What to look for when choosing incense.
There are so many varieties of incense on the market, but choosing one that is made up of 100% natural ingredients from wild harvested trees, herbs and resins that don’t contain any chemicals such as synthetic fragrances and perfume oils would be considered the best choice for your health and well-being.
You will find that burning natural incense made from pure ingredients is much different because it will mostly likely not give you a headache and it burns cleaner with a white smoke or an ‘elegant cloud’ as the ancients used to call it.
Also, If you can find incense that is charcoal free, then that is even better. Its hard to find, but with this type of incense you may hear a little crackling sound as the flame moves down the stick and the smoke cloud dances around in a beautiful halo above.
It is also best to purchase incense that is sustainably harvested and made in a World Fairtrade Organization certified workshop or within a community that is supporting their local environment and workers.
With all types of incense and smoke, it is always advisable to have doors or windows open with plenty of fresh air. I like to pop my incense outside my studio door so I get a little waft of the scent without too much smoke or it feeling overpowering.
Ispalla Palo Santo thin sticks were used here in this picture. Here you can see the white smoke cloud dancing above.
My incense check list:
Are they non-toxic, chemical free and from 100% natural ingredients? YES
Are they made from sustainably sourced and wild harvested trees, herbs and resins? YES
Are they free from any added perfumes or synthetic fragrances? YES
Are they free from any synthetic colourants or dyes? YES
Are they vegan and cruelty free? YES
Were they hand made in a World Fairtrade Organization certified workshop? YES
Can they be sourced from a reputable local Australian based supplier? YES
Are they packaged in sustainably and preferably without plastic? YES
What do I stock in my shop?
Wellness Herbal Incense
I also stock the Wellness Herbal Incense in the Nag Champa variety.
This herbal incense is prepared with sandalwood powder, aromatic roots, resins, herbs and natural essential oils. The dough is hand rolled on thin bamboo sticks which ensures minimal smoke. They are free from any toxic substances and are packaged in handmade paper boxes.
Incense Care and Tips
All incense on my website is high quality 100% natural therefore I recommend storing your incense far away from moisture and light. A cool and dark location would be optimal such as drawer or cabinet. Storing your incense in an airtight container typically allows the incense to store longer without losing scent. Keep the original tissue or paper wrap around your incense before storing to capture any excess oils.
Natural incense does not typically expire in the sense that it goes bad or becomes toxic. When stored properly, most quality incense sticks will keep scent for several years, but some types may lose fragrance after just a couple of years.
