Raw Material Encyclopedia

The Sacred Smokes Botanical Library

A formulation library for raw, 100% natural aromatics: unadulterated woods, sticky resins, vibrant petals, medicinal herbs, fine powders, and the practical decisions that turn them into incense that actually burns well.

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Raw sandalwood material

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Raw Pine material

Aromatic Woods

Pine

Pinus spp.
Base / Aromatic WoodWood / Air
Fresh, crisp, outdoorsy

Fresh pine forest, campfires, clean wood.

Master notes

Needs to be finely powdered. Natural sap can cause harsh smoke if the ratio is guessed instead of measured.

High in alpha-pinene, a natural bronchodilator associated with airway opening, easier breathing, and reduced inflammatory response.

Raw Palo Santo material

Aromatic Woods

Palo Santo

Bursera graveolens
Base / Aromatic WoodAir / Fire
Sweet, warm, citrus-woody

Sweet wood smoke, mint, bright lemon.

Master notes

Strong signature aroma. It can overpower subtle florals like peony or peach if you let it drive.

Rich in d-limonene, a citrus terpene associated with downregulating sympathetic stress response.

Raw Sandalwood material

Aromatic Woods

Sandalwood

Santalum album
BaseEarth / Water
Warm, creamy, sweet

Soft, milky, sweet wood, luxury spa warmth.

Master notes

The ultimate smooth base. It balances almost every floral note beautifully.

Packed with alpha-santalol, associated with parasympathetic activation, lower heart rate, and calmer breathing.

Raw Agarwood material

Aromatic Woods

Agarwood

Aquilaria spp.
BaseEarth / Fire
Deep, dark, ancient wood

Rich damp forest, old wood, smoky temple.

Master notes

Deep and heavy. It gives any blend a grounded foundation, but it is not shy.

Contains sesquiterpenes associated with GABAergic calm and deep nervous-system settling.

Raw Red Sandalwood material

Aromatic Woods

Red Sandalwood

Pterocarpus santalinus
Base / Neutral BurnerEarth
Mild, earthy, subtle wood

Light, dry wood aroma without overpowering the heart.

Master notes

Great neutral carrier when delicate flowers need the spotlight instead of a loud woody base.

Releases mild pterostilbene antioxidants associated with cooling, respiratory comfort, and sedative calm.

Raw Black Agarwood material

Aromatic Woods

Black Agarwood

Aquilaria spp.
BaseEarth / Water
Heavy, intense, smoky-sweet

Deep, dark, rich woods with sweet undertones.

Master notes

Very potent. Use in small amounts unless you want the whole room to go dark.

Concentrated agarospirol and jinkoh-eremol are associated with deep central nervous system suppression and sleep support.

Raw Frankincense material

Sacred Resins

Frankincense

Boswellia spp.
Anchor / Scent TrapFire / Air
Clean, citrusy, sweet-pine

Bright, lemony wood sap with a clean finish.

Master notes

Essential for holding delicate florals together so they do not burn off too fast.

Contains incensole acetate, studied for effects on TRPV3 ion channels and anxiety-related pathways.

Raw Royal Hojari Frankincense material

Sacred Resins

Royal Hojari Frankincense

Boswellia sacra
Top-Shelf AnchorAir / Water
Ultra-bright, lime-citrus, crisp

Super fresh, zesty lime, eucalyptus, clean resin.

Master notes

The highest-grade green frankincense. Use when the blend deserves the good chair.

High in alpha-thujene and boswellic terpenes, associated with clarity and anti-inflammatory effects.

Raw Dragon's Blood material

Sacred Resins

Dragon's Blood

Daemonorops draco
Anchor / Scent TrapFire
Spicy, sweet, earthy

Warm amber, spicy-sweet resin, rich red earth.

Master notes

Adds deep red color and thick smoke. Use a light touch or it takes the wheel.

Dracorhodin compounds are associated with antimicrobial vapor properties and invigorating circulation.

Raw Myrrh material

Sacred Resins

Myrrh

Commiphora myrrha
Anchor / Scent TrapEarth / Water
Earthy, bittersweet, smoky

Deep bitter forest sap and ancient herbal tone.

Master notes

Cuts through overly sweet blends and adds rich, meditative grounding.

Rich in curzerene and furanosesquiterpenes, studied for interaction with pain and tension pathways.

Raw Benzoin material

Sacred Resins

Benzoin

Styrax benzoin
Anchor / SweetenerWater / Fire
Sweet, vanilla-like, warm

Warm vanilla cookies, caramel, cozy amber.

Master notes

The best natural bridge for sweetening florals without fake perfume behavior.

Contains benzoic acid esters and vanillin, associated with easing nervous exhaustion.

Raw Rose material

Floral Petals

Rose

Rosa damascena
Heart BodyWater
Sweet, romantic, velvety

Rich sweet red rose bouquet with honey undertones.

Master notes

Highly reliable flower powder. It holds natural sweetness very well when burned.

Phenylethyl alcohol and geraniol are associated with lower cortisol and reduced sympathetic cardiac activity.

Raw Lavender material

Floral Petals

Lavender

Lavandula angustifolia
Heart BodyAir
Relaxing, herbal-sweet, clean

Clean relaxing floral with green herbal edges.

Master notes

Instantly recognizable. Perfect for calming and fresh sleep blends.

Linalool and linalyl acetate are associated with GABA-A modulation and slower, calmer brainwave states.

Raw Jasmine material

Floral Petals

Jasmine

Jasminum sambac
Heart BodyWater / Moon
Exotic, lush, sweet floral

Intoxicating warm white flowers on a balmy night.

Master notes

Very rich. Pair with deep woods to balance heavy sweetness.

Benzyl acetate and linalool are associated with autonomic calm and positive mood.

Raw Osmanthus material

Floral Petals

Osmanthus

Osmanthus fragrans
Heart BodyAir / Earth
Fruity-sweet, honey, apricot

Sweet peaches, honeyed tea, golden blossom.

Master notes

Naturally fruity. Great for sweet blends that should not smell perfumey.

Ionones are associated with respiratory comfort, warmth, and joy.

Raw Peach Blossom material

Floral Petals

Peach Blossom

Prunus persica
Heart BodyAir
Soft, powdery, delicate fruit

Gentle light spring blossoms and a sweet fruit whisper.

Master notes

Extremely delicate. It needs resin support or it vanishes into leaf smoke.

Mild flavonoid vapor compounds are associated with light neuro-calming effects.

Raw Frangipani material

Floral Petals

Frangipani

Plumeria spp.
Heart BodyWater / Sun
Tropical, warm, creamy floral

Tropical plumeria flowers and creamy island warmth.

Master notes

Distinct tropical signature. Burns sweet and smooth when finely ground.

Geraniol and benzyl salicylate are associated with emotional relief, mood support, and easier breathing.

Raw Peony Bud material

Floral Petals

Peony Bud

Paeonia lactiflora
Heart BodyAir / Water
Fresh, light, crisp floral

Morning garden blooms with crisp subtle sweetness.

Master notes

Subtle petal powder. Pair with mild woods so it is not masked.

Paeonol vapors are associated with mild sedative, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective activity.

Raw Thyme material

Herbs & Leaves

Thyme

Thymus vulgaris
SparkFire / Air
Savory, clean, herbal-sharp

Crisp garden herb with a sharp wake-up kick.

Master notes

Strong kick. A tiny pinch is plenty. Too much smells like grass having a bad day.

Heavy in thymol, a powerful airborne antiseptic associated with congestion relief and mental alertness.

Raw Sage material

Herbs & Leaves

Sage

Salvia officinalis
SparkAir / Earth
Earthy, green, clearing

Dry cleansing herbal scent, crisp desert breeze.

Master notes

Classic clearing herb. Balances heavy resins with a dry, clean snap.

Thujone and cineole are associated with cognitive clarity and acetylcholinesterase inhibition.

Raw Mint material

Herbs & Leaves

Mint

Mentha spp.
SparkWater / Air
Cool, icy, fresh

Refreshing burst that opens airways and lightens smoke.

Master notes

Burn at low ratios so the menthol stays sweet instead of sharp.

Menthol stimulates TRPM8 receptors in the nasal passage, associated with headache relief and wakefulness.

Raw Lemongrass material

Herbs & Leaves

Lemongrass

Cymbopogon citratus
SparkSun / Fire
Zesty, bright, fresh lemon

Bright lemon drop candy and crushed fresh grass.

Master notes

High-energy scent. Great for cutting through heavy wood bases.

Citral and geranial are associated with increased GABA activity, stress relief, and lifted energy.

Raw Patchouli material

Herbs & Leaves

Patchouli

Pogostemon cablin
Heart Body / Low SparkEarth
Earthy, mossy, dark herbal

Rich dark soil, damp moss, warm vintage spice.

Master notes

Acts like a bridge between heart and base. Use sparingly.

Patchoulol is associated with downregulating fight-or-flight arousal and stabilizing anxious states.

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