McHugh, James (29 November 2012). Sandalwood and Carrion: Smell in Indian Religion and Culture. OUP USA. p.68. ISBN 9780199916320 . Retrieved 29 November 2012. Relieve stress and aid sleep: Lavender and frankincense has been associated with reduced stress and improved sleep in multiple research studies. Burning lavender or frankincense incense can promote relaxation and help you fall asleep fasterand more comfortably.

There are many different types of incense powder on the market, each with its own unique fragrance. Some of the most popular types include: Indirect-burning incense, also called "non-combustible incense", [22] is an aromatic material or combination of materials, such as resins, that does not contain combustible material and so requires a separate heat source. Finer forms tend to burn more rapidly, while coarsely ground or whole chunks may be consumed very gradually, having less surface area. Heat is traditionally provided by charcoal or glowing embers. In the West, the best known incense materials of this type are the resins frankincense and myrrh, [ citation needed] likely due to their numerous mentions in the Bible. [ original research?] Frankincense means "pure incense", [23] though in common usage, it refers specifically to the resin of the boswellia tree. [24] Many people burn incense to appreciate its smell, without assigning any other specific significance to it, in the same way that the foregoing items can be produced or consumed solely for the contemplation or enjoyment of the aroma. An example is the kōdō ( 香道), where (frequently costly) raw incense materials such as agarwood are appreciated in a formal setting.Moxa tablets, which are disks of powdered mugwort used in Traditional Chinese medicine for moxibustion, are not incenses; the treatment is by heat rather than fragrance. McHugh, James (29 November 2012). Sandalwood and Carrion: Smell in Indian Religion and Culture. OUP USA. pp.121–126. ISBN 9780199916320 . Retrieved 29 November 2012. Besides, powder incense can have a number of side effects, including headaches, dizziness, nausea, and vomiting. In some cases, it can also cause seizures. It is important to be aware of these potential side effects before using powder incense. If you experience any of these symptoms, stop using the product immediately and consult a doctor. Incense powder is typically made from a combination of plant materials, including wood powders, bark, leaves, and resins. These ingredients are ground into a fine powder and then mixed together to create the final product. The exact recipe varies depending on the specific type of incense being made, but all incense powders contain these basic components.

As with many other traditional Chinese arts and crafts, the practice of zhuan xiang was almost lost in the last century due to wars and revolutions. Fortunately, the practice has seen a revival in the past decade, and we hope to contribute to this. As we face an increasingly uncertain future, the benefits of a moment to stop and be fully present in a ritual like this is undeniable. What is incense powder? Incense blending contents". ancientworlds.net. April 28, 2004. Archived from the original on June 14, 2011.

Some Final Cautionary Notes:

Smoke powder is made from a variety of ingredients, including potassium nitrate, sulfur, charcoal, and sometimes saltpeter.

Combustible bouquets were used by the ancient Egyptians, who employed incense in both pragmatic and mystical capacities. Incense was burnt to counteract or obscure malodorous products of human habitation, but was widely perceived to also deter malevolent demons and appease the gods with its pleasant aroma. [3] Resin balls were found in many prehistoric Egyptian tombs in El Mahasna, giving evidence for the prominence of incense and related compounds in Egyptian antiquity. [8] One of the oldest extant incense burners originates from the 5th dynasty. [8] The Temple of Deir-el-Bahari in Egypt contains a series of carvings that depict an expedition for incense. [9] Mark Holmström (3 Dec 2007). South Indian Factory Workers: Their Life and Their World. Cambridge University Press. p.16. ISBN 9780521048125 . Retrieved 5 August 2013. Incense is available in various forms and degrees of processing. They can generally be separated into "direct-burning" and "indirect-burning" types. Preference for one form over another varies with culture, tradition, and personal taste. The two differ in their composition due to the former's requirement for even, stable, and sustained burning.As Chinese incense use evolved and became ever more sophisticated, it was introduced to Japan along with Buddhism in the 6 th century (Tang dynasty). Through the Song dynasty (10 th -13 th centuries) and beyond, incense was widely used in both countries, and recipes continued to flow across the ocean from China to Japan. The foundations of Japanese incense (and of other East Asian countries such as Korea and Vietnam) therefore lies in Chinese incense. And when we refer to traditional formulas below, we refer to the collective foundations of all these East Asian incense. Where do traditional Chinese (and Japanese) incense recipes come from？ In this method, a mold (traditionally of a seal, but can be of any pattern) is placed on a bed of firmly pressed ash, which acts as a heat resistant surface. Loose incense powder is then spooned into the mold, and once the mold is removed, it leaves the shape of the seal. This is then lit, and very elegantly burns from one end to the other. (Note no charcoal is involved in this method of using incense. )