Lance Carson
Aromatic incense has been used since before the Stone Age, and its creation is a simple, inexpensive, and creative process. Incense can be used to create aromatic spaces, and it has been intertwined with religious ceremonies and medicinal practices. The process of making incense involves choosing a base, selecting aromatic ingredients, and binding them together. The base can be clay or wood, and the aromatics can include natural ingredients such as resins, woods, and herbs, and essential oils. The process of making incense sticks involves mixing the powdered aromatic ingredients with a binder, adding water, and essential oils, before rolling the mixture onto bamboo sticks and allowing them to dry.
How to Make Aromatic Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base | Clay or wood |
| Clay base benefits | Easy to shape into cones or sticks, easy to light and burn, absorbs moisture to preserve scent |
| Wood base benefits | Natural look and feel, can be carved into various shapes, releases negative ions to purify the air |
| Aromatic ingredients | Essential oils, carrier oils, herbs, resins, woods, spices |
| Tools and supplies | Bamboo charcoal or makko powder, tweezers or tongs, mica, coffee grinder, distilled water or hydrosols, mixing bowls or food-grade plastic bags, gram scale or measuring cups or spoons, drying cloth or wax paper |
| Binder | Gum or wood |
| Gum binder examples | Guar gum, xanthan gum |
| Wood binder examples | Joss powder, "tabu no ki" or "makko" |
| Binder ratio | 3 parts aromatic ingredients to 1 part binder |
| Water amount | A few drops at a time, until a dough-like consistency is achieved |
| Drying time | 24-48 hours or overnight (10-15 hours) |
| Aging time | A couple of weeks |
| Safety | Burn incense in a well-ventilated area, away from flammable objects, pets, and children |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a base
The base of your incense is important as it determines its burning properties and can even enhance its scent. Wood powder is the most common base material, but non-wood bases and fixatives are also used and come from a variety of different plants.
When choosing a base, it's important to consider the scent you want to create. The base can either complement or interfere with the other aromatic components. For example, sandalwood is a popular choice for a base when using aromatics like frankincense or patchouli. Cedar and pine are also excellent bases that can add a strong scent to your blend. If you're new to making incense, you might want to choose a base with a low scent, such as red sandalwood, alder, or charcoal, as these will contribute less to the overall scent.
The type of base you choose will also depend on the form of incense you want to create. If you're making incense sticks or cones, you'll need to use a binder such as gum or wood. Gum binders, like guar gum or xanthan gum, are more powerful than wood binders and require less material. However, adding too much gum binder can cause the incense to bind too strongly and prevent it from burning. Wood binders, such as joss powder or "tabu no ki", are easier to work with and often act as both a base and a binder.
In addition to the base and binder, you'll need to add water or another water-based liquid to activate the binder. This can include tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, or herbal teas. Keep in mind that essential oils do not contain water, so you'll need to add a separate water-based liquid if using them in your blend.
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Selecting aromatic ingredients
Selecting the right aromatic ingredients is a crucial step in making incense. The aromatic ingredients are what you want to smell when you burn the incense, so it's important to choose high-quality, natural ingredients that will create a captivating scent. Here are some things to consider when selecting your aromatic ingredients:
Type of Aromatics
There are various types of aromatic ingredients that you can use to make incense, including resins, woods, herbs, spices, and essential oils. You can use a single aromatic ingredient or a combination of ingredients that complement each other. For example, you can use sandalwood as a base and add aromatics like frankincense or patchouli. Experimenting with different ingredients and combinations will allow you to create unique and personalised blends.
Quality of Ingredients
Using high-quality, natural ingredients is essential for making fine aromatic incense mixtures. Freshness is also important, and you can ensure this by pulverising your ingredients yourself using a coffee grinder. However, if you prefer to start with powdered substances, you can omit this step. When using essential oils, choose pure and toxic-free options to ensure the best scent and avoid any potential health risks.
Ratio of Ingredients
The ratio of aromatic ingredients to the binder (such as makko powder) is typically 3:1, but you can adjust this ratio based on the desired strength of your incense. If you're using essential oils, the number of drops or millilitres required will depend on the number of incense sticks you're making. For example, if one incense stick takes 20 drops of essential oil, five sticks will take 100 drops or approximately 4 ml.
Ageing the Mixture
Ageing your incense mixture for a couple of weeks allows the aromatics to permeate each other and produce a single, cohesive fragrance. This step ensures that your incense emits a rich and captivating aroma when burned. During the ageing process, you can store the mixture in a cool, dry place, ensuring it is away from direct sunlight to preserve its therapeutic properties.
Safety Considerations
When selecting aromatic ingredients, it's important to consider any potential allergies or irritations they may cause. Essential oils, in particular, should be used with caution and diluted with a carrier oil if applied topically. Always follow safety guidelines and store your ingredients and mixtures properly to avoid any accidents or negative reactions.
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Mixing and blending
Choosing a Base
The base forms the foundation of your incense and can significantly influence its overall scent and characteristics. You have two primary options for bases: clay or wood. Clay bases offer the advantage of being easily shaped into cones or sticks, making them convenient for lighting and burning. Additionally, clay absorbs moisture from the air, helping to preserve the fragrance of your incense. On the other hand, a wood base gives your incense a more natural appearance and feel. Wood bases can be carved into various shapes and designs, enhancing their visual appeal. Burning wood also releases negative ions, which help purify the air. Consider your desired scent and intended use when selecting a base.
