Incense and Resins - Benefits, Meanings, Uses and Associations

The various types of incense and resins each carry its own scent profile, yet equally importantly, they also carry their own benefits and spiritual associations. Incense is never just a home fragrance product, although it is frequently misused as such. Here are a few of our favourites, with some history and associations to help you choose for holistic and spiritual purposes: Re-visit as we update our list!

Agarwood (Ooud) :

Substance: A resin that is produced as a defence mechanism in the wood of a tree that has been harmed or infected by a fungus. The incense is a special combination of the fungus and the defence resin, which produces a specific range of scents.

Names: 

Scientific names: Aquilaria spp. (esp. A. malaccensis, A. agallocha, A.hirta, and A.beccariana) and sometimes Gonystylus bancanus are the trees infected with fungus (e.g., Aspergillus sp. and Fusarium sp.).

Common names: Aloeswood, jinkoh, eaglewood, gaharu (Indonesia), Chim-Hyang (Korean), Chen-Xiang (Chinese). Plant family: Thymelaeaceae.

Origin: Korea, Assam, Bhutan, Cambodia, Vietnam, Singapore, Indonesia, Northern India, China, Papua New Guinea.

History and folklore:

• Buddhists use agarwood for the transmutation of ignorance.
• Tibetan monks use it to bring energy to calm the mind and spirit.
• The Sufis and Japanese Shaman use agarwood oil in their esoteric ceremonies.
• The word for incense in Sanskrit is agarbhatti, of which agar forms the basis of the word, referring to agarwood.

Traditional Practical and physical uses:

• calming
• alertness
• deep peace
• harmony
• positivity
• motivation
• refreshing

• soul development
• dispelling negativity 
• spiritual journey
• enlightenment
• meditation
• communication
• opening third eye
• upper chakras

Scent descriptive:  

• warm
• musky
• animalic
• slightly sweet
• dampened wood
• floral
• fruit notes
• pungent
• musky

Blue Lotus Flower:

Substance: A psychoactive flower from the nymphaea caerulea plant, who’s properties are primarily attributed to two alkaloids: apomorphine and nuciferine

Name: The Sacred Blue Lily of the Nile

History and folklore:

• Revered by many ancient cultures and civilisations from Vedic India and Ancient Egypt to the Greeks, Tibetans and more. 

• activates Serotonin receptors 
• activates Dopamine receptors 
• calming
• sense of well-being
• higher cognition
• relaxation

• transcendence 
• spiritual awakening
• meditation
• trance states 
• lucid dreaming

Scent descriptive:

• soft
• comforting
• gentle
• spicy
• fresh pepper
• ginger
• frangipani
• floral
• sweet
• almost green

Copal:

Substance: A tree resin derived from the sap of native trees of the Buresa family in South America,  that is rich in triterpenes

Name: from the Aztec word “copalli”

History and folklore:

• referenced in the Mayan book the “Popol Vuh”
  
• used by Aztec people as medicine, makeup, chewing gum, adhesive for masks, and to fix precious stones to teeth.
• used by the indigenous peoples of Mexico and Central America as an incense and during sweat lodge ceremonies.

Traditional Practical and physical uses:

• emotional balance
• calming
• insomnia
• anxiety
• activate brain “ion” channels
• stress
• preparation for sleep 
• calming nervous system
• positivity
• love
• peace
• inspiration
• insect repellent 

Traditional Energetic and spiritual uses:

• winding down rituals
• meditation
• crown chakra
• spiritual connection
• pure thoughts
• auric strength
• stagnant energy
• unites sun and earth energy
• energises yet grounds
• draws out negativity 
• transmutes negativity
• space cleansing
• cleansing objects 
• opening to soul
• thanksgiving offerings

Scent descriptive:

• clean
• light
• woody
• sweet
• smoky