Antonio Mcgowan
Incense is a beloved tradition worldwide, used for everything from ceremonies to healing and cleansing. Making your own incense can be a fun and rewarding experience, but it can be challenging to find the right ingredients. Makko, a popular choice, serves as both a base and binder, burning well and evenly. However, it may be difficult to source, so alternatives are often sought. While nothing compares to the all-round suitability of makko, there are substitutes available, such as Indonesian 'Joss Powder' and 'Tabu No Ki', and natural plant-based binders like gum Arabic or gum Tragacanth. Creating your own incense allows you to connect with the plants and ingredients, ensuring sustainability and good intentions in your practice.
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What You'll Learn
- Binders: gum Arabic, gum Tragacanth, guar gum, xanthan gum, or marshmallow root
- Bases: charcoal or makko
- Aromatics: any aromatic plant, such as copal, frankincense, myrrh, or sandalwood
- Liquid scents: essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, or other extracts
- Activation: water, tea, coffee, milk, juice, or wine
Binders: gum Arabic, gum Tragacanth, guar gum, xanthan gum, or marshmallow root
Binders are a form of glue that holds the incense together in the shape of your choice. There are two basic types of binders: gum binders and wood binders. Gum Arabic and Gum Tragacanth are natural gums that can be used to bind the incense mixture together. These gums are derived from botanical sources and mixed with fragrant materials and water. The mucilage from the wet binding powder holds the fragrant material together while the cellulose in the powder combusts to form a stable ember when lit.
Gum binders are much more powerful than wood binders. A typical incense recipe will use just 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material. Because of their strength, adding too much gum binder to a recipe can cause it to bind so strongly that it can't burn. Guar gum and xanthan gum are other gum binders that can be used as substitutes for Makko powder. Marshmallow root can also be used as a binder substitute, with a recommended ratio of 40% marshmallow root to the rest of the incense mixture.
When using binders, it is important to add water or another water-based liquid to "activate" the binder. While plain water can be used, other liquids such as tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, and herbal teas can also be used. It is important to note that essential oils do not contain water, so they cannot be used as a substitute for water. However, they can be added to the water in small amounts.
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Bases: charcoal or makko
Makko is a blend of ingredients that acts as a binder and a base. It is made from the bark of the Machillus Thunbergii tree, which grows in Southeast Asia. The bark is ground into a powder that has water-soluble adhesive properties, is almost odourless, and burns smoothly and evenly. It is an excellent base for incense as it does not interfere with the scent of the incense ingredients.
The binder is a form of glue that holds the incense together in the desired shape. There are two types of binders: gum binders and wood binders. Gum binders include gum Arabic or gum Tragacanth, which are derived from botanical sources and mixed with fragrant materials and water. Wood binders include joss powder (also called jiggit) and tabu no ki (sometimes mislabelled as makko). Wood binders are easier to work with and often act as a base material, but they are less strong than gum binders.
Charcoal can be used as a combustible material in incense sticks, but it does not replace makko as it has no binding properties. It may also negatively impact the scent of the incense. If using charcoal, it is recommended to use natural charcoal tablets that are not quick-lighting, such as Shoyeido or Baieido. Charcoal should be used in very small amounts, typically under 5%.
While it is possible to make incense without makko, it is a very convenient and effective base and binder. It is recommended for new incense makers, as it simplifies the process and ensures a smooth, even burn.
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Aromatics: any aromatic plant, such as copal, frankincense, myrrh, or sandalwood
Aromatic plants have been used as incense since ancient times for their spiritual, medicinal, fragrancing, and odour-masking properties. Frankincense, myrrh, copal, and sandalwood are popular choices due to their rich aromatics and mass marketing. However, there are many other aromatic plants that can be used to make incense, such as:
- Cedar and pine, which can add a strong scent to your incense blend.
- Red sandalwood, alder, and charcoal, which have very low scents and can be easier to work with for beginners.
