Chinese botanical incense · 香 · 熏香 · 合香

澜灯 LanDeng

A quiet, research-led knowledge platform for Chinese botanical incense: its materials, botanicals, history, terminology, craft and culture.

Incense smoke rising from a dark ceramic censer surrounded by botanical materials and brass tools, warm amber light

LanDeng means “lantern on the waves” — a soft glow over still water.

Explore ingredients

A direct answer before a catalog

Chinese botanical incense is the craft of shaping and heating fragrant plant materials — woods, resins, flowers, herbs and spices — into sticks, cones, powders, sachets and other traditional forms. The focus here is knowledge first: each ingredient begins with what it is, how it is made, how it is graded, and how to tell quality from adulteration.

Browse the ingredient encyclopedia The five Chinese incense material families — woods, resins, flowers, herbs and spices — arranged on rice paper

Ingredients

View all ingredients
A lit incense stick in a ceramic censer beside a cup of tea on a warm wood table
ingredient

沉香 chénxiāng

Agarwood (沉香) — Grades & Fakes

Aquilaria spp.

woody · resinous · sweet · complex

ingredient

藿香 huòxiāng

Agastache (藿香) — Aromatic Herb

Agastache rugosa

minty · herbal · sweet · anise-like

ingredient

米仔兰 mǐzǎilán

Aglaia (米仔兰)

Aglaia odorata

sweet · floral · fruity · delicate

ingredient

琥珀 hǔpò

Amber (琥珀) — Fossil Resin

fossil resin (not botanical)

resinous · warm · sweet · balsamic

ingredient

龙涎香 lóngxiánxiāng

Ambergris (龙涎香) — Animal Fixative

Physeter macrocephalus (sperm whale) — an animal secretion, not botanical

marine · sweet · earthy · waxy

ingredient

砂仁 shārén

Amomum villosum (砂仁)

Amomum villosum (syn. Wurfbainia villosa)

spicy · camphoraceous · warm · slightly bitter

ingredient

白芷 báizhǐ

Angelica (白芷) — Aromatic Root

Angelica dahurica

herbal · aromatic · sweet-bitter · slightly spicy

ingredient

茴芹 huíqín

Anise (茴芹) — Sweet Licorice Spice

Pimpinella anisum

sweet · licorice · warm · spicy

ingredient

杏仁 xìngrén

Apricot Kernel (杏仁) — Fragrant Seed

Prunus armeniaca (apricot kernel)

sweet · nutty · almondy · bitter

ingredient

侧柏叶 cèbǎi yè

Arborvitae Leaves (侧柏叶)

Platycladus orientalis (the leafy branchlets)

woody · fresh · green · slightly resinous

ingredient

郁金 yùjīn

Aromatic Turmeric (郁金) — Wild Turmeric

Curcuma aromatica

earthy · camphoraceous · warm · slightly bitter

ingredient

阿魏 āwèi

Asafoetida (阿魏)

Ferula assa-foetida

pungent · sulfurous · savory · resinous

ingredient

细辛 xìxīn

Asarum (细辛) — Pungent Root

Asarum sieboldii

pungent · spicy · rooty · camphoraceous

ingredient

苍术 cāngzhú

Atractylodes (苍术) — Herbal Root

Atractylodes lancea

herbal · woody · pungent · earthy

ingredient

竹叶 zhúyè

Bamboo Leaves (竹叶) — Fresh Green Leaf

Phyllostachys spp. (the leaves)

green · fresh · grassy · slightly sweet

ingredient

含笑花 hánxiào huā

Banana Shrub (含笑花) — Michelia Figo

Michelia figo (syn. Magnolia figo)

sweet · fruity · floral · banana

ingredient

木香花 mùxiānghuā

Banksia Rose (木香花)

Rosa banksiae

sweet · floral · honeyed · green

ingredient

罗勒 luólè

Basil (罗勒) — Herb of Lan Xiang

Ocimum basilicum

sweet · green · spicy · anise-like

ingredient

月桂叶 yuèguì yè

Bay Leaf (月桂叶) — Camphoraceous Herb

Laurus nobilis

herbal · camphoraceous · fresh · slightly sweet

ingredient

蜂蜡 fēnglà

Beeswax (蜂蜡) — Wax Binder

Apis cerana & A. mellifera (bee product) — beeswax

waxy · honeyed · warm · slightly sweet

ingredient

安息香 ānxīxiāng

Benzoin (安息香) — Sweet Resin

Styrax tonkinensis (Siam); Styrax benzoin / S. paralleloneurus (Sumatra)

sweet · vanilla · balsamic · woody

ingredient

佛手柑 fóshǒugān

Bergamot (佛手柑) — Citrus Essential Oil

Citrus × bergamia

citrus · floral · fresh · slightly bitter

ingredient

白及 báijí

Bletilla (白及) — Incense Binder Root

Bletilla striata

neutral · slightly sweet · earthy · starchy

ingredient

艾纳香 àinàxiāng

Blumea Balsamifera (艾纳香)

Blumea balsamifera

camphoraceous · herbal · cooling · slightly sweet

ingredient

龙脑 lóngnǎo

Borneol (龙脑) — Dragon Brain Aromatic

Dryobalanops aromatica (natural d-borneol); also Blumea balsamifera (l-borneol); plus synthetic borneol

camphoraceous · cooling · minty · woody

ingredient

龙脑油 lóngnǎo yóu

Borneol Oil (龙脑油) — Aromatic Extract

Dryobalanops aromatica (Borneo camphor tree); also Cinnamomum camphora

camphoraceous · cooling · balsamic · woody

ingredient

菖蒲 chāngpú

Calamus (菖蒲) — Spicy Rhizome

Acorus calamus (and related Acorus spp.)

herbal · spicy · sweet · earthy

ingredient

樟木 zhāngmù

Camphor (樟木) — Aromatic Laurel Wood

Cinnamomum camphora

camphoraceous · cooling · woody · fresh

ingredient

白豆蔻 báidòukòu

Cardamom (白豆蔻) — White Cardamom

Amomum kravanh (white/round cardamom)

camphoraceous · spicy · eucalyptus · warm

ingredient

桂枝 guìzhī

Cassia Twig (桂枝) — Aromatic Branch

Cinnamomum cassia (the young twig); syn. C. aromaticum

warm · spicy · sweet · woody

ingredient

海狸香 hǎilíxiāng

Castoreum (海狸香)

Castor fiber (Eurasian beaver) — animal secretion

animalic · leathery · smoky · sweet

ingredient

雪松 xuěsōng

Cedar (雪松) — Woody Note

Cedrus spp. (true cedar); note 'cedarwood' often = Juniperus virginiana

woody · clean · slightly sweet

ingredient

洋甘菊 yánggānjú

Chamomile (洋甘菊) — Apple-Scented Flower

Matricaria chamomilla

sweet · apple-like · floral · hay-like

ingredient

白兰花 báilánhuā

Champaca (白兰花) — White Champaca

Michelia alba (syn. Magnolia × alba)

sweet · floral · fruity · heady

ingredient

菊花 júhuā

Chrysanthemum (菊花) — Herbal Floral

Chrysanthemum morifolium (and C. indicum)

floral · herbal · bittersweet

ingredient

川芎 chuānxiōng

Chuanxiong (川芎) — Aromatic Root

Ligusticum chuanxiong (syn. Conioselinum anthriscoides)

herbal · aromatic · spicy · slightly bitter

ingredient

桂皮 guìpí

Cinnamon (桂皮) — Cassia Distinction

Cinnamomum cassia (Chinese cinnamon/cassia); cf. C. verum (Ceylon cinnamon)

warm · spicy · sweet

ingredient

香橼 xiāngyuán

Citron (香橼) — Aromatic Citrus Fruit

Citrus medica

citrus · floral · sweet · slightly bitter

ingredient

香茅 xiāngmáo

Citronella (香茅) — Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus

citrusy · lemony · fresh · grassy

ingredient

灵猫香 língmāoxiāng

Civet (灵猫香)

Civettictis civetta (African civet); Viverricula indica (small Indian civet) — animal-derived, not botanical

animalic · musky · sweet · warm

ingredient

丁香 dīngxiāng

Clove (丁香) — Warm Spice Note

Syzygium aromaticum

spicy · warm · aromatic

ingredient

古巴香脂 gǔbā xiāngzhī

Copaiba (古巴香脂) — Amazon Resin

Copaifera spp. (resin)

woody · balsamic · resinous · slightly sweet

ingredient

芫荽籽 yánsuī zǐ

Coriander Seed (芫荽籽) — Citrus Spice

Coriandrum sativum

citrus · woody · spicy · floral

ingredient

木香 mùxiāng

Costus (木香) — Earthy Root

Saussurea costus (syn. Dolomiaea costus, Aucklandia lappa)

earthy · woody · musky · animalic

ingredient

荜澄茄 bìchéngqié

Cubeb (荜澄茄) — Peppery Spice

Piper cubeba

spicy · peppery · woody · camphoraceous

ingredient

孜然 zīrán

Cumin (孜然) — Western Regions Spice

Cuminum cyminum

warm · spicy · earthy · slightly bitter

ingredient

香附子 xiāngfùzǐ

Cyperus (香附子) — Sedge Root

Cyperus rotundus

woody · spicy · earthy · smoky

ingredient

柏子 bǎizǐ

Cypress Seed (柏子) — Scholar's Incense

Platycladus orientalis

roasted · nutty · woody · resinous

ingredient

瑞香 ruìxiāng

Daphne (瑞香) — Winter Daphne

Daphne odora

sweet · floral · spicy · green

ingredient

莳萝 shíluó

Dill (莳萝) — Aromatic Spice Herb

Anethum graveolens

herbal · fresh · anise-like · slightly sweet

ingredient

当归 dāngguī

Dong Quai (当归) — Aromatic Root

Angelica sinensis

herbal · sweet · warm · slightly spicy

ingredient

血竭 xuèjié

Dragon's Blood (血竭) — Red Resin

Daemonorops draco (syn. Calamus draco) — the fruit resin

resinous · sweet · woody · balsamic

ingredient

干姜 gānjiāng

Dried Ginger (干姜) — Warming Spice

Zingiber officinale

spicy · pungent · warm · slightly citrusy

ingredient

香薷 xiāngrú

Elsholtzia (香薷) — Aromatic Herb

Elsholtzia ciliata

minty · herbal · spicy · slightly sweet

ingredient

桉叶 ānyè

Eucalyptus (桉叶) — Camphoraceous Leaf

Eucalyptus globulus

camphoraceous · fresh · sharp · slightly medicinal · clean

ingredient

佩兰 pèilán

Eupatorium (佩兰) — Fragrant Herb

Eupatorium fortunei

herbal · aromatic · sweet · fresh

ingredient

小茴香 xiǎohuíxiāng

Fennel (小茴香) — Anise-Sweet Spice

Foeniculum vulgare

sweet · anise · warm · herbaceous

ingredient

葫芦巴 húlúbā

Fenugreek (葫芦巴) — Sweet Spice Seed

Trigonella foenum-graecum

sweet · maple-like · nutty · slightly bitter

ingredient

佛手 fóshǒu

Finger Citron (佛手)

Citrus medica var. sarcodactylis

citrus · floral · sweet · bright

ingredient

乳香 rǔxiāng

Frankincense (乳香) — Ritual Resin

Boswellia spp. (B. sacra, B. serrata, B. carterii)

resinous · citrus · earthy · creamy

ingredient

高良姜 gāoliángjiāng

Galangal (高良姜) — Ginger Root Spice

Alpinia officinarum

spicy · gingery · camphoraceous · woody

ingredient

白松香 báisōngxiāng

Galbanum (白松香) — Green Balsamic Resin

Ferula gummosa

green · balsamic · earthy · sharp

ingredient

栀子花 zhīzihuā

Gardenia (栀子花) — Creamy White Floral

Gardenia jasminoides

sweet · creamy · white-floral · heady

ingredient

银杏 yínxìng

Ginkgo Nut (银杏) — Living-Fossil Seed

Ginkgo biloba

nutty · sweet · mild · slightly bitter

ingredient

葡萄柚 pútáoyòu

Grapefruit (葡萄柚)

