Antonio Mcgowan
Incense has been used for centuries in spiritual practices, aromatherapy, and to address bad odours. Incense cones can be made at home with natural ingredients such as herbs, wood, and essential oils, and tools that are readily available at home. The process involves mixing and grinding the ingredients into a dough, shaping the dough into cones, and drying the cones before they can be burned.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Dried aromatic herbs (e.g. basil, dill, lavender, cinnamon, peppermint, rosemary, sage, frankincense, myrrh, sandalwood), liquid scents (e.g. essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, extracts), water, binder (e.g. gum, honey, marshmallow root), base (e.g. pine, clove, sandalwood) |
| Tools | Mortar and pestle or coffee grinder, mixing bowl, piping cone tip, airtight container, clay dish or fire-safe surface |
| Process | Mix and grind herbs into a powder, add water and other liquid ingredients, form into a cone shape, dry for 1-2 days or up to 7 days, burn the tapered end until it holds a flame and place on a fire-safe surface |
| Precautions | Do not overuse, ensure area is well-aerated, do not use around pets or children, do not leave unattended |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing herbs and aromatics
When selecting herbs, it is important to consider their potency and freshness. Over time, herbs can lose their potency, which will impact the aroma of your incense cones. Therefore, it is advisable to use fresh herbs that are still potent to ensure the best fragrance. Additionally, consider any allergies or sensitivities to certain herbs and always consult a healthcare provider before using any type of incense.
You can experiment with different combinations of herbs to create unique fragrances. For example, you can mix and match herbs such as anise seed, bay leaves, calendula flowers, cedar leaves, cloves, fennel seeds, fir needles, and ginger root to create a complex and appealing scent. The options are endless, and you can even include aromatic plants that have special meanings or significance to you.
In addition to dried and powdered aromatics, you can also incorporate liquid scents such as essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts. These liquid scents can enhance the fragrance of your incense cones and provide additional customisation options. However, it is important to note that essential oils do not contain water, so you will still need to add a water-based liquid to your blend.
Lastly, when choosing your herbs and aromatics, consider the base material for your incense cones. Sandalwood, cedar, and pine are commonly used as base materials and can add a strong scent to your blend. Alternatively, you can choose a base with a very subtle scent or no scent at all, allowing the fragrance of your chosen herbs and aromatics to shine through.
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Selecting a base
There are two main types of bases: wood bases and gum bases. Wood binders, such as joss powder (also known as jiggit) and tabu no ki (sometimes incorrectly called makko), are easy to work with and act as both a base and a binder. They are forgiving, making them a good choice for beginners, but they may require a larger quantity in your recipe—up to 75% wood binder. Wood binders also add their own scent to the incense, so you'll need to plan for this in your blend. Sandalwood, cedar, and pine are all excellent bases that can add a very strong scent to your incense blend.
Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are much stronger than wood binders, so you'll only need a small amount—about 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material. Gum binders add no scent of their own, so you don't have to worry about their impact on the final fragrance. However, adding too much gum binder can cause it to bind too strongly, preventing your incense from burning.
When selecting a base, consider the scent and strength of the binder, as well as the amount you'll need to use. For a stronger base with its own scent, choose a wood binder like joss powder or tabu no ki. If you prefer a more neutral base that won't interfere with your fragrance, go for a gum binder like guar gum or xanthan gum, but be careful not to use too much.
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Adding binders
Binders are essential to making incense cones as they hold the cone together. Common binders include guar gum, xanthan gum, makko, marshmallow root, and honey. Wood binders such as joss powder (also called jiggit) and tabu no ki (often mislabelled as makko) are also popular and act as base materials. Gum binders are stronger than wood binders, with a typical incense recipe using just 1/8 teaspoon of gum binder for every 2 tablespoons of other material. However, adding too much gum binder can prevent the incense from burning. Wood binders, on the other hand, are usually more forgiving and are a good choice for beginners, although they are less strong and often require a higher quantity.
When using a binder, water must be added to the mixture to "activate" it. While plain water can be used, any liquid that is mostly water will work, including tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, and other liquids. However, it is important to note that essential oils do not contain water, so they cannot be used as a substitute for water. Once the binder and water have been added, the mixture will eventually form a dough. The dough should be fairly dry, just wet enough to hold together without being runny.
After the dough has been formed, it can be shaped into cones. This can be done by hand or with a mould. If using a mould, an old piping cone tip for frosting is ideal, with smaller tips being better. The cones should be placed on a flat surface and allowed to dry for about 5 to 7 days. The best way to dry the cones is to place them in a sunny spot, such as on the dashboard of a car. After drying for 1-2 days, the cones should be moved to an airtight container, especially if the recipe includes honey, as it is a humectant and will attract water, preventing the cone from burning properly.
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Shaping the cones
To shape the cones by hand, you can use a ring as a base and build the cone upwards from there. This method will result in smaller cones, and it may be challenging to create a hole in the base. Another technique is to use a small piping cone. Place the incense mix inside the piping cone and push it down to compact it. You can also simply roll the incense dough into cones by hand.
If you prefer to use a mould, there are cone-shaped moulds available, but some makers argue that this method is unnecessary and may be more difficult than hand-shaping. When using a mould, the wet incense dough must be packed into the mould and then carefully removed.
The size of the cones is also a consideration. Taller, skinnier cones tend to burn better than larger ones, which can be difficult to extinguish once lit. However, larger cones are still acceptable, and you can always experiment with different sizes to see which work best for you.
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Drying and storing
It is important to ensure that your incense cones are completely dry before storing or burning them. If they are not fully dry, they may not burn well. Test one of the cones before storing to ensure they are ready.
When it comes to storing your incense cones, it is crucial to use an airtight container. This is especially important if your incense cones contain ingredients such as honey, as it can act as a humectant and attract moisture, impacting the burning quality of the cones.
Your incense cones will have a similar shelf life to dried herbs stored in a cabinet, lasting about a year or even longer if stored properly in an airtight container. However, if they are not stored in an airtight container, you may need to use them more quickly.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need dried aromatic herbs, a base, a binder, and a liquid. Popular herbs include basil, dill, lavender, rosemary, and sage. Common bases include sandalwood, cedar, and pine. Binders can be gum-based, like guar gum or xanthan gum, or made from wood, like makko or joss powder. Finally, the liquid can be water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juice, or wine.
You will need a mixing bowl, a pestle and mortar or coffee grinder, and a piping cone tip for frosting.
First, grind your herbs into a powder. Then, add your base, binder, and liquid. Mix until you have a dough-like texture. Form the dough into cones and leave them to dry for 1-2 days or up to 7 days. Store your incense cones in an airtight container.
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