Incense

incense is the burning of fragrant biotic materials, often including essential oils, which release an aromatic smoke when burned. The term incense actually is derived from the Latin term Incendere which means to burn and it refers to the substance being burned, not the fragrance itself. The use of incense probably originated in Ancient Egypt where the resins from aromatic trees and plants were burned for religious ceremonies. Incense is also used in aromatherapy, meditation, rituals for purification, for creating mood, and to mask bad smells.