Seamus Hammond
Incense sticks have been used for thousands of years, from ancient Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilisations to modern times, where they are commonly used for their scent or for spiritual practices. Making your own incense sticks with essential oils is a great way to naturally add scent to your incense and target your spiritual practices. You can use just one essential oil or a blend of different essential oils to create your desired aroma. Common essential oils used for incense sticks include patchouli oil, geranium oil, cinnamon oil, sandalwood, pine, cedar, juniper, sage, thyme, lavender, and many more. The process of making incense sticks involves purchasing unscented incense sticks, choosing your essential oil, mixing the oil with other ingredients such as dipropylene glycol, coating the incense sticks with the mixture, and letting them dry before burning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To make incense sticks with essential oils |
| Ingredients | Bamboo sticks, Makko powder, essential oils, fragrance oils, dipropylene glycol, pulverized charcoal, distilled water, mixing bowl, spoon, rolling board, pin, parchment paper, gloves |
| Equipment | Rectangular box or dish, rectangular box, cooling rack or drying rack, mug or cup, aluminium foil, graduated cylinder, airtight containers or zip-lock bags |
| Recipe | Mix dry ingredients, add essential oils, add water to form a dough, roll into sticks, let dry for up to 5 days or 12-15 hours, store in a dark place |
| Safety | Wear gloves when handling essential oils, keep away from children and pets, do not leave burning incense unattended, burn in a well-ventilated area, use a proper incense holder |
| Scents | Wood: sandalwood, pine, cedar, juniper, pinion pine; Herbal: sage, thyme, lemongrass, rosemary, star anise; Floral: lavender, iris, rose, saffron, hibiscus; Others: orange flower, cinnamon, calamus root, frankincense, vanilla, myrrh |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing essential oils
Choosing the right essential oils is a crucial step in making incense sticks. Not only do they add a unique scent, but they can also offer various benefits to your spiritual practices and overall wellness. Here are some factors to consider when selecting essential oils for your incense sticks:
Type of Essential Oils
You can choose from a wide range of essential oils available, including wood scents, herbal scents, floral scents, and other unique fragrances. Wood scents like sandalwood, pine, cedar, juniper, and pinion pine offer a warm and earthy aroma. Herbal scents such as sage, thyme, lemongrass, rosemary, and star anise provide a refreshing and invigorating experience. Floral scents, including lavender, iris, rose, saffron, and hibiscus, are ideal for creating a romantic and soothing atmosphere. Other distinctive scents like orange flower, cinnamon, calamus root, frankincense, vanilla, and myrrh can also be used.
Individual Preferences and Benefits
Selecting essential oils that align with your personal preferences is essential. Consider the scent you find most appealing and the effects you wish to achieve. For example, patchouli oil is known for its influence on hormone levels, promoting the release of serotonin and dopamine, which can enhance your mood. Floral geranium oil, a good alternative to popular choices like lavender, offers similar delicate scents and is effective against anxiety and stress. Cinnamon essential oil, with its spicy and sweet notes, is perfect for warming your body and calming your mind.
Blending and Experimentation
Feel free to experiment with blending different essential oils to create unique fragrances. You can start with popular blends like Meditation and Chakra or create your own combinations using blending guides. Blending allows you to target specific spiritual practices and take advantage of the individual benefits of each essential oil.
Quality and Purity
When choosing essential oils, opt for high-quality, pure essential oils from reputable sources. This ensures that the oils are free from additives or impurities that may affect the scent or burn quality of your incense sticks.
Safety Considerations
Always prioritize your safety when working with essential oils. Some oils can irritate the skin, so it is recommended to wear gloves when handling undiluted essential oils. Additionally, some essential oils may not be suitable for certain individuals, such as those with skin sensitivities or respiratory issues. It is important to research the properties of the oils and perform a patch test if necessary.
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Mixing essential oils with other ingredients
When making incense sticks with essential oils, you can use just one type of essential oil or a blend of different essential oils. Common essential oils used for incense sticks include wood scents like sandalwood, pine, cedar, juniper, and pinion pine; herbal scents like sage, thyme, lemongrass, rosemary, and star anise; floral scents like lavender, iris, rose, saffron, and hibiscus; and other scents like orange flower, cinnamon, calamus root, frankincense, vanilla, and myrrh.
If you are using a blend of essential oils, be sure to mix them before applying them to the incense stick to ensure they are evenly distributed. You can also add other ingredients to your essential oil blend, such as dipropylene glycol (DPG), which helps reduce black smoke, makes the incense burn slower, and prevents the incense from giving off black smoke. The ratio of essential oil to DPG can vary depending on your preference, with some common ratios being 1:1, 1:2, or 1:3.
Another ingredient you can add to your essential oil blend is alcohol, which can help with scent perfection. Denatured alcohol is inexpensive and easy to find, but any other type of unscented alcohol above 40% can also be used. Simply measure out 1/3 essential oils to 2/3 alcohol, pour the mixture into a deep pan or dish, and soak your blank incense cones in the liquid for 24 hours.