Citrus × paradisi

citrus · fresh · bittersweet · green · slightly woody

ingredient

蜂蜜 fēngmì

Honey (蜂蜜) — Blending Binder

Apis mellifera (honey bee) — bee product

sweet · floral · warm · caramel

ingredient

金银花 jīnyínhuā

Honeysuckle (金银花) — Sweet Floral

Lonicera japonica

sweet · floral · honeyed · green

ingredient

茉莉 mòlì

Jasmine (茉莉花) — Sweet Floral

Jasminum sambac (and other Jasminum spp.)

sweet · floral · heady

ingredient

降真香 jiàngzhēnxiāng

Jiangzhenxiang (降真香) — Resinous Wood

Acronychia pedunculata (classical); cf. Dalbergia odorifera (modern conflation)

woody · sweet · resinous · subtle

ingredient

杜松 dùsōng

Juniper (杜松) — Modern Aromatic Wood

Juniperus communis

woody · piney · resinous · fresh

ingredient

草豆蔻 cǎodòukòu

Katsumadai (草豆蔻) — Alpinia Seed

Alpinia katsumadae (syn. Alpinia hainanensis)

camphoraceous · spicy · warm · slightly bitter

ingredient

金橘 jīnjú

Kumquat (金橘) — Fragrant Citrus Fruit

Citrus japonica (syn. Fortunella japonica)

citrus · sweet · floral · bright

ingredient

岩蔷薇 yánqiángwēi

Labdanum (岩蔷薇)

Cistus ladanifer (gum rockrose)

resinous · balsamic · leathery · amber

ingredient

薰衣草 xūnyīcǎo

Lavender (薰衣草) — Floral Herb

Lavandula angustifolia

floral · herbal · fresh · camphoraceous

ingredient

柠檬 níngméng

Lemon (柠檬)

Citrus × limon

citrus · bright · zesty · sweet · slightly sour

ingredient

香蜂草 xiāngfēngcǎo

Lemon Balm (香蜂草) — Lemony Mint Herb

Melissa officinalis

lemony · herbal · fresh · slightly sweet · green

ingredient

甘草 gāncǎo

Licorice (甘草) — Sweetening Root

Glycyrrhiza uralensis

sweet · woody · earthy · slightly bitter

ingredient

藁本 gǎoběn

Ligusticum (藁本) — Aromatic Root Herb

Ligusticum sinense

herbal · aromatic · spicy · woody

ingredient

铃兰 línglán

Lily of the Valley (铃兰)

Convallaria majalis

floral · green · sweet · fresh · delicate

ingredient

零陵香 línglíngxiāng

Linglingxiang (零陵香) — Sweet Herb

Lysimachia foenum-graecum

sweet · hay-like · herbaceous · coumarin

ingredient

荔枝壳 lìzhī ké

Litchi Husk (荔枝壳) — Fruity Peel

Litchi chinensis (the husk / pericarp)

fruity · sweet · floral · woody

ingredient

荜茇 bìbá

Long Pepper (荜茇) — Warming Spice

Piper longum

spicy · pungent · warm · sweet

ingredient

莲花 liánhuā

Lotus Flower (莲花)

Nelumbo nucifera

floral · sweet · aquatic · fresh

ingredient

辛夷 xīnyí

Magnolia Flower (辛夷) — Spicy Floral

Magnolia biondii (Flora of China: Yulania biondii)

floral · spicy · green · slightly camphoraceous

ingredient

玛蹄脂 mǎtízhī

Mastic (玛蹄脂) — Fresh Piney Resin

Pistacia lentiscus

resinous · piney · fresh · balsamic

ingredient

薄荷 bòhé

Mint (薄荷) — Cooling Herb

Mentha haplocalyx (syn. Mentha canadensis)

cooling · minty · fresh · sweet

ingredient

山鸡椒 shānjījiāo

Mountain Pepper (山鸡椒) — Litsea Cubeba

Litsea cubeba

citrus · lemony · spicy · floral

ingredient

艾草 àicǎo

Mugwort (艾草) — Chinese Tradition

Artemisia spp. (A. argyi, A. vulgaris)

herbal · bitter-green · camphoraceous

ingredient

桑叶 sāngyè

Mulberry Leaf (桑叶)

Morus alba (the leaves)

green · fresh · tea-like · slightly sweet

ingredient

麝香 shèxiāng

Musk (麝香) — Historical Animal Fixative

Moschus spp. (musk deer) — an animal secretion, not botanical

animalic · musky · sweet · warm

ingredient

芥子 jièzǐ

Mustard Seed (芥子) — Pungent Spice Seed

Sinapis alba (white mustard); Brassica juncea (brown/leaf mustard)

pungent · sharp · spicy · green

ingredient

没药 mòyào

Myrrh (没药) — Bitter Resin

Commiphora myrrha (and other Commiphora spp.)

balsamic · earthy · bitter · medicinal

ingredient

橙花 chénghuā

Neroli (橙花) — Orange Blossom

Citrus aurantium (the flower)

floral · citrus · sweet · green

ingredient

肉豆蔻 ròudòukòu

Nutmeg (肉豆蔻) — Warm Spice Seed

Myristica fragrans

warm · spicy · sweet · woody

ingredient

甲香 jiǎxiāng

Onycha (甲香)

operculum of marine gastropods (mollusc) — animal-derived, not botanical

marine · briny · animalic · musky

ingredient

陈皮 chénpí

Orange Peel (陈皮) — Aged Peel

Citrus reticulata (aged mandarin/tangerine peel)

citrus · bittersweet · woody

ingredient

兰花 lánhuā

Orchid (兰花) — Cymbidium Flower

Cymbidium ensifolium

floral · sweet · green · delicate

ingredient

鸢尾根 yuānwěi gēn

Orris Root (鸢尾根) — Perfume Fixative

Iris germanica / I. pallida (orris); cf. Iris tectorum (Chinese iris)

powdery · floral · violet · woody

ingredient

桂花 guìhuā

Osmanthus (桂花) — Sweet Floral

Osmanthus fragrans

sweet · floral · apricot · honey

ingredient

排草 páicǎo

Paicao (排草) — Aromatic Herb

Lysimachia capillipes

herbal · sweet · hay-like · woody

ingredient

广藿香 guǎnghuòxiāng

Patchouli (广藿香) — Earthy Leaf

Pogostemon cablin

earthy · woody · balsamic · spicy

ingredient

芍药 sháoyào

Peony (芍药)

Paeonia lactiflora

floral · rosy · sweet · green

ingredient

胡椒 hújiāo

Pepper (胡椒) — Warm Spice

Piper nigrum

spicy · pungent · warm · woody

ingredient

胡椒薄荷 hújiāo bòhé

Peppermint (胡椒薄荷) — Sharp Cooling Mint

Mentha × piperita

cooling · minty · sharp · camphoraceous · sweet

ingredient

紫苏 zǐsū

Perilla (紫苏) — Aromatic Herb

Perilla frutescens

herbal · minty · sweet · anise-like

ingredient

秘鲁香脂 bìlǔ xiāngzhī

Peru Balsam (秘鲁香脂) — Sweet Resin

Myroxylon balsamum

sweet · vanilla · balsamic · warm

ingredient

松针 sōngzhēn

Pine Needles (松针)

