What is Incense?
Incense is aromatic material that releases fragrant smoke when burned. Used for thousands of years across cultures worldwide, incense serves many purposes: creating ambiance, meditation and spiritual practice, aromatherapy, masking odors, and simple enjoyment of pleasant scents.
A Brief History
The word "incense" comes from the Latin incendere, meaning "to burn." Ancient Egyptians used incense in religious ceremonies over 5,000 years ago. It spread throughout Asia, where it became integral to Buddhist and Hindu practices. In Japan, the appreciation of incense evolved into Kodo, the "Way of Fragrance," considered one of the three classical Japanese arts of refinement.
Why People Burn Incense Today
- Relaxation & Stress Relief - Certain scents like lavender and sandalwood have calming properties
- Meditation & Yoga - Creates a focused, peaceful atmosphere for practice
- Aromatherapy - Different scents can energize, calm, or uplift mood
- Home Fragrance - A natural alternative to synthetic air fresheners
- Spiritual Practice - Used in religious ceremonies and rituals worldwide
- Focus & Concentration - Some scents like frankincense aid mental clarity
Types of Incense
Incense comes in several forms, each with its own characteristics, burn time, and ideal uses. Here's a breakdown of the main types you'll encounter:
Incense Sticks
Also called: Agarbatti, joss sticks
Burn time: 20-60 minutes
Best for: Beginners, daily use
The most popular form of incense. A thin bamboo core is coated with fragrant materials and binding agents. Easy to use and widely available. Simply light the tip, blow out the flame, and place in a holder.
Tip: Look for hand-rolled sticks from reputable brands like Satya or HEM for the best quality and scent throw.
Incense Cones
Also called: Dhoop cones
Burn time: 15-30 minutes
Best for: Stronger scent, waterfall burners
Compact cone-shaped incense that burns without a bamboo core. Cones produce more smoke and a stronger scent than sticks. Special "backflow" cones are designed for waterfall incense burners, creating a cascading smoke effect.
Tip: Backflow cones have a hollow channel and only work properly in backflow burners - they won't create the waterfall effect in regular holders.
Incense Coils
Also called: Spiral incense
Burn time: 2-24 hours
Best for: Long burn, larger spaces
Spiral-shaped incense that burns slowly from the outer edge inward. Popular in Asian temples and larger spaces. Coils are hung from a hook or placed on a special holder. Great for extended meditation sessions or all-day fragrance.
Tip: Coils work best with good airflow. If indoors, keep windows cracked for ventilation.
Resin Incense
Also called: Natural incense, raw incense
Burn time: Variable (30+ min)
Best for: Purists, ceremonial use
The oldest form of incense - hardened tree sap like frankincense, myrrh, copal, and dragon's blood. Requires a charcoal disc or electric incense burner to heat. Produces the purest, most authentic fragrance with no additives.
Tip: Use self-lighting charcoal discs and heat-safe sand in a censer for burning resin safely.
Smudge Sticks
Also called: Sage bundles
Burn time: 5-15 minutes per use
Best for: Cleansing, ceremonies
Bundles of dried herbs (commonly white sage, cedar, or sweetgrass) tied together. Traditionally used by Indigenous peoples for cleansing rituals. Light one end, let it smolder, and waft the smoke around spaces or objects.
Tip: Smudge sticks can be extinguished and relit multiple times. Use an abalone shell or ceramic dish to catch falling embers.
Palo Santo
Also called: Holy wood
Burn time: 3-5 minutes per light
Best for: Quick cleansing, meditation
Wood sticks from the Bursera graveolens tree native to South America. Prized for its sweet, woodsy scent with hints of citrus and mint. The wood is only harvested from naturally fallen trees that have cured for several years.
Palo santo is a versatile option that's excellent for quick cleansing rituals or adding pleasant fragrance to any space. See sustainably-harvested palo santo on Amazon.
