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What Is Sandalwood Incense?

Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Sandalwood incense is a form of aromatherapy and a religious meditation tool that has been used for thousands of years. It has a sweet and slightly earthy smell when it is burned. The heart of the sandalwood tree is usually harvested, converted to a powder, and then used as incense. Many people believe that the aroma from sandalwood incense offers a wide variety of benefits, ranging from calming the mind to boosting a person's mood. It is often used during meditation for some religions and by people practicing witchcraft as well.

Incense sticks and loose powder are the two primary forms of sandalwood incense. In both cases, the heart of the sandalwood tree is removed from the hardwood and typically ground into a fine powder. The fine powder, or makko, can then be burned over hot charcoal or another source of heat, such as a candle flame.

The heart of the sandalwood tree is harvested, ground, and then burned as incense.
The heart of the sandalwood tree is harvested, ground, and then burned as incense.

In the alternative, the powder may be mixed with a small bit of water and turned into a thick paste. The paste can then be rolled onto a stick. This is typically done by hand, creating sticks that are anywhere from 1 inch (about 2.54 cm) to 7 inches (about 17.8 cm) long. The incense stick can then be lit and slowly burned, releasing the sandalwood aroma. In some cases, the sticks can be fanned or blown out, and they will continue to burn and create smoke until the dried paste on the stick is completely burned away.

People practicing witchcraft or pagan magic also often use sandalwood incense and believe it will provide protection from evil.
People practicing witchcraft or pagan magic also often use sandalwood incense and believe it will provide protection from evil.

Many people believe the aroma from sandalwood incense provides valuable calming effects, clearing the mind and reducing stress. Some people claim that it can boost a person's sexual appetite as well. In addition, it is commonly used in India and Asia for meditation, especially by those practicing Hinduism and Buddhism. People practicing witchcraft or pagan magic also often use sandalwood incense and believe it will provide protection from evil; as such, it is often used in spells involving safety.

Sandalwood incense is often used during religious meditation.
Sandalwood incense is often used during religious meditation.

In some areas, the sandalwood trees are becoming over harvested in order to reach the valuable heart of the tree. Some people believe that the older trees have more potent heartwood and therefore more valuable sandalwood incense. As a result, trees that were centuries old have been harvested. Some areas, such as Australia, have become dedicated to protecting the trees and have decided to fight the overharvesting. Other places, such as India, have recently taken measures to plant new trees and increase the amount of sandalwood growth, thereby reducing the effects of overharvesting.

Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to HomeQuestionsAnswered.

Learn more...
Dee Saale
Dee Saale

Dee is a freelance writer based in Colorado. She has a B.A. in English Literature, as well as a law degree. Dee is especially interested in topics relating to medicine, legal issues, and home improvement, which are her specialty when contributing to HomeQuestionsAnswered.

Learn more...

Discussion Comments

burcinc

@serenesurface-- You're right. There are lots of different sandalwood incense products on the market but they're not the same quality and they don't smell exactly the same.

serenesurface

I use Chinese sandalwood incense for when I meditate and also at random times when I feel a little down emotionally. It really does make me feel better, it's uplifting and calming at the same time. I mention that I use the Chinese type because sandalwood incense from different countries tend to smell a little differently. Chinese and Indian are the two most popular types. Everyone has a different preference, some like the Chinese version, some like the Indian version. I tried both and liked the Chinese version more. The Indian version had a stronger scent and I was looking for something milder. Of course, it's wrong to generalize because the scent and the potency varies even from brand to brand.

It's a good idea to read reviews. I actually smelled Chinese sandalwood incense at a friend's house and asked which brand it was. That's the best way to avoid disappointment after making the purchase. I like to buy my incense bulk online so I won't buy unless I know that I like the scent.

SteamLouis

I use sandalwood incense too. I don't actually use it as part of any spiritual or religious practice. I just like the scent and use it to clean the air in my home. I use it only once or twice a week for five minutes.

I didn't realize that it's so difficult to make sandalwood incense. I didn't know that only a specific part of the tree can be used. I think I will switch to another type of incense from now on because I don't want to contribute to the destruction of valuable sandalwood trees. Sandalwood powder should only be made when there are plenty of trees and when the trees are not under risk.

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    • The heart of the sandalwood tree is harvested, ground, and then burned as incense.
      By: gigidread
      The heart of the sandalwood tree is harvested, ground, and then burned as incense.
    • People practicing witchcraft or pagan magic also often use sandalwood incense and believe it will provide protection from evil.
      By: Hunta
      People practicing witchcraft or pagan magic also often use sandalwood incense and believe it will provide protection from evil.
    • Sandalwood incense is often used during religious meditation.
      By: msw
      Sandalwood incense is often used during religious meditation.
    • Australian sandalwood is most commonly used to make sandalwood products.
      By: Elena Ray
      Australian sandalwood is most commonly used to make sandalwood products.
    • There are claims that sandalwood incense boosts a person's sexual appetite.
      By: Forewer
      There are claims that sandalwood incense boosts a person's sexual appetite.