Chinese incense knowledge · 香 · 合香 · 香道
IncenseHub
An independent reference for Chinese incense: what each material is, how it is formed and graded, how blends are composed, and how to tell quality from adulteration.
Knowledge first — no catalog, no quotes, no sales pitch. Every claim is traced to its source, and traditional knowledge is labeled separately from modern evidence.
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What this site is — and is not
IncenseHub is an independent knowledge platform for Chinese incense. It answers four questions for each material and practice: what it is, how it forms or is made, how it is graded, and how to judge quality against adulteration. It is not a store, a wholesale catalog, or a manufacturer's sitefront — there is nothing to buy here.
The materials range from everyday woods like cedar to the rare, protected thuja (崖柏), each documented in its own source-transparent entry, and each graded distinction (沉水, 奇楠, 老山檀) explained as a claim to verify rather than a label to trust.
Browse the ingredient encyclopedia
Content entry points
Seven ways into the subject
The site is organized around seven knowledge domains. Start from whichever question brought you here.
Materials & entities
150 botanicals — woods, resins, flowers, herbs, spices — each with identity, pinyin, sourcing, and grading.
Domain 2Authentication & quality
How to judge real from fake: grading systems, faking methods, and the substitution cross-reference.
Domain 3Formation & principles
Why agarwood and resin form at all — wounding, fungus, and the slow chemistry of scent.
Domain 4Craft & technique
Grinding, sieving, blending, forming, drying and curing — the material craft behind the stick.
Domain 5Aroma & atmosphere
The ten aroma families, the scent wheel, and choosing a scent by atmosphere rather than habit.
Domain 6Culture & history
香道, the Four Leisure Arts, the 香谱 manuals, and the Song-to-Ming incense canon.
Domain 7Blending & the 合香 system
The chief–minister–assistant–guide principle — how a Chinese blend is composed like a formula.
Explore by entity
Ingredients
沉香 chénxiāng
Agarwood (沉香) — Grades & Fakes
Aquilaria spp.
woody · resinous · sweet · complex
ingredient藿香 huòxiāng
Agastache (藿香) — Aromatic Herb
Agastache rugosa
minty · herbal · sweet · anise-like
ingredient米仔兰 mǐzǎilán
Aglaia (米仔兰)
Aglaia odorata
sweet · floral · fruity · delicate
ingredient琥珀 hǔpò
Amber (琥珀) — Fossil Resin
fossil resin (not botanical)
resinous · warm · sweet · balsamic
ingredient龙涎香 lóngxiánxiāng
Ambergris (龙涎香) — Animal Fixative
Physeter macrocephalus (sperm whale) — an animal secretion, not botanical
marine · sweet · earthy · waxy
ingredient砂仁 shārén
Amomum villosum (砂仁)
Amomum villosum (syn. Wurfbainia villosa)
spicy · camphoraceous · warm · slightly bitter
ingredient白芷 báizhǐ
Angelica (白芷) — Aromatic Root
Angelica dahurica
herbal · aromatic · sweet-bitter · slightly spicy
