The Infant Fragrance

A Song-dynasty Chinese incense blend inspired by Ying Xiang, with aged woods, dry spice, and cool clarity.

$42.00

Natural Aromatic Ingredients

No Synthetic Fragrance

Coreless Incense Stick

Rooted in Traditional Chinese Incense

Size: Standard - 8.3 in (21 cm)

Standard - 8.3 in (21 cm)

Mini - 4.7 in (12 cm)

Quantity

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A Clear, Composed Incense with Dry Spice

The Infant Fragrance takes inspiration from Ying Xiang (婴香), a historical Chinese blended incense known from the Song dynasty.

Its character is clear and composed: mature woody depth meets restrained spice and a cool aromatic lift, while a softer rounded undertone keeps the fragrance from feeling austere.

Quiet rather than enveloping, it works especially well when you want fragrance to accompany concentration rather than become the center of attention.

Aroma Character
Clear · Woody · Cool · Dry-Spiced · Composed

Best For
Reading · Calligraphy · Desk Rituals · Meditation

Shipping
$6 flat-rate shipping for U.S. and international orders, with complimentary shipping on orders of $39 or more. Orders are typically prepared within 1–3 business days, and tracking is included.

Estimated U.S. delivery is 7–12 business days after dispatch. International delivery times vary by destination.

U.S. import duties and customs clearance charges are prepaid, so there are no additional import fees upon delivery. Any applicable sales tax is calculated at checkout.

Gentle Still orders are carefully packed and shipped from our fulfillment center in China.

Returns
Eligible unused and unopened items may be returned within 14 days of delivery.

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The Infant Fragrance

$42.00

Product Details

Ingredients

Sandalwood, Borneol, Clove, Benzoin Resin, Nanmu Powder

Net Weight

Standard 20 g / Mini 10 g

Quantity

Standard approx. 45 sticks per box / Mini approx. 39 sticks per box
Stick count may vary slightly as the product is sold by net weight.

Length

Standard 8.3 in (21 cm) / Mini 4.7 in (12 cm)

Burning Time

Standard approx. 45-50 min / Mini approx. 25-30 min

Best For

Reading · Calligraphy · Desk Rituals · Meditation

HISTORICAL ORIGIN

A Song Formula Preserved in Huang Tingjian’s Hand

Ying Xiang (婴香), translated by Gentle Still as The Infant Fragrance, has an unusually direct connection to Song-dynasty fragrance culture.

A formula written in the hand of the Northern Song poet and calligrapher Huang Tingjian survives today in the collection of the National Palace Museum in Taipei, where it is catalogued in English as Baby Fragrance Formula.

The manuscript records a composition centered on fine agarwood, accompanied by clove, borneol, and other historical aromatic materials. Refined honey is used to bring the ingredients together, after which the mixture is rested for a month before being formed into small pellets.

Unlike many famous incense formulas known primarily through much later compilations, this surviving manuscript provides a rare physical connection between a named fragrance and the culture of incense making in the Song dynasty.

Gentle Still takes inspiration from its restrained balance of mature wood, dry spice, and cool aromatic clarity, adapting that character into a contemporary coreless incense stick.

Our Formula

A Historical Formula, Thoughtfully Adapted

Historical Preparation

Fine Agarwood · Clove · Borneol · Musk · Prepared Jia Xiang · Refined Honey

The Song-dynasty formula written in Huang Tingjian’s hand describes the aromatic materials being ground separately, blended with a historical mineral ingredient and refined honey, then rested for one month. The finished mixture was formed into small incense pellets before burning.

A closely related preparation was later preserved in Xiang Sheng.

Gentle Still Interpretation

Sandalwood · Borneol · Clove · Benzoin Resin · Nanmu Powder

Rather than reproducing the historical formula ingredient for ingredient, Gentle Still translates its balance of mature wood, dry spice, and cool aromatic clarity into a contemporary coreless incense stick.

Sandalwood and benzoin resin create a smooth, rounded woody-resinous foundation. Clove brings restrained warmth, while borneol preserves the cool, clear lift characteristic of the historical composition. Nanmu powder provides the natural binding structure needed to form the blend into a coreless incense stick.

The historical musk, prepared Jia Xiang, refined honey, and mineral component are not carried into this contemporary interpretation.

How To Use

Burn in a well-ventilated area. Avoid inhaling smoke directly and never leave burning incense unattended.

Light

Light the tip of the incense until a small flame appears.

Extinguish

Gently blow out the flame and allow the incense to smolder.

Let It Settle

Allow the first smoke to disperse for a few moments.

Enjoy

Place the incense in a heat-resistant holder and let the fragrance diffuse naturally through the space.

Why Gentle Still

Historical Recipes Thoughtfully Adapted

Inspired by traditional Chinese incense literature and interpreted for contemporary use.

Natural Aromatic Materials

Woods, botanicals and natural binders, without synthetic fragrance.

Small-Batch Craft

Carefully blended, formed, dried and rested before packaging.

Made for Quiet Rituals

A softer way to mark time for reading, tea and moments of stillness.

Crafted Through Traditional Incense Methods

From raw aromatic materials to the finished incense stick, each batch moves through a slow, considered process.

Sourcing

Grinding

Sifting

Blending

Forming

Aging

FAQs

No. Gentle Still incense is made without synthetic fragrance and uses aromatic woods, botanicals, resins, flowers, and natural plant-based binders depending on the formula.

No. Our incense is coreless. The entire stick is formed from the aromatic blend and its natural binder, without a bamboo or charcoal core.

Both sizes use the same incense formula. Mini is shorter and designed for a briefer fragrance experience, making it a good option for smaller spaces or trying a scent for the first time. Standard offers a longer burn and a fuller incense session. Exact dimensions and burn times are listed in the Product Details for each fragrance.

Our incense is sold by net weight, so the number of sticks may vary slightly between batches due to natural differences in stick thickness and weight.

Place the incense securely in a heat-resistant holder on a stable surface. Light the tip until a small flame appears, then gently blow out the flame and allow the stick to smolder.

Burn in a well-ventilated area, avoid inhaling smoke directly, and never leave burning incense unattended.

The aroma may remain softly in the room after the incense has finished burning. How long it lasts depends on room size, ventilation, temperature, and surrounding materials.

Natural incense is intended to unfold gently and fade gradually rather than leave behind a strong, persistent room fragrance.

Store incense in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, heat, and moisture. Keeping it in its original packaging or another well-sealed container will help protect its aromatic materials.

Incense produces smoke when burned. Use it only in a well-ventilated area, keep burning incense, holders, and ash out of reach of children and pets, and never leave it unattended. If someone in your household is particularly sensitive to smoke, avoid burning incense around them.

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