Resin Incense & Charcoal Discs
How to burn resin incense safely and effectively — a complete guide to resins, charcoal discs, burners, and technique.
Resin incense is one of the oldest and most sacred forms of incense in the world. Frankincense, myrrh, copal, dragon’s blood — these are the resins that have been burned in temples, ceremonies, and healing spaces for thousands of years across every major spiritual tradition. Unlike incense sticks and cones, resins are the pure, unprocessed sap or gum of trees and plants, and they require a different burning method: a charcoal disc and a heat-proof burner.
If you’ve bought resin incense and aren’t sure how to use it, or if you’re curious about making the switch from sticks to resins, this guide covers everything you need to know.
What Is Resin Incense?
Resin incense is the hardened sap, gum, or resin of a tree or plant — collected by making small cuts in the bark and allowing the substance to seep out and harden in the air. The resulting pieces — which may look like amber-coloured crystals, dark chunks, or sticky granules — are then burned on a heat source to release their fragrance and smoke.
Because resins are pure and unprocessed, they tend to produce a richer, more complex, and more authentic fragrance than manufactured incense sticks. They also produce more smoke, which makes them particularly effective for space cleansing and ceremonial use.
Popular Resin Incenses and Their Uses
Frankincense
One of the most widely used sacred resins in the world, frankincense has been burned in religious and spiritual ceremonies for over 5,000 years. Its warm, woody, slightly citrus scent is deeply calming and is associated with purification, spiritual connection, meditation, and prayer. It is used in Christian, Islamic, Jewish, and many other traditions, as well as in modern spiritual practice.
Best for: Meditation, prayer, spiritual cleansing, creating a sacred atmosphere, stress relief
Myrrh
Often burned alongside frankincense, myrrh has a deeper, earthier, slightly bitter scent. It is associated with healing, protection, and the honouring of the dead, and has been used in embalming, medicine, and ceremony across ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Middle East. In modern practice, it is used for deep cleansing, grounding, and emotional healing.
Best for: Deep cleansing, healing, protection, grounding, ancestral work
Copal
A sacred resin from Central and South America, copal has been used in Mayan and Aztec ceremony for thousands of years and remains central to many indigenous spiritual practices today. It has a bright, clean, slightly sweet scent and is considered one of the most powerful cleansing resins. It is closely associated with the Despacho ceremony and other Andean and Mesoamerican traditions. See our Despacho Ceremony guide.
Best for: Space cleansing, ceremony, offering, connecting with spirit, shamanic practice
Dragon’s Blood
Dragon’s Blood is the deep red resin of the Dracaena tree, and it has one of the most distinctive and powerful scents of any resin — rich, warm, slightly sweet, and intensely aromatic. It is associated with protection, strength, love, and banishing negative energy, and is widely used in both ceremonial and everyday spiritual practice.
Best for: Protection, banishing negativity, love and passion, amplifying intention, energy work
Benzoin
A sweet, vanilla-like resin from Southeast Asia, benzoin is warming, comforting, and uplifting. It is associated with purification, prosperity, and emotional warmth, and blends beautifully with other resins.
Best for: Purification, prosperity, emotional comfort, blending with other resins
Opoponax (Sweet Myrrh)
A softer, sweeter relative of myrrh, opoponax has a warm, balsamic scent that is gentler and more approachable than traditional myrrh. It is associated with love, healing, and spiritual connection.
Best for: Love, healing, meditation, gentle cleansing
What You Need to Burn Resin Incense
1. A Heat-Proof Burner
Resin incense requires a burner that can withstand significant heat — charcoal discs burn very hot, and an unsuitable container can crack, scorch, or become dangerously hot to touch. Suitable burners include:
- Brass or metal censers — the most traditional option, often with a chain for swinging (as used in churches and temples)
- Ceramic or terracotta burners — widely available and effective, though ensure they are thick enough to handle the heat
- Soapstone burners — excellent heat resistance and beautiful appearance
- Cast iron cauldrons — very effective and virtually indestructible
Whatever burner you use, always place it on a heat-proof surface — a ceramic tile, a trivet, or a dedicated burner stand. Never place a hot burner directly on wood, plastic, or fabric.
