The Complete Incense Book [Paperback]

Susanne Fischer-Rizzi (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 1998

Discover the healing properties of incense. Unlock the secrets of this ancient form of "aromatherapy" and experience its many benefits. Discover which is the right incense to achieve your goal, whether it's cleansing the atmosphere, fostering relaxation, energizing your system, relieving insomnia, or improving your sex life. Comes with specific herbal formulas, and instructions for preparing the incense-burning vessel, ceremonies, and games. 224 pages (all in color), 8 1/4 x 11.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Incense burning has been part of rituals and ceremonies for thousands of years. Though its use in the Far East has never waned, the practice was largely overlooked in the West until recently. Now that its healing properties have been rediscovered, many people utilize these aromatic substances to cleanse the atmosphere, to reduce stress, to renew energy, even to help insomnia or to stimulate creativity. The Complete Incense Book draws upon traditions throughout world history, blending historical survey with a rundown of incense plants, recipes, and instructions for preparing vessels. Though there's a fair amount of text to wade through, the rewards are many as narratives evoke the spirits of the Druids, the gardens of Babylon, the Oracles of ancient Greece, the mysticism of Arabia, and many other incense-loving cultures. And the recipes have alluring names like "Morning of Happiness," "Breath of the Soul," "Game of the Elves," and "Kingdom of Angels." --Amy Handy

Language Notes

Text: English (translation)
Original Language: German

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Sterling (June 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 080699987X
• ISBN-13: 978-0806999876
• Product Dimensions: 10.9 x 8.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.8 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #826,230 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference material for Incense, herbs & resins, April 2, 2001

By 

Adam Pratter (San Diego, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Incense Book (Paperback)

A very impressive reference book on Herbs, Incense and Resins. The chapters cover historical use of incense through herbs and resins in Northern Europe, Mesopotamia, Egypt, Crete, Greece, Arabia, Israel, The Americas, India & Japan. It covers an extensive amount of material including how plants & resins were used and burned for ritual & daily purposes, describes each plant discussed in the chapter with illustrations and modern references and lists incense recipes from those specific cultures. Wonderful Illustrations of each plant and resin are included!!! This book is a must for any student or scholar passionate about natural incense using herbs and resins. I personally use this book extensively for research and it always yields new and amazing material. I also have followed a couple of the incense recipes and have come up wonderful results.

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Written, September 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Complete Incense Book (Paperback)

Well written and obviously well researched, this work gives wonderful history, ritual and descriptions. I wish Ms. Fischer-Rizzi had given more detail on the actual creation of incense as well as the use of essential oils in this art. I thoroughly enjoyed this book nonetheless and would recommend it to anyone looking to create their own incense. To truly immerse yourself in any artform, you have to know and understand its significance. Ms. Fischer-Rizzi gives you this knowledge.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Very Enjoyable Read..., December 2, 2004

By 

M (CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Incense Book (Paperback)

A wonderful book that takes you on a journey around the world to explore the rich history of incense in various cultures.

There's of course no such thing as a "Complete Book" on anything so its title is not accurate, but I forgive that and a few other errors because of the depth of cultures and incense ingredients that it does cover along with the many fun recipes to try in each chapter.

Learn how how begin enjoying nature's aromatic gifts for your own pleasure, health, spiritual practice...

My trade has been in natural botanicals for the last few years and this is still my favorite broad-based book on incense. If you enjoy incense, I humbly recommend this journey.