10 Incense Sticks Duration 30–40 Min Per Stick White Sage Herbal Scent Hand-Rolled White Sage is dry, green, and slightly bitter in the best way — herbaceous rather than sweet, with none of the resinous heaviness of bakhoor. Sage has long been burned to clear and reset a space, and the scent lives up to that reputation: it makes a room smell aired-out rather than fragranced. Our pick for after cooking, after a long day, or when a room has been shut up for a while. Fragrance Character Dry herbal sage — green, clean, and slightly bitter. Not sweet. How to Use Light the tip of the stick and let it catch. Blow out the flame so the stick glows and smoulders. Place it in an incense burner or holder on a heat-safe surface. Start with one stick and add a second only if you want a stronger presence.