Pinus spp. (the needles/leaves)

piney · conifer · fresh · green

ingredient

松香 sōngxiāng

Pine Resin (松香) — Woody Resin

Pinus spp. (rosin / colophony from pine oleoresin)

piney · woody · balsamic · resinous

ingredient

梅花 méihuā

Plum Blossom (梅花) — Winter Flower

Prunus mume (syn. Armeniaca mume)

delicate · sweet · almondy · green-floral

ingredient

柚皮 yòupí

Pomelo Peel (柚皮) — Citrus Peel

Citrus maxima (pomelo peel)

citrus · bittersweet · floral · woody

ingredient

木瓜 mùguā

Quince (木瓜) — Fragrant Scholar's Fruit

Pseudocydonia sinensis (syn. Chaenomeles sinensis)

fruity · sweet · floral · tart

ingredient

紫檀 zǐtán

Red Sandalwood (紫檀) — Crimson Dye Wood

Pterocarpus santalinus

woody · sweet · rosy · spicy

ingredient

玫瑰 méiguī

Rose (玫瑰) — Sweet Floral

Rosa rugosa (Chinese rose); also Rosa damascena

sweet · floral · romantic

ingredient

迷迭香 mídiéxiāng

Rosemary (迷迭香) — Camphoraceous Herb

Salvia rosmarinus (syn. Rosmarinus officinalis)

herbal · camphoraceous · fresh · woody

ingredient

芸香 yúnxiāng

Rue (芸香) — Bitter Aromatic Herb

Ruta graveolens

bitter · herbal · green · woody

ingredient

鼠尾草 shǔwěicǎo

Sage (鼠尾草) — Savory Herb

Salvia officinalis

herbal · camphoraceous · green · slightly peppery

ingredient

山柰 shānnài

Sand Ginger (山柰) — Aromatic Rhizome

Kaempferia galanga

camphoraceous · spicy · earthy · floral

ingredient

檀香 tánxiāng

Sandalwood (檀香) — Use vs Evidence

Santalum album (and other Santalum spp.)

creamy · sweet · soft · woody

ingredient

五味子 wǔwèizǐ

Schisandra (五味子) — Five-Flavor Berry

Schisandra chinensis

fruity · berry · sour · slightly woody

ingredient

荆芥 jīngjiè

Schizonepeta (荆芥) — Aromatic Herb

Schizonepeta tenuifolia (syn. Nepeta tenuifolia)

herbal · minty · spicy · fresh

ingredient

益智仁 yìzhì rén

Sharp-Leaf Galangal (益智仁)

Alpinia oxyphylla

spicy · warm · camphoraceous · slightly sweet

ingredient

紫草茸 zǐcǎoróng

Shellac (紫草茸) — Lac Resin

Kerria lacca (lac insect; formerly Laccifer lacca) — lac resin

resinous · waxy · subtle · slightly sweet

ingredient

蜀椒 shǔjiāo

Sichuan Pepper (蜀椒) — Prickly Ash

Zanthoxylum bungeanum

spicy · citrus · numbing · woody

ingredient

合欢花 héhuān huā

Silk Tree Flower (合欢花)

Albizia julibrissin

sweet · floral · delicate · slightly powdery

ingredient

槐花 huáihuā

Sophora Flower (槐花) — Sweet Blossom

Styphnolobium japonicum (syn. Sophora japonica)

sweet · floral · delicate · honey-like

ingredient

素馨 sùxīn

Spanish Jasmine (素馨)

Jasminum grandiflorum

sweet · floral · heady · green

ingredient

留兰香 liúlánxiāng

Spearmint (留兰香) — Sweet Cooling Mint

Mentha spicata

cooling · minty · sweet · fresh · green

ingredient

甘松 gānsōng

Spikenard (甘松) — Himalayan Root

Nardostachys jatamansi

earthy · woody · sweet · musky

ingredient

八角 bājiǎo

Star Anise (八角) — Culinary Spice

Illicium verum

sweet · licorice · warm · spicy

ingredient

苏合香 sūhéxiāng

Storax (苏合香) — Imported Resin

Liquidambar orientalis (Oriental sweetgum / storax)

sweet · balsamic · resinous · warm

ingredient

青蒿 qīnghāo

Sweet Wormwood (青蒿)