ingredient茴芹 huíqín
Anise (茴芹) — Sweet Licorice Spice
Pimpinella anisum
sweet · licorice · warm · spicy
ingredient杏仁 xìngrén
Apricot Kernel (杏仁) — Fragrant Seed
Prunus armeniaca (apricot kernel)
sweet · nutty · almondy · bitter
ingredient侧柏叶 cèbǎi yè
Arborvitae Leaves (侧柏叶)
Platycladus orientalis (the leafy branchlets)
woody · fresh · green · slightly resinous
ingredient郁金 yùjīn
Aromatic Turmeric (郁金) — Wild Turmeric
Curcuma aromatica
earthy · camphoraceous · warm · slightly bitter
ingredient阿魏 āwèi
Asafoetida (阿魏)
Ferula assa-foetida
pungent · sulfurous · savory · resinous
ingredient细辛 xìxīn
Asarum (细辛) — Pungent Root
Asarum sieboldii
pungent · spicy · rooty · camphoraceous
ingredient苍术 cāngzhú
Atractylodes (苍术) — Herbal Root
Atractylodes lancea
herbal · woody · pungent · earthy
ingredient竹叶 zhúyè
Bamboo Leaves (竹叶) — Fresh Green Leaf
Phyllostachys spp. (the leaves)
green · fresh · grassy · slightly sweet
ingredient含笑花 hánxiào huā
Banana Shrub (含笑花) — Michelia Figo
Michelia figo (syn. Magnolia figo)
sweet · fruity · floral · banana
ingredient木香花 mùxiānghuā
Banksia Rose (木香花)
Rosa banksiae
sweet · floral · honeyed · green
ingredient罗勒 luólè
Basil (罗勒) — Herb of Lan Xiang
Ocimum basilicum
sweet · green · spicy · anise-like
ingredient月桂叶 yuèguì yè
Bay Leaf (月桂叶) — Camphoraceous Herb
Laurus nobilis
herbal · camphoraceous · fresh · slightly sweet
ingredient蜂蜡 fēnglà
Beeswax (蜂蜡) — Wax Binder
Apis cerana & A. mellifera (bee product) — beeswax
waxy · honeyed · warm · slightly sweet
ingredient安息香 ānxīxiāng
Benzoin (安息香) — Sweet Resin
Styrax tonkinensis (Siam); Styrax benzoin / S. paralleloneurus (Sumatra)
sweet · vanilla · balsamic · woody
ingredient佛手柑 fóshǒugān
Bergamot (佛手柑) — Citrus Essential Oil
Citrus × bergamia
citrus · floral · fresh · slightly bitter
ingredient白及 báijí
Bletilla (白及) — Incense Binder Root
Bletilla striata
neutral · slightly sweet · earthy · starchy
ingredient艾纳香 àinàxiāng
Blumea Balsamifera (艾纳香)
Blumea balsamifera
camphoraceous · herbal · cooling · slightly sweet
ingredient龙脑 lóngnǎo
Borneol (龙脑) — Dragon Brain Aromatic
Dryobalanops aromatica (natural d-borneol); also Blumea balsamifera (l-borneol); plus synthetic borneol
camphoraceous · cooling · minty · woody
ingredient龙脑油 lóngnǎo yóu
Borneol Oil (龙脑油) — Aromatic Extract
Dryobalanops aromatica (Borneo camphor tree); also Cinnamomum camphora
camphoraceous · cooling · balsamic · woody
ingredient菖蒲 chāngpú
Calamus (菖蒲) — Spicy Rhizome
Acorus calamus (and related Acorus spp.)
herbal · spicy · sweet · earthy
ingredient樟木 zhāngmù
Camphor (樟木) — Aromatic Laurel Wood
Cinnamomum camphora
camphoraceous · cooling · woody · fresh
ingredient白豆蔻 báidòukòu
Cardamom (白豆蔻) — White Cardamom
Amomum kravanh (white/round cardamom)
camphoraceous · spicy · eucalyptus · warm
ingredient桂枝 guìzhī
Cassia Twig (桂枝) — Aromatic Branch
Cinnamomum cassia (the young twig); syn. C. aromaticum
warm · spicy · sweet · woody
ingredient海狸香 hǎilíxiāng
Castoreum (海狸香)
Castor fiber (Eurasian beaver) — animal secretion
animalic · leathery · smoky · sweet
ingredient雪松 xuěsōng
Cedar (雪松) — Woody Note
Cedrus spp. (true cedar); note 'cedarwood' often = Juniperus virginiana
woody · clean · slightly sweet
ingredient洋甘菊 yánggānjú
Chamomile (洋甘菊) — Apple-Scented Flower
Matricaria chamomilla
sweet · apple-like · floral · hay-like
ingredient白兰花 báilánhuā
Champaca (白兰花) — White Champaca
Michelia alba (syn. Magnolia × alba)
sweet · floral · fruity · heady
ingredient菊花 júhuā
Chrysanthemum (菊花) — Herbal Floral
Chrysanthemum morifolium (and C. indicum)
floral · herbal · bittersweet
ingredient川芎 chuānxiōng
Chuanxiong (川芎) — Aromatic Root
Ligusticum chuanxiong (syn. Conioselinum anthriscoides)
herbal · aromatic · spicy · slightly bitter
ingredient桂皮 guìpí
Cinnamon (桂皮) — Cassia Distinction
Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cinnamon/cassia); cf. C. verum (Ceylon cinnamon)
warm · spicy · sweet
ingredient香橼 xiāngyuán
Citron (香橼) — Aromatic Citrus Fruit
Citrus medica
citrus · floral · sweet · slightly bitter
ingredient香茅 xiāngmáo
Citronella (香茅) — Lemongrass
Cymbopogon citratus
citrusy · lemony · fresh · grassy
ingredient灵猫香 língmāoxiāng
Civet (灵猫香)
Civettictis civetta (African civet); Viverricula indica (small Indian civet) — animal-derived, not botanical
animalic · musky · sweet · warm
ingredient丁香 dīngxiāng
Clove (丁香) — Warm Spice Note
Syzygium aromaticum
spicy · warm · aromatic
ingredient古巴香脂 gǔbā xiāngzhī
Copaiba (古巴香脂) — Amazon Resin
Copaifera spp. (resin)
woody · balsamic · resinous · slightly sweet
ingredient芫荽籽 yánsuī zǐ
Coriander Seed (芫荽籽) — Citrus Spice
Coriandrum sativum
citrus · woody · spicy · floral
ingredient木香 mùxiāng
Costus (木香) — Earthy Root
Saussurea costus (syn. Dolomiaea costus, Aucklandia lappa)
earthy · woody · musky · animalic
ingredient荜澄茄 bìchéngqié
Cubeb (荜澄茄) — Peppery Spice
Piper cubeba
spicy · peppery · woody · camphoraceous
ingredient孜然 zīrán
Cumin (孜然) — Western Regions Spice
Cuminum cyminum
warm · spicy · earthy · slightly bitter
ingredient香附子 xiāngfùzǐ
Cyperus (香附子) — Sedge Root
Cyperus rotundus
woody · spicy · earthy · smoky
ingredient柏子 bǎizǐ
Cypress Seed (柏子) — Scholar's Incense
Platycladus orientalis
roasted · nutty · woody · resinous
ingredient瑞香 ruìxiāng
Daphne (瑞香) — Winter Daphne
Daphne odora
sweet · floral · spicy · green
ingredient莳萝 shíluó
Dill (莳萝) — Aromatic Spice Herb
Anethum graveolens
herbal · fresh · anise-like · slightly sweet
ingredient当归 dāngguī
Dong Quai (当归) — Aromatic Root
Angelica sinensis
herbal · sweet · warm · slightly spicy
ingredient血竭 xuèjié
Dragon's Blood (血竭) — Red Resin
Daemonorops draco (syn. Calamus draco) — the fruit resin
resinous · sweet · woody · balsamic
ingredient干姜 gānjiāng
Dried Ginger (干姜) — Warming Spice
Zingiber officinale
spicy · pungent · warm · slightly citrusy
ingredient香薷 xiāngrú
Elsholtzia (香薷) — Aromatic Herb
Elsholtzia ciliata
minty · herbal · spicy · slightly sweet
ingredient桉叶 ānyè
Eucalyptus (桉叶) — Camphoraceous Leaf
Eucalyptus globulus
camphoraceous · fresh · sharp · slightly medicinal · clean
ingredient佩兰 pèilán
Eupatorium (佩兰) — Fragrant Herb
Eupatorium fortunei
herbal · aromatic · sweet · fresh
ingredient小茴香 xiǎohuíxiāng
Fennel (小茴香) — Anise-Sweet Spice
Foeniculum vulgare
sweet · anise · warm · herbaceous
ingredient葫芦巴 húlúbā
Fenugreek (葫芦巴) — Sweet Spice Seed
Trigonella foenum-graecum
sweet · maple-like · nutty · slightly bitter
ingredient佛手 fóshǒu
Finger Citron (佛手)
Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis
citrus · floral · sweet · bright
ingredient乳香 rǔxiāng
Frankincense (乳香) — Ritual Resin
Boswellia spp. (B. sacra, B. serrata, B. carterii)
resinous · citrus · earthy · creamy
ingredient高良姜 gāoliángjiāng
Galangal (高良姜) — Ginger Root Spice
Alpinia officinarum
spicy · gingery · camphoraceous · woody
ingredient白松香 báisōngxiāng
Galbanum (白松香) — Green Balsamic Resin
Ferula gummosa
green · balsamic · earthy · sharp
ingredient栀子花 zhīzihuā
Gardenia (栀子花) — Creamy White Floral
Gardenia jasminoides
sweet · creamy · white-floral · heady
ingredient银杏 yínxìng
Ginkgo Nut (银杏) — Living-Fossil Seed
Ginkgo biloba
nutty · sweet · mild · slightly bitter
ingredient葡萄柚 pútáoyòu
Grapefruit (葡萄柚)
Citrus × paradisi
citrus · fresh · bittersweet · green · slightly woody
ingredient蜂蜜 fēngmì
Honey (蜂蜜) — Blending Binder
Apis mellifera (honey bee) — bee product
sweet · floral · warm · caramel
ingredient金银花 jīnyínhuā
Honeysuckle (金银花) — Sweet Floral
Lonicera japonica
sweet · floral · honeyed · green
ingredient茉莉 mòlì
Jasmine (茉莉花) — Sweet Floral
Jasminum sambac (and other Jasminum spp.)
sweet · floral · heady
ingredient降真香 jiàngzhēnxiāng
Jiangzhenxiang (降真香) — Resinous Wood
Acronychia pedunculata (classical); cf. Dalbergia odorifera (modern conflation)
woody · sweet · resinous · subtle
ingredient杜松 dùsōng
Juniper (杜松) — Modern Aromatic Wood
Juniperus communis
woody · piney · resinous · fresh
ingredient草豆蔻 cǎodòukòu
Katsumadai (草豆蔻) — Alpinia Seed
Alpinia katsumadae (syn. Alpinia hainanensis)
camphoraceous · spicy · warm · slightly bitter
ingredient金橘 jīnjú
Kumquat (金橘) — Fragrant Citrus Fruit
Citrus japonica (syn. Fortunella japonica)
citrus · sweet · floral · bright
ingredient岩蔷薇 yánqiángwēi
Labdanum (岩蔷薇)
Cistus ladanifer (gum rockrose)
resinous · balsamic · leathery · amber
ingredient薰衣草 xūnyīcǎo
Lavender (薰衣草) — Floral Herb
Lavandula angustifolia
floral · herbal · fresh · camphoraceous
ingredient柠檬 níngméng
Lemon (柠檬)
Citrus × limon
citrus · bright · zesty · sweet · slightly sour
ingredient香蜂草 xiāngfēngcǎo
Lemon Balm (香蜂草) — Lemony Mint Herb
Melissa officinalis
lemony · herbal · fresh · slightly sweet · green
ingredient甘草 gāncǎo
Licorice (甘草) — Sweetening Root
Glycyrrhiza uralensis
sweet · woody · earthy · slightly bitter
ingredient藁本 gǎoběn
Ligusticum (藁本) — Aromatic Root Herb
Ligusticum sinense
