Incense for Beginners | Simple and Easy to Understand, Taking You into the World of Fragrance
You might think that incense sticks are only used for worshipping gods? Actually, in the world of incense, fragrance can be a form of relaxation, a ritual, or even a way of life.
Whether you're a fragrance newbie or just looking for a way to make your home more comfortable, this article will help you easily understand incense and teach you how to choose your first incense, making it easy to get hooked!
🌀 What is the incense series?
Incense sticks (Japanese: お線香) are incense sticks without bamboo branches, made from natural fragrances such as sandalwood, agarwood, and herbs. When lit, they burn slowly, releasing a pure and natural aroma without the musty smell of burning wood.
🌸 What are the uses of incense sticks?
Incense sticks are not just "traditional items," but rather a fragrant companion to modern life:
- 🧘🏻 Combining meditation and yoga can help you concentrate.
- 🧠 To refresh and invigorate while working (citrus or herbal scents are best)
- 😴 Relax before bed, excellent for promoting sleep
- 🏠 Creating a fragrant atmosphere at home is a plus when inviting friends over!
🐣 A beginner choosing their first incense stick?
1. Start with an "easy-to-drink" aroma
Incense sticks usually have added spices to create different flavors. It's recommended to start with the following categories to avoid making mistakes:
- 🌼 Floral scents (such as rose, cherry blossom): gentle and sweet
- 🍊 Citrus scents (such as grapefruit, orange blossom): refreshing and invigorating.
- 🌲 Woody scents (such as sandalwood): Calm and soothing, suitable for nighttime use.
2. Choose the "small packet" or "sample" pack.
You don't need to buy a large box at the beginning. Smaller packages or sample sets allow you to try them slowly and gradually find the scent that suits you best.
3. Avoid adding overly strong artificial flavorings.
Some cheaper incense sticks on the market contain too much or too strong artificial fragrance in order to release their aroma, making the incense sticks smell unpleasant and losing their traditional flavor. Try to avoid these.
🔥 Should incense sticks be burned?
It's actually super easy to use:
- Secure the incense sticks to the incense stand, then place an incense dish underneath (if you don't have an incense dish, a soy sauce dish will do XD).
- Light the incense stick, then gently blow out the flame, leaving smoke.
- Relax and slowly enjoy the aroma.
📌 Tip: It is recommended to open the window to allow the aroma to circulate naturally. One stick is enough each time, and it will last for about 20-25 minutes.
🏷️ Recommended Brands for Beginners (Japan)
- Kunjudō: a century-old shop in Kyoto with elegant and noble fragrance
- QNOWA (by Kunjudo): The fragrance is modern and the design is stylish. Its " Moments " series suggests burning different incense sticks according to different daily routines.
🎁 Summary: Fragrance is a ritual in life
Incense sticks are more than just fragrance; they are a way to calm down.
When you get into the habit of lighting an incense stick every day, you might start to look forward to the moment when you get home from work, sit quietly, and take a deep breath.
Starting today, let fragrance accompany you through life. 🌿
👉Want to try it? You can start with a sample sachet from Xunyutang: