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Incense
Material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. The term is used for either the material or the aroma.[1] Incense is used for aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremony. It may also be used as a simple deodorant or insect repellent.[2][3][4][5]
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Incense is composed of aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils.[6] The forms taken by incense differ with the underlying culture, and have changed with advances in technology and increasing number of uses.[7]
Incense can generally be separated into two main types: "indirect-burning" and "direct-burning." Indirect-burning incense (or "non-combustible incense") is not capable of burning on its own, and requires a separate heat source. Direct-burning incense (or "combustible incense") is lit directly by a flame and then fanned or blown out, leaving a glowing ember that smoulders and releases a smoky fragrance. Direct-burning incense is either a paste formed around a bamboo stick, or a paste that is extruded into a stick or cone shape.
The closer the incense is to 90 degrees (perpendicular), the longer it burns