Quick Comparison
| Type | Ease of Use | Smoke Level | Scent Strength | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sticks | Very Easy | Low-Medium | Medium | $ |
| Cones | Easy | Medium-High | Strong | $ |
| Coils | Easy | Medium | Medium | $$ |
| Resin | Moderate | High | Very Strong | $$-$$$ |
| Smudge | Easy | High | Strong | $$ |
| Palo Santo | Easy | Low-Medium | Medium | $$ |
Incense Scent Guide
Choosing the right scent depends on your mood, purpose, and personal preference. Here's a guide to popular incense fragrances and their characteristics:
Calming & Relaxation
Lavender
Floral, herbaceous, clean. Widely studied for its calming effects. Excellent for bedtime routines, stress relief, and creating a peaceful atmosphere. One of the most popular scents for relaxation.
Sandalwood
Warm, woody, creamy, slightly sweet. A classic meditation scent used for centuries in spiritual practices. Promotes mental clarity and inner peace. Blends well with almost any other fragrance.
Chamomile
Soft, apple-like, herbaceous. Known for its gentle, soothing properties. Great for winding down in the evening or creating a cozy atmosphere.
Vanilla
Sweet, warm, comforting. Creates a cozy, inviting atmosphere. Often described as "homey" and nostalgic. Popular choice for living spaces and relaxation.
Meditation & Spiritual
Nag Champa
Complex blend of sandalwood and frangipani (champa flower). The signature scent of yoga studios and meditation centers. Earthy, slightly sweet, unmistakable. The classic Satya Nag Champa is the most recognized version worldwide.
Frankincense
Resinous, slightly spicy, balsamic. Used in religious ceremonies for millennia. Promotes focus and contemplation. Often burned during prayer and meditation across many traditions.
Myrrh
Warm, earthy, slightly bitter, medicinal. Often paired with frankincense. Deep, grounding scent used in spiritual and healing practices since ancient times.
White Sage
Herbaceous, earthy, slightly sharp. Traditionally used for cleansing and purification. Strong scent that's said to clear negative energy from spaces.
Energizing & Uplifting
Citrus (Lemon, Orange)
Bright, fresh, zesty. Naturally uplifting and energizing. Great for morning use or when you need a mood boost. Helps create an alert, positive atmosphere.
Peppermint
Cool, fresh, invigorating. Stimulates the mind and improves focus. Good choice for study sessions or work. Helps clear mental fog.
Eucalyptus
Fresh, camphoraceous, clean. Opens airways and clears the mind. Refreshing scent that's excellent for clearing stuffy rooms or during cold season.
Lemongrass
Citrusy, herbal, fresh. Energizing and purifying. Also known for repelling insects naturally. Great for outdoor spaces or refreshing indoor air.
Exotic & Complex
Dragon's Blood
Sweet, slightly spicy, resinous. Made from the red sap of various trees. Rich, complex scent used for protection and empowerment in many traditions.
Patchouli
Earthy, musky, slightly sweet. Distinctive scent that's both grounding and sensual. Popular in bohemian culture and for creating a relaxed, earthy atmosphere.
Jasmine
Intensely floral, sweet, romantic. Known as an aphrodisiac in many cultures. Creates a luxurious, sensual atmosphere. Beautiful on its own or blended.
Oud (Agarwood)
Rich, woody, complex, slightly animalic. One of the most prized fragrances in the world. Deep, mysterious scent used in Middle Eastern and Asian traditions.
Finding Your Scent
New to incense? Start with a variety pack to explore different fragrances. The Satya variety gift set includes their most popular scents like Nag Champa, Sandalwood, and Dragon's Blood - perfect for discovering what you like.
How to Burn Incense
Burning incense properly ensures the best fragrance experience and safety. Here's how to burn each type:
Burning Incense Sticks
- Prepare your holder - Place your incense holder on a heat-resistant surface away from flammable materials.
- Light the tip - Hold the stick at a slight angle and light the coated end. Let it burn for 5-10 seconds until you see a small flame.
