Katrina Rosales
Incense has been used by almost every civilization since before the Stone Age, with the first reported healing practices, recorded in ancient Egypt, exposing patients to the smoke of incense for healing. Today, incense is still used for creating aromatic spaces, and for its association with spirituality and higher connections. Making your own incense is a great way to fragrance your home for a fraction of the price, and it can be done using natural ingredients like wood, herbs, flowers, resins, and essential oils. The process is simple and inexpensive, and can even be turned into a profitable enterprise.
How to Make Homemade Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | The use of incense dates back more than 6,000 years, with links to ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. It was initially used in balms during the mummification process. |
| Ingredients | Herbs (cedar, lavender, sage, sweetgrass), woods (sandalwood, alder, red sandalwood, charcoal), resins (frankincense, myrrh), flowers, essential oils, makko powder, gum binders, water, alcohol. |
| Tools | Coffee grinder, tweezers/tongs, mica, mixing bowls/food-grade plastic bags, spatula/strainer, drying rack, paper towels, incense burner. |
| Method | 1. Crush dried herbs into a powder. 2. Mix in makko powder and water. 3. Shape into cones or sticks. 4. Allow to dry for 24 hours. 5. Burn, ensuring precautions are taken. |
| Precautions | Keep away from children and pets. Avoid ingestion. Use in a well-ventilated area, on a heat-resistant surface, away from flammable objects. Do not leave lit incense unattended. Ensure it is completely extinguished before discarding. |
| Benefits | Inexpensive, creative, meditative, natural, aromatic, calming, spiritual. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your base and aromatics
Choosing the right base and aromatics is an important step in making homemade incense. The base you choose will depend on the aromatics you want to use and the type of incense you want to create.
For a base, you can use wood, resin, or herbs. Sandalwood is a popular choice as it has a low scent and is easy to work with, especially for beginners. Other options include alder and charcoal, which also have low scents. If you want to create incense sticks, you can use bamboo charcoal as your base.
When it comes to aromatics, you can use dried and powdered herbs, resins, or flowers. You can also add essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts to enhance the fragrance. Some popular choices for aromatics include cedar, lavender, sage, and sweetgrass, as well as frankincense, patchouli, and lemongrass.
If you want to create a calming and relaxing fragrance, lavender oil is a perfect choice. According to a 2018 study, lavender can stimulate the olfactory system and produce a calming effect on the body, helping to relax and soothe.
You can also experiment with different combinations of bases and aromatics to create unique fragrances. For example, using sandalwood as a base can complement aromatics like frankincense or patchouli. Alternatively, you can start by choosing your aromatics and then select a base that will complement or not interfere with them.
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Selecting essential oils
If you're looking to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere, lavender oil is a perfect choice. It has sweet and floral notes with fresh, herbaceous undertones. According to a 2018 study from Japan, the linalool in lavender oil can stimulate the olfactory system and produce a calming effect on the body, helping to relax the mind and reduce heart rate and blood pressure.
Other essential oils with calming properties include frankincense, patchouli, sandalwood, cedar, and sweetgrass. These oils can be used as a base for your incense, providing a subtle and complementary aroma. Sandalwood, in particular, is known for its low scent, making it an excellent choice for beginners as it contributes less to the overall fragrance.
When selecting essential oils, it's important to consider the quality. Sourcing good-quality essential oils is crucial, especially if you plan to sell your homemade incense. Look for wholesale programs that offer discounts and customer support, ensuring you get the best value and a seamless transition into incense making.
Additionally, you can experiment with mixing different scents to create unique incense blends. This allows you to customize your incense and develop your own signature fragrances. However, it's important to test your incense after mixing to ensure it burns properly and safely.
Remember to store your essential oils properly and keep them away from heat sources and open flames. Always follow safety precautions when working with essential oils, and consult a physician if you have any medical conditions or concerns.
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Preparing your ingredients
If you're going the dried herbs route, you can use home-grown or store-bought herbs like cedar, lavender, sage, and sweetgrass. Once you've gathered your herbs, you'll need to crush them into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. This step can take some time, as different plants have varying levels of hardness.
If you're making incense sticks, you'll need to measure out your essential oils and alcohol. The ratio you're aiming for is 1/3 essential oil to 2/3 alcohol. When choosing essential oils, opt for good-quality ones and consider the scent you want to create. You can use a single oil or blend different scents to make a unique fragrance.
