Below is a list of ingredients which are commonly incorporated within incense.
If we missed any, feel free to send us an email at admin@viennaimports.com and let us know!
We will be sure to add them!
- Agarwood / Aloeswood – Aloeswood consists of trees within the Aquilaria genus. When these trees fall, they often become infected with a type of parasitic bacteria which the trees then produce aromatic compounds to attempt to heal the infection. Aloeswood is also notably used in the Japanese Kodo Ceremony.
- Amber
- Ambrette Seed
- Balsam of Tolu
- Basil
- Bay Laurel
- Benzoin
- Borneol Camphor
- Burgundy Pitch
- Calamus Root
- Cardamom
- Cassia
- Catnip
- Cedar
- Chamomile
- Cinnamon – A common kitchen spice with a well-known spicy scent.
- Clove
- Colophony Pine
- Copal – An aromatic resin which originates from South America.
- Coriander
- Dammar
- Dragon’s Blood
- Elemi
- Encelia
- Eucalyptus
- Frankincense
- Galangal Root
- Galbanum
- Ginger Root
- Guggul
- Hibiscus
- Hyssop
- Iris Root
- Juniper Berries
- Juniper Tips
- Juniper Wood
- Labdanum
- Laurel Leaves
- Lavender
- Lemon Balm
- Lemon Grass
- Makko – A powder made from the Machillus Thunbergii tree. This incense powder is known to have minimal smoke and scent. It is a popular ingredient within traditional Japanese incense sticks.
- Marjoram
- Mastic
- Melissa
- Mugwort
- Musk Seed
- Myrrh
- Nutmeg
- Oakmoss
- Onycha
- Opoponax
- Palo Santo – Palo Santo is also known as ‘Holy Wood’. This wood is native to Peru and has a unique, crisp and clean scent.
- Patchouli
- Pine Needle
- Pine Resin
- Rhubarb
- Rose – A traditional flower of love in many cultures of the world.
- Rosemary
- Saffron
- Sage-Desert
- Sage-White
- Sandalwood
- Sandalwood-Red
- Sandarac
- Spikenard
- Spruce
- Stacte
- Star Anise
- Storax
- Sweetgrass
- Thyme
- Tolu Balsam
- Tonka Beans – Although Tonka beans are harder to obtain nowadays, it is still a popular base note in both incense and perfume manufacturing.
- Turmeric – An Indian spice often used in curries and other foods. It also has a spicy, earthy scent which incorporates well into some incense blends.
- Valerian
- Vanilla
- Vetiver
This article was last revised on 02/28/2020.