- Blow out the flame - Gently blow out the flame. The tip should glow red/orange and produce a thin stream of smoke.
- Place in holder - Insert the uncoated end into your holder. The stick should be secure and upright (or at an angle, depending on the holder design).
- Enjoy - Let the incense burn completely or extinguish by pressing the glowing tip into sand or water if you want to save it for later.
Not staying lit? The incense may be damp. Store in a cool, dry place. If it's new, try a different brand - quality varies significantly.
Burning Incense Cones
- Prepare the burner - Place a heat-resistant plate, dish, or cone holder on a safe surface. Some cone burners have built-in dishes to catch ash.
- Light the cone tip - Hold the cone and light the pointed tip. Let it flame for 10-15 seconds - cones need a bit more time than sticks.
- Blow out carefully - Gently blow out the flame. The tip should glow steadily. If it goes out, relight it.
- Place on burner - Set the cone flat side down on your burner. For backflow cones in waterfall burners, place the cone on the designated spot over the hole.
- Let it burn - Cones burn hotter than sticks and produce more smoke. Ensure good ventilation.
Backflow cone not working? Make sure you're using backflow-specific cones (they have a hollow channel). Regular cones won't create the waterfall effect. Also avoid drafty areas - even slight air currents disrupt the smoke flow.
Burning Resin Incense
- Prepare your censer - Fill a heat-proof container (ceramic bowl, brass censer) with sand or ash. This insulates the heat and catches any debris.
- Light the charcoal - Hold a charcoal disc with tweezers or tongs. Light the edge - self-lighting charcoals will spark across the surface. Place on the sand and wait 5-10 minutes until edges turn gray/white and it's fully lit.
- Add the resin - Place a small piece of resin (pea-sized) on the hot charcoal. It will begin to melt and release fragrant smoke immediately.
- Maintain - Add more resin as needed. One charcoal disc lasts about 45-60 minutes. Use tongs to handle everything - the charcoal gets extremely hot.
Charcoal won't stay lit? It may be old or damp. Store charcoal in airtight containers. Quick-light discs are easiest for beginners.
Burning Palo Santo
- Hold at an angle - Grasp the stick at a 45-degree angle, pointed end down.
- Light the end - Hold a flame to the end for 30-60 seconds. Palo santo is denser than regular incense and takes longer to catch.
- Let it flame - Allow the flame to burn for about 30 seconds to establish a good ember.
- Blow out and use - Blow out the flame. The end should glow and smoke steadily. Walk around the space or place in a holder.
- Relight as needed - Palo santo typically goes out on its own after a few minutes. Relight as desired - one stick can be used many times.
Won't light properly? This is common with palo santo. The wood must be well-aged (naturally fallen and cured 4+ years) to burn well. Low-quality or "green" wood won't burn. Quality palo santo from Peru is sustainably harvested and properly cured.
Incense Safety Tips
Incense involves an open flame and hot embers. Follow these guidelines for safe enjoyment:
Fire Safety
- Never leave burning incense unattended
- Keep away from curtains, papers, bedding, and other flammable materials
- Use a proper holder that catches all ash
- Place on a heat-resistant, stable surface
- Extinguish completely before leaving the room or sleeping
- Keep away from pets and children
Ventilation
- Always burn incense in a well-ventilated area
- Open a window or door to allow air circulation
- Avoid burning in small, enclosed spaces
- If smoke feels irritating, increase ventilation or use less incense
- Consider burning for shorter periods rather than continuously
Health Considerations
- Incense smoke contains particulates - those with asthma or respiratory issues should use caution
- Avoid inhaling smoke directly
- If you experience headaches, dizziness, or irritation, stop use and ventilate the area
- Quality matters - low-quality incense may contain synthetic chemicals
- Pregnant women should consult a doctor before regular incense use
Storage & Handling
- Store incense in a cool, dry place
- Keep away from moisture - damp incense won't burn properly
- Reseal packages to preserve fragrance
- Handle charcoal with tongs or tweezers - never bare hands
- Let burners cool completely before moving or storing
Smoke Detector Note
Incense smoke can trigger smoke detectors. If you burn incense regularly, be mindful of detector placement. Never disable smoke detectors - instead, burn incense away from them and ensure proper ventilation.