2. Sand or Salt
Place a layer of sand or coarse salt in the bottom of your burner before placing the charcoal disc. This serves two purposes: it insulates the base of the burner from the intense heat of the charcoal, and it provides a stable surface on which to rest the disc. A depth of 2–3cm is ideal. Fine sand or sea salt both work well.
3. Charcoal Discs
Charcoal discs (also called hookah charcoal or self-lighting charcoal) are the heat source for resin incense. They are small, round discs of compressed charcoal that, once lit, burn steadily for 45–60 minutes at a high enough temperature to vaporise resin.
Important: Use only charcoal discs specifically designed for incense burning — not barbecue charcoal, which contains chemicals that produce toxic fumes when burned indoors.
Shop Charcoal Discs at Sacred Essence →
4. Tongs or Tweezers
You will need tongs or long tweezers to hold the charcoal disc while lighting it and to place it safely in the burner. Never hold a charcoal disc with your fingers once it has been lit — it becomes extremely hot very quickly.
5. Your Resin Incense
A small amount goes a long way. Start with just 2–3 small pieces of resin — you can always add more, but too much resin at once can produce an overwhelming amount of smoke.
How to Burn Resin Incense – Step by Step
Step 1: Prepare Your Burner
Place your burner on a heat-proof surface. Fill the base with 2–3cm of sand or salt. This is essential — do not skip this step.
Step 2: Light the Charcoal Disc
Using tongs or tweezers, hold the charcoal disc at an angle and apply a flame — a lighter or a long match works well. Hold the flame to the edge of the disc until it begins to spark and glow. Self-lighting charcoal discs will begin to spark and fizz as they ignite — this is normal. Allow the sparking to travel across the surface of the disc until it is fully lit.
Safety note: Do this in a well-ventilated area and keep your face away from the disc as it lights — the initial ignition can produce a brief flare.
Step 3: Place the Charcoal in the Burner
Using your tongs, place the lit charcoal disc into the sand or salt in your burner, with the concave (hollow) side facing upwards. This hollow is where you will place your resin. Allow the charcoal to heat for 2–3 minutes until it is glowing red and covered with a light grey ash — this indicates it is at the right temperature.
Step 4: Add Your Resin
Place 2–3 small pieces of resin into the hollow of the charcoal disc. The resin will begin to melt and smoke almost immediately. Enjoy the fragrance as it fills the space.
Step 5: Add More Resin as Needed
As the resin burns away, you can add more pieces to continue the fragrance. A single charcoal disc will remain hot enough to burn resin for 45–60 minutes.
Step 6: Allow to Cool Completely
Never move a hot burner or attempt to dispose of a charcoal disc until it has cooled completely — this can take an hour or more. Do not place a hot disc in a bin or near flammable materials. Allow everything to cool in place before handling.
Safety Guidelines
- Always burn in a well-ventilated space — open a window or door. Resin incense produces significant smoke, which can be overwhelming in a small, enclosed space.
- Never leave burning charcoal unattended
- Keep away from children and pets
- Use a heat-proof surface under your burner at all times
- Keep flammable materials well away from the burner
- Allow to cool completely before moving or disposing of charcoal
- Do not use barbecue charcoal indoors — only use charcoal discs designed for incense burning
Blending Resins
One of the great pleasures of resin incense is blending — combining two or more resins to create your own unique fragrance. Some classic combinations include:
- Frankincense & Myrrh — the most traditional combination, used in religious ceremony for millennia. Deeply purifying and spiritually elevating.
- Frankincense & Copal — bright, clean, and powerfully cleansing. Excellent for space clearing.
- Dragon’s Blood & Frankincense — protective and spiritually uplifting. Good for meditation and energy work.
- Myrrh & Benzoin — warm, deep, and comforting. Good for healing and emotional support.
Resin Incense vs Incense Sticks
Both have their place in spiritual practice. Incense sticks are convenient, consistent, and easy to use — ideal for everyday practice. Resin incense requires more preparation but offers a purer, richer fragrance and a more ceremonial quality. Many practitioners use sticks for daily practice and resins for ceremony, ritual, or deep cleansing work.
See our Incense Guide for a full overview of all incense types, and our Smudging & Energy Cleansing Guide for how to use incense for space clearing.
