For International Women’s Day, I wanted to do something special—not just a gathering, but an experience. So I invited my closest girlfriends to House of Tan for a Traditional Chinese Incense Making class.

We spent the afternoon surrounded by the rich, earthy scent of sandalwood and agarwood, rolling incense by hand, and sharing stories over cups of tea. It wasn’t just about learning a new craft. It was about creating space for connection, reflection, and balance—something we all need in our busy lives.

Why Incense? The Power of Scent in Mind-Body Balance

Incense is more than fragrance. It’s a tool for calm, clarity, and ritual.

• Certain scents—like sandalwood, frankincense, and cinnamon—help reduce stress and promote relaxation.
• Burning incense before meditation or journaling can sharpen focus.
• Some resins, like myrrh and frankincense, are used in traditional medicine for their purifying properties.

I wanted to share this tradition with my friends because so many of us struggle to slow down. The simple act of rolling incense, inhaling the scent, and setting an intention felt grounding.

Beyond incense, we also experienced sound healing. Anya, a sound and music meditation guide, led us through a Music Mindfulness Meditation using alchemical crystal bowls. 

The vibrations created a deeply restorative atmosphere, helping us feel more present and connected.

The Incense Making Process: A Hands-On Ritual

We worked with natural, high-quality ingredients—powdered sandalwood, crushed herbs, and plant-based binders. Unlike store-bought incense, which can contain synthetic additives, this was completely pure, earthy, and personal.

Our DIY incense instructor, Kay, guided us through this process. She is the founder of the Chinese lifestyle brand Chengguang LUMIHOOD, which merges homemade incense with handcrafted Jingdezhen incense holders. 

Kay studied under Shanghai intangible cultural heritage incense master Xu Lin and is certified by ISIPCA, a top French perfume school. Her expertise helped us understand not just the craft but the deep tradition behind it.

Steps We Followed:

1. Choosing Ingredients – Each of us selected a combination of woods, herbs, and resins based on what we wanted to cultivate (calm, energy, focus).
2. Mixing with Water – We combined the powdered incense with warm water, kneading it into a dough-like consistency.
3. Shaping the Incense – Some rolled it into sticks, others pressed it into small cones.
4. Drying & Setting Intentions – As the incense dried, we talked about how we’d use it—during meditation, in the morning, or as a way to signal the end of a long day.

The best part? Each piece of incense was unique, just like the women who made them.

The Best Scents for Calm and Focus

Certain incense scents are known for their calming and focus-enhancing properties. Here are some of the best ones:

Best Incense Scents for Calm

1. Sandalwood – Deep, woody, and grounding. Promotes relaxation and emotional balance.
2. Lavender – Floral and soothing. Helps reduce stress and improve sleep.
3. Frankincense – Resinous and warm. Used for deep breathing and inner peace.
4. Chamomile – Light and herbal. Great for winding down before bed.
5. Myrrh – Earthy and slightly sweet. Helps ease tension and create a serene atmosphere.

Best Incense Scents for Focus

1. Cedarwood – Woody and fresh. Enhances concentration and mental clarity.
2. Peppermint – Cooling and energizing. Helps sharpen focus and wake up the mind.
3. Rosemary – Herbal and crisp. Boosts memory retention and alertness.
4. Lemongrass – Citrusy and uplifting. Helps with mental fatigue and stress relief.
5. Eucalyptus – Fresh and clean. Clears the mind and promotes clear thinking.

How to Use Incense for Calm and Focus

• For relaxation: Burn sandalwood, lavender, or frankincense in the evening or before meditation.
• For focus: Use cedarwood, rosemary, or peppermint while studying or working.
• For a balanced atmosphere: Combine calming and focusing scents, like lavender and cedarwood.

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How Incense Enhances Daily Life

After the class, many of my friends texted me saying lighting their handmade incense had become a daily ritual.

Here are a few simple ways to incorporate incense into your routine:

• Morning grounding – Light a piece as you sip your first cup of tea or coffee.
• Meditation & yoga – Use it to create an intentional space before practice.
• End-of-day unwind – Let the scent mark the transition from work to rest.
• Journaling & reflection – Pair incense with a gratitude practice.

Creating Moments of Connection

What made this experience so powerful wasn’t just the incense itself, but the act of slowing down and sharing it with others. In a world that pushes us to always be productive, taking time to create something with our hands—without rushing—felt radical.

This Women’s Day, I was reminded that self-care isn’t just face masks and bubble baths. It’s finding ways to reconnect—with ourselves, with traditions, and with the people who bring us joy.

Have you ever made incense before? Or do you have a favorite scent that brings you peace? Let me know—I’d love to hear how you create balance in your own way.

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