Frankincense and Myrrh Incense Review 2026: 7 Calming Tips

Quick answer

Frankincense and myrrh incense from HEM is a simple, classic pick: 120 nine-inch sticks, split into six packs, with a warm resinous frankincense note over the deeper, earthy sweetness of myrrh. It suits a reading nook, a meditation corner or a quiet evening ritual. The honest trade-off is smoke, so burn it in a ventilated room and never all day.

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Our top pick:

HEM Frankincense & Myrrh Incense Sticks, 120 Count (6 Packs)

Best for: Meditation corners, reading nooks, yoga and evening wind-down rituals

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Frankincense and myrrh incense idea: a single incense stick burning in a bowl on a bright windowsill

Some scents feel old in the best way. Frankincense and myrrh have been burned in homes, temples and churches for thousands of years, and the smell still reads as calm, warm and a little ceremonial. HEM’s frankincense and myrrh incense is one of the easiest ways to try that blend at home, because it comes as plain sticks in a multi-pack instead of loose resin and charcoal. Below: what is in the box, what it smells like, which benefits are real (and which are marketing), how to burn it safely, and how it compares with resin, cones and diffusers.

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HEM frankincense and myrrh incense at a glance

This is a box of 120 incense sticks, each about 9 inches long, sold as six packs. The scent pairs frankincense, which the brand describes as warm and resinous, with myrrh, which adds a rich, earthy depth. HEM pitches it for meditation, prayer, yoga, relaxation and simply scenting the home, and it is also an easy add-on gift. It suits people who like woody, spicy, church-like scents more than sweet or floral ones.

Pick	Best for	Why it stands out
HEM Frankincense & Myrrh Incense Sticks, 120 Count (6 Packs) Best Classic Resin Scent	Meditation corners, reading nooks, yoga and evening wind-down rituals	120 sticks, 9 in long, frankincense and myrrh blend	See photos

Our verdict on the frankincense and myrrh incense

For a classic resin scent at home, this frankincense and myrrh incense is a sensible first box: lots of sticks, a familiar heritage brand and a blend that smells calm rather than sugary. Just treat it like any smoke-based fragrance. Burn one stick at a time, open a window, and skip it entirely around people with asthma or in small, closed rooms.

1. HEM Frankincense & Myrrh Incense Sticks, 120 Count (6 Packs): Best Classic Resin Scent

Best Classic Resin Scent

The blend is the reason to buy it. Frankincense gives a bright, slightly citrusy, resin top; myrrh sits underneath with a darker, earthier, faintly bitter sweetness. Together they smell like a quiet old chapel or a spice market more than a candle shop, which is why this frankincense and myrrh incense is popular for prayer, meditation and slow evenings.

The format is practical. Sticks need no charcoal disc and no special burner, only a holder that catches ash. With 120 sticks in six packs, you can keep one pack open and the rest sealed so the scent stays fresh, or split the box into small gifts. HEM is a long-running incense brand, so the sticks are easy to find again if you like them.

What we like

120 sticks in six packs, so one box lasts a long time
Classic warm, resinous frankincense with earthy myrrh
Sticks need no charcoal or burner, just an ash-catching holder
Easy to split into small gifts or keep packs sealed for freshness

Keep in mind

Produces smoke, like all burning incense, so it needs ventilation
Not a fit for homes with asthma, babies or birds
The listing does not give a burn time per stick

Best for: Meditation corners, reading nooks, yoga and evening wind-down rituals

See photos & price on Amazon →

How to burn incense sticks: a bundle of natural incense sticks with a thin trail of smoke

Frankincense and myrrh incense specs from the listing

Here is what the Amazon listing says, in one place:

Spec	Listing detail
Brand	HEM
Scent	Frankincense & Myrrh
Form	Stick
Count	120 sticks
Number of items	6 (packs)
Stick length	9 inches
Listed material	Resin
Suggested uses	Meditation, prayer, relaxation, yoga, home fragrance, gifting

A long-lasting supply

With 120 sticks, one stick a night covers about four months. Keeping five packs closed while you use the sixth helps the sticks hold their scent, since incense slowly fades when it sits open to air.

Nine-inch sticks

A 9 inch stick is the standard length most holders are built for, including ash catchers, boat-style trays and holders with a small hole or clip. The listing does not state a burn time, but sticks this size usually burn for roughly 30 to 45 minutes, depending on drafts.

