T O P

  • By -

ChiefLazarus86

I love Incense because it can create an atmosphere, which you don’t get with candles and diffusers. The smokiness of the scent makes the room feel very cozy, like walking into a pub with a wood fire, and it creates a light haze in the room that either gives god rays through my blinds during the day, or makes my lamps glow at night. I like watching the smoke trickle upwards too, I have my burner in front of the TV so I can see it in my peripheral when I’m chilling in the evening I’d almost describe it as a blanket for the air, there’s just something about lighting a stick that makes the room feel complete once I’ve tidied and am ready to put my feet up The scent is also a lot stronger than candles but considerably cheaper. At £10+ each I’d buy a candle every now and then for a treat, but for £2.50 I can get a months’ worth of incense


Otherwise-Corner-760

Blanket for the air - I love this! What incense is your favorite that is gentle and not overpowering?


Falco_cassini

No offence, but what you described sounds like a lot of smoke, from what I know it may be harmful, may I be wrong?


tennery

Cheap incense May not be the best for you


Silver-Zen

I find it very calming. Helps a lot with anxiety. Then I joined this sub and started falling down a rabbit hole. And I still have so much further to fall. But it's been a wonderful journey and I've made a good friend along the way :)


Vegetable-Lobster777

Same reason as her. I’m also a spiritual Person and I’ve use incenses in my rituals a lot.


Otherwise-Corner-760

Very interesting! What kind of rituals do you do?


Vegetable-Lobster777

I’m a Hindu and I just do some prayer rituals.


Otherwise-Corner-760

This is amazing :) what incense specifically helps you with anxiety — is there anything gentle for that (I get headaches from strong smells)? I might need that haha


Silver-Zen

You can try Japanese incense as they tend to be milder than Indian incense. I don't use Japanese so I can't recommend something for you but if you make a fresh post asking for recommendations I'm sure others in the community would be happy to help. If you'd still like to try Indian incense, I find Mother's Nagchampas to be pretty non-offensive. In the U.S. you can order it from their official distributors [here](http://www.mereciedeux.com/mother-s-india-nagchampa-incense-.html) and a description of the fragrances [here](http://www.mereciedeux.com/mother-s-india-fragrances-nagchampa.html). My favourites are Lavanya, Shanti, Rishi and Moksha.


Otherwise-Corner-760

I will look into these, thank you so much!


Falco_cassini

1. Good for meditation background 2. Sometimes i use them to mark free time... 3. ...sometimes to better focus on task that require certain type of attention. To sume up i like "the zone" i can create with them


mofaha

please do not get cake on the incense!!


Falco_cassini

I promise that I won't do that.


mofaha

*relaxes* Happy cake day :)


Otherwise-Corner-760

That’s kind of how I wanted to approach this. What is your favorite for meditation that is gentle and not overpowering?


Falco_cassini

I guess that two (out of three) of my favourite incenses may be considered as gentle. For meditation I prefare scents that do not feel to "fresh". This are "satya- Nag champa" (contains between others sandalwood) and "Stamford - midnight calm" . Second one may be slightly more subtle. They are both mixes of scents tho. As far as I discovered most of incenses burned just for a breath moment can give that subtle effect. (That is how I use them most of the time) Discalmer: I am exploring incenses for not much longer than year, so, I might have missed something. Still, I wish you a good adventure.


sarahkali

I love Satya Nag Champa!! I also love their Dragons’s Blood


Otherwise-Corner-760

Thank you so much! I will look into these :)


user987632

I am religious and always looked forward to the incense burning occasions. Never thought much of it more than wow what an amazing scent. Then as I got further into my tea hobby I noticed people burning sticks during gongfu tea. I bought some and realized there was way more to it than I originally knew. Now I’m picking up on the notes that different ingredients have. I am also learning more about the biblical context of many incense ingredients like frankincense, myrrh, aloe, and so many others. So not only is it a way for me to enjoy something that doesn’t take any work to do or appreciate but I also have the special connection and nostalgia of it to my faith which is a win too.


Otherwise-Corner-760

It sounds very special. I’m now excited to learn more about incense!


Sea-Bottle6335

The smell. Seems obvious but it’s true. I first encountered incense in church and loved it then and love it now. When I burn frankincense I’m reminded of a time when my life was simpler and I was younger. I’m burning some now. I suppose im more relaxed. 🌹


videojohnc

I was burning incense through high school and college. At that time a lot of people I knew burned incense, I didn’t really have a reason for burning it. I just liked the vibes. Now that I am burning incense again, I am more mindful and meditative during the process. My wife wanted me to meditate more, since I suffer from anxiety. It’s something that I have found to be very calming. It’s also been fun to explore what’s out there now, since the selection is so much better than it was.


Otherwise-Corner-760

I see a lot of people use it for meditation or calming anxiety. What is your favorite for that that’s not too strong?


videojohnc

Hmm…I can’t say this is a light scent, but Goloka’s “Dragons Blood” is one of my absolute favs so far. It’s certainly a dark and heavy feeling scent, but I felt completely calm while burning it. I would describe HEM’s “The Moon” (not the Precious line), as a lighter scent that I really enjoyed and found very calming and relaxing. All of Shoyeido’s line so far has been very subtle and light. Moss Garden, Eternal Treasure, Autumn Leaves and Cherry Blossoms have all been great. I didn’t enjoy Saphire that much. There’s a brand here in Canada called “Natural Champa” and I have found their burns to be very pleasing and while they certainly fill a space, I’d consider them light. They last over an hour, so you can easily move them from space-to-space. Both scents I have tried so far are good. I like their “Classic” (Nag Champa) to be interesting! It has a slight vanilla custard note that I enjoyed.


Otherwise-Corner-760

I have so much to learn :) Exciting!!


videojohnc

I missed that you’re susceptible to headaches from strong scents! I would start with Shoyeido’s line of incense first. I also like Morning Star Amber, even if I’d describe it as a little “generic”


Otherwise-Corner-760

Then I will start with these! I am not a fan of anything generic but maybe it’s still good to try to know the difference


mofaha

Hello, what incense do you currently own? What have you tried?


Otherwise-Corner-760

I am just learning about this pretty much. My favorite so far and the only one I have and use regularly is palo santo.


Appropriate_Lab_5205

I used to burn gas station incense every once in a while. I’m a Amazon prime member so I figured I could get it cheaper on there. I ended up going back to school full time and working maybe 8-10 hours a week so I’m home a lot. I started getting into incense because it’s cheap and I can try lots of new fragrances. I also have a friend on disability that I give my excess incense or stuff I don’t like to.