Katrina Rosales
Incense has been used for centuries for creating aromatic spaces, ceremonies, healing, and cleansing. Making your own incense is a meditative, creative, and inexpensive way to explore the pleasures of the earth's aromatic treasures. The process is simple: gather your dried herbs, crush them into a powder, and mix in a binding agent like makko powder. This powder, derived from the Tabu-no-ki tree, will help your incense burn slowly and evenly. You can then shape your incense into cones or sticks, or leave it loose. Once your incense has dried, it's ready to burn—just be sure to follow best practices for safe burning and always consult a healthcare provider before use.
How to make compressed incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Dried herbs, resins, essential oils, powdered wood, marshmallow root powder, gum binder, honey, water |
| Tools | Mortar and pestle, coffee grinder, blender, bowls, food-grade plastic bags, brush, knife, spoon, scale, moulds, toothpicks, piping tips, ash press, charcoal, mica plates, vent holes, incense burners |
| Steps | 1. Gather and dry herbs. 2. Crush herbs into a powder. 3. Mix in makko powder and water. 4. Add other liquid ingredients. 5. Shape into cones using moulds or a wide-nozzled piping tip. 6. Dry in the sun for 1-2 days. 7. Store in an airtight container. |
| Safety | Always burn incense in a well-ventilated area, on a non-flammable surface, and never leave it unattended. Keep away from children and pets. If pregnant, asthmatic, or with respiratory issues, consult a physician before burning incense. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your ingredients
Incense is made from a variety of materials, including herbs, resins, essential oils, and woods. The cheapest and oldest form of incense is simply throwing dried herbs onto a fire. Over time, herbs will lose their potency, so it is important to use fresh herbs to create the desired aroma. Some popular choices include basil, dill, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, cedar, and sage. You can also experiment with resins like copal and frankincense, or various types of sages.
If you want to make self-combustible incense (sticks or cones), you will need a way to grind your ingredients into a fine powder. Most people use a quality blender, but you can also use a mortar and pestle or a heavy stone mill. If you are using dried grasses, dog claw scissors are useful for cutting them. You will also need a sturdy brush, a fine sieve, a bowl, a teaspoon, and your hands. If you are making cones, you will also need a mould, such as a piping tip or an icing bag.
When making combustible incense, you will need to add a binding material and a combustible material to your incense mixture. Makko is a popular choice for this, as it is a natural combustible material derived from the Tabu-no-ki tree in Asia. It burns slowly but with high heat and has a low scent profile, so it won't interfere with your incense fragrance. You can also use a gum binder.
If you are making non-combustible incense, also known as "loose incense" or "incense pellets," you do not need to add any binding or combustible materials. Simply grind and mix your ingredients, and form them into pea-sized "pellets" using soft resins, balsams, raisins or dried fruits, and honey.
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Mixing and grinding
The first step in making compressed incense is to gather your dried herbs. Popular choices include cedar, lavender, sage, sweetgrass, basil, dill, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, and lemongrass. You can also use resins and essential oils for added fragrance. Once you have your ingredients, you're ready to start the mixing and grinding process.
Prepare Your Ingredients
Start by gathering and preparing your chosen herbs and other ingredients. Ensure the herbs are dried to preserve their potency and fragrance. You can use home-grown or store-bought herbs, depending on your preference and availability. If using resins, ensure they are in a powdered form or grind them into a fine powder.
Mixing
Place your dried herbs and other dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Mix them well to ensure even distribution of the different components. You can use a spoon or a spatula to combine the ingredients thoroughly. If using essential oils or liquids like honey, add them in small amounts and mix again. The liquids will help bind the powder together.
Grinding
Grinding the mixed ingredients into a fine powder is a critical step in making compressed incense. There are several tools you can use for grinding:
- Mortar and Pestle: This traditional method allows you to grind the ingredients manually. Place the mixed herbs in the mortar and use the pestle to crush and grind them into a powder. This method requires some elbow grease but gives you control over the fineness of the powder.
- Coffee Grinder: Using a coffee grinder is an efficient way to grind your ingredients into a powder. It is faster than a mortar and pestle and can handle larger quantities. Ensure the grinder is clean and dry before use.
- Blender: A quality blender can also be used for grinding. It simplifies the process and can handle larger volumes. However, ensure you clean it thoroughly afterward to prevent any cross-contamination with your coffee beans.
The goal is to achieve a fine, consistent powder. The smaller the particle size, the easier it will be to compress and shape your incense. A fine mesh sieve can be useful to ensure a uniform powder and remove any larger chunks.
Once you have a uniform powder, you are ready to move on to the next steps of making compressed incense, which include adding a binding agent, shaping, drying, and finally, burning your creation.
