ＢＬＯＧ（English）

Through my English blog, I bring the natural aroma of incense to women all around the world.

Fragrance Characteristics

Fragrance Characteristics

Here is a brief introduction to the characteristics of various aromatic ingredients.

Sandalwood (Byakudan)

  • General scent: Rich, deep sweetness

  • Indian origin: Sweetness with a cooling sensation

  • Indonesian origin: Sweet and slightly sour, refreshing

  • Australian origin: Tangy scent

  • Additional properties:

    • Insect-repellent effect

    • Used in traditional medicine for pain relief and digestive aid

Agarwood (Jinkō)

  • Flavor profile: Sweet, pungent, bitter, sour, salty

  • Vietnamese origin: Cool, sweet scent

  • Indonesian origin: Warm, woody scent

  • Bornean origin: Floral and refreshing

  • Additional properties:

    • Promotes restful sleep and warming effects in traditional medicine

    • Air purification, calming, analgesic, antibacterial, and mood-stabilizing effects

Cinnamon (Keihi)

  • Scent transition: Starts spicy, turns sweet

  • Chinese origin: Sweet scent

  • Vietnamese origin: Spicy scent

  • Medicinal use: Digestive aid

Clove (Chōji)

  • Scent: Spicy with pungency

  • Small amounts: Sweet vanilla-like aroma

  • Larger amounts: Spicy and strong

  • Medicinal use: Digestive aid, pain relief

Benzoin (Ansokukō)

  • Scent: Sweet, vanilla-like

  • Use: Fixative for prolonging fragrance

  • Medicinal use: Cough suppressant, pain relief

Borneol (Ryūnō)

  • Scent: Cool, refreshing, camphoraceous

  • Usage: Also used in ink (sumi)

  • Medicinal use: Insect repellent, expectorant

Star Anise (Daiuikyō / Fennel)

  • Scent: Spicy sweetness with bitter and hot notes

  • Notes: Resembles wasabi; used in Chinese cooking as “Hakkaku”

  • Medicinal use: Digestive and preservative effects

Frankincense (Nyūkō)

  • Scent: Citrusy freshness with a sweet aroma

  • Medicinal use: Pain relief, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial

Galanga (Sanna / Resurrection Lily)

  • Scent: Fresh, ginger-like

  • Medicinal use: Warming and insect-repelling properties

Spikenard (Kanshō)

  • Scent: Woody, earthy, and sweetly deep

  • Note: Adds depth and richness to blended scents

  • Medicinal use: Digestive aid

Patchouli (Kakkō)

  • Scent: Refreshing and cooling

  • Use: Common base note in perfumes

  • Medicinal use: Digestive aid, cold prevention, insect repellent, pain relief, fever reduction

Shell Musk (Kaikō)

  • Scent: Refreshing with a briny sea note

  • Use: Fragrance fixative

  • Medicinal use: Treats digestive disorders

Costus Root (Mokkō)

  • Scent: Bitter

  • Medicinal use: Insect repellent, pain relief, anti-inflammatory

Nardostachys (Reiryōkō)

  • Scent: Rich, deep, and intense

  • Use: Adds a luxurious and grounding tone to blends

  • Medicinal use: Calming/sedative effect

Pogostemon (Haisōkō)

  • Scent: Cool and refreshing

  • Use: Masculine and deep base note

  • Medicinal use: Fever reduction

Clove (Chōji) [Repeated]

  • Scent: Strong sweetness

  • Medicinal use: Digestive aid, pain relief

Tabu Powder (Tabuko)

  • Made from powdered leaves and bark of the Tabu tree.

  • Used as a binding agent in incense sticks and also in powdered incense (makkō).

Shina Powder (Shinako)

  • A base material for incense, known for being stickier than tabu powder.

Charcoal Powder (Sumiko)

  • Made from finely ground charcoal.

  • Burns easily, used in kneaded incense and sticks.

  • Prevents mold growth.

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