A Beginner's Guide to Incense Sticks
The Art of Fragrance: A Guide to Incense Sticks
Incense sticks have been used around the world for thousands of years to create fragrance, support meditation and enrich spiritual practice. From ancient temples in Asia to modern homes, burning incense remains one of the simplest ways to transform the atmosphere of a space.
Incense comes in many forms including wood chips, resins, cones and sticks. Among these, incense sticks are the most popular because they are easy to use and offer a wide range of fragrances.
In this guide we’ll explore the different types of incense sticks, how they are made, and how to choose the right incense for your space.
Recommended Incense Sticks for Beginners
If you're new to incense, these are some excellent traditional incense sticks to explore:
Nag Champa Supreme by Bhagwan →
A rich floral Nag Champa with creamy sandalwood undertones.
Ganesh by The Mother's India →
A beautifully balanced masala incense with florals and herbs.
Kyoto Autumn Leaves by Shoyeido →
A warm Japanese incense with sandalwood, cinnamon and spice notes.
Sandalwood Fu-in by Minorien →
A classic Japanese sandalwood incense with a calming and refined aroma.
You can explore our full range of incense sticks here.
If you'd like to explore more options, you can also read our guide to the best incense sticks in the UK.
Japanese Incense Sticks – Refined & Light
The art and appreciation for Japanese incense is known as Koh-do or ‘listening to incense’. If you'd like to explore the traditional makers behind this art, you can read our guide to Japanese incense brands. Japanese incense sticks do not contain a bamboo core and so the scent is much subtler and less potent than Indian varieties.
The subtlety of these incense sticks is incredible. It can take years of experiencing the same incense stick to fully appreciate and 'get' its artistic nuance and complexity. There is a communication between the incense artisan and the user, a communication through fragrance. Traditionally, the art of Japanese incense is considered on the same level as Japanese Calligraphy (Shodo), Flower Arranging (Ikebana) and Tea Ceremony (Sado).
Traditional incense sticks are all based around sandalwood, aloeswood (also known as oud or agarwood), cinnamon, camphor and traditional herbs/spices. Baieido produces traditional incense sticks based on these ingredients and formulas that have been passed down through generations. Modern incense stick varieties consist of more floral and fruity fragrances, though still use a traditional Sandalwood/Aloeswood base. For more contemporary incense sticks, try some of Nippon Kodo and Les Encens du Monde's Karin range.
Japanese incense ranges from low to high end and the quality is often reflected in the price. However, the brands we use offer excellent quality even at the lowest price points. Some of our favourite high quality, low price sticks include Shoyeido's Nokiba (Moss Garden) and Baieido's Original Kobunboku.
Indian Incense Sticks – Rich & Devotional
Indian incense, also known as Agarbathi, has been used for religious and spiritual practices in India for thousands of years and still used today. Devotional, potent and rich, these incense sticks are known for their power! One of the key differences between Indian and Japanese incense, is that Indian types have a bamboo stick running through the middle. White bamboo is used by most good quality suppliers as it doesn't affect the aromatic experience or produce too much unnecessary smoke.
The most popular type of Indian incense sticks are masala sticks. Masala incense sticks consist of a bamboo stick coated with a thick paste of base and aromatic ingredients. Base materials include charcoal, amber resins, sandalwood, cedarwood, vanilla and some gums, which act as binding agents. The quality depends on the mix and ratio of base materials to aromatic ingredients. Hand-rolled incense sticks are almost always better than dipped. Champas are a sub-type of Masala incense sticks and contain Halmaddi. This is a fragrant resinous binding ingredient, renowned for its floral scent. If you'd like to learn more about this famous scent, you can read our guide explaining what Nag Champa incense is. The Mother's India Fragrances use Champa for all their incense sticks.
Even at higher qualities, Indian incense is generally cheaper than Japanese varieties (see our Mother's Fragrances range for example) and this is probably why most people start off their incense journey with Indian sticks. For those worried about smoke levels, be assured that good quality Indian incense is totally different from the cheap market incense sticks and we urge hesitant customers to explore our full range of Indian incense sticks which offer such superb quality at accessible prices.
How to Burn Incense Sticks Safely & Effectively
Take a fresh incense stick, fire up a lighter (a candle flame, match or even cooker hob will do) and wait until the incense stick starts to flame. Wave the stick to blow out the flame and place the unlit end into the hole (or sand) of your holder. Then, let the smoke and fragrance be carried by the natural air currents running through the house.
Depending on the type of incense sticks you have, you'll need a different holder to burn your incense. Indian incense sticks contain a bamboo core and so easily fit into most wooden holders. Japanese incense sticks requires a specific holder or you can create a makeshift one using a bowl with sand (just place the stick upright). Click here to shop our incense stick holders.
Why People Burn Incense Sticks
Incense sticks are used for many different purposes including meditation, relaxation and home fragrance. Many people enjoy burning incense to create a calm environment, while others use it as part of spiritual or mindfulness practices.
Some common reasons people burn incense include:
• meditation and mindfulness
• yoga or relaxation rituals
• home fragrance
• religious ceremonies
• creating a peaceful atmosphere
FAQs – Incense Sticks & Burning Tips
What are incense sticks used for?
- Incense sticks are commonly used for meditation, relaxation, spiritual rituals, aromatherapy, and home fragrance.
What’s the difference between Indian and Japanese incense sticks?
- Indian incense sticks have a bamboo core, making them stronger and smokier.
- Japanese incense sticks are coreless, producing a pure, subtle aroma with less smoke.
How long do incense sticks burn for?
- Japanese incense sticks typically burn for 15-30 minutes.
- Indian incense sticks last between 30-60 minutes, depending on thickness.
Are incense sticks safe to use indoors?
- Yes, as long as you burn them in a ventilated area and use a proper incense holder. Avoid leaving incense unattended.
Which incense sticks smell the strongest?
- Masala Indian incense sticks are the more rich, with deep, full-bodied aromas. Japanese incense is more subtle and refined.
The Journey Begins
Now that you know a little more about incense sticks, start your journey and discover your favourite scent! We realise the world of incense can be overwhelming with such a wide variety of incense sticks to choose from, but we hope this little guide helps you on your way.
Not sure where to start? Browse our best-selling incense sticks here.
And of course, if you'd like help choosing which incense sticks are best for you, feel free to contact us and we'll get back to you with recommendations. For now, here's some of the incense sticks featured in this article:
