Calamus Root, (Acorus calamus) is also known as Calmus, Sedge, and Sweet Myrtle. It is a wonderfully spicy, aromatic, and very cinnamon-like fragrance that has been enjoyed since at least The Epic of Gilgamesh where it is mentioned as an incense ingredient. It is also referenced in the Bible as one of the ingredients of the anointing oil in Exodus 30:23. The Egyptians used it for the Kyphi recipes as well.

It is a deciduous tree that can grow up to 90 feet tall or more. This tree yields smallish, ribbed and nut-like fruits which are picked when still green and then pickled, boiled with a little added sugar in their own syrup or used in preserves or concoctions. The seed of the fruit, which has an elliptical shape, is an abrasive seed enveloped by a fleshy and firm pulp. It is regarded as a universal panacea in the Ayur-Vedic Medicine and in the Traditional Tibetan medicine. It is reputed to cure blindness and it is believed to inhibit the growth of malignant tumours.

If you have read very many of these little reviews then it should be apparent that I love patchouli. I like the warm, earthy, sometimes oily and woody scent that a good patchouli has. So after having burned approximately half the output of the worlds patchouli incense in a quest to find just the right one, I consider myself to be very familiar with all of its myriad variations in scent.

Vijayshree Fragrance, the makers of Golden Nag Champa deliver an excellent nag champa. It is everything that a nag champa should be. Including the slightly damp feel of the sticks when first opened. There is a reason that this nag champa consistently ranks right up there with Goloka, Satya and Shanthimalai.

Among all of the myriad nag champa offerings in the world it seems like Tulasi doesn’t get much respect. While Satya Sai Baba Nag Champa, Golden Nag Champa, Goloka Nag Champa and Shanthimalai Nag Champa battle it out for the top spots, Tulasi barely gets a mention in comparison. Which is sort of sad because it is definitely worth not only a mention, but it is worth trying as well.

Frankincense has been adored and traded for more than 5,000 years. It was found in the tomb of King Tutankhamen and we all know that the Magi thought it a gift worthy of a king. It is an enormously popular incense fragrance and virtually every incense manufacturer has their own version of it. It is so popular because honestly, it smells wonderful.

Once lit it attains that sharp, spicy note I would associate with red cedar, although not as strong, and yet it maintains the character described above. The difference is amazing and very, very good. I could very easily use this as an air freshener on a day to day basis. The scent is that pleasant without being the slightest bit overpowering.

Which brings me to Morning Star by Nippon-Kodo and their sandalwood. Right out of the box the scent is just about perfect. Spicy, wooody and with the faintest hint of earthiness to make the scent full bodied and warm. I was enjoying the scent of the stick so much that I hesitated to put it in the included ceramic burner and light it.