Famous Incense Formulas Through the Ages · Volume Navigation
An ancient incense formula is a line of text on paper, but made it becomes a burner of incense. Here we bring several famous formulas off the page, explaining clearly how to recreate them and why they are blended this way.
Volume Contents
- Spring Message in the Snow: A Record of Recreating Su Shi's Famous Incense Formula
- Jiangnan Lord Li's Bedchamber Incense: Making Ancient Goose-Pear Steamed Incense
All recreations arerecreation approaches, not verbatim transcriptions of the original formulas; variant readings in the ancient formulas are noted. For practical operation, please note open flames, ventilation, and flammability risks. For related implements seeIncense Utensils, for raw materials seeSpice Illustrated Guide。
Famous Incense Formulas Through the Ages · Volume Navigation
The following Q&A is compiled from content on this site for quick reference; descriptions of the medicinal properties of incense materials reflect traditional understanding and do not constitute medical advice.
Whose formula is Xuezhong Chunxiang (Spring Incense in Snow)?
Volume 16 of Xiangcheng (Incense Compendium), under the entry “Xuezhong Chunxin (Spring Message in Snow),” is titled “What Mr. Dongpo Liked,” meaning it was an incense Su Shi enjoyed, not one he created; the legendary episode of collecting snow from plum blossoms does not appear in the original text.
How is Jiangnan Li Zhu Zhangzhong Xiang (Li Lord of Jiangnan's Bedchamber Incense) made?
Hong Chu's Xiangpu (Incense Manual), under “Jiangnan Li Wang Zhangzhong Xiang Fa (Method for Li King of Jiangnan's Bedchamber Incense),” combines agarwood, sandalwood, goose pear, and other ingredients using the method of steaming incense with goose pear; the various manuals differ in detail, and this site offers a reconstruction approach based on the portions that can be commonly trusted.
What should be noted when reconstructing ancient incense formulas oneself?
First make small trial batches, and pay attention to the authenticity of raw materials and their processing (refining honey, sealing/incense curing); manage open flame and electric incense heating temperatures separately and maintain ventilation; pregnant women, asthmatics, and those with allergic constitutions should use with caution. Content on this site does not constitute medical advice.