History of incense

The history of incense can be traced back to the Song Dynasty. Nowadays, it is generally believed that incense evolved from incense seals, which were primarily used for timekeeping. Incense seals, also known as “sealed incense”  or  “incense slips” , are made purely from incense powder and molds without adding any binders. According to Zhou Jiazhong’s book “Xiang Cheng,” it is recorded: “In the year of Xining Gui Chou (1073 AD), Mei Xi first created the ‘hundred-mark incense seal’ to measure day and night.” The term “hundred-mark incense seal” referred to here denotes this type of timekeeping device.

Japanese Incense VS Chinese Incense, which one is the true incense！

The name of “incense” appeared during the Ming Dynasty, as Li Shizhen mentioned in his renowned medical work “Compendium of Materia Medica”: “Nowadays there are many methods to mix incense, but only incense sticks can be used for wound treatment.” This sentence indicates that the term “incense stick” was already in use at that time. The most commonly seen incense sticks today are probably “Japanese incense sticks,” whose manufacturing technique was also introduced from China. The earliest historical record is found in the year 1720 during the Kyoho era in the book “Nights’ Grass of Nagasaki,” which mentions a Japanese named Goshima Kazushige who came from Fuzhou, China, and began teaching people how to make incense sticks in Nagasaki. Incense sticks quickly gained popularity among Japanese literati and tea enthusiasts due to their free and ethereal nature, evoking associations of transcending the mundane world and reclusiveness; thus they were also called Immortal Incense. Wu Zhe Daozhong Zen Master (1653-1745), a senior monk from Japan, compiled “Zen Forest Images and Utensils Notes – Part Twenty-Eight,” where he or someone else referred to it as Immortal Incense. It is made by mixing various fragrances with paste and formed into sticks. Its smoke lasts long, hence it is called Immortal Incense, also known as Longevity Incense. Its shape is slender like a thread, so it is called an incense stick.

How to make incense

1. Choose natural spices, plants, and herbs
2. Preliminary processing of raw materials
3. Mix the ingredients in the proportions specified by the formula
4. Add spring water to make a paste
5. Handmade into the shape of incense
6. Place in a cool place to dry
7. Package the product after it has passed inspection

What are the uses of incense?

Incense, as a traditional aromatic product, has a long history in Asian cultures, especially in countries such as China, Japan, and India. It not only holds significant importance in religious ceremonies and sacrificial activities but is also widely used in daily life, adding richness to people’s lives.

Religious and spiritual uses

• Meditation Aid: The aroma emitted by aromatherapy can soothe the mind, helping people reduce stress and enter a state that is more tranquil and focused. Therefore, aromatherapy is an ideal companion for meditation practice.
• Prayer and Offering: In the rising smoke of incense, many people express their prayers or gratitude, believing that it can be conveyed to deities.

Mental Healing and Aromatherapy

Psychological Healing

• Relaxation of Body and Mind: The aromas of many spices can activate the limbic system in the brain, which is responsible for processing emotions and memories. For instance, the scents of lavender and sandalwood are believed to reduce heart rate and blood pressure, alleviate anxiety, thereby helping people to relax both physically and mentally.
• Mood Enhancement: Different fragrances have varying effects on mood. The fresh scent of citrus fruits (such as lemons and oranges) can uplift spirits and bring about a sense of joy; floral scents like those of roses and jasmine help to alleviate depressive moods.
• Cognitive Improvement: Some studies suggest that certain aromas, such as rosemary, can aid in enhancing cognitive functions, improving memory and concentration.
• Calming and Soothing: For individuals suffering from insomnia and vivid dreams, burning calming incense such as lavender, chamomile, or cypress seeds before bed can help relax the nerves and improve sleep quality.
• Emotional Regulation: For symptoms such as palpitations, anxiety, and irritability, inhaling the fragrance of agarwood or ambergris can help stabilize heart rate and calm emotions.

Physiological Healing

• Promote Sleep: Certain spices, such as lavender and chamomile, have sedative properties that can help improve sleep quality by influencing the levels of melatonin in the body. Melatonin is a hormone that plays a crucial role in regulating the sleep-wake cycle.
• Pain Relief: Some spices contain anti-inflammatory components; for example, clove oil can be used to alleviate toothache. Moreover, the warmth from aromatherapy can also aid in easing muscle tension and joint pain.
• Support Respiratory System: Eucalyptus oil and peppermint oil have a cooling effect that can relieve respiratory discomfort, assist in clearing nasal congestion, and alleviate symptoms of colds or allergies.
• Boost Immunity: Consistent and moderate use of beneficial spices, such as ginseng and astragalus, may help enhance the immune system.
• Facilitate Digestion: When dealing with loss of appetite or indigestion, choosing spices like cardamom or aged tangerine peel is believed to stimulate gastric juice secretion and increase appetite.

Environmental purification

• Air Purification: Some spices contain natural antibacterial components. The smoke released when these spices are burned can, to some extent, eliminate certain bacteria and viruses in the air, thereby improving indoor air quality.

Beautify life

• Enhancing the Atmosphere: Whether it’s a warm family gathering or a romantic dinner date, appropriately selecting the right fragrance to complement the occasion can add a touch of special ambiance.
• Home Decor: A beautiful incense holder paired with uniquely shaped incense sticks is itself a fine piece of art. Used to decorate a room, it adds an extra layer of charm.

Social Interaction

• Cultural Exchange: By sharing experiences with various types of incense, people foster understanding and appreciation of different cultures, serving as a means of cross-cultural communication.
• Gift Giving: High-quality handmade incense or limited-edition series are often regarded as precious gifts, expressing the giver’s sentiments and taste.

Repel mosquitoes

• Natural insect repellents: Some specially made incenses have natural insect-repelling effects. Products containing ingredients such as mugwort or mint are both environmentally friendly and safe.

The use of incense

After lighting the incense, it should be inserted into an incense burner, holder, or stand. Once the incense is properly set up, wisps of light smoke will begin to rise. You can gently inhale its fragrance through your nose, slowly drawing in and quietly savoring the aroma. Alternatively, after the incense has burned for a while, you may choose to experience the diffused scent that fills the room, which offers a different effect compared to direct inhalation.

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