to the mind and body. There is a wide variety of plants and different parts of the plant used in incense, and each of these plants contains many different chemicals and compounds that effect the body. Inhaling these compounds is just another way of introducing them into the body, not much different than putting them into a drug or pill form and ingesting them. The only difference is that inhaling them via incense has been done for thousands of years and is 100% natural, safe, and non-addicting. Therefore, incense should be considered as an effective remedy in treating such ailments as headaches and depression before resorting to prescription drugs. Because of all the benefits to the mind and body, it is wise to use incense on a regular basis to maintain health and happiness.

Please Note: The safeness and non-addictiveness is only true for 100% natural plant-based incense. Any incense that contains synthetic materials or is burned using charcoal may have undesirable effects on the body. Also, though incense is a great natural remedy, for more serious conditions or disease, please always consult a doctor and follow his prescriptions.

   

The practice of burning incense has been around since the dawn of civilization and has transcended many different cultures, regions, and time periods. With such a long history of use and wide reach, incense has been used in many different ways and for many different reasons. Below is a list of the top 10 uses of incense in no particular order.

1. Covering up Odors

   The fragrant aroma of incense can be strong enough to mask other less desirable odors, such as cigar smoke, body odor, and even decaying bodies. In modern western culture, incense is often associated with hippies and teenagers, who use it to cover up the smell of marijuana or cigarette smoke. Long before hippies and teenagers discovered the odor masking benefits of incense it has been used at important religious sites, such as the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela, to hide the scent of the many tired, unwashed pilgrims that gather there. Incense also has a long history of use in funerary ceremonies where the scent of decay could be noticeable or even sickening, especially before the invention of air conditioning and modern preservation techniques.

2. Repelling Insects

   Another practical use of incense is as a bug repellant. The smell of incense made from materials such as citronella can repel mosquitoes and other annoying insects. Zen Buddhists often use incense to keep bothersome insects from distracting them while they are meditating.

3. Keeping Time

   This is one of the more interesting uses of incense. Since direct combustion incense burns at a pretty predictable rate, it can be used for chronological measurement in incense clocks. These devices can range from a simple trail of incense material calibrated to burn in a specific time period, to elaborate and ornate instruments with bells or gongs, designed to involve and captivate several of the senses.



One of the more elaborate incense clocks, this ancient Chinese dragon shaped device was constructed with a sequence of bells tied to a horizontally mounted burning incense. When the burning incense burnt and broke the threads, the bells fell down at a preset interval to give an alarm.
4. Setting the Mood (As an Aphrodisiac)

   Just as certain delicacies can stimulate the taste buds and heighten the senses to enhance the libido, certain smells can awaken all the other senses and increase sexual desire. It is commonly known that pheromones and perfumes attract the opposite sex, but not many people are aware that the smell of incense can set the mood.

5. Lifting the Mood (As an Antidepressant)

   Religious leaders have long contended that incense is good for the soul. Now, biologists have learned that it is good for the brain too. An international team of scientists, including researchers from Johns Hopkins University and the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, have concluded that burning frankincense (resin from the Boswellia plant) activates ion channels in the brain to alleviate anxiety or depression. They found that the compound significantly affected areas in the brain known to be involved in emotions as well as in nerve circuits that are affected by current anxiety and depression drugs. Specifically, incensole acetate, a Boswellia resin constituent, activated a protein called TRPV3, which is present in mammalian brains and also known to play a role in the perception of warmth of the skin. Now there is biological proof that burning incense really does make you feel warm and tingly all over!

6. Sacrificing & Worshipping

   Incense has been used for millennia in religious ceremonies and rituals. It is considered very valuable in many parts of the world and, in many religions, particularly Hinduism, it is burned as a sacrifice to a deity. In Christianity, incense is burned in a thurible that is swung towards the worshippers while they pray to symbolically carry their prayers up to the heavens on the incense smoke. Some religions, such as Paganism, even use incense to bring magical powers or to attract or deter spirits. The reasons for burning incense during religious rituals are as varied as the many religions themselves.