Artemisia annua

herbal · camphoraceous · fresh · slightly sweet

ingredient

枫香 fēngxiāng

Sweetgum (枫香) — Sweet Resin

Liquidambar formosana (Chinese sweetgum); cf. L. orientalis (storax)

sweet · balsamic · resinous · warm

ingredient

龙蒿 lónghāo

Tarragon (龙蒿) — Anise-Like Artemisia

Artemisia dracunculus

herbal · anise-like · green · slightly sweet

ingredient

崖柏 yábǎi

Thuja (崖柏) — Fragrant Endemic Conifer

Thuja sutchuenensis

woody · cedar-like · resinous · slightly smoky

ingredient

百里香 bǎilǐxiāng

Thyme (百里香) — Culinary Herb

Thymus vulgaris

herbal · green · spicy · slightly medicinal

ingredient

香榧 xiāngfěi

Torreya (香榧) — Fragrant Nut Seed

Torreya grandis

nutty · woody · resinous · roasted

ingredient

牡丹 mǔdān

Tree Peony (牡丹) — Floral King

Paeonia suffruticosa

floral · rosy · sweet · green

ingredient

牡丹皮 mǔdān pí

Tree Peony Bark (牡丹皮) — Root Bark

Paeonia suffruticosa (root bark)

rooty · earthy · woody · faintly floral

ingredient

草果 cǎoguǒ

Tsaoko (草果) — Smoky Aromatic Fruit

Amomum tsao-ko (FOC: Amomum tsaoko; syn. Lanxangia tsao-ko)

smoky · spicy · camphoraceous · warm

ingredient

晚香玉 wǎnxiāngyù

Tuberose (晚香玉) — Night-Fragrant Flower

Agave amica (syn. Polianthes tuberosa)

sweet · floral · creamy · heady

ingredient

姜黄 jiānghuáng

Turmeric (姜黄) — Earthy Rhizome

Curcuma longa

earthy · warm · spicy · bitter

ingredient

缬草 xiécǎo

Valerian (缬草) — Earthy Root

Valeriana officinalis

earthy · musky · woody · rooty

ingredient

香草荚 xiāngcǎo jiá

Vanilla Bean (香草荚) — Fragrant Pod

Vanilla planifolia

sweet · creamy · warm · gourmand

ingredient

岩兰草 yánláncǎo

Vetiver (岩兰草) — Earthy Root Note

Chrysopogon zizanioides (syn. Vetiveria zizanioides)

earthy · woody · smoky · warm

ingredient

紫罗兰 zǐluólán

Violet (紫罗兰) — Powdery Flower

Viola odorata

floral · sweet · powdery · green

ingredient

蜡梅 làmèi

Wintersweet (蜡梅) — Winter Floral

Chimonanthus praecox

sweet · floral · honeyed · waxy

ingredient

依兰 yīlán

Ylang-Ylang (依兰) — Tropical Flower

Cananga odorata

floral · sweet · creamy · slightly fruity

ingredient

玉兰 yùlán

Yulan Magnolia (玉兰)

Magnolia denudata

floral · fresh · green · slightly lemony

ingredient

莪术 ézhú

Zedoary (莪术) — Medicinal Rhizome

Curcuma zedoaria (cf. Curcuma phaeocaulis)

earthy · camphoraceous · warm · slightly bitter

ingredient

泽兰 zélán

Zelan (泽兰) — Fragrant Eupatorium Herb

Eupatorium japonicum

herbal · aromatic · fresh · slightly sweet

Source-transparent, never fabricated

LanDeng labels traditional knowledge and modern evidence separately, names sources, and shows open questions rather than hiding them.

  • No fake reviews, ratings, prices or authors.
  • Traditional claims are not upgraded into scientific fact.
  • Entity pages expose machine-readable definitions for search and AI discovery.
How we research Chinese incense Traditional Chinese incense utensils arranged on a bamboo tray beside a small censer