When working with essential oils, it is important to take safety precautions. Always use essential oils in well-ventilated areas and wear gloves to protect your skin. Additionally, be sure to store your incense sticks out of the reach of children and pets.
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Preparing unscented incense sticks
Once you have your unscented incense sticks, you can decide how many you want to prepare in one go. If you are making one stick at a time, 20 drops of essential oil will be enough. For a small batch of five incense sticks, use 100 total drops of essential oil (around 4 ml). If you are preparing multiple incense sticks at once, it is helpful to measure out the essential oil in a graduated cylinder.
You will also need a rectangular box or dish that is long enough to fit your unscented sticks. This container will be used to soak your sticks in the essential oil mixture. Place your chosen essential oil or a blend of oils in this box or dish. If you are using five sticks, add 20 ml (4 tsp) of dipropylene glycol and 10 ml (2 tsp) of essential oil. Stir the mixture well.
Next, place your incense sticks in the box or dish, turning and gently pressing them into the oil until all of the oil is absorbed. You can also place your incense sticks in a larger container if you are making a big batch. Make sure that all sides of the stick soak up the essential oil. If the sticks don't fit, transfer the oil to a sheet of aluminium foil that is partially folded into a 'V' shape to ensure none of it leaks out.
After coating the sticks in oil, you can coat them with dipropylene glycol (DPG) to prevent them from giving off black smoke when burned. Dip each stick into a container of DPG and let them air-dry.
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Coating the incense sticks with essential oils
To make incense sticks with essential oils, you will need to start by purchasing a set of unscented incense sticks and your chosen essential oil or oils. Common essential oils for incense include lavender, cinnamon, orange flower, and pine. If you want a strong scent, opt for a single oil. For a fragrant blend, mix and match a few different scents.
Next, prepare your essential oil mixture. For five incense sticks, use 100 drops of essential oil (around 4ml). If you are making a single stick, 20 drops will be enough. Place your oil in a shallow dish and add up to five sticks. Gently turn and press the sticks in the oil until all of it is absorbed.
After coating your sticks, place them in a mug or cup, with the incense end up, and leave them to dry for 10 to 15 hours before burning. For an even stronger scent, you can also let your sticks soak for a full day before burning them.
For a milder scent, dilute your essential oil with dipropylene glycol (DPG) at a 1:1 ratio before coating your incense sticks. DPG is an optional ingredient that helps to prevent your incense from giving off black smoke and makes it burn slower. After coating your sticks in oil, dip them in DPG and let them air-dry.
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Drying and storing the incense sticks
After preparing the incense mixture, the next step is to dry and store the incense sticks. This is a crucial step in the process of making incense sticks, as it ensures that the sticks are ready for use and maintain their fragrance. Here is a detailed guide on how to properly dry and store your incense sticks:
Drying the Incense Sticks:
Firstly, place the incense sticks in a mug or cup, with the incense end facing upwards. This allows the excess liquid to drip down and ensures that the sticks dry evenly. Leave the sticks to dry for at least 10 to 12 hours. Some sources recommend leaving them overnight, which is usually sufficient for the sticks to dry. During this time, the sticks will emit a pleasant aroma, filling the room with a delightful scent.
If you are using dipropylene glycol (DPG), an optional ingredient that helps prevent black smoke, you will need to perform an additional drying step. After the initial drying period, dip each incense stick into a container filled with DPG. Then, place the sticks back into the mug or cup and let them air-dry for a few more hours.
Storing the Incense Sticks:
Once the incense sticks are completely dry, it is important to store them properly to preserve their scent and quality. Always store the incense sticks in a dark place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. The storage container should be airtight, such as a zip-lock bag or airtight jar. This helps to maintain the fragrance of the incense sticks for a longer period. Properly stored incense sticks can retain their scent for several months.
Additionally, it is crucial to keep the incense sticks out of the reach of children and pets. Store them in a safe location to prevent any accidental ingestion or mishandling.
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Frequently asked questions
Start by purchasing a set of unscented incense sticks and your chosen essential oil or oils. You can use just one essential oil or a blend of different essential oils. Next, mix 20 drops of oil per incense stick in a shallow dish and place up to 5 sticks in the dish. Then, gently press the sticks in the oil until all of the oil is absorbed into the sticks. Place the sticks incense-end up in a mug or cup and let them dry for 12 to 24 hours before burning.
Depending on the length of the unscented stick you’ve bought, your sticks could burn for up to 2 hours.
You can use any essential oil or blend of oils that you like. Common scents for incense include wood scents like sandalwood, pine, cedar, juniper, and pinion pine; herbal scents like sage, thyme, lemongrass, rosemary, and star anise; floral scents like lavender, iris, rose, saffron, and hibiscus; and other scents like orange flower, cinnamon, calamus root, frankincense, vanilla, and myrrh.
Essential oils are a great way to naturally add scent to your incense sticks. They can also offer unique spiritual and wellness benefits. For example, patchouli oil is known for having a powerful effect on hormone levels, encouraging a greater release of serotonin and dopamine, while geranium oil is highly effective against symptoms of anxiety or stress.
