The Story Behind Our Incense

Growing up in the East, incense was woven into daily life – a quiet ritual for honouring ancestors, temple ceremonies, and purifying the air. It’s a tradition with centuries of weight behind it: the art of hand-rolling natural incense sticks dates back over 500 years in China, later spreading to Japan and beyond.

I’ve always been fascinated by the process. Recently, I finally had the chance to learn it properly.

Modern stick incense comes in two main forms:

1. Bamboo-core sticks (common in India and Tibet)

2. Solid paste sticks (originating in China) – made purely of aromatic powders and binders, giving a purer, more nuanced scent without woody interference.

The craft is meticulous: blending fragrant powders with water and binders, kneading the paste to the perfect consistency, rolling each stick by hand, then drying them slowly. It’s meditation in motion – first in the making, then in the burning.

There’s something deeply grounding about using incense you’ve shaped yourself. Each stick carries intention, patience, and a whisper of history.

In our shop, you’ll find four varieties of these hand-made incenses, each crafted by skilled artisans in China using these time-honoured methods.

🌲 Himalayan Cedar Incense – A Sacred Wood for Stillness

There’s something profoundly grounding about Himalayan cedar. For centuries, this resin-rich wood has been prized in Ayurveda and Tibetan traditions – not just for its warm, woody aroma, but for its ability to purify spaces and steady the mind.

Hand-made in small batches with all-natural Himalayan cedar and Indonesian nannu wood dust.

Explore our other sacred scents:

🕯️ White Sage for cleansing energy

🌿 California Cedar for crisp, revitalising vibes

✨ Palo Santo for sweet, uplifting clarity

https://www.plateaulife.store/incense