- Lemongrass, rosemary, and lavender, which create a blend that combines the sweet smell of lemongrass with the spicy aromatics of rosemary.
- Clove, cassia (also known as Vietnamese cinnamon), and spikenard.
When creating your own incense blend, it is important to choose a base that complements the other aromatic components. Sandalwood is a common choice for a base, as it serves as a wonderful base aroma and a burning agent. Frankincense, on the other hand, is more difficult to burn and must be used in lower percentages along with burning agents such as sandalwood or makko.
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Liquid scents: essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, or other extracts
Liquid scents can be added to incense mixtures in the form of essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts. Essential oils are hydrophobic aromatics, meaning that they do not contain water or lipids. They are highly concentrated and tend to lose potency quickly when added to incense sticks. They can also produce unpleasant smoke when burned. Tinctures, which are whole extracts obtained by macerating a plant in ethanol, are more common additions to incense. They are easy to use and can be made more persistent with natural fixatives. However, the choice between essential oils and tinctures depends on the plant in question, the scent you are looking for, the concentration you need, and the application.
When using essential oils, it is important to choose oils that complement the aroma of the powders in your incense mixture. Additionally, since essential oils do not contain water, you must use a water-based liquid to "activate" the binder in your incense mixture. This can be water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, herbal teas, wine, or any other liquid that is mostly water. However, you cannot use oils in place of water.
It is worth noting that some scents may not be available as essential oils, and others may not be available as tinctures, hydrosols, or other extracts. Different extraction methods capture different scent molecules, and the perception of a smell is often the result of the interplay of multiple molecules. Therefore, it may be necessary to combine unrelated scents, plants, or extracts to approximate the desired scent.
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Activation: water, tea, coffee, milk, juice, or wine
While making incense, you need a base, binder, aromatics, and water. Makko is a popular choice as it serves a double purpose as both a base and a binder. However, if you don't have access to Makko, there are alternatives you can use for each of the four components.
When making incense, you must add water to your blend to "activate" the binder. While you need to use a water-based liquid, it doesn't have to be plain water. Any liquid that is mostly water will work to activate your binder. This means that water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, wine, and other liquids can be used to activate your binder. Keep in mind that essential oils do not contain water, so you cannot use them in place of water. However, you can supplement the amount of water you use with some oils. Herbal teas and wine are commonly used liquids to activate the binder.
Bases
A base is what the incense is built upon, and it burns well and evenly. Charcoal can be used as a base substitute.
Binders
Binders act as a glue that holds the incense together in the shape you choose. Common binders include gum binders and wood binders. Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are much more powerful than wood binders. Binder substitutes can include marshmallow root or gum Arabic.
Aromatics
Aromatics lend incense their scent. Popular choices include copal, frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood. However, you can also use aromatic plants that are commonly found or grown in your region.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, you can make incense without Makko. Makko is a popular base and binder blend used in incense making, but it is not the only option.
Makko is a blend that often includes "tabu no ki" (derived from tree bark) and other ingredients like clove and sandalwood. It serves as both a base and a binder in incense making, burning evenly and producing little to no smoke or smell.
While Makko simplifies the incense-making process, it may be difficult to source or use in certain recipes. Some incense makers prefer to use alternative binders or bases to achieve specific characteristics in their incense.
There are various alternatives to Makko, including natural plant-based binders and other base materials. Gum Arabic, Gum Tragacanth, marshmallow root, guar gum, and xanthan gum can be used as binders. Charcoal can be used as a base substitute, and "tabu no ki" or Indonesian "Joss powder" can be used as base and binder alternatives, respectively.
To make incense without Makko, you can use alternative binders and bases. First, gather your chosen dried and powdered aromatics, such as copal, frankincense, myrrh, or commonly found botanicals. Then, select your preferred binder and base alternatives. Mix the ingredients with a small amount of water or another water-based liquid to activate the binder. Form the mixture into cones or other shapes and let them dry for several days before burning.