herbal · aromatic · spicy · woody
ingredient铃兰 línglán
Lily of the Valley (铃兰)
Convallaria majalis
floral · green · sweet · fresh · delicate
ingredient零陵香 línglíngxiāng
Linglingxiang (零陵香) — Sweet Herb
Lysimachia foenum-graecum
sweet · hay-like · herbaceous · coumarin
ingredient荔枝壳 lìzhī ké
Litchi Husk (荔枝壳) — Fruity Peel
Litchi chinensis (the husk / pericarp)
fruity · sweet · floral · woody
ingredient荜茇 bìbá
Long Pepper (荜茇) — Warming Spice
Piper longum
spicy · pungent · warm · sweet
ingredient莲花 liánhuā
Lotus Flower (莲花)
Nelumbo nucifera
floral · sweet · aquatic · fresh
ingredient辛夷 xīnyí
Magnolia Flower (辛夷) — Spicy Floral
Magnolia biondii (Flora of China: Yulania biondii)
floral · spicy · green · slightly camphoraceous
ingredient玛蹄脂 mǎtízhī
Mastic (玛蹄脂) — Fresh Piney Resin
Pistacia lentiscus
resinous · piney · fresh · balsamic
ingredient薄荷 bòhé
Mint (薄荷) — Cooling Herb
Mentha haplocalyx (syn. Mentha canadensis)
cooling · minty · fresh · sweet
ingredient山鸡椒 shānjījiāo
Mountain Pepper (山鸡椒) — Litsea Cubeba
Litsea cubeba
citrus · lemony · spicy · floral
ingredient艾草 àicǎo
Mugwort (艾草) — Chinese Tradition
Artemisia spp. (A. argyi, A. vulgaris)
herbal · bitter-green · camphoraceous
ingredient桑叶 sāngyè
Mulberry Leaf (桑叶)
Morus alba (the leaves)
green · fresh · tea-like · slightly sweet
ingredient麝香 shèxiāng
Musk (麝香) — Historical Animal Fixative
Moschus spp. (musk deer) — an animal secretion, not botanical
animalic · musky · sweet · warm
ingredient芥子 jièzǐ
Mustard Seed (芥子) — Pungent Spice Seed
Sinapis alba (white mustard); Brassica juncea (brown/leaf mustard)
pungent · sharp · spicy · green
ingredient没药 mòyào
Myrrh (没药) — Bitter Resin
Commiphora myrrha (and other Commiphora spp.)
balsamic · earthy · bitter · medicinal
ingredient橙花 chénghuā
Neroli (橙花) — Orange Blossom
Citrus aurantium (the flower)
floral · citrus · sweet · green
ingredient肉豆蔻 ròudòukòu
Nutmeg (肉豆蔻) — Warm Spice Seed
Myristica fragrans
warm · spicy · sweet · woody
ingredient甲香 jiǎxiāng
Onycha (甲香)
operculum of marine gastropods (mollusc) — animal-derived, not botanical
marine · briny · animalic · musky
ingredient陈皮 chénpí
Orange Peel (陈皮) — Aged Peel
Citrus reticulata (aged mandarin/tangerine peel)
citrus · bittersweet · woody
ingredient兰花 lánhuā
Orchid (兰花) — Cymbidium Flower
Cymbidium ensifolium
floral · sweet · green · delicate
ingredient鸢尾根 yuānwěi gēn
Orris Root (鸢尾根) — Perfume Fixative
Iris germanica / I. pallida (orris); cf. Iris tectorum (Chinese iris)
powdery · floral · violet · woody
ingredient桂花 guìhuā
Osmanthus (桂花) — Sweet Floral
Osmanthus fragrans
sweet · floral · apricot · honey
ingredient排草 páicǎo
Paicao (排草) — Aromatic Herb
Lysimachia capillipes
herbal · sweet · hay-like · woody
ingredient广藿香 guǎnghuòxiāng
Patchouli (广藿香) — Earthy Leaf
Pogostemon cablin
earthy · woody · balsamic · spicy
ingredient芍药 sháoyào
Peony (芍药)
Paeonia lactiflora
floral · rosy · sweet · green
ingredient胡椒 hújiāo