Choosing an Incense Holder
The right holder keeps your incense secure, catches ash, and can be a beautiful decorative piece. Here are the main types:
Stick Holders (Ash Catchers)
Long, flat holders with a hole at one end for the stick and a channel to catch ash. The most practical choice for daily use. Wood and bamboo are classic materials, while modern versions include glass ash catchers for easy cleaning.
Best for: Daily use, clean ash collection, beginners
The Ceremony wooden holder with glass ash catcher is a popular choice that combines classic looks with easy maintenance.
Vertical/Upright Holders
Holders where the stick stands upright. Can be simple holes in wood or stone, decorative brass or ceramic designs, or elaborate figurines. Ash falls around the base, so they work best on a tray or plate.
Best for: Decorative display, small spaces, aesthetic focus
The GARMOLY brass lotus holder is a beautiful option with a detachable ash catcher.
Cone Burners
Flat plates or dishes designed for cone incense. Simple versions are just heat-resistant dishes; decorative versions include ceramic houses where smoke exits through windows or chimneys. Always use on a heat-proof surface - cones burn hot.
Best for: Cone incense users, decorative purposes
Backflow/Waterfall Burners
Specially designed holders for backflow incense cones. The smoke flows downward like a waterfall, creating a mesmerizing visual effect. Designs range from mountains and dragons to modern geometric shapes. Requires backflow-specific cones with hollow channels.
Best for: Visual display, relaxation, conversation pieces
The SPACEKEEPER ceramic backflow burner is highly rated and comes with cones and sticks to get started.
Censers (Resin Burners)
Heat-proof containers for burning resin incense on charcoal. Traditional censers are brass or cast iron; modern versions include electric warmers that heat resin without charcoal. Fill with sand or ash to insulate the intense heat from charcoal.
Best for: Resin incense, ceremonial use, traditional burning
Coil Holders
Designed for spiral incense coils. Usually a hook to hang the coil from, suspended over a catch tray. Some designs enclose the coil in decorative ceramic housings with holes for smoke to escape.
Best for: Long burn sessions, larger spaces, Asian-style incense
What to Look For
- Material: Heat-resistant materials like ceramic, brass, stone, or treated wood
- Ash catching: Enclosed designs or wide trays minimize cleanup
- Stability: A stable base prevents tipping
- Compatibility: Match the holder to your incense type (sticks, cones, resin)
- Cleaning: Removable ash catchers make maintenance easier
Recommended Products
Quality varies significantly with incense. These are well-reviewed products from established brands:
Best Incense Sticks
Satya Nag Champa
Classic • Hand-rolled • India
The world's most iconic incense. Earthy, floral blend of sandalwood and champa flower. The gold standard for meditation and yoga. If you try one incense, make it this one.
Check price on AmazonSatya Incense Gift Set
Variety Pack • 7 Scents
Includes Nag Champa, Super Hit, Dragon's Blood, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Lavender, and Positive Vibes. Perfect for exploring different scents or as a gift for incense lovers.
Check price on AmazonHEM Best Sellers Assortment
Variety Pack • 120 Sticks
Six popular HEM fragrances: Lavender, Lemongrass, Egyptian Jasmine, Amber Sandalo, Opium, and Eucalyptus. Great value for daily use and discovering your preferences.
Check price on AmazonNag Champa Variety Pack
12 Varieties • 140+ Sticks
Comprehensive collection including Original Nag Champa, SuperHit, Sandalwood, Patchouli, Dragon's Blood, White Sage, Reiki, Palo Santo, and more. Excellent for sampling the full Satya range.
