By Rebeca Pop, Editor at The Wellness Collective

For ages, incense has made its way through human culture. From sacred temples and royal courts to private meditation rooms and luxury spas, to Hollywood movies. Today, as we seek experiences that soothe the nervous system and elevate our inner state, incense is making a powerful statement not as a topic of the past, but as a tool for modern wellbeing.

A Brief History of Incense

The story of incense begins thousands of years ago. Civilizations across Asia, the Middle East and Africa used aromatic resins and woods, burning them for spiritual ceremony, purification and healing.

In Ancient Egypt, frankincense and myrrh were prized and used in religious rituals as well as offered as gifts to royalty. In China and Japan, incense became central to meditation, tea ceremonies and traditional healing practices. The Japanese art of Kōdō, “The Way of Fragrance,” treats incense appreciation as a formal discipline.

Here in the Middle East, bakhoor: rich, resinous blends burned over charcoal, became a signature of hospitality, celebration and spiritual welcome, a tradition that remains deeply rooted across the GCC today.

Across cultures, incense has always been about more than scent. It was, and still is, about intention, mood and connection.

Wellness Benefits of Incense

Today, incense is increasingly embraced for its therapeutic and psychological effects. Research and centuries of cultural practice suggest incense can support wellbeing in several meaningful ways.

Calming the Nervous System

Certain incense notes, particularly sandalwood, frankincense and soft floral blends, are known to promote relaxation by activating the parasympathetic nervous system, helping reduce stress and anxiety.

Supporting Focus and Meditation

Scents such as sandalwood, frankincense and patchouli help create a grounding environment that supports meditation, breathwork or prayer, encouraging mental clarity and presence.

Promoting Restful Sleep

Tried and tested, gentle aromas like lavender, chamomile and cedarwood can help signal to the body that it is time to slow down, making them ideal for evening rituals and sleep preparation.

Enhancing Mood and Emotional Balance

Warmer notes and subtle spices may help uplift mood and ease emotional tension, making incense a valuable companion during moments of mental fatigue or low energy.

Cleansing the Space

Across cultures, incense has long been associated with purification, clearing stagnant energy and refreshing the atmosphere of a room.

How to Use Incense for Wellbeing

Incense is not simply about fragrance; it is about ritual.

Begin by setting an intention and taking a moment to pause and breathe. Always burn incense in a well-ventilated space and never leave it unattended. Pair incense with mindful practices such as meditation, journaling, yoga or an evening wind-down routine.

Choosing the right scent matters. Sandalwood supports grounding and focus. Lavender and chamomile encourage relaxation and sleep. Frankincense is often used for clarity and spiritual connection. Bakhoor blends are traditionally associated with hospitality, warmth and shared moments.

Incense in the Wellness Landscape of the GCC

The GCC, with its deep cultural connection to aromatic resins, oud and bakhoor, is a natural home for premium incense traditions. Today, heritage craftsmanship meets contemporary wellness, creating offerings that resonate both culturally and aesthetically.

Traditional Bakhoor and Oud Houses

Brands such as Al Haramain, Ajmal, Rasasi and Nabeel Perfumes continue to define the region’s incense culture, offering rich bakhoor blends and traditional charcoal-burning rituals deeply woven into daily life.

Boutique and Wellness-Oriented Brands

Newer houses and boutique makers focus on cleaner compositions, refined packaging and ritual-led usage, often aligning incense with mindfulness and modern wellness practices.

International Incense Brands Available in the GCC

Renowned Japanese and international incense houses such as Shoyeido, Nippon Kodo, Satya and Hem are widely available across the region through specialty retailers, offering a broad spectrum of scents rooted in centuries-old traditions.

Incense in Modern Wellness Practices

Incense now plays a role in many contemporary wellness environments. You will come across it in yoga studios, meditation spaces, holistic therapy rooms and home spa settings. When paired with breathwork, heat therapies or quiet reflection, incense becomes a sensory anchor that enhances the overall experience.

Wellness today is multidimensional, and incense offers a rare combination of sensory depth, emotional resonance and ritual significance.

Overall, incense reminds us that wellbeing does not always require complexity. Sometimes, it is the smallest rituals: a pause, a breath, a familiar scent that create the most profound shifts.

Whether used for reflection, relaxation or simply to bring warmth into a space, incense remains a timeless companion in the pursuit of balance. In a fast-paced world, it invites us to slow down, breathe deeply and reconnect with ourselve