Seamus Hammond
Incense is an ancient tradition that has been used for centuries to connect with spirituality and evoke relaxation. It is made in many different ways to create a variety of scents and can be used to create a sense of tranquility, for meditation, or for spiritual practices. Greek incense, specifically the one produced in the Orthodox monasteries on Mount Athos, is made from frankincense and other natural ingredients. To make your own Greek incense at home, you can grind frankincense and mix it with essential oils to form a paste. You can then form the incense particles by adding talcum powder or fire-treated powdered clay so they don't stick.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To connect with spirituality, evoke relaxation, and create a sense of tranquility |
| Ingredients | Frankincense, myrrh, resins, essential oils, lavender oil, sandalwood, alder, charcoal, gum binders, wood binders, joss powder, makko, water |
| Equipment | Tray or dish, aluminium foil, unscented incense sticks, dropper, glass jar, mixing bowl, extruder |
| Process | Grind frankincense and resins, add essential oils to form a paste, form incense particles with talcum powder or fire-treated powdered clay, dry for a couple of weeks, test |
| Tips | Use high-quality ingredients, ensure proper ventilation during use, find a fragrance you enjoy, invest in a good incense burner |
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What You'll Learn
Using essential oils
Incense has been used for thousands of years by the Greeks and other ancient peoples in their life practices, religious rituals, and even for aromatherapy and medicinal purposes. The word "livani" comes from the Arabic "lubban", describing a sweet-smelling resin derived from the Boswellia tree.
Today, essential oils are added to incense blends to enhance their fragrance and therapeutic benefits. To make your own incense with essential oils, you'll need some basic supplies and ingredients, such as:
- Glass bottles or jars with droppers for storing your blends
- Measuring spoons and cups for accurate measurements
- Carrier oils such as almond oil, coconut oil, or jojoba oil for dilution
- Beeswax pellets for making solid perfumes or balms
- Dried herbs, flowers, or resins for added fragrance
- Mixing bowls and spoons
When creating your incense blend, it's important to use the right amount of essential oil to avoid irritation or allergic reactions. For a single test stick of incense, apply up to 20 drops of essential oil directly to the stick. If you're using a blend of oils, be sure to mix them first. You can use up to 4ml (about 100 drops) of essential oil per five incense sticks.
Popular essential oils for incense include lavender, chamomile, bergamot, ylang-ylang, frankincense, sandalwood, palo santo, and patchouli. You can also add herbs and spices to your blend for extra fragrance and therapeutic benefits. Once you've created your blend, you can apply it to your incense stick blanks using a dropper or sprayer, then let them dry for 24 hours before packaging.
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Choosing a base
Wood binders are commonly used as a base material and act as a glue that holds the incense together. Examples of wood binders include joss powder (also called jiggit) and "tabu no ki" (sometimes mislabelled as "makko"). Wood binders are a good choice for new incense makers as they are easy to work with and forgiving. However, they may not be as strong as gum binders, and a large amount is usually required—up to 75% in some recipes.
Gum binders, on the other hand, are stronger and can provide better binding power. An example of a gum binder is makko, a special blend that simplifies incense-making. Makko often includes tabu no ki and clove, and some suspect it also contains sandalwood. It is important to note that pure tabu no ki is sometimes sold as makko, so be sure to check the ingredients if you are looking for a true makko blend.
In addition to choosing a binder, you can also choose an aromatic base that complements the other components of your incense. For example, using sandalwood as a base can pair well with aromatics like frankincense or patchouli. Alternatively, you can choose your aromatics first and then select a base that complements or does not interfere with their scent.
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Drying and testing
Once you've made your incense, it's time to dry and test it. The drying process can take a couple of weeks or more, and cones tend to take longer than sticks. You'll know your cones are ready when their undersides are all one colour. If they're darker in the middle, they need more time.