Pepper (胡椒) — Warm Spice
Piper nigrum
spicy · pungent · warm · woody
ingredient胡椒薄荷 hújiāo bòhé
Peppermint (胡椒薄荷) — Sharp Cooling Mint
Mentha × piperita
cooling · minty · sharp · camphoraceous · sweet
ingredient紫苏 zǐsū
Perilla (紫苏) — Aromatic Herb
Perilla frutescens
herbal · minty · sweet · anise-like
ingredient秘鲁香脂 bìlǔ xiāngzhī
Peru Balsam (秘鲁香脂) — Sweet Resin
Myroxylon balsamum
sweet · vanilla · balsamic · warm
ingredient松针 sōngzhēn
Pine Needles (松针)
Pinus spp. (the needles/leaves)
piney · conifer · fresh · green
ingredient松香 sōngxiāng
Pine Resin (松香) — Woody Resin
Pinus spp. (rosin / colophony from pine oleoresin)
piney · woody · balsamic · resinous
ingredient梅花 méihuā
Plum Blossom (梅花) — Winter Flower
Prunus mume (syn. Armeniaca mume)
delicate · sweet · almondy · green-floral
ingredient柚皮 yòupí
Pomelo Peel (柚皮) — Citrus Peel
Citrus maxima (pomelo peel)
citrus · bittersweet · floral · woody
ingredient木瓜 mùguā
Quince (木瓜) — Fragrant Scholar's Fruit
Pseudocydonia sinensis (syn. Chaenomeles sinensis)
fruity · sweet · floral · tart
ingredient紫檀 zǐtán
Red Sandalwood (紫檀) — Crimson Dye Wood
Pterocarpus santalinus
woody · sweet · rosy · spicy
ingredient玫瑰 méiguī
Rose (玫瑰) — Sweet Floral
Rosa rugosa (Chinese rose); also Rosa damascena
sweet · floral · romantic
ingredient迷迭香 mídiéxiāng
Rosemary (迷迭香) — Camphoraceous Herb
Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)
herbal · camphoraceous · fresh · woody
ingredient芸香 yúnxiāng
Rue (芸香) — Bitter Aromatic Herb
Ruta graveolens
bitter · herbal · green · woody
ingredient鼠尾草 shǔwěicǎo
Sage (鼠尾草) — Savory Herb
Salvia officinalis
herbal · camphoraceous · green · slightly peppery
ingredient山柰 shānnài
Sand Ginger (山柰) — Aromatic Rhizome
Kaempferia galanga
camphoraceous · spicy · earthy · floral
ingredient檀香 tánxiāng
Sandalwood (檀香) — Use vs Evidence
Santalum album (and other Santalum spp.)
creamy · sweet · soft · woody
ingredient五味子 wǔwèizǐ
Schisandra (五味子) — Five-Flavor Berry
Schisandra chinensis
fruity · berry · sour · slightly woody
ingredient荆芥 jīngjiè
Schizonepeta (荆芥) — Aromatic Herb
Schizonepeta tenuifolia (syn. Nepeta tenuifolia)
herbal · minty · spicy · fresh
ingredient益智仁 yìzhì rén
Sharp-Leaf Galangal (益智仁)
Alpinia oxyphylla
spicy · warm · camphoraceous · slightly sweet
ingredient紫草茸 zǐcǎoróng
Shellac (紫草茸) — Lac Resin
Kerria lacca (lac insect; formerly Laccifer lacca) — lac resin
resinous · waxy · subtle · slightly sweet
ingredient蜀椒 shǔjiāo
Sichuan Pepper (蜀椒) — Prickly Ash
Zanthoxylum bungeanum
spicy · citrus · numbing · woody
ingredient合欢花 héhuān huā
Silk Tree Flower (合欢花)
Albizia julibrissin
sweet · floral · delicate · slightly powdery
ingredient槐花 huáihuā
Sophora Flower (槐花) — Sweet Blossom
Styphnolobium japonicum (syn. Sophora japonica)
sweet · floral · delicate · honey-like
ingredient素馨 sùxīn
Spanish Jasmine (素馨)
Jasminum grandiflorum
sweet · floral · heady · green
ingredient留兰香 liúlánxiāng
Spearmint (留兰香) — Sweet Cooling Mint
