Young artisans revive curative benefits of Chinese incense

Lingering tradition

In the family workshop in Zhoushan, Weng was taught how to make incense by his father, who specialized in producing incense for religious rituals.

Weng graduated from university in 2012 with photography major, but decided to focus on creating incense blends rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, aiming to bring a holistic approach to personal wellness.

Ancient Chinese incense, he discovered, was closely tied to TCM and philosophy. The earliest forms of incense weren't for temples or religious spaces, but for herbal remedies that were heated to release therapeutic scents. In traditional belief, herbs' medicinal properties could be absorbed through inhaling their aromas, improving health and bringing balance to the body.

This approach, called hexiang, emphasizes harmony among different herbs, and balances elements in a way similar to a carefully prepared medicinal formula.

The idea of hexiang harmony comes from ancient texts, Weng said, where it's described as blending herbs "as a doctor would prescribe a remedy, letting each ingredient's essence shine without overpowering the others."

Many ingredients, like agarwood, clove, and sandalwood, were selected for their therapeutic effects. Sandalwood, for instance, is believed to warm the body, which can help support kidney health and improve energy flow. Other herbs like mugwort and cinnamon are associated with calming properties or respiratory health.