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The Use of Incense
Archeologists have found evidence of ancient incense in many forms and in nearly every culture. Incense seems to have been used extensively in the ancient civilizations of Mesopotamia, Phoenicia, Arabia, Egypt, India, Greece and Rome. Historians have also found reference to incense in many ancient texts.
It is known that incense was first brought to China by a monk around 200 CE and that by the Tang dynasty (618 - 607), incense was in common use and no longer restricted to religious or medical practice. Incense sticks were developed in China during the Ming dynasty (1368-1644). Around this time, the art of making incense also became highly developed in Japan where it became so popular that entire schools were devoted to the art. Among their other incense accomplishments, the Japanese invented the cone form of incense popular today and introduced this form at the World's Fair in Chicago in the late 1800s.
Ingredients for incense are ground into a powder and mixed with a binder in order to form it into sticks or other shapes. In addition to making the incense easier to handle, the binding agent allows the incense to burn more slowly and evenly.
Incense has played a large part in the resurgence of aromatherapy and proponents of this alternative healing believe that certain aromas have beneficial effects on body and mind. Lavender for example is associated with a calming effect.