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Binding agents
Makko Powder
Makko, derived from the bark of the Tabu-no-ki or Thunberi tree in Asia, is a natural combustible material that serves as both a base and a binder. It has a low scent profile, so it won't overpower the fragrance of your incense. To use Makko powder as a binding agent, follow these steps:
- Create an indentation in the ash using an ash press.
- Fill the indentation with Makko powder and compact it slightly using the ash press again.
- When mixing with your incense ingredients, use a ratio of 1:3 (e.g., one teaspoon of Makko powder for every three teaspoons of pulverized herbs).
Gum Binder
While details are scarce, another option for a binding agent is a gum binder. This type of binder is mentioned by u/SamsaSpoon in a comment on a Reddit post.
Marshmallow Root Powder
Marshmallow root powder (Althaea officinalis) is mentioned by an incense maker as the substance that holds their incense together. This powder is combined with various aromatic botanical powders.
Honey
Honey can also act as a binding agent in incense making. However, it is important to note that honey can attract moisture, so it is crucial to store your finished incense in an airtight container to prevent issues with burning.
Remember, when working with binding agents and other incense ingredients, always ensure you are in a well-ventilated area and that your workspace and tools are clean and dry.
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Shaping the incense
Shaping incense into cones is a popular choice for homemade incense. To shape your incense into cones, you can use a piping tip, the same type used for piping frosting. It is recommended to choose a frosting tip with a wide nozzle, as this will make it easier to use. You can also use a fondant extruder or a syringe to shape your incense into coreless sticks.
To shape your incense using a piping tip, start by sliding a toothpick into the centre of the cone to create a little space, which will help the cone burn better. Then, tap the tip on a table several times to loosen it up. Next, use the toothpick to slide around the edges of the piping cone to help remove the remaining material from the piping tip. Set it aside on a firm, dry surface.
If you are using honey in your incense mixture, it is important to note that it can attract moisture. Therefore, it is recommended to use an airtight container for storage. You can also store your incense cones for later use, as each incense-creating session may allow you to make several cones. Continue moulding, shaping, and removing the incense from the cones until you have used up all of the mixture.
It is important to allow your homemade incense cones to dry completely before burning them. Place them on a tray or inside an open container in a sunny spot and leave them for one to two days. Testing one of the cones before storing them can help you ensure that the material is completely dry.
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Drying and storing
The drying process is essential to preserve your incense and ensure it burns effectively. Spread your incense mixture out on a non-stick surface, such as baking paper or a silicone mat. Aim for a thickness of less than half an inch. The drying environment should be warm, dry, and well-ventilated. An attic or similar space is ideal, but a warm, sunny windowsill will also work. You can also use a food dehydrator or a very low-heat oven to speed up the process. If using an oven, set it to the lowest temperature setting and keep the door slightly ajar to allow moisture to escape.
It is important to mix and turn the incense regularly during the drying process. This helps to ensure even drying and prevents the formation of mould. Use a spatula or your hands to gently mix and turn the incense every few hours. If drying in an oven or dehydrator, do this more frequently to prevent scorching. The drying time will vary depending on your mixture and conditions, but it typically takes between 12 and 48 hours. Your incense is sufficiently dry when it is completely solid and has a uniform texture throughout.
Once your incense is dry, it needs to be stored correctly to maintain its quality. The ideal storage container for incense is airtight and made from glass or ceramic. Plastic containers can be used, but some resins and essential oils may react with the plastic over time. Store your incense in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Sunlight and heat can cause your incense to degrade more rapidly and may affect the potency of essential oils.
To maximise the shelf life of your incense, minimise air exposure. Store your incense in smaller batches, using multiple airtight containers. This way, you can open one container at a time, keeping the rest sealed and protected from moisture and air. You can also include a silica gel packet or similar desiccant in your storage container to help absorb any excess moisture. This is especially useful if you live in a humid environment or plan to store your incense for extended periods.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need dried herbs such as cedar, lavender, sage, sweetgrass, basil, dill, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, and essential oils. You will also need makko powder, which acts as a binding agent and helps the incense burn slowly and evenly. Other tools you will need include a bowl, a spoon, a knife, a brush, a coffee grinder, and two mixing bowls or food-grade plastic bags.
First, crush your chosen herbs into a powder using a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder. Then, mix in the makko powder with water at a 1:3 ratio. You can also add essential oils or honey to increase the fragrance. Once your mixture is ready, shape it into cones using a piping tip and a toothpick. Leave the cones to dry for one to two days before use.
Always use incense in a well-ventilated area, away from drafty doors and windows. Keep it away from flammable objects and do not leave it unattended. Make sure all incense is completely extinguished and cool to the touch before discarding. Consult a physician before using incense if you are pregnant, nursing, asthmatic, or have respiratory issues.
