Katrina Rosales
Incense sticks are used across many cultures and settings, from religious ceremonies to aromatherapy. They are easy to make at home and can be customised with your favourite fragrances. The process of making incense sticks is calming and creative, and you can use natural ingredients like wood, herbs, flowers, resins and essential oils to create your own unique blend. You can also choose to use fragrance oils, but it's important to ensure that any oils you use are safe for burning. The Chinese style of incense sticks is believed to have originated from ancient Chinese recipes of blended powders and balls, and it is thought that this style of incense-making was already widespread in China by the 16th century.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | The art of making natural incense sticks originated in China and spread to Japan. Records date back more than 500 years. |
| Ingredients | Wood, herbs, flowers, resin, essential oils, and fragrance oils. |
| Tools | A glass or ceramic bowl, dropper or pipette, resealable plastic bag or airtight jar, paper towel or drying rack, gloves, and dipropylene glycol (DPG). |
| Process | Soak unscented incense sticks in essential or fragrance oils, coat with DPG to prevent black smoke, hand-roll using powdered ingredients and water, and let dry for up to 5 days. |
| Customization | Custom scents can be created by mixing and matching different essential or fragrance oils. |
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What You'll Learn
History of incense sticks
The history of incense sticks, or joss sticks, dates back thousands of years. The practice of burning incense is believed to have originated in Egypt during the time of the Old Kingdom, with incense-bearing trees imported from the Arabian and Somali coasts. It was used by priests for fumigating tombs and in religious rituals to ward off evil spirits, purify the surroundings, and manifest the presence of the gods.
Incense was also prominent in ancient civilisations such as Mesopotamia, Greece, and Babylon, where it was burned during prayer or divination. The oldest textual source on incense is the Vedas, specifically the Atharvaveda and the Rigveda, where incense-burning was used for its pleasing aromas and medicinal properties. The practice was assimilated into the religious and spiritual traditions of the time, becoming integral to Hinduism and Buddhism.
Around 2000 BCE, Ancient China began using incense in a religious context for worship, and it became more widespread during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. Around 200 CE, a group of wandering Buddhist monks introduced incense stick-making to China. The use of incense was further established in Japan by the 6th century, with Samurai warriors perfuming their helmets as a gesture to potential decapitators.
In India, the art of incense-making was traditionally reserved for priests and Ayurvedic doctors, who used incense for worship and medicinal purposes. The Maharaja, King of Mysore, is credited with creating the idea of rolling incense paste onto bamboo sticks in the early 1900s, making incense more accessible and suitable for home use. Today, India has about 5,000 incense companies, with approximately 200,000 women hand-rolling raw incense sticks, contributing significantly to the local economy.
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Choosing ingredients
The ingredients you choose for your incense sticks will depend on the type of incense you want to make. Traditional Chinese incense uses powders made from various woods, resins, herbs, or flowers, while modern Chinese incense makers may experiment with essential oils. If you're a beginner, it's recommended to start with simple ingredients like sandalwood and perhaps 2-3 other types of powders, using resins such as frankincense or myrrh sparingly.
If you're making Japanese-style incense, you can refer to David Oller's instructions, which can be found on the Japanese-Incense.com site.
When using powders, ensure they are fine enough—they should be able to pass through an 80 mesh screen sieve (0.18mm/0.007”) at a minimum and ideally through a 100 mesh screen sieve (0.15mm/0.0). Powders that are too coarse can affect the flammability and scent of the final product and can also result in more brittle sticks.
If you're using essential oils or fragrance oils, choose high-quality, IFRA-compliant oils that are safe for burning. Avoid body-safe or diffuser-only oils that may burn poorly or produce smoke. You can also use fragrance oils meant for diffusers. One popular method is to coat unscented incense sticks with essential oils and then with dipropylene glycol (DPG) to prevent the incense from giving off black smoke.
Feel free to mix and match different scents to create a fragrant blend, or you can follow a pre-made incense recipe. For example, a blend advertised for "good mojo" consists of 4 parts palo santo, ½ part tonka beans, ½ part nutmeg, and ½ part star anise. Alternatively, if you're looking for "clarity," try 2 parts aloeswood, 2 parts sandalwood, ½ part rose petals, ½ part calamus, and ¼ part spikenard.
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Preparing the incense blend
To prepare the incense blend, you can use natural ingredients like wood, herbs, flowers, and resin. Traditional Chinese incense uses powders, such as sandalwood, frankincense, or myrrh, without any essential oils. However, modern incense makers often experiment with essential oils, so you can substitute some powders for oils if desired. When using powders, ensure they are fine enough to pass through an 80-mesh screen sieve to prevent clumping, which can affect flammability and the brittleness of the final product.