If your incense creations don't burn steadily, you might need to increase the amount of makko in your mixture. Makko is a special base and binder blend that simplifies incense making. It often includes tabu no ki and clove, and sometimes sandalwood. You can also create your own makko blend by combining wood binders, gum binders, and ingredients to improve the burn and enhance the scent.
If your incense burns too fast, you should decrease the makko content. You can use a variety of base materials for your incense, such as red sandalwood, alder, and charcoal, which contribute very little to the overall scent. You can also use aromatic bases that complement the other components, such as sandalwood with aromatics like frankincense or patchouli.
After making any adjustments to your mixture, you'll need to dry your incense again before testing it. This process may take some time and experimentation, but it will be worth it when you've crafted the perfect incense recipe.
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Frankincense and other resins
Frankincense is a key ingredient in Greek incense. It is a resin obtained from trees of the genus Boswellia in the family Burseraceae. The trees start producing resin when they are around eight to ten years old, and tapping can be done two to three times a year, with the final taps producing the best-quality resin due to their higher aromatic terpene, sesquiterpene, and diterpene content. The resin is hand-sorted for quality, and the more opaque resins are generally considered to be of better quality. Today, 90% of the world's frankincense comes from the Horn of Africa, specifically the border communities on the Somalia-Ethiopia border.
Frankincense has been used for thousands of years and is considered an herb of spirituality. It has been referenced in the Bible over 52 times and was used by the ancient Egyptians for cosmetics, perfumes, and the mummification process. In the Book of Exodus, frankincense is prescribed, blended with equal amounts of three aromatic spices, to be ground and burnt in the sacred altar before the Ark of the Covenant. It was also used in Persian medicine to treat diabetes, gastritis, and stomach ulcers.
To make Greek incense, the frankincense resin is ground and mixed with other resins such as myrrh. Essential oils are then added to form a paste, and incense particles are formed by adding either talcum powder or fire-treated powdered clay to prevent sticking.
Other resins that can be used in Greek incense include Sumatrana Benzoin, which is harvested in Northern Sumatra and has floral notes that set it apart from other Benzoin types. The Honey frankincense type is also valued locally as chewing gum and incense, producing a sweet aroma when burned.
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Binders and binders blends
Binders are an essential component of incense-making, as they act as an adhesive, holding the incense blend together. The type of binder you use will depend on your incense-making technique and the kind of incense you want to create.
If you plan on burning your incense, you will need a binder that can be burned, such as makko powder. Makko powder, also known as Tabu no ki, is a type of incense binder that can be purchased online. It serves as an excellent adhesive for incense blends and is widely used by incense makers.
On the other hand, if you intend to use a heater to warm your incense instead of burning it, you have other options. In this case, you can explore alternatives like the Japanese kneaded incense technique, which does not require a combustible binder.
The type of incense you want to create will also influence your choice of binder. For instance, if you are crafting masala-style incense sticks with a wooden rod in the centre, you may use a gum binder to ensure your mix adheres properly to the wood.
Additionally, some incense recipes call for the use of powdered clay or talcum powder. These substances can help prevent the incense particles from sticking together, providing a similar binding function.
When creating your own incense, it is important to consider the safety precautions. Always wear a respirator when handling incense ingredients and ensure proper ventilation in your workspace.
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Frequently asked questions
Greek incense is a traditional product made from frankincense and other natural ingredients. It is produced in the Orthodox monasteries on Mount Athos, Greece, and has a woodsy, herbaceous fragrance.
You will need frankincense, myrrh, resins, essential oils, and either talcum powder or fire-treated powdered clay. You can also add aromatics like patchouli or sandalwood, and liquid scents such as decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts.
First, grind the frankincense with myrrh and resins, if desired. Then, add essential oils to form a paste. Next, form the incense particles by adding either talcum powder or fire-treated powdered clay so they don't stick. Leave the incense to dry for a couple of weeks. If you are making incense sticks, you can speed up this process by using an extruder.
Place your holder on a flat, non-flammable surface in a well-ventilated area. Then, light your incense and enjoy the fragrance!