7. Healing & Spirit Cleansing

   Because of its antibacterial properties, incense can be used to aid in healing wounds. It can also be used to heal the soul. Many Native American tribes use incense in a practice called Smudging in which the incense smoke is gathered in the hands or in a bowl and spread over the body to heal the soul and cleanse the spirit. It is believed that the incense smoke drives out bad spirits, feelings, and influences, and eliminates negative energy while attracting positive energy.

8. Calming the Nerves & Increasing Concentration (Meditation)

   Incense has an extraordinary soothing effect on the mind and brings tranquility to the senses. The smell of incense smoke stimulates the brain, relaxes the body, and increases concentration. Breathing in the incense filled air helps to create a positive state of mind and, with repeated exposure the mind becomes conditioned to associate the smell of incense with a positive and calm mind.

9. Disinfecting & Purifying

   Many cultures and religions have been using incense for centuries to purify the air before meditation or religious ceremony. Incense can also be used as a disinfectant and antiseptic. In a recent scientific study, Chinese herb-burn-incense was tested for its sterilization properties. It was burned in a medical ward and its effect was compared with routine air sterilization methods such as ultraviolet radiation, formaldehyde, and lactiacid. After burning the incense, a bacterial culture of the air was done and the result indicated that the incense not only had the same effect as routine methods in air sterilization but also had no irritation to the patients.

10. Indulging the Sense of Smell (Pleasure)

    Just like art for the eyes, music for the ears, or fine cuisine for the palate, incense can be an indulgence for the nose. Many people burn incense simply to appreciate its smell and enjoy the refined sensory experience. In Japan, there is actually an art of appreciating incense known as kōdō (香道), which involves using incense within a structure of codified conduct. In kōdō, frequently costly raw incense materials such as Agarwood are appreciated in a formalized setting and incense comparing games are played.

   

In America, incense is often associated with hippies and teenagers

There is as many reasons to burn incense as there is types and forms of incense. Modern Western culture doesn’t seem to appreciate the many uses and benefits of incense as much as the ancient cultures of the East. The average modern American will typically associate incense with the hippie culture of the 1960s and 1970s and may have experimented with burning a few sticks of incense as a teenager themselves but more as just a novelty or neat thing to try.

This is quite a shame because the sense of smell is perhaps the most intimate of the five human senses, after the sense of touch. Unlike the other senses, the sense of smell is directly wired to the brain. The right half of your brain controls your left hand, but your right nostril is connected directly to the right side of your brain. The human nose can detect as many as 10,000 different smells, with many of these smells being a very pleasant experience. Therefore, the huge variety of smells and combinations of smells that can be released by incense can be quite an indulgence for the nose.

Not only can incense be used as an indulgence, it can also be used to mask unpleasant smells such as cigarette smoke, cat litter, or stale fish. Unfortunately, most Americans turn to artificial air fresheners that release unnatural chemicals. Incense is a natural deodorant that has been used for thousands of years and, with the proper precautions, is perfectly safe.

With its odor masking abilities and the huge variety of pleasant smells it can release, incense can be used to “redecorate” a room in seconds. It would take you lots of labor and possibly days to paint a room to change how it looks, but you can change how it smells simply by lighting a stick of incense.

Incense is also a wonderful assistant for meditation. It clears the air which helps to clear the mind and covers up any bed smells that could be distracting or bring negative thoughts. The pleasant smells of incense help one achieve inner peace and calmness. Also, smells can trigger old memories as well as help capture new memories. Burning the same type of incense every time one meditates will also condition the mind to go into a meditative state upon detecting that smell.

Aside from these few rather obvious uses of incense, there are many more uses of incense that you probably never knew about. You may also be surprised to learn that there are many health benefits to burning incense. There has been little research into this, but recent studies have confirmed what practitioners have known for thousands of years; that incense keeps you happy and healthy!

