Also popularly known as Joss Sticks, incense sticks or Agarbatti have found usage in different cultures and religions. From everyday use as a room freshener for masking unpleasant smells to acting as a source of gaining spiritual enlightenment; the potent effects of incense has been many. In fact, aromatic incense has dominated the vast fragrance industry of the world in such a manner that it can be aptly deemed the parent of all sweet smelling products. To know more about incense sticks or Agarbatti, read on.
History documents that the three gifts that the three wise man or Magi offered to newborn Jesus are frankincense, myrrh and gold. Gold was considered the least valuable of the three items during those days. During ancient times, Frankincense and Myrrh were so precious at that time that these two aromatic raisins were ranked along with gold, ivory, spices and textiles as valuable commodities for trade. Even when the Queen of Sheba visited King Solomon she was known to have brought these valuable scents with her, along with other prized gifts, reflecting the scarcity and value of these exquisite resins.
During the Medieval age, the perfume trade began to boom and countries like Arabia, India and China soon became major exporters of fragrant grass, ginger, camphor, cinnamon etc etc. As the trade flourished, trade routes expanded and along with it demand increased for Roses, Sweet Flag, Orris Root, Narcissus, Saffron, Mastic, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Pepper, Nutmeg, Ginger, Costus, Spikenard, Aloewood, grasses and gum resins. The Incense Route linked the Mediterranean countries with their eastern sources.
Listed below are the most popular types of incense:
Sandalwood Incense
Saffron Incense
Rose Incense
Rosemary Incense
Lavender Incense
Jasmine Incense
Nag Champa Incense
Green Apple Incense
Basil Incense
Lemon Incense
Lily Incense
Chocolate Incense
In addition to this, listed below are the 3 Most Popular Incense Fragrances:
Frankincense
It is an aromatic resin from the Boswellia family of trees. Frankincense is accessible in various grades, based on its age, purity, colour, and aroma. The aroma of Frankincense is characterized by a balsamic spiciness with slight lemon and conifer undertones. Frankincense is been utilized throughout the world for more than 5,000 years. Frankincense fragrance has been used by the Christian, Islamic, and Judaic faiths, such as to anoint newborn babies.
Sandalwood Incense
Sandalwood refers to different aromatic woods, comprising Indian Sandalwood and Australian Sandalwood. The fragrance of Sandalwood provides a wood base note to various perfumes. Sandalwood smells almost similar to other wood scents, however it has a bright, fresh edge.
Lavender Incense
Lavender represents 39 flowering mixtures of the mint family. The oil from its flowers is widely used for aromatherapy, including incense. It has long been used for medical purposes, like relieving tension headaches and respiratory conditions, and it also works as a mosquito repellent. With its calming, sedative effects, lavender has long been used as an aromatic bath additive.
Dhoop Incense
Dhoops are another masala sub-group. Dhoops are an extruded incense, lacking a core bamboo stick. Most of the dhoops have very concentrated perfumes and put out ample smoke when burned.
