Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used for centuries in various cultures for its aromatic and ceremonial properties. The art of making incense has been practised for hundreds of years, particularly in China and Japan, and involves a simple process with endless possibilities for customisation. The basic formula for natural incense is simple: create a properly mixed batch of incense dough, form it into your desired shape, and burn it. However, the process can be meditative, and the sense of smell can create strong associations with memories and emotions. This article will explore the tools, techniques, and ingredients needed to create your own unique incense blends.
Characteristics of Creating Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Creating strong associations with a particular time and place, enhancing spiritual practice, or for self-care activities |
| Ingredients | Commonly found botanicals, aromatic plants, herbs, flowers, resins, essential oils, wood, charcoal |
| Tools | Mortar and pestle, scale, spoon, bowl, knife, brush, dog claw scissors, blender, sieves, fondant extruder, syringes, moulds, vinyl gloves |
| Techniques | Grinding, mixing, compressing, rolling, shaping, drying, burning |
| Forms | Sticks, cones, balls, loose incense, kneaded incense, self-combustible incense |
| Base Materials | Sandalwood, cedar, pine, red sandalwood, alder, charcoal, joss powder, tabu no ki, makko powder |
| Binders | Gum binders, wood binders |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing a base: Sandalwood, cedar, and pine are examples of strong-scented bases
- Selecting a binder: Binders act as a glue to hold the incense together. Examples include gum binders and wood binders
- Using botanicals: Aromatic plants like herbs, flowers, and resins can be used to create unique scents
- Grinding and mixing: Ingredients need to be ground into a fine powder and mixed together thoroughly
- Forming the incense: Incense can be formed into sticks, cones, or other shapes by hand or with a mold
Choosing a base: Sandalwood, cedar, and pine are examples of strong-scented bases
Choosing the right base for your incense is crucial as it determines its burning properties and can even enhance its scent. The base is the "engine" of the incense, providing the heat to burn it completely. The most common base material is wood powder, which usually makes up the bulk of the base. However, it is important to note that different types of wood powder have varying burning characteristics and scents.
Sandalwood is a popular and traditional choice for a base. It is known for its rich aromatics and is often used as a base for incense with aromatics like frankincense or patchouli. Cedar and pine are also strong-scented bases that can be used. When choosing a fragrant base like cedar or pine, consider its dual role as a base to aid burning and as an aromatic ingredient in your blend. Other fragrant wood options include apple, fir, alder, and red sandalwood, which provide heat but have a milder scent when burning.
In addition to wood powder, dried and powdered tree foliage, such as pine needles, can be used as a base. However, use caution as some foliage from evergreens can be very acrid and produce smoke that may irritate the eyes and throats of those nearby. Another option is to use non-wood bases like lavender, which holds more essential oil in its stems than its flowers.
When creating your incense, consider using a binder like gum binders (guar gum or xanthan gum) or wood binders, which help to hold the incense together. Makko, a blend that often includes tabu no ki, is a popular choice as it simplifies the incense-making process by acting as both a base and a binder. Super Makko, a more powerful version, offers even greater strength and elasticity to your incense.
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Selecting a binder: Binders act as a glue to hold the incense together. Examples include gum binders and wood binders
Binders are a crucial component of incense-making, acting as a glue to hold the incense together in the desired shape. The type and amount of binder used depend on the ingredients and the intended use of the incense. If the incense is meant to be burned, a burnable binder like makko powder is necessary. However, if the incense is designed for use with a heater, other options like Japanese kneaded incense are possible.
There are two primary types of binders: gum binders and wood binders. Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are more potent than wood binders, requiring only a small amount (typically 1/8 teaspoon per 2 tablespoons of material) to effectively bind the incense. They do not contribute any additional scent to the blend. However, excessive gum binder can prevent the incense from burning properly.
Wood binders, on the other hand, often serve dual purposes as both a binder and a base material. Common examples include joss powder (also known as jiggit or Super Makko) and "tabu no ki" (sometimes mislabelled as "makko"). Wood binders are generally easier to work with and more forgiving, making them a popular choice for novice incense makers. They typically constitute a significant portion of the recipe (up to 75% in some cases). While most wood binders are not as strong as gum binders, this can be advantageous in certain situations.
When using a wood binder, it is essential to add water or a water-based liquid to activate its binding properties. This can include water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, or even herbal teas and wine. It is worth noting that essential oils do not contain water, so additional water or water-based liquids are necessary.
Other unique binders can be used to create incense, such as honey, hydrosols, dates (processed into a paste), red wine, salt, or brandy. These binders offer a range of options for customising your incense recipe to suit your preferences and desired aroma.
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Using botanicals: Aromatic plants like herbs, flowers, and resins can be used to create unique scents
Incense has been used by virtually every civilization since before the Stone Age, and burning aromatic herbs and resins is a tradition that can be found all over the world. The practice of burning incense is believed to enhance concentration and stimulate creativity, and it is also used in ceremonies, for healing, and for cleansing an area.
