Lance Carson
Incense has been used since ancient times for creating aromatic spaces and is deeply intertwined with religious ceremonies and the practice of medicine. Cedar incense can be made by grinding and mixing dried cedar herbs with other aromatic substances, a combustible base, and a liquid to bind the mixture. The incense dough can then be formed into cones and burned.
How to make cedar incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Red cedar tips, juniper berries, pine needles, sandalwood powder, clove powder, guar gum, essential oils, makko powder, distilled water |
| Tools | Electric grinder or mortar and pestle, glass bowl, small wire whisk or wooden stick, small conical mold, wax paper, heat-resistant bowl or cauldron, charcoal blocks, tweezers or tongs, mica, coffee grinder, mixing bowls or food-grade plastic bags |
| Method | Grind herbs until fine, transfer to bowl, add remaining dry ingredients and blend, slowly add liquid, mix, form into "dough", add to mold, leave to dry for 12 hours, place on salt or sand in a heat-resistant bowl, light, wait, then blow out |
| Safety | Keep well ventilated, avoid flammable objects, do not leave unattended, ensure ash falls on a fireproof surface, allow to cool before discarding |
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What You'll Learn
Cedar incense ingredients
Cedar incense is an easy and fun way to fill your home with a beautiful aroma. The process of making incense is a meditative and enjoyable way to exercise your creativity. The ingredients used to make cedar incense are easily available and can be purchased online or from a local grocery store.
The four foundational ingredients for making incense are a burnable base, an aromatic substance, a bonding element, and a liquid to bring it all together. For cedar incense, the key ingredient is, of course, cedar. You can use cedar tips or cedar needle powder (Thuja plicata). Cedar is an herb of protection and is burned to bring peace, cleanse spaces, and protect against unwanted influences.
Other ingredients that go well with cedar and can be used to make cedar incense include pine needles, juniper berries, sandalwood powder, clove powder, guar gum, rosemary powder, marshmallow root powder, and lavender. These ingredients can be combined in various ratios to create different scents and effects. For example, pine needles are used to cleanse a space of negativity, for protection, and purification, while juniper berries are burned for cleansing and purifying the air indoors and for illness prevention.
In addition to the herbs and powders, you will also need a combustible base such as makko powder, which is derived from the bark of the Tabu-no-ki tree or the Thunberi tree. This powder serves as a binding agent and helps ensure a slow, even burn. Charcoal blocks can also be used as a combustible base, with bamboo charcoal being a good option for indoor use as it does not produce any nasty, carcinogenic smells.
Finally, you will need a liquid such as distilled water or hydrosol to bring the ingredients together and form a dough. This dough can then be formed into cones or sticks, which can be dried and burned to release the fragrant smoke of cedar incense.
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Tools and supplies
To make cedar incense, you will need a variety of tools and supplies. The first step is to gather your dried herbs. You can use home-grown or store-bought herbs, with cedar, lavender, sage, and sweetgrass being popular choices. If you are using cedar tips, you can purchase these online.
The next step is to crush the herbs into a powder. For this, you will need a mortar and pestle, or an electric grinder. You can also use a coffee grinder to pulverize your ingredients into a powder, but you may prefer to start with the powder and omit this step. If you do choose to grind your own herbs, be sure to grind them until they are fine.
You will also need a mixing bowl, preferably glass, and a small wire whisk or a wooden stick, such as a chopstick, to blend the ingredients. A measuring spoon is useful for measuring out the incense powders. You will also need to add a liquid, such as distilled water, herbal infusion, or hydrosol, a few drops at a time. You can also add essential oils at this stage.
If you are making cones, you will need a conical mold. You can use piping bags from your kitchen, as the metal tips can be detached to make a perfect mold for your incense cones. You will also need wax paper to place your cones on and allow them to dry.
Finally, to burn your incense, you will need an incense burner or bowl, placed on a heat-resistant surface, such as a ceramic tile. You can also use a small cauldron filled with sand or salt, with the incense cone placed on top. Charcoal blocks are often used to burn incense, and you can purchase pure bamboo charcoal, which is fine for indoor use.
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Making the incense dough
To make cedar incense, you will need a variety of ingredients and tools. Cedar is among the most popular incense ingredients, and you can use cedar tips or cedar powder. You will also need a mortar and pestle, a mixing bowl, and a mould for your incense. A piping bag with a metal tip can be used as a mould, or you can form the incense cones by hand.
To make the incense dough, start by measuring out your herbs. You can use equal parts of pine needles, juniper berries, and red cedar tips. Grind these herbs until they are fine using a mortar and pestle or an electric grinder. If you are making a large batch, a dedicated coffee grinder will be useful. Transfer the powdered herbs to a glass bowl.