Check price on AmazonBest Palo Santo
Alternative Imagination Palo Santo
6 Sticks • Peru • Sustainable
Sustainably wild harvested palo santo from Peru. Sweet, woodsy scent with citrus notes. Each stick can be used multiple times. Perfect for cleansing rituals or quick fragrance.
Check price on AmazonLotsOfZen Palo Santo
20 Sticks • 5.6 oz • Peru
Large pack of authentic Peruvian palo santo. Sustainably hand picked from naturally fallen trees. Great value for regular palo santo users.
Check price on AmazonBest Incense Holders
Ceremony Wooden Holder
Wood • Glass Ash Catcher
Elegant wooden holder with removable glass ash catcher for easy cleaning. Includes incense sticks and ash brush. Anti-ash flying design keeps your space clean.
Check price on AmazonGARMOLY Brass Lotus Holder
Brass • Detachable Catcher
Beautiful brass lotus flower design with detachable ash catcher. Holds sticks securely upright. A stunning decorative piece that's also highly functional.
Check price on AmazonSPACEKEEPER Backflow Burner
Ceramic • Waterfall Effect
Popular backflow incense burner that creates a mesmerizing smoke waterfall. Comes with 120 backflow cones and 30 incense sticks. Great starter set for waterfall burners.
Check price on AmazonBest Backflow Cones
Mixed Backflow Cones
170 Cones • 7 Scents
Large variety pack of backflow cones in sandalwood, green tea, rose, lavender, wormwood, jasmine, and osmanthus. Works with any backflow burner. Excellent value.
Check price on AmazonFrequently Asked Questions
How long does incense burn?
Standard incense sticks burn for 20-60 minutes depending on length and thickness. Cones burn for 15-30 minutes. Coils can burn for several hours. Palo santo burns for 3-5 minutes per lighting but can be relit many times.
Is incense smoke harmful?
Like any smoke, incense produces particulates that can irritate airways. Burn in well-ventilated areas and avoid direct inhalation. Those with asthma, allergies, or respiratory conditions should use caution. Quality natural incense is generally preferred over synthetic options.
Can I burn incense around pets?
Use caution with pets. Birds are especially sensitive to smoke and airborne particles - avoid burning incense in the same room. Cats and dogs can also be sensitive. Ensure good ventilation, keep pets away from burning incense, and watch for signs of irritation.
Why won't my incense stay lit?
Common causes include: moisture (store incense in a dry place), poor quality incense, not lighting long enough (let it flame for 5-10 seconds before blowing out), or too much airflow causing the ember to die. Try a different brand if the problem persists.
What's the difference between backflow and regular cones?
Backflow cones have a hollow channel running through them that allows smoke to flow downward. Regular cones are solid. Backflow cones only create the waterfall effect in specially designed backflow burners - they won't work the same way in regular holders.
How do I store incense?
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and moisture. Reseal packages after opening. For sticks, you can use airtight containers or tubes. Properly stored incense can maintain its fragrance for years.
What's the best incense for meditation?
Nag Champa, sandalwood, and frankincense are traditional choices for meditation. They promote calm and focus without being overpowering. Ultimately, the best scent is one you find pleasant and non-distracting.
Can I extinguish and relight incense?
Yes. Press the glowing tip into sand, water, or a non-flammable surface. The remaining portion can be relit later. This is especially useful for palo santo and longer sticks you don't want to burn entirely at once.
What does "masala" incense mean?
"Masala" refers to incense made by blending natural resins, herbs, and essential oils into a paste that's rolled onto bamboo sticks. This is the traditional Indian method and produces richer, more complex fragrances than "dipped" incense (where sticks are dipped in fragrance oil).
Is palo santo endangered?
The palo santo tree (Bursera graveolens) is not endangered, but it is regulated in some regions. Reputable sellers only harvest wood from naturally fallen trees that have cured for at least 4 years on the forest floor - this aging process is what gives palo santo its scent. Look for sellers who specifically mention sustainable and ethical harvesting.