If you're using essential oils or fragrance oils, choose your favourite scents and mix them according to your preference. You can use a single oil for a strong scent or blend multiple oils for a unique fragrance. It is important to use high-quality, burn-safe oils to ensure the incense burns properly and does not produce smoke or unpleasant odours. Avoid body-safe or diffuser-only oils, as they may not be suitable for combustion.
When preparing the blend, always wear gloves to protect your skin from irritation. If you're making a large batch, use a graduated cylinder to measure out the oils accurately. Mix and match different scents to create a fragrant blend, but be sure to follow a pre-made recipe if you're unsure about the combinations.
Additionally, you can soak unscented incense sticks or cones in your chosen fragrance oil to create scented incense. Layering scents is a great way to customise your blend. Simply coat the sticks with oil, ensuring they are fully saturated. Then, let them dry for at least 24 hours, and up to 48 hours for a stronger scent. The longer the sticks soak, the better the saturation and fragrance of the final product.
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Shaping the incense sticks
Firstly, decide on the type of incense stick you want to make. The two main types of incense sticks are those with a bamboo centre (or core) and those without. The presence of bamboo provides structural support and can influence the burning characteristics of the incense stick.
If you opt for the bamboo-core variety, source thin bamboo sticks that are roughly equal in length to your desired incense stick length. These bamboo sticks will serve as the foundation onto which you will mould the incense mixture.
Prepare your incense mixture by blending natural ingredients such as wood, herbs, flowers, resins, and essential oils. For a more traditional approach, use incense powders derived from these natural sources. Ensure that the powders are finely ground and can pass through a fine mesh screen sieve to prevent clumping, which can affect the final product's flammability and scent.
Once you have your incense mixture ready, it's time to shape the sticks. One method is to create a dough-like consistency by adding a small amount of water to the incense mixture. Knead the ingredients until they form a pliable mass. Then, take small portions of the dough and roll them gently between your palms to form sticks. Aim for uniformity in thickness and length, but keep in mind that slight variations in shape and size add to the charm of handmade incense.
If you are using the bamboo-core sticks, you can shape the incense mixture directly around the bamboo sticks. Gently press and mould the incense dough onto the bamboo, ensuring even coverage. Smooth out any lumps or bumps with damp fingers to create a uniform surface.
Finally, allow your shaped incense sticks to dry thoroughly before use. Place them on a drying rack or tray lined with paper towels and leave them undisturbed for several days in a cool, dry area away from direct sunlight. The drying process can take up to 5 days, depending on the moisture content of your incense mixture.
Remember, the shaping process is a creative and meditative part of the incense-making experience. Enjoy the process, and don't be afraid to experiment with different techniques and ingredients to find what works best for you.
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Drying and storing the incense sticks
Drying and storing your incense sticks properly is essential to preserving their fragrance and preventing degradation. Here are some detailed tips to help you through the process:
Drying Incense Sticks:
The drying process for incense sticks is crucial, as drying too quickly can lead to cracking and bending, while a slower drying time enhances the scent. To speed up the drying process, you can try making coreless sticks with a thinner diameter, as these will dry faster and more easily. Place the sticks on a wooden frame with a metal mesh screen, allowing air to circulate around them. Using distilled water can also help. If you live in a humid climate, consider using a fan to improve air circulation and reduce drying time.
Storing Incense Sticks:
The key to storing incense sticks is to maintain their fragrance and prevent degradation. Firstly, select an appropriate container. Glass, ceramic, or metal airtight containers are ideal, as plastic containers can affect the fragrance. Color-tinted glass can protect from light damage and impart a colorful energy to your storage. Japanese paulownia boxes are also a great choice. Avoid boxes made from strongly scented woods, as they can interfere with the incense's aroma.
Additionally, keep different types of incense sticks separated to prevent their fragrances from mingling and compromising their unique scents. The shelf life of your incense sticks depends on their quality; cheaper varieties may degrade within two to three years, while premium-quality incense can retain its potency for many years when stored correctly.
By following these tips, you can effectively dry and store your incense sticks, ensuring their longevity and pleasant aroma.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense sticks are made from natural ingredients like wood, herbs, flowers, resins, and essential oils.
Making your own incense sticks allows you to customise your scent, use what you already have, avoid synthetic fillers, and save money.
You will need unscented incense sticks or cones, fragrance oils, a glass or ceramic bowl, a dropper or pipette, a resealable plastic bag or airtight jar, paper towels, and a drying rack or tray.
First, choose your desired essential oil or blend of oils. Then, coat your unscented incense sticks with the oil and allow them to dry for at least 24 hours. Finally, dip your sticks in dipropylene glycol (DPG) to prevent them from giving off black smoke when burned, and let them air-dry.
Incense sticks should be allowed to dry for at least 24 hours, up to 48 hours for a stronger scent.
