Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used for centuries for various purposes, from spiritual practices to healing and cleansing. The practice of burning incense is a tradition that can be found all over the world. If you're looking to make your own incense cones at home, you'll need dried aromatic herbs, a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder, a base to help the cone burn, a binder to hold the cone together, and a piping cone tip. Popular herbs include basil, dill, lavender, peppermint, rosemary, and sage. Bases can include pine, sandalwood, or clove, while binders can be guar gum, xanthan gum, or honey. Once you've gathered your ingredients, mix and grind them in a bowl, adding water to activate the binder. Then, shape the mixture into cones using the piping tip and a toothpick to create a hole in the center for better burning. Finally, allow the cones to dry completely before storing them in an airtight container.
How to Make Your Own Incense Cones
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Fragrant materials like cinnamon, frankincense, sandalwood, and other herbs such as basil, dill, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, and sage |
| Tools | A mixing bowl, a mortar and pestle, a piping tip, a toothpick |
| Process | Mix and grind the herbs in a bowl, add liquid ingredients like water, honey, essential oils, or decoctions, shape the mixture into cones using a piping tip, insert a toothpick in the center of the cone, and let it dry for 1-2 days |
| Storage | Store the cones in an airtight container to prevent moisture from affecting their burning capacity |
| Safety | Keep the incense away from pets and children, burn it on a non-flammable surface, and never leave it unattended |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing herbs and aromatics
Popular Choices for Aromatics:
Some commonly used herbs and aromatics for incense include basil, dill, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, and sage. These herbs are known for their potent aroma and are easily accessible.
Aromatic Properties:
When selecting herbs and aromatics, consider their aromatic properties. Some plants are naturally more fragrant when burned and may offer a better overall experience. For example, lavender, rosemary, and sage are known for their strong, pleasant aromas.
Personal Preferences:
Choose aromatics that resonate with you. You may be drawn to specific plants that carry special meanings or simply select based on their scent. Trust your instincts and experiment with different combinations to create unique fragrances that appeal to you.
Health Considerations:
Be mindful of any allergies or sensitivities to certain herbs and ingredients. Consult a doctor before using any new herbs, especially if you have asthma or other lung disorders. Some herbs may pose potential health risks, so always choose materials known to be healthier to avoid any issues.
Enhancing Aromatics:
To enhance the fragrance of your incense cones, consider using essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, or other extracts. These liquid scents can be added to your herb mixture to create a more potent and complex aroma.
Base and Binder:
Choose a base and binder that complement your selected aromatics. For example, using sandalwood as a base can enhance the fragrance of aromatics like frankincense or patchouli. Gum binders such as guar gum or xanthan gum are strong and neutral in scent, allowing the aromatics to shine through.
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Adding binders and liquids
When making your own incense cones, you will need to add binders and liquids to your dry ingredients. Binders are necessary to hold your incense together, and liquids are required to activate the binders.
Binders
You can use either wood binders or gum binders. Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are more potent than wood binders, so you will need less of them. A typical incense recipe will use just 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material. Be careful not to add too much gum binder to your recipe, as this can cause it to bind too strongly and prevent it from burning. Binders do not add any scent to your incense, so you don't need to worry about them impacting the fragrance.
Liquids
You must add a water-based liquid to your blend to activate the binder. While you can use plain water, any liquid that is mostly water will work, such as tea, coffee, milk, or fruit juices. Herbal teas and wine are commonly used. You can also add some oils to supplement the water, but you cannot use oils in place of water.
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Shaping the cones
Shaping your incense cones is a straightforward process. You can shape your incense cones by hand, but the easiest way to shape them is to use a piping tip, the same type used for frosting. Choose a piping tip with a wide nozzle, as this will make it easier to use. Press your incense mixture into the piping tip, and tap it on the table several times to loosen it. Then, slide a toothpick into the centre of the cone to create a hole, which will help the cone burn better. Next, use the toothpick to slide around the edges of the piping cone to help remove the remaining material from the piping tip. Set the shaped cone aside on a firm, dry surface. Continue this process of moulding, shaping, and removing the incense from the piping tip until you have used up all of your incense mixture.