   

Incense can be divided into two main classes: direct burning and indirect burning. Each class comes in many different forms and degrees of processing. Preference for which class and which form of incense varies with culture, tradition, and personal taste.

Indirect Burning Incense

Indirect burning incense, also called non-combustible incense, is made from raw ingredients that are mostly unsuitable for direct combustion. These materials generally do not kindle a fire capable of burning themselves and may not ignite at all under normal conditions. Therefore, a separate heat source is required to burn these materials. Several types of heat sources are charcoal, burning embers, and makko powder.

The texture of the material that is used for indirect burning incense has a large effect on how long it burns. Finer ingredients tend to burn more rapidly, while coarsely ground or whole chunks tend to burn very gradually.

The most well known indirect burning incense materials are Frankincense and Myrrh, which are widely know due to the story of the three wise men in the Bible. In fact, in many European languages, the word “Frankincense” is used to refer to any form of incense.

The different forms of indirect burning incense are whole, powdered or granulated, paste, and recombined.

Indirect Burning Incense
Whole pieces of Peruvian entheogenic Trichocereus cacti incense Whole incense is burned directly in its raw unprocessed form on top of coal embers.
Aloeswood incense powder Powdered or granulated incense is ground up or broken down into finer bits. It burns quickly and provides a short period of intense smells.
Bakhoor incense balls Paste incense is made from mixing powdered or granulated incense with a sticky and incombustible binder, such as dried fruit, honey, or a soft resin and then formed into balls or small cakes. The balls or cakes may then be allowed to mature in a controlled environment where the fragrances can commingle and unite. Much Arabian incense, also called Bukhoor or Bakhoor, is of this type, and Japan has a history of kneaded incense, called nerikō or awasekō, using this method.
Frankincense pieces Recombined incense is powdered incense mixed with various sweet smelling essential oils that is then rolled out in a slab approx ¼” thick and allowed to dry for about a week until the slab is firm. It is then cut into small pieces for burning over hot coals. In Eastern Orthodox Christian tradition, recombined incense made from raw frankincense mixed with floral or citrus fragrance is burned in a censer during mass.

Direct Burning Incense

Direct burning incense, also called combustible incense, does not require a separate heat source to burn. When lit directly by a flame and then fanned out, the glowing ember on the incense will continue to smolder and burn away the rest of the incense without continued application of heat or flame from an outside source.

Direct burning incense is made from a moldable substrate of fragrant finely ground (or liquid) incense materials and odorless binder. The binder and incense materials must be combined in a ratio that provides fragrance in the proper concentration while ensuring even burning.

The different forms of direct burning incense are cone, cored stick, solid stick, and dipped or hand-dipped.

Direct Burning Incense
Incense cones burn relatively fast and burn all the way through. Cone Incense is made entirely of incense material that is molded into the shape of a cone for easy burning. Cone incense containing mugwort are used in Traditional Chinese medicine for moxibustion treatment.
Drying Vietnamese cored stick incense Cored stick incense has a supporting core of bamboo that is coated by a thick layer of incense material. Sandalwood is used for the core in higher quality varieties of this form. The Indians and the Chinese use this form of incense widely. When used for worship in Chinese folk religion, cored incensed sticks are sometimes known as Joss sticks
Healing Tibetan solid stick incense Solid stick incense is completely made of incense material and has no supporting core. It is easily broken into pieces, allowing one to burn only a little at a time. It is the most commonly produced form of incense in Japan and Tibet
Hand dipped incense Dipped or Hand-dipped incense is made by dipping incense blanks into any kind of essential or fragrance oil. It was made popular in American Flea markets by vendors who wanted their own style.

Direct burning incense of these forms is either extruded, pressed into forms, or coated onto a supporting material.

It should be noted that the type of incense does not determine whether it is direct burning or indirect burning as much as what form it is in. For example, Cedar incense in its raw unprocessed form or powder form has to be burned indirectly but it also comes in stick form and dipped form, which can be burned directly.