Incense cones are made of a combination of combustible materials, binding agents, and fragrance materials. The scented materials that give the incense cone its smell include materials such as root, flower, bark, or resin. Most often the combustible materials used are charcoal powder, sawdust, or wood powder. The binding agent is often, but not always, tragacanth.
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What Are Incense Cones Made Of?
What incense cones are made of will vary slightly depending on the manufacturer of the cone. There are two ways in which an incense cone will be made.
The first is the use of a blank, which is an unscented cone made of just combustible material. This blank is then dipped into the scent.
The other option is a cone made of fragrance materials and combustible materials combined. This combination is mixed together and made into a cone by hand or by machine.
Ingredients Sometimes Found in Incense
This is not a comprehensive list of all the ingredients used in incense, but it does include the most common types.
- Vanilla
- Ginger
- Frankincense
- Hibiscus
- Pine
- Cedar
- Myrrh
- Sage
- Charcoal Powder
- Tragacanth
How to Figure Out What’s in Your Incense
You can check the packaging of your incense to see if an ingredients list is included. If there is not a list of ingredients on the packaging then check the company’s website.
If you really want to know what is included in the incense, reach out to the company whose incense you would like to burn and inquire about the ingredients they use. A good company will happily let you know what is included in your incense cones. A shady company, on the other hand, might act a bit dodgy when asked about the ingredients they use.
The Importance of Burning High-Quality Incense
If you’re wondering what your incense cones are made of, you’re starting off with the right question. Knowing what is in the incense you burn is incredibly important for ensuring the incense burned in your home is not harmful to you or your family.
Always research the brands you plan on buying beforehand. Oftentimes you can find further details about the specific ingredients in a specific product on the company website.
If you’re looking for a brand to get started with, we recommend checking out Shoyeido. The Shoyeido’s Horin Incense Assortment pictured above is a way to get started with a variety of scents. However, always do your research first to ensure the company’s products meet your personal quality standards.
