A Guide to Incense: Sticks, Resins, Logs, Flakes, and Botanical Blends

Incense doesn’t need to be mysterious, intense, or intimidating.

At its most basic level, incense is simply plant material releasing scent through heat.

Different forms exist not because one is “better” than another — but because different moments, spaces, and energy levels call for different approaches.

This guide walks through the main types of incense you’ll see around Enchanted Botanicals, what each one is best used for, and how to know which one makes sense for your real life.

No stress. No rules. Just information you can actually use.

Loose Botanical Incense

Loose botanical incense is made from dried herbs, leaves, and petals — without heavy resins.

Best for:

• Light scent

• Short rituals

• Small spaces

• People who prefer more smoke than scent.

  
  

What it’s like:

Herbal and gentle. The scent doesn’t linger aggressively and won’t overpower a room. But it can create a good amount of smoke depending on how much you use.

How it’s used:

Place a small pinch on a charcoal disc or in a heat-safe incense bowl. You don’t need much.

Good to know:

This type produces less smoke than resins and burns more quickly.

If you’re curious, this is the loose botanical incense I carry in the shop.

Resin Incense

Resin incense is made from tree saps such as copal, frankincense, or myrrh. These materials have been used for centuries because they burn slowly and release a strong, grounding scent.

Best for:

• Clearing stagnant energy

• Focused ritual work

• Meditation or prayer

• Larger rooms

  
  

What it’s like:

Deep and steady. Resin smoke is thicker and more noticeable than botanical incense.

How it’s used:

Always on a charcoal disc or resin burner — never directly in a flame.

Good to know:

A very small amount goes a long way.

If you’re curious, this is the resin incense I carry in the shop.

Incense Sticks

Incense sticks are the most familiar form. The incense material is wrapped around a thin stick that burns at a steady pace.

Best for:

• Daily routines

• Background scent

• Times when you don’t want to think about burn time

  
  

What it’s like:

Consistent and predictable. You’ll get roughly the same experience every time.

How it’s used:

Light the tip, blow it out, and place it in a holder.

Good to know:

Sticks are great for beginners or anyone who wants simplicity.

If you’re curious, this is the incense stick style I carry in the shop.

Incense Logs (Sacred Smoke Logs)

Incense logs are compressed incense blends (botanicals + resins) formed into a solid shape — no stick or core.

Best for:

• Slower rituals

• Repeated use

• Intentional pauses during the day

  
  

What it’s like:

Substantial. The scent builds gradually instead of all at once.

How it’s used:

Light one end, allow it to smolder briefly, then extinguish. You can relight the same log multiple times.

Good to know:

Logs are reusable and last much longer than sticks when used in short sessions.

If you’re curious, these are the incense logs I carry in the shop.

Incense Flakes

Incense flakes are loose blends that often combine resins, woods, and botanicals. They give you the most control over strength and scent.

Best for:

• Custom rituals

• Layered scent experiences

• People who like flexibility

  
  

What it’s like:

Apothecary-style. You decide how much to use and how strong it burns.

How it’s used:

Place a small pinch on a charcoal disc or heat-safe burner.

Good to know:

More flakes = stronger smoke. Less = lighter scent.

If you’re curious, these are the incense flakes I carry in the shop.

Palo Santo Wood (Plain & Botanical-Rolled)

Palo santo (this translates to "holy wood") is a naturally aromatic wood traditionally used for clearing and grounding.

Plain Palo Santo is Best for:

• Quick resets

• Clearing a room after guests

• Short rituals

  
  

What it’s like:

Clean, woody, and slightly sweet.

Palo santo sticks are sometimes rolled in herbs or resins for added scent and intention.

Best for:

• Deeper scent

• Ritual use

• When you want palo santo plus something extra

  
  

How it’s used:

Light the tip, allow it to smolder, and extinguish safely between uses.

If you’re curious, this is the palo santo (plain and botanical-rolled) I carry in the shop.

So… how do you choose?

Instead of asking “Which one is best?”, try asking:

• Do I want quick or slow?

• Do I want light or strong scent?

• Do I want set-and-forget or hands-on?

  
  

Different incense styles aren’t upgrades — they’re options. Some days call for ease. Some days call for every ounce of participation you can muster.

Both count.

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Final thought

If incense has ever felt confusing or overwhelming, I hope this makes it feel more approachable — and more useful.

Every style I carry is chosen for how it works in real homes, with real people, living real lives.

It's magic that lives where you do 🌿