You can create your own incense using commonly found or locally grown botanicals such as aromatic plants, herbs, flowers, and resins. Cedar, lavender, sage, and sweetgrass are among the most popular herbs used to make incense. You can also use spices such as clove, nutmeg, coriander, mace, and cinnamon, as well as resins like copal, frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood.
To make your own incense, start by gathering your chosen botanicals and grinding them into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. You can mix and match different scents to create unique blends, and you can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil to enhance the fragrance. Once you have your powder, add a binder such as marshmallow root powder or makko powder to help the mixture stick together. You can also use natural resins, which often come in a pliable form that can be easily molded into pellets or cones.
After mixing your ingredients, you can shape your incense into cones, sticks, or pellets. To make cones, place your mixture into a small conical mold and allow it to dry for at least 12 hours or up to a couple of weeks, depending on the climate. For sticks, roll the mixture into thin cylinders using your hands or by wrapping it around blank bamboo sticks. Pellets can be formed by rolling the mixture into small balls, which can then be dried and burned directly or coated in powdered herbs to prevent sticking.
Once your incense is shaped and dried, it's ready to be burned. Place a small amount of sand or salt in a heat-resistant bowl or incense dish and light your incense, enjoying the unique fragrance you've created.
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Grinding and mixing: Ingredients need to be ground into a fine powder and mixed together thoroughly
Grinding and mixing the ingredients is a crucial step in creating incense. The finer the powder, the better the ingredients will mix together, so it's important to use the right tools for this process.
A reliable way to grind ingredients into a fine powder is to use a quality blender. Some people prefer to use a heavy stone mill or a mortar and pestle, but these can be more labour-intensive and may cause wrist strain. Electric coffee blenders are a cheaper alternative, and food processors can also be used. Once you have ground your ingredients, use a fine mesh sieve to ensure the powder is smooth and clump-free. Powders that are too coarse may affect the flammability and scent of the final product, and can also result in more brittle incense.
When mixing the powder, a bowl and a stick for stirring are essential. Some people also recommend wearing vinyl gloves, as the incense dough is less likely to stick to your fingers. If you are making self-combustible incense, you will need to add water to the powder to form a dough. However, if you are making loose incense, you can simply mix the dry ingredients together.
The base material for your incense will provide the main scent, so choose something with a strong aroma like sandalwood, cedar, or pine. If you are new to incense-making, you might prefer to start with a low-scent base such as red sandalwood, alder, or charcoal, as these contribute less to the overall scent. You will also need to add a binder to your mixture, which acts as a glue to hold the incense together in the shape you choose. Wood binders like joss powder or tabu no ki (sometimes called makko) are easy to work with and can also act as a base material. Super makko is a powerful and flexible option that can be blended with other ingredients to create a unique blend.
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Forming the incense: Incense can be formed into sticks, cones, or other shapes by hand or with a mold
Forming incense by hand or with a mould is a simple process. The first step is to prepare a finely powdered incense mixture, also known as "loose incense" or "non-combustible incense". This can be done by grinding the ingredients into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder. It is important to note that electric coffee grinders should be avoided as they produce too much heat, which can cause the loss of vital chemicals from the ingredients. Once the powder is ready, it is combined with a binder, such as gum binders (e.g. guar gum or xanthan gum) or wood binders (e.g. joss powder or "tabu no ki"), to create a dough.
When the dough is ready, it can be formed into sticks, cones, or other shapes by hand or with a mould. For cones, one can simply pinch off a small amount of dough and mould it by hand into the desired shape, or use a small conical mould. It is recommended that cones be about 1-2 grams each and 1.5 inches tall, with a flat or fat bottom that gets skinnier towards the top. For sticks, one can roll the dough by hand on a piece of wax paper or use blank bamboo sticks as a base.
It is important to note that the thickness of the cones or sticks can affect how well they burn. Cones that are thicker than a pencil at the base may not burn very well. For sticks, it is recommended to use an extruder to get the best results. After forming the incense, it is important to let them dry thoroughly. Cones should be placed on parchment or wax paper and allowed to dry for at least 12 hours, while sticks should be dried in a paper bag for 1 to 5 days, turning them at least once a day to ensure even drying.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use commonly found or locally grown botanicals, aromatic plants, and herbs. Some popular options include sandalwood, cedar, pine, sagebrush, mugwort, juniper berries, rosemary, thyme, and resin. You can also use essential oils to add fragrance.
You will need a way to grind your ingredients into a fine powder, such as a mortar and pestle, blender, or food processor, as well as a fine mesh sieve to ensure the powder is smooth. You will also need a bowl for mixing, a spoon, a knife, a brush, and a scale. If you are making incense sticks, you may need a fondant extruder or a syringe to shape them.
First, gather and prepare your ingredients. Then, mix your ingredients with a binder, such as wood binders like joss powder or gum binders, and water to form a dough. You can then shape the dough into cones, sticks, or any other shape you prefer. Finally, allow your incense to dry before burning it. If you are using loose incense, place some sand in your incense dish, add a charcoal briquette, light it, and place your incense on top.
