Guides
What Is Agarwood Incense? Oud, Its Origins and How to Burn It
Agarwood, also called oud, is the dark, resin-rich heartwood of Aquilaria and Gyrinops trees from South and Southeast Asia. A healthy tree does not make the fragrant resin; it forms only after the wood is wounded and infected, and only in a small share of trees, which is why agarwood is rare and costly. As incense, small pieces are burned on a hot charcoal to release a warm, woody, sweet and balsamic scent.
Beeswax vs Soy vs Paraffin Candles: What Is the Difference?
Beeswax is made by honeybees, soy wax is made from soybean oil, and paraffin is a by-product of refining crude oil. Beeswax melts at the highest temperature of the three, so it can stand on its own as a pillar; soy wax is softer and is mostly poured into jars. According to the National Candle Association, no single wax is "best," and no wax is soot-free. How a candle burns depends as much on the wick and how you care for it as on the wax.
First Burn: How to Care for a Beeswax Candle
The first time you light a beeswax candle, let it burn for about one hour for every inch of its diameter, so the top melts evenly almost to the edge. Trim the wick to 1/4 inch before every lighting, keep the candle out of drafts, and never burn it for more than four hours at a time. That first long burn sets how the candle will burn for the rest of its life.
How to Use Palo Santo: Light, Rest and Relight
Last updated: 2026-09-24 · Mamuxa atelier, Anatolia
How to Burn Incense: Sticks, Cones and Resin on Charcoal
Last updated: 2026-09-24 · Mamuxa atelier, Anatolia
A Simple Smoke Cleansing Ritual for Your Home
A twenty-minute smoke cleansing ritual with Anatolian sage or palo santo: what you need, how to move room by room, and how to put it out safely.
Sandalwood vs Palo Santo: Scent, Tradition and How to Choose
Palo santo or sandalwood? How the two woods differ in scent, tradition and character, and how to pick the right one for your space and your moment.