What does frankincense smell like?

If you have never smelled it, here is the plain answer to what does frankincense smell like: fresh pine and lemon peel on top, a soft balsamic warmth in the middle, and a clean, slightly smoky finish. People often say it smells like a church at Christmas, and that is accurate, since frankincense has a long history in religious services.

Myrrh changes the picture. It is darker and earthier, with a faintly bitter, almost medicinal sweetness, a bit like licorice root or dry leather. Paired together, frankincense and myrrh incense smells warmer and rounder than frankincense alone: less bright, more grounded.

If you like: sandalwood, cedar, amber, church-like or spa scents, you will probably enjoy it.
If you prefer: sweet bakery, fruit or clean laundry scents, it may feel too heavy or serious.
In a room: the smoke carries the scent quickly; after the stick is out, a light woody note can linger for hours in fabrics.

So, what does frankincense smell like when burned compared with the raw resin? Burned, it gets smokier and warmer; the resin in the jar is sharper and more citrusy. For a flameless way to light incense, read our plasma lighter review.

Frankincense incense benefits: what is real

Search for frankincense incense benefits and you will find big claims. Here is a grounded view of what you can actually expect at home:

A calming ritual: lighting a stick is a clear signal that work time is over. The routine itself, plus a scent you like, can help you slow down for meditation, prayer, journaling or reading.
Scent and mood: pleasant smells can lift mood and make a room feel cozy. This is personal, not medical.
Spiritual and cultural meaning: frankincense and myrrh have been used in worship for centuries and are tied to the Christmas story. For many people that history is the main appeal.
Covering cooking or pet odors: it masks smells for a while, but it does not remove what causes them.

What about air purifying? The listing uses that phrase, but burning anything adds smoke and fine particles to indoor air. Frankincense incense benefits are about atmosphere and ritual, not cleaner air. Studies on frankincense (boswellia) for health look at extracts taken by mouth or applied to skin, not at incense smoke, so do not burn incense as a health treatment.

Is incense bad for you?

This is the most important question, so here is a straight answer. Is incense bad for you? Occasional use in a well-ventilated room is a low concern for most healthy adults, but incense smoke is still smoke. It releases fine particles and gases such as carbon monoxide and volatile organic compounds, and the EPA lists combustion sources among the main contributors to indoor air pollution.

How to keep exposure low

Burn one stick at a time, not several.
Open a window or run a bathroom or kitchen exhaust fan while it burns and for a while after.
Do not burn incense in a small, closed bedroom, and never while you sleep.
Snuff the stick early if the room starts to feel hazy; half a stick is often enough scent.
Give your home incense-free days each week.

Who should skip it

Skip incense, or talk to a doctor first, if anyone in the home has asthma, COPD or other breathing problems, is pregnant, or is a baby or young child. Pet birds are very sensitive to smoke, and cats and small dogs breathe closer to the floor where ash falls. If that sounds like your home, an essential oil diffuser or an unscented candle is a gentler choice. So, is incense bad for you? Used rarely and with fresh air, it is a small risk; used daily in a closed room, it is a real one.

How to burn incense sticks safely: step by step

Learning how to burn incense sticks takes about two minutes. Follow these steps every time:

Pick a heat-safe holder that catches falling ash along the full stick length. A tray at least 10 inches long fits a 9 inch stick. Our wooden incense holder review covers one with a glass ash catcher.
Place it on a stable, flat surface at least 12 inches from curtains, books, paper, bedding and plants, and out of reach of kids and pets.
Light the colored tip with a lighter or match and hold the flame there for 5 to 10 seconds until it catches.
Let it flame for a few seconds, then gently blow or wave it out. You want a glowing ember, not a flame.
Set the stick in the holder with the ember end tilted up so ash falls onto the tray.
Ventilate the room by cracking a window or running a fan on low, away from the stick.
Stay nearby. Never leave a burning stick in an empty room.
Put it out by pressing the ember into sand, salt or the holder’s ash, or dip the tip in water. Check that it is fully out before you leave.

Wondering how to burn incense sticks without a holder? Push the stick into a small bowl filled with uncooked rice, sand or salt. It works well and catches the ash. Whatever you use, keep the bowl on a plate or tray, because a stick can tip as it burns down. A cast iron trivet, a ceramic saucer or a metal baking tin all make simple, heat-safe bases for frankincense and myrrh incense on a shelf or windowsill.

