What is an Incense Dish?

Since antiquity, incense has been used to create aromatic spaces indoors and outdoors, as well as to set the mood for religious ceremonies, and as a form of medicine. In addition to its spiritual significance, the gentle smoke of burning incense is thought to cleanse and purify the body and soul, as it draws out negative energies. These days, incense is commonly used to set a relaxing and calm atmosphere for home and work.

An incense dish is a small plate or bowl designed to hold a joss stick or incense coil, while it is burning. This helps to keep the ash from falling on furniture and clothing, while it also keeps the flame and smoke away from your fingers. They are available in a variety of styles, materials and designs. There are some that are made of wood, some of stone and others are made of ceramic or porcelain. They come in a variety of different colors and can be decorated with floral patterns or simple lines. There are even incense dishes designed to look like a piece of art, such as a vase or sculpture.

Some incense dishes are designed to be used with a censer, which is a large bowl-shaped object that has an opening for inserting coals and incense sticks. The censer is usually hung on chains from a hook at the top of the bowl. It is then swung back and forth to disperse the fragranced smoke. The incense is then lit and burned until the fragrant smoke rises into the air.

Many herbs and spices are used to make incense, and they can be found at local herb shops and incense stores. Often, they are sold in bulk and can be purchased at lower prices than buying them individually. A few common ingredients for incense include cinnamon, cedar, frankincense, mastic, and storax.

Making your own incense mixtures is a fun and rewarding hobby that can be very relaxing and therapeutic. The most important thing is to use high quality ingredients. Once you are more experienced, you can experiment with a wider range of aromatic ingredients. A few of the most common incense ingredients are:

For Chinese incense, makko (a mix of powdered botanicals) is a popular base ingredient. It also serves as a binder, allowing it to hold the other aromatic ingredients together and give them their scent. For a makko substitute, marshmallow root or guar gum work.

Incense has long been an integral part of Chinese aristocratic and religious life. Throughout the centuries, incense blends were created by ladies of the palace and mandarins, traditional herbalists, and Buddhist institutions, which kept their own secretive book of recipes.

In Earth Medicines: Ancestral Wisdom, Healing Recipes and Wellness Rituals from a Curandera, author Felicia Cocotzin Ruiz shares how to connect with the elements of Fire, Air, Water and Earth through plant-based rituals. These recipes and rituals are based on the Four Elements of Healing of her curanderismo practice, a deeply rooted tradition of indigenous healing in Mexico.