Selecting Aromatic Ingredients
Herbs, resins, and woods are excellent sources of aromatic properties. Choose ingredients that complement each other and contribute to the overall fragrance you wish to create. For example, using sandalwood as a base can pair well with aromatics like frankincense or patchouli. You can also explore adding liquid scents such as essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts to enhance the aroma.
Mixing Dry Ingredients
Start by mixing your dry ingredients, such as herbs and woods, in a separate bowl. Ensure that you have weighed and measured each ingredient according to your recipe. This initial mixing step helps combine the dry components uniformly before introducing any liquids or resins.
Combining Resins and Liquids
Resins, particularly if they are young and soft, can be messy to work with. It is recommended to freeze them beforehand to make them easier to powder. Grind and mix your resins separately from the dry ingredients, as this will make cleaning your mortar and pestle easier. Once your resins are thoroughly mixed, add them to the dry ingredient mixture and combine them well. If using any liquid ingredients, such as essential oils or hydrosols, add them at this stage a few drops at a time. Adjust the ratios of your ingredients to achieve the desired strength of your incense.
Blending and Grinding
After combining all your ingredients, it is beneficial to give the mixture a final grind in the mortar and pestle. This step helps blend the aromas of each ingredient, ensuring they permeate each other and produce a harmonious fragrance.
Aging the Mixture
Allow your incense mixture to age for a couple of weeks. During this time, the aromatics will continue to blend and develop, resulting in a single bouquet of fragrances. This step is crucial for creating a well-rounded and mature scent.
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Binding and shaping
When it comes to binding and shaping your aromatic incense, you have a few options. The first step is to choose your binder. There are two basic types: gum binders and wood binders. Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are more powerful, so you only need a small amount (typically 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material). However, if you add too much, it may bind too strongly and your incense won't burn. Wood binders, like joss powder or "tabu no ki" (often called "makko"), are easier to work with and can act as a base material. They are more forgiving and a good choice for beginners, but you'll need to use more in your recipe (up to 75% wood binder).
Once you've chosen your binder, you'll need to add water to activate it. This can be plain water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, or other liquids with a high water content. Essential oils can also be added to supplement the water content, but they cannot replace it.
Now, you're ready to mix your ingredients. First, mix all your dry ingredients (herbs and woods) together. Then, separately mix your resins together. Next, add the resin mixture to your dry mixture and combine thoroughly. Finally, add your binder and mix again. You can use a mortar and pestle to grind and mix your ingredients, but be aware that soft resins may make a mess. It's recommended to grind your other ingredients first, then add the resins last.
At this point, you have a few options for binding and shaping:
- Allow your mixture to sit overnight so the ingredients can blend. Then, add makko (a type of incense powder) and form the incense into any shape you desire. For cones or sticks, you'll need to add distilled water or a fragrant hydrosol to your mixture.
- If you're making incense pellets, you can use a pliable resin like labdanum to bind and shape your mixture. Simply combine all other ingredients first, then add them to the labdanum and knead well.
- For direct-burning or combustible incense, form your mixture into a paste and shape it around a bamboo stick or extrude it into a stick or cone shape.
- To make incense balls or pastilles, mix your incense material with a sticky incombustible binder like dried fruit, honey, or soft resin.
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Drying and storing
To dry your incense, you can place it on a wooden frame with a metal mesh or a steel tray in a dry room with a fan to improve air circulation. You can also use charcoal to make your incense dry faster, although this will make it burn faster, too. If you live in a humid climate, you can add the bare minimum of water to your mixture to prevent mould growth. However, this may cause your incense to go out after a while due to the moisture content.
If you want to speed up the drying process, you could consider baking your incense in an oven at a low temperature for a short period. Alternatively, you could invest in a dehydrator or use a sealed container with a desiccant like silica gel to absorb any unwanted moisture. However, be cautious when using silica gel, as it can sometimes capture and retain scents, potentially altering the fragrance of your incense.
Once your incense is dry, store it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources. You can place the wrapped incense sticks in a cardboard or wooden box to protect them from breakage and help maintain their scent. Avoid storing your incense near strong-smelling substances like mothballs, cedar blocks, or sachets, as these can alter the fragrance of your incense over time. If your incense came in a Paulownia wood box, it is ideal for storage as the wood swells with heat and humidity, creating a tight seal.
If you have extra incense, you can use the packets as drawer sachets to scent your closets and dresser drawers. However, be cautious when placing oil-soaked fabric directly onto wood or clothing, as staining may occur.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need bamboo charcoal or makko powder, tweezers or tongs, mica, a coffee grinder, distilled water or fragrant hydrosols, two mixing bowls or food-grade plastic bags, a gram scale or measuring cups and spoons, and a drying cloth or wax paper. You will also need to choose your aromatic ingredients, which can include resins, woods, herbs, and essential oils.
First, mix your powdered aromatic ingredients with makko powder or a natural binder like gum binders or wood binders. Next, add water gradually until you achieve a dough-like consistency. Then, add a few drops of your preferred essential oil and knead the mixture. Take a small portion of the dough and roll it onto a bamboo stick, covering all sides except for one end. Finally, place the incense sticks on wax paper and let them air dry for 24-48 hours until they harden.
The choice of ingredients depends on the type of scent you want to create and how you want to use the incense. You can choose from various aromatic ingredients, including resins, woods like sandalwood, cedar, and pine, and herbs. You can also add essential oils to enhance the fragrance. Consider whether you want a strong or subtle scent, and choose your base and binder accordingly. Bases can be made of clay or wood, while binders are typically gum or wood-based.