How to use frankincense and myrrh incense in your home

A little goes a long way. A few room-by-room ideas:

Meditation corner: a floor cushion, a small tray, a plant and one stick of frankincense and myrrh incense make a calm spot. Light it at the start of a 20 to 30 minute session and let it burn out on the tray.
Reading nook: place the holder on a side table away from the lampshade and books, then crack the window an inch.
Entryway before guests arrive: burn half a stick 30 to 45 minutes before people come over, then put it out so the scent is soft by the time they walk in.
Holiday mood: the frankincense and myrrh pairing fits December well. Use it on a clear patch of the mantel, far from garland and stockings.
Yoga or stretch time: keep it in a well-ventilated room, and skip it on days you do intense breathing work.

For a styled shelf, our cairn stone sculpture review shows a calm, natural accent that pairs well with an incense tray.

Care and storage

Keep unopened packs sealed and stored in a cool, dry drawer, away from sun and heat.
Store opened sticks in a zip bag or a lidded tin so the scent does not fade and nearby fabrics do not absorb it.
Empty the ash tray after each use once it is cold; clean wood or ceramic holders with a dry cloth.
Wash or air out cushions and throws near your incense spot now and then, since smoke settles into fabric.
Keep matches and lighters out of reach of children.

Frankincense and myrrh incense vs typical alternatives

Option	Scent strength	Smoke or flame	Best for
Incense sticks (like this frankincense and myrrh incense)	Strong, quick	Smoke and a glowing ember	Short rituals in ventilated rooms
Loose resin on charcoal	Very strong, true resin	Heavy smoke, hot charcoal	Experienced users, special occasions
Incense cones	Strong, concentrated	Smoke, shorter burn	Quick scent in a larger room
Essential oil diffuser	Light to medium	No smoke, no flame	Daily use, bedrooms, homes with kids
Candle or candle warmer	Medium	Flame, or no flame with a warmer	Cozy light plus scent

If smoke is a deal breaker, try frankincense essential oil in an essential oil diffuser, or read our candles vs candle warmers vs diffusers guide. If you want the real thing with less fuss than charcoal, sticks are the easiest way in.

See photos & price on Amazon →

What to check before buying

Your household: no asthma, babies or pet birds in the home, and a room you can ventilate.
A holder: the box does not mention one, so plan on a tray that fits 9 inch sticks.
Scent style: woody, resinous and church-like; not sweet.
Quantity: 120 sticks is a lot for a first try; split packs with a friend or save some as gifts.
Rental rules: some leases and dorms ban incense, so check before you light up.

See photos & price on Amazon →

How we researched the frankincense and myrrh incense

We did not test this frankincense and myrrh incense hands-on. We reviewed the Amazon listing details and specs, the brand’s notes on the scent and uses, its popularity with shoppers and its rating across many reviews, and EPA and NFPA guidance on indoor air and fire safety. We compared it with resin, cones, diffusers and candles, and we update this review when the listing changes.

Helpful resources: EPA: Introduction to indoor air quality and NFPA: candle and open-flame safety.

Frankincense and myrrh incense: frequently asked questions

What does frankincense smell like?

Fresh and resinous, with pine, lemon peel and a soft, warm, slightly smoky finish. With myrrh added, frankincense and myrrh incense smells darker, earthier and a little sweeter.

What are the real frankincense incense benefits?

Mostly atmosphere: a calm scent, a simple ritual for meditation or prayer, and cultural or spiritual meaning. Frankincense incense benefits do not include cleaner air or medical effects.

Is incense bad for you?

Occasional use in a ventilated room is a low concern for most healthy adults, but the smoke adds fine particles to indoor air. Skip it around asthma, babies, pregnancy and pet birds.

How do you burn incense sticks the right way?

Light the tip for 5 to 10 seconds, blow out the flame, and set the glowing stick in an ash-catching holder on a stable surface. That is how to burn incense sticks safely; stay nearby and ventilate.

How long does one incense stick burn?

The listing does not give a time, but a 9 inch stick usually burns about 30 to 45 minutes. Drafts make it burn faster.

Is frankincense and myrrh incense good for meditation?

Many people like it for that. The scent is calm and grounding, and lighting a stick marks the start of a session. Use one stick and keep a window open.