A BRIEF HISTORY OF INCENSE

The word 'incense' is derived from the Latin 'incensum' - to set on fire. Incense, whether stick, resin, cone or herb, is smouldered to release its fragrance through aromatic smoke.

Our passion for Incense is as old as written history. The use of cedar as incense was recorded in the "Epic of Gilgamesh", a Sumerian flood story that predates Noah. At sunrise, noon and sunset each day the ancient Egyptians burned resins and 'Kyphi', a blend of aromatic herbs, wine and fruit, as ritual incense offerings to the sun god Ra; whereas the Greeks burnt Juniper, Cedar or Myrrh to mask the stench of burning flesh during animal sacrifices to their gods. When Jesus was born, the three wise men are said to have brought offerings of Frankincense, Myrrh and Gold - which may have been referring to fragrant golden Ambergris. Incense was a valuable commodity, and burning it was like a personal sacrifice of one's wealth.

Nearly all religions, from Buddhism to Islam to Catholicism, have embraced incense - think of the burning of Frankincense during religious ceremonies; the smouldering of Sandalwood for meditation. Native Americans burnt desert sage 'Smudge Sticks' to cleanse and purify. Indian Ayurvedic medicine has long prescribed the burning of incense to treat physical or mental ailments. In Japan, precious pieces of Aloeswood were treated as family heirlooms or state treasures.

Today incense is still used for ritual purposes. But it can also be used for so much more: to relax, to scent, to deodorise. To spark creativity, to encourage sensuality, or to lift the spirits. The choice is yours.

NATURAL vs ARTIFICIAL INCENSE

Most people would be surprised to learn of the inferior materials used in the majority of cheaper modern incense. It has become custom for manufacturers of cheap incense to use ingredients such as coal powder, grease & used motor oils, melted tyres & inner tubes, and even albumen powder derived from the blood of slaughtered animals and used as a binding agent. Others use 'punk' sticks - bamboo skewers coated in sawdust and glue, dipped directly into harsh chemical fragrances like 'pineapple' or 'banana'. These synthetic perfumes are believed to produce harmful carbon dioxide gas when burnt, and may cause headaches, eye irritations, or be otherwise damaging to your health. Not only this, many artificial fragrances are believed to contain carcinogenic compounds. You need to make sure you know what you are buying, and always try to muy the most natural incense available.

TYPES OF INCENSE

Agarbatti
This is what most people picture when they think 'incense' - aromatic botanical ingredients compressed around an inner bamboo skewer. Most popular Indian stick incense is Agarbatti incense. Simply light the end of the stick, and when it begins to glow blow out the flame and allow the stick to smoulder over an ash- catcher, incense box, or heatproof dish. The incense will naturally burn out as it reaches the bamboo skewer at the end. As with all incense, never leave unattended while burning.

Dhoop
Dhoop incense is similar to Agarbatti sticks, except instead of compressing the ingredients around an inner stick, the ingredients are pressed into a stand-alone mould such as a cone or cylinder. Cones need to be burned on a heat-proof stand as they will burn right through to the base of the cone.

Joss Sticks
Joss sticks are similar to Agarbatti sticks, though can also be made without the inner bamboo skewer - the resulting cylinder resembles a thick piece of spaghetti. This type of incense is considered to be purer than sticks containing the bamboo inner core, as the scent of burning bamboo will slightly adulterate the fragrance of the stick.

Koh
Delicate Japanese 'Koh' incense does not contain a bamboo inner stick. The fine sticks give off less smoke and a more subtle aroma than your traditional Indian incense, in exotic blends such as Green Tea, Japanese Cypress (Hinoki) and White Plum. The fragrances are calming - use anywhere to create a mood of tranquility to relax the spirit and the body. Particularly fabulous as an accompaniment to a relaxing bath as the incense is not as overwhelming as many other types.

Resin
Resin incense has been used since Biblical days - pure and natural gums, resins, woods and herbs that, when warmed on a charcoal disk, emit their aromas through aromatic smoke. Available in ancient favourites such as Frankincense, Myrrh, Sandalwood Powder and South American Copal, or in modern blends that take you all round the world - Moroccan Rose, Egyptian Gardenia, Celtic Blend and more.

Place a self-igniting charcoal disk in a censer or bowl of sand (disks available in our Incense Accessories section). Hold a match or long-handled lighter against the disk until sparks begin to dance across the top. After a few minutes the disk will glow red, much like a BBQ heat bead. Add your resin, wood or herb incense a few pellets at a time - as the resins smoulder they will release a strong aromatic smoke. As the charcoal disks glow red hot, always keep them out of the reach of children or pets. Store in an airtight bag to maintain freshness. Try mixing-and- matching the resins for tailor made fragrance blends. They can also be used on glowing coals in open fires.

Smudge
Smudge Sticks are bundled wands made of bound herbs such as Desert Sage or Sweetgrass. Native Americans traditionally perform a purification ritual known as 'smudging' to clear the atmosphere of negative vibrations and fill the environment with positive, uplifting energies. Sage smudge is traditionally used to purify the mind, body and spirit before praying, to cleanse the atmosphere & disperse negativity. Some may use it to purify their homes or offices.

To use, remove the yarn binding the stick and place it in a heatproof dish or abalone shell filled with sand or ashes, to keep it upright. Light the tip of the bundle on fire until the Smudge Stick catches, then blow out the flame to allow the herbs to smoulder, sending sweet fragrant smoke into the air. To extinguish, invert into the sand until the embers are out. Never leave a lit smudge stick unattended.

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Please visit our AROMA QUEEN STORE where you will find a large variety of Himalayan, Indian, Japanese, Smudge, Resin Incense and accessories such as charcoal tablets, incense burners and boxes, and censers. More information is also available on our Website.

AROMA QUEEN has sourced the most wonderful range of Handmade Himalayan incense sticks directly from India, where they are made in the holy mountains of the Indian Himalayas following the traditional style of incense making as used by the great Rishis (seers), and adopting yogic formulas that have been employed since ancient times. This incense truly has to be smelled to be believed, and is entirely natural. We also stock a range of popular Indian and Japanese incense, as well as a large range of Resins. Our White Sage smudge sticks are grown in California, and don't use 'compressed' herbs or offcuts: the white sage is cut straight from the bush, then hand-rolled and bound with twine. The suppliers also give 10% of their profits back to the American Wilderness Society.