5 Best Chinese Incense Sticks (Plus 2 Incense Burners)

Incense is not just a pleasing aroma, it has multiple uses such as aromatherapy, perfumery and spiritual ceremonies. Different types of incense are used for specific purposes. Currently, the most common use of incense is for aromatherapy.

In this post, we will explore the top Chinese incense sticks and burners and discuss the benefits and uses of these products.

The Chinese have used incense sticks for over 4,000 years, both in religious ceremonies and in their homes. Colloquially called ‘joss sticks’, this is in fact an English slang expression taken from the Portuguese word for god, ~~Deos.~~

Quick Picks:

In China incense is known as Xiang.

It has various ingredients, including sandalwood, cassia cinnamon, and camphor. A more unusual material sometimes used is Agarwood, a resin infused wood from the heart of the ~~Aquilaria tree.~~ It has a distinctive smell and is highly prized for incense.

Incense sticks are used in meditation to help relaxation. In Chinese medicine the burning of incense is also said to relieve anxiety, improve sleep quality, release fatigue, and sometimes serve as an insect repellent.

But for most of us, burning incense sticks does not necessarily have to have traditional religious or medicinal uses.

They can be used in the home as a type of aromatherapy in the same way that we use scented candles or ~~potpourri,~~ to change the air quality of a room, maybe to mask other less pleasant odors from cooking, or pets for example.

Types of Chinese Incense Sticks Available

There are two main types of incense stick produced in China. In one type, an aromatic incense paste is applied to a thin bamboo stick.

Another type of incense stick is made from natural woods without the incense coating, the most common being sandalwood. This gives the odor that we most commonly associate with burning joss sticks.

They are usually sold in packs of up to 400 individual sticks for around $16 per pack. This might seem like one pack would last a lifetime, but these sticks are usually burned in a small bundle, perhaps six sticks at a time.

This is the most common way to buy them, as illustrated here:

Best Overall:

Sandalwood

Sandalwood sticks can make a delightful gift for friends and are available in boxes of 100 sticks. The boxes are elegant with simple design and clean lines, and actually incorporate a stick holder in the box lid.

The item illustrated here is made from Shanggu sandalwood. Shanggu is the name of a province in ancient China known for incense production and now is part of the area around Beijing.

The boxed sticks make perfect gifts for friends or relatives who practice yoga or meditation, and can be purchased here:

Agarwood

If you are looking for something different, perhaps to impress friends with something a bit exotic, you should consider sticks made from Agarwood.

These have a light, woody, earthy scent and are considered to be the finest for relaxation and creating a soothing environment. Agarwood is highly prized and in its pure form is quite expensive, although as joss sticks the price is about the same as sandalwood, and is available here:

Best Branded Product:

But they should be used sparingly – like any good perfume, the scent can linger, and can be noticed in a room for up to 24 hours after burning.

The following is an inexpensive alternative to this variant of Agarwood incense:

Most-Reviewed Product:

Blended Chinese Incense Sticks

There is also a popular stick using a scent called ‘Tang Emperor’s Meditation’. This is made by blending various aromatic materials into a paste and applying the paste to a thin stick.

This particular scent is an exotic blend of sandalwood, Agarwood, frankincense, lavender and other herbs. This is a little more expensive, coming in a pack of 120 for around $16, under the Grand Wisdom brand name.

Each pack comes with a separate little stick holder, so it makes a wonderful gift.

By the way, because all these products are fully organic and made only from natural ingredients it is worth noting that the ash from burning the incense stick makes a great fertilizer for your potted plants, although to be realistic you have to burn a lot of sticks to make more than the odd handful of ash!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1fzySbNUiA

Da Ching Incense Making Factory (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1fzySbNUiA)

Video: Da Ching Incense Making Factory

Types of Incense Burners

Before moving towards the best picks for incense burners, you need to understand their types. Not every type of burner is suitable for different incense forms. Some are only for cones while others consider a variety of incense. Let’s check out their types one by one:

Box Incense Burners

These burners are big and can accommodate different incense at a time. They come with holes to place incense stickers in the vertical position. They are usually made of wooden material with artistic design patterns, which is why they are great for gifting purposes as well.

Bowl Incense Burners

These burners are safe to use as they do not let the heat disperse. Still, you need to choose a non-flammable surface for their placement. They are suitable for a variety of incense forms, such as cones, ropes, etc., and they usually have sand or pebbles in the base.