Next, add your wood powder. Sandalwood is a popular choice, but you can also use red sandalwood, Palo Santo wood, or other wood powders. You can also add resins such as frankincense, myrrh, or dragon's blood. Guar gum will act as a bonding agent and help your incense dough hold together. Add clove powder for an extra kick of spice.
Slowly add your liquid—water, herbal infusion, or hydrosol—a little bit at a time. You can also use essential oils. Carefully mix the liquid in with a wooden stick for several minutes. The mixture may look too dry at first, but keep mixing. Use your fingers to press the mixture together to help it combine fully. If the incense is too dry and won't form a dough, add a few more drops of liquid. You want a smooth dough without any cracks.
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Shaping the incense
Prepare the Mixture:
Firstly, prepare your incense mixture. Grind your chosen herbs, such as cedar, pine needles, and juniper berries, into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or an electric grinder. Transfer the powdered herbs to a glass bowl and add your chosen wood powders, resins, and essential oils. Slowly add a liquid, such as water or a hydrosol, a little at a time, and blend until well combined. You can use a small wire whisk or a wooden stick, such as a chopstick, for this step. The mixture may initially look too dry, but continue mixing and use your fingers to press it together.
Form the "Dough":
Knead the mixture with your hands to form a smooth incense "dough" without any cracks. If the mixture is too dry and won't form a dough, add a few more drops of liquid. You can also add essential oils at this stage if you wish.
Shape the Incense:
Now it's time to shape your incense! You can form the incense "dough" into cones by hand or use a small conical mold. A piping bag with the metal tip removed can make an excellent mold for your cones. Measure out approximately half a teaspoon of the mixture and press it into the mold. To help release the cone, insert a pin or twist tie into the tip of the mold. Place your cones on wax paper and allow them to dry for at least 12 hours, turning them over halfway through to ensure even drying.
Burning Instructions:
Once your cones have dried, it's time to burn them. Place a heat-resistant bowl or small cauldron with sand or salt and put the cone on top. Light the tip of the cone, wait a few seconds, and then blow it out. Your cedar incense cone will continue to smoke and release its fragrance for about an hour. Always exercise caution when burning incense. Use heat-resistant surfaces, keep the area well-ventilated, and ensure proper adult supervision.
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Burning the incense
Burning cedar incense is a simple process, but there are some safety precautions you should take. Firstly, ensure your incense burner is placed on a heat-resistant surface, such as a ceramic tile, to prevent damage to furniture. Always burn incense in a well-ventilated area, but avoid drafty spots like open doors and windows. Keep the incense away from flammable objects, such as drapes, rugs, and lampshades. Be cautious of the glowing tip of the incense cone or stick to avoid burns, and never leave lit incense unattended. Falling ash can pose a fire hazard, so make sure it falls onto a fireproof surface. Before discarding, ensure the incense is completely extinguished and cool. If you are pregnant, nursing, asthmatic, or have respiratory issues, consult a physician before burning incense.
Now, to the burning! You can use a charcoal block as a base for burning your cedar incense. Charcoal comes in self-lighting varieties, which are suitable for outdoor use, but they tend to have an unpleasant smell. For indoor burning, opt for pure bamboo charcoal, which is free from carcinogenic odours. Alternatively, you can use the Makko style of burning. Makko is a natural combustible material derived from the Tabu-no-ki tree in Asia. It burns slowly with high heat, making it ideal for incense. Create a small indentation in the ash using an ash press, fill it with Makko powder, and compact it with the press again. Another method is to use mica. Place a small mica plate on top of the charcoal or bury it in a cone-shaped ash mound, then poke a vent hole from the top of the ash down to the charcoal.
Once you've prepared your burner, it's time to light your cedar incense. If using a cone, place it in a heat-resistant bowl or small cauldron filled with sand or salt. Light the tip of the cone, wait a few seconds, and then blow it out. The cone will continue to smoke for about an hour. For sticks, you can light the end and fan out the flame, allowing it to burn continuously.
Burning cedar incense not only fills your space with a delightful aroma but also offers various benefits. Cedar is considered an herb of protection and is burned to bring peace, cleanse the home, and ward off negative influences. Enjoy the scent and the sense of tranquillity it brings!
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Frequently asked questions
You will need cedar, lavender, sage, sweetgrass, sandalwood, clove powder, guar gum, and distilled water. You can also add essential oils.
You will need a mortar and pestle, a small wire whisk or wooden stick, a heat-resistant bowl or small cauldron, and a censer and charcoal blocks.
First, measure out equal parts of your ingredients and grind them into a fine powder. Transfer the powder to a glass bowl and add your liquid very slowly, mixing as you go. Once you have a smooth dough, form it into cones by hand or with a small conical mold. Place your cones on wax paper and allow them to dry for at least 12 hours.
