Satya Nag Champa, hand-rolled in India. The classic incense-shop smell.
A friendly 101
Incense
The fastest way to make your place smell like a little rock shop.
Sticks and cones from India, from classic Nag Champa to lavender and palo santo.
How do you want to feel?
Starter picks
Not sure where to start?
Three easy first picks from our shelves.
Soft, clean lavender. An easy first scent for an evening wind-down.
Ten sweet jasmine cones from HEM. A strong, short burn.
The basics
So... what is incense?
It's scented stuff you burn slowly for its smoke. People have done it for thousands of years, from Egypt to India, China and Japan.
Sticks are scented paste rolled onto bamboo. Cones are the same paste packed tight, for a stronger burst. Resins like frankincense are tree sap, melted on charcoal.
Most of our sticks and cones are made in India by Satya and HEM.
Choosing
How to pick yours
-
Stick or cone?
Sticks burn gently for a while. Cones are short and strong.
-
Pick a scent family
Sweet and floral (Nag Champa, jasmine), fresh (lavender, mint) or woody (sandalwood, cedar, palo santo).
-
Grab two or three
Packs are cheap, so try a few. Your nose will pick a favourite fast.
Using it
Your first 60 seconds
-
Set up safely
Use a heat-safe holder that catches ash. Keep it away from curtains, kids and pets.
-
Light, then blow out
Light the tip, wait a few seconds, then blow out the flame. You want a glowing tip and a thin ribbon of smoke.
-
Air and attention
Crack a window for fresh air. Never leave it burning unattended.
Learn it in 10 minutes
A short, friendly cheat sheet to keep next to your new thing. Print or PDF.
QuickStudy guide
The Herbs & Cleansing QuickStudy
Step-by-step smoke cleansing, plus 24 herbs, woods and resins.
Starter kit
Smoke Cleanse Starter Kit
Everything for a first smoke-cleanse ritual, plus a guide to do it safely.
Good questions
Questions people ask us
Sticks vs cones: what's the difference?
Same scented paste, different shape. Sticks are gentler and last longer. Cones give a stronger burst.
What is Nag Champa?
A sweet, warm Indian blend, often made with sandalwood and champaca flower. Satya's version is the one most people know.
Is palo santo sustainable?
It can be. Palo santo is a tree from Ecuador and Peru. Responsible wood comes from fallen branches and dead trees, so ask where yours is from.
What about white sage?
White sage is sacred to many Indigenous peoples, and wild plants get over-picked. Sage-scented incense is a gentler way to enjoy the smell.
Wander a little
