This is a difficult question to answer, as it depends on how the incense powder is stored. If it is stored in a cool, dry place, it can last for many years. Japanese incense companies divide agarwood into six categories depending on its properties and the region from which it is obtained. [ citation needed] Kyara ( 伽羅), a type of agarwood, is currently worth more than its weight in gold. [ citation needed] [ when?] Usage [ edit ] Practical [ edit ] The giant Botafumeiro thurible swinging from the ceiling of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela Traditional incense use during a Catholic Mass, with a thurible. Mosquito repellent is often manufactured in coil form and burned in a similar manner as incense. Papier d'Armenie was used to disinfect. The chapter on perfumery in the text Nagarasarvasva ("the Complete Man-About-Town") by Padmasri has some similarities to the Haramekhala in how it is organized, consisting of a number of aromatic formulae respectively for hair (kesapatavasa), dwelling (grhavasa), mouth (mukhavasa), water (jalavasa), betel-nut (pugaphalam), bathing powder (snaniya). [7]

Indirect-burning incense, also called "non-combustible incense", [22] is an aromatic material or combination of materials, such as resins, that does not contain combustible material and so requires a separate heat source. Finer forms tend to burn more rapidly, while coarsely ground or whole chunks may be consumed very gradually, having less surface area. Heat is traditionally provided by charcoal or glowing embers. In the West, the best known incense materials of this type are the resins frankincense and myrrh, [ citation needed] likely due to their numerous mentions in the Bible. [ original research?] Frankincense means "pure incense", [23] though in common usage, it refers specifically to the resin of the boswellia tree. [24] If you are interested in using powder incense, there are a few things you should know. First, it is important to find a quality product. There are many different brands of powder incense on the market, so it is important to do your research and find a brand that you trust. In this method, a mold (traditionally of a seal, but can be of any pattern) is placed on a bed of firmly pressed ash, which acts as a heat resistant surface. Loose incense powder is then spooned into the mold, and once the mold is removed, it leaves the shape of the seal. This is then lit, and very elegantly burns from one end to the other. (Note no charcoal is involved in this method of using incense. )The practice of zhuan xiang or burning incense seals began in the Tang Dynasty (618–907). The Chinese word zhuan (篆) actually comes from the phrase for seal script (篆书), an ancient style of writing Chinese characters that evolved from Oracle Bone Script. By Tang dynasty however, this style of writing had largely been reduced to decorative purposes, and used mainly in engraving seals (official name chops or signets). We can guess from this name that incense seals probably first began when notable families wanted to have their seal created with incense powder, and other patterns evolved from there.

Additionally, burning powder incense can also create second-hand smoke, which is known to be harmful to both humans and animals. If you are concerned about the potential toxicity of powder incense, it is best to avoid using it or make sure that it is burned in a well-ventilated area. Mark Holmström (3 Dec 2007). South Indian Factory Workers: Their Life and Their World. Cambridge University Press. p.16. ISBN 9780521048125 . Retrieved 5 August 2013. Divine perfume; Prepare a mixture of the powders of sandalwood, bharudi leaves, male flowers of screw-pine, unrefined sugar, agar, and costus roots taken in equal proportion. Add jaggery...to this final mixture and prepare oblong tables. This is called 'divine incense' and is amiable to all gods." Purify the air: A study suggested that one hour treatment of medicinal smoke emanated by burning wood and herbs caused over 94% reduction of bacterial counts, and the ability of the smoke to purify the air was maintained up to 24h in the closed room.x), volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and adsorbed toxic pollutants ( polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and toxic metals). The solid particles range between around 10 and 500 nanometres (4 ×10 −7–2 ×10 −5 inches). In a comparison, Indian sandalwood was found to have the highest emission rate, followed by Japanese aloeswood, then Taiwanese aloeswood, while Chinese smokeless sandalwood had the least. [58] McHugh, James (29 November 2012). Sandalwood and Carrion: Smell in Indian Religion and Culture. OUP USA. p.68. ISBN 9780199916320 . Retrieved 29 November 2012. Particulate size: The incense mixture has to be well pulverized with similarly sized particulates. Uneven and large particulates result in uneven burning and inconsistent aroma production when burned. [ citation needed]

Fourth, be sure to store the incense powder in a cool, dry place. Heat and moisture can damage the powder and make it less effective, so it is important to keep it in a cool, dark place.

how to burn powder incense without charcoal ?

A mixture of ingredients can be used for any of the categories above, so this simple structure can in fact also become quite sophisticated.