Mentha spicata
cooling · minty · sweet · fresh · green
ingredient甘松 gānsōng
Spikenard (甘松) — Himalayan Root
Nardostachys jatamansi
earthy · woody · sweet · musky
ingredient八角 bājiǎo
Star Anise (八角) — Culinary Spice
Illicium verum
sweet · licorice · warm · spicy
ingredient苏合香 sūhéxiāng
Storax (苏合香) — Imported Resin
Liquidambar orientalis (Oriental sweetgum / storax)
sweet · balsamic · resinous · warm
ingredient青蒿 qīnghāo
Sweet Wormwood (青蒿)
Artemisia annua
herbal · camphoraceous · fresh · slightly sweet
ingredient枫香 fēngxiāng
Sweetgum (枫香) — Sweet Resin
Liquidambar formosana (Chinese sweetgum); cf. L. orientalis (storax)
sweet · balsamic · resinous · warm
ingredient龙蒿 lónghāo
Tarragon (龙蒿) — Anise-Like Artemisia
Artemisia dracunculus
herbal · anise-like · green · slightly sweet
ingredient崖柏 yábǎi
Thuja (崖柏) — Fragrant Endemic Conifer
Thuja sutchuenensis
woody · cedar-like · resinous · slightly smoky
ingredient百里香 bǎilǐxiāng
Thyme (百里香) — Culinary Herb
Thymus vulgaris
herbal · green · spicy · slightly medicinal
ingredient香榧 xiāngfěi
Torreya (香榧) — Fragrant Nut Seed
Torreya grandis
nutty · woody · resinous · roasted
ingredient牡丹 mǔdān
Tree Peony (牡丹) — Floral King
Paeonia suffruticosa
floral · rosy · sweet · green
ingredient牡丹皮 mǔdān pí
Tree Peony Bark (牡丹皮) — Root Bark
Paeonia suffruticosa (root bark)
rooty · earthy · woody · faintly floral
ingredient草果 cǎoguǒ
Tsaoko (草果) — Smoky Aromatic Fruit
Amomum tsao-ko (FOC: Amomum tsaoko; syn. Lanxangia tsao-ko)
smoky · spicy · camphoraceous · warm
ingredient晚香玉 wǎnxiāngyù
Tuberose (晚香玉) — Night-Fragrant Flower
Agave amica (syn. Polianthes tuberosa)
sweet · floral · creamy · heady
ingredient姜黄 jiānghuáng
Turmeric (姜黄) — Earthy Rhizome
Curcuma longa
earthy · warm · spicy · bitter
ingredient缬草 xiécǎo
Valerian (缬草) — Earthy Root
Valeriana officinalis
earthy · musky · woody · rooty
ingredient香草荚 xiāngcǎo jiá
Vanilla Bean (香草荚) — Fragrant Pod
Vanilla planifolia
sweet · creamy · warm · gourmand
ingredient岩兰草 yánláncǎo
Vetiver (岩兰草) — Earthy Root Note
Chrysopogon zizanioides (syn. Vetiveria zizanioides)
earthy · woody · smoky · warm
ingredient紫罗兰 zǐluólán
Violet (紫罗兰) — Powdery Flower
Viola odorata
floral · sweet · powdery · green
ingredient蜡梅 làmèi
Wintersweet (蜡梅) — Winter Floral
Chimonanthus praecox
sweet · floral · honeyed · waxy
ingredient依兰 yīlán
Ylang-Ylang (依兰) — Tropical Flower
Cananga odorata
floral · sweet · creamy · slightly fruity
ingredient玉兰 yùlán
Yulan Magnolia (玉兰)
Magnolia denudata
floral · fresh · green · slightly lemony
ingredient莪术 ézhú
Zedoary (莪术) — Medicinal Rhizome
Curcuma zedoaria (cf. Curcuma phaeocaulis)
earthy · camphoraceous · warm · slightly bitter
ingredient泽兰 zélán
Zelan (泽兰) — Fragrant Eupatorium Herb
Eupatorium japonicum
herbal · aromatic · fresh · slightly sweet
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- No health or medical claims — incense is treated as aroma, craft, and culture.