It is important to note that your homemade incense cones will not burn well until they are completely dry. Place the cones on a tray or inside an open container in a sunny spot, and leave them to dry for one to two days. If you are unsure if your cones are dry, you can test one before storing the rest in an airtight container. Keep in mind that if you have used honey in your incense mixture, it can attract moisture, so it is important to ensure your incense is thoroughly dry before storing it in an airtight container.
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Drying the cones
Place the cones on a tray or inside an open container: Choose a tray or container that is clean and dry. Make sure the surface is flat and even to prevent any spillage or misshaping of the cones during the drying process.
Find a sunny spot: Select an area in your home that receives direct sunlight. The sunlight will help speed up the drying process and provide gentle warmth to the cones. If you don't have access to a sunny spot, you can opt for an alternative drying method, such as placing the cones near a heat source like a radiator or a gentle oven.
Leave them for one to two days: Allowing sufficient drying time is essential. The cones need to be completely dry before you attempt to burn them. Depending on the humidity and temperature of your environment, the drying time may vary. It's better to leave them for a longer period than risk using cones that are not entirely dry.
Test one before storing: Before you store your cones, it's a good idea to test one to ensure they are dry enough. Light the test cone and observe if it burns evenly and produces the desired aroma. If it doesn't burn properly, continue drying the cones for a longer period.
Use an airtight container for storage: Once the cones are completely dry, transfer them to an airtight container. This is especially important if you have used ingredients like honey in your mixture, as honey can attract moisture and affect the burning quality of the incense.
Store them in a safe place: Keep your incense cones away from pets and children. Choose a storage location that is cool, dry, and out of direct sunlight. This will help maintain the quality and longevity of your incense cones.
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Storing and burning the cones
Storing your self-made incense cones is an important step in the process of making them. The cones need to be completely dry before you store them. The best way to dry them is to place them on a tray or inside an open container in a sunny spot for one to two days. You can also try placing them on the dashboard of your car on a sunny day. It is important to test one before storing them to make sure they are completely dry.
Once they are dry, you can store them in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag to preserve their scent. Keep the container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. If you have used honey in your mixture, it is especially important to use an airtight container as honey can attract moisture, which will prevent your incense from burning well.
When you are ready to burn your incense cones, place the cone in a heat-proof container, such as an incense burner, ashtray, ceramic bowl, or a special heat-proof incense box or tray. The cone should be placed upright, with the tip of the cone facing up. If you are using an incense box, place the cone in the small circular slot. If you are using a different type of container, place the cone in the centre. If you have filled the container with sand or salt, position the cone evenly so it doesn't fall over.
To light the cone, use a match or lighter and burn the tip until it glows orange. You may need to be patient as it may take a few moments to ignite. Once the tip is glowing, gently blow or fan the cone to ensure the flame is out. You should then see an ember on the tip of the cone. Enjoy your incense for 20 to 40 minutes.
It is important to never leave incense unattended. Always burn incense in a well-ventilated area and on a non-flammable surface. Keep incense away from pets and children, and have water on hand. When the cone has finished burning, let the ash cool down completely before disposing of it in the trash.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need dried aromatic herbs (e.g. lavender, basil, dill, rosemary, cinnamon, or peppermint), a base (e.g. pine, sandalwood, or clove), a binder (e.g. guar gum, xanthan gum, makko, marshmallow root, or honey), and water.
You will need a mixing bowl, a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder, and a piping cone tip for shaping the cones.
Put the incense mix inside a small piping cone. Push it in so it’s nice and stuck together. Then, take a toothpick to make a hole in the centre of the cone. Tap the piping cone hard onto the table 3-4 times. It won’t come out, but it will help loosen it from the sides. Then, take the toothpick to help push the incense cone out of the piping cone. Repeat until you’ve used up all the incense mix.
The best way to dry the incense cones is to place them on a tray or inside an open container in a sunny spot and leave them for one to two days.
Incense should not be overused. It emits volatile organic compounds that can irritate your lungs. Do not use incense if you have respiratory issues, and do not use it around pets or small children. When burning incense, make sure you are doing so on a non-flammable surface, and never leave the room unattended.
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