Coil Incense Burners

These burners, made of metal or ceramics, are designed specifically for coil-shaped incense. They keep the coil lifted in the air for proper burning and have triangular metal for placement of the coil.

Backflow Burners

These ceramic burners are designed for backflow incense cones, allowing the smoke to move in a backward direction with their holes. You will love watching the smoke move like flowing water.

Chinese Incense Stick Holders (Burners)

Stick holders and burners come in many different designs and forms, from the very simple stick holder which can be a flat piece of wood with a hole to hold the stick, to the highly ornate objects which can be décor conversation pieces and can be designed to hold multiple sticks.

This interesting example, is in the shape of a dragon boat, looking remarkably similar to a Viking longboat but it is a traditional Chinese design.

Best Overall:

It holds one stick, and the ash falls into the body of the boat. Made from ceramic it is textured to appear wooden and is aged to appear like an ancient artefact.

Although this particular piece is a little ornate and stylized, it represents a common design of single-stick holders, being a rectangular shape where the stick is inserted at one end at an angle so the ash collects in the body of the shape.

Another popular design is known as an ash-catcher. Usually a bowl or pot shape with holders inside the bowl to insert the sticks vertically, and the ash falls into the bowl around them. This example is a simple Celadon ceramic, Celadon being a common type of jade green-glazed Chinese pottery:

Best for Continuous Use:

Bowls like this can hold multiple sticks, in this case up to nine at a time. If you are not completely familiar with the smell of incense you may want to avoid burning that many sticks together – it could be quite pungent!

Buying Guide

When you go to the market, several brands offer a variety of incense like cones, sticks, etc. in various fragrances. To make the best choice that meets your requirements as well, we highlight important factors that aid in making the best purchase decision. Let’s check them one by one:

Defining your Objective

The first step is to figure out your intention regarding the use of incense. Are you looking for a solution to eliminate bad smells? Or are you looking for an authentic way to create a soothing environment for stress reduction? Ask this question to yourself. Then, search for the right fragrance or type accordingly.

You may ask the manufacturers about the differences and significance of different scents. Remember to use mild, or balanced fragrances instead of storing ones to avoid allergy or breathing issues.

Other than personal use, sharing incense with your friends and family is also a norm and a good gesture to show love. If you are buying them with this intention, then focus on the aesthetics of the packaging along with its effects. You may go for personalized boxes to share a high-quality scent.

Determining Quality Aspects

After defining your goal, the next step is to determine the quality of the brand. You must check the composition and the ingredients. Go for manufacturers that offer organic sticks that produce moderate smoke while dispersing fragrance. Incense made from pure herbs produces white smoke with no side effects. Most of the time, handmade or artisanal incense is great in terms of high quality and seamless components. Avoid those that have chemical or low-quality additives like charcoal or fillers.

Reputation of the Manufacturers

Check out the reputation of the supplier by going through its reviews. Make sure you reach the genuine comments of the customers, as many sellers portray fake positive reviews. Also, look for brands that offer tested and certified products for safety and quality.

Compatibility Analysis

Before buying incense sticks, ensure their compatibility with other accessories like holders or burners. If your holder accommodates only cones, buying sticks will make the holder useless. So, ensure the compatibility between the incense and the holders.

Tips to Burn Incense Safely

Incense burning may result in serious hazards if you don’t take proper precautions. Here are some important safety measures that enable the use of incense within the safety zone:

Always choose a place that is not under the reach of children or pets. Try to keep them away during the burning process.
Pick a ventilated room to place the incense holder to avoid suffocation from the incense smoke.
Choose a non-flammable surface to put the incense holder on, as ash may fall on the surrounding area and cause a fire.
Keep flammable objects like rugs, curtains, etc., away from the incense holder, as the wind may blow ash onto them.
Never leave the burning sticks unattended and put them off before leaving.

Remember that incense is safe to use if you don’t compromise on quality. However, some people face allergies or breathing issues, etc., with such smoky products. One must listen to the body and its comfort level. In case of any issue, stop using the incense sticks right away.

Parting Words

Incense burning has a long history, believed to have originated in China.

Throughout the centuries, incense has been used in many cultures and religions and continues to be a popular practice today.

Chinese incense sticks, in particular, hold a significant cultural, religious and medicinal value in China.

Today, incense has evolved into a wide range of fragrant products, making it hard to choose the right one. With various incense products and burners available, Chinese incense can be used in various ways and for different purposes.

This article is meant as a guide for those interested in learning more about these items. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask in the comments section.

5 Best Chinese Incense Sticks (Plus 2 Incense Burners)