For incense cones, mix your powdered herbs with makko powder, a binding agent that helps the incense burn slowly and evenly. The ratio for this mixture is 1:3, with one teaspoon of makko powder for every three teaspoons of powdered herbs. You can also add water to this mixture to activate the binder and form a dough-like consistency.
If you're using essential oils, pour your oil and alcohol mixture into a deep pan or dish and place your blank incense cones inside. Leave them to soak for 24 hours. Then, remove the cones and place them on a drying rack lined with paper towels to air dry for another 24 hours.
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Mixing and shaping
When it comes to mixing and shaping your incense, there are a few different methods you can use depending on the type of incense you want to make.
If you're making incense cones, you'll first need to gather dried herbs such as cedar, lavender, sage, or sweetgrass. Crush them into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. You can then mix this powder with makko powder, a natural binding agent derived from the bark of the Thunberi tree, at a 1:3 ratio. Add water to this mixture, and you'll have your incense dough ready to shape into cones.
Alternatively, you can create incense sticks by blending essential oils with alcohol. Measure out 1/3 essential oil and 2/3 alcohol, then pour this mixture into a deep pan. Place blank incense sticks into the liquid and let them soak for 24 hours. After soaking, remove the sticks from the mixture and place them on a drying rack to dry for another 24 hours. Keep them away from heat sources and open flames during this period.
If you're looking for a more traditional approach, you can try the Chinese method of using blended powders. Start with a simple combination of sandalwood and 2-3 other types of powders, such as frankincense or myrrh. You can also experiment with adding essential oils to your blend. To shape your incense sticks, you'll need to use an extruder. However, if you're making cones, you can simply roll them by hand.
No matter which method you choose, makko powder will be your best friend. It simplifies the incense-making process by serving as both a base and a binder. You can find it in most stores that sell incense-making supplies, and it's definitely worth the purchase. With these tips in mind, you're well on your way to becoming a master incense crafter!
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Burning and safety
Incense sticks are made of highly flammable materials, so it's important to take precautions when burning them. Here are some safety tips to follow when burning homemade incense:
Preparation
Before lighting your incense, ensure the area is clear of any flammable objects, such as curtains, towels, clothes, lampshades, drapes, and rugs. Incense should always be burned on a heat-resistant surface, like ceramic tiles or trivets, and in a well-ventilated area. Avoid burning incense near open doors or windows, as drafts can blow embers onto flammable surfaces and start a fire.
Lighting
When lighting your incense, never leave it unattended. Keep an eye on it at all times, and do not leave the room until you have extinguished the incense. If you need to leave the room, make sure to put out the incense first.
Extinguishing
When you are finished burning incense, make sure to extinguish it properly. Avoid blowing it out like a candle, as this can disperse burning embers. Instead, place the burning end in a bowl of sand or water. Even after extinguishing, the embers could still be burning, so make sure to check that the incense is completely cooled before disposing of it in the trash.
Health
Breathing in the smoke from burning incense can be harmful to your health. Burning incense indoors can expose you to harmful chemicals and increase your risk of respiratory problems. If you are pregnant, nursing, asthmatic, or have respiratory issues or other medical conditions, consult a physician before burning incense.
Children and Pets
Always keep unlit and burning incense out of the reach of children and pets. Incense bowls or burners may become hot and cause injury. Falling ash from incense can also be a hazard for curious children and pets.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make incense with natural ingredients like wood, herbs, flowers, resins, and essential oils. Some popular herbs include cedar, lavender, sage, and sweetgrass. Sandalwood, frankincense, and myrrh are commonly used resins.
You will need a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle to pulverize your ingredients into a powder. You will also need mixing bowls or food-grade plastic bags, a drying rack and paper towels. If you are making cones or sticks, you will need bamboo charcoal or makko powder, mica, and distilled water or fragrant hydrosols.
First, crush your chosen herbs into a powder. Then, mix in a binder such as makko powder, which will help your incense burn slowly and evenly. If you are using essential oils, measure out 1/3 oils to 2/3 alcohol, and soak your blank incense cones in this mixture for 24 hours. Place the cones on a drying rack and leave them to dry for another 24 hours.
Always make sure your incense is completely extinguished and cool to the touch before discarding it. Keep unlit and burning incense away from children and pets, and do not consume it. Use incense in a well-ventilated area, and place it on a heat-resistant surface to avoid damaging furniture. Be careful not to brush against the glowing tip of the incense, as it can burn your skin. If you are pregnant, nursing, asthmatic, or have respiratory issues, consult a physician before burning incense.
