Antonio Mcgowan
Making herbal incense at home is an easy process that involves combining a few simple ingredients. The basic ingredients for making herbal incense include an aromatic substance, a burnable base, a bonding agent, and a liquid to turn the bonding agent into a glue. The aromatic substance can be any herb, spice, or botanical powder that gives off a pleasant scent when burned, such as sandalwood, juniper, cinnamon, or lavender. The base material serves as a binder that holds the incense together and can be made from wood or gum. The bonding agent acts as a glue that holds the aromatic substance and the base together, with common choices being agar, karaya, gum arabic, or tragacanth. Finally, the liquid component can be water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, or other creative options such as wine, brandy, or herb waters. These ingredients are combined and shaped into various forms, such as cones, cylinders, or sticks, to create personalized herbal incense.
How to make herbal incense e-liquid
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base | Red sandalwood, alder, charcoal, sandalwood, cedar, pine |
| Aromatics | Any herb, spice, or botanical powder |
| Bonding agent | Resin or gum (agar, karaya, gum arabic, tragacanth) |
| Liquid | Water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, wine, brandy, herb waters, olive oil, tinctures |
| Coloring agents | Food coloring, red sandalwood, willow, safflower, charcoal |
| Straining | 0.5 or 1 micron strainer |
| Thinning | Polypropylene Glycerol, PG |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing a base material: sandalwood, cedar, pine, alder, or charcoal
- Aromatics: dried and powdered herbs, spices, or botanical powders
- Binders: gum or wood binders, such as joss powder or gum Arabic
- Liquids: water, tea, coffee, wine, or fruit juices
- Filtering: using a micron strainer to remove solids and particulates
Choosing a base material: sandalwood, cedar, pine, alder, or charcoal
Choosing a base material is an important step in making incense, as it serves as the \"engine\" that provides the heat for complete combustion. The base material also influences the burning properties of the incense and can enhance its scent.
The most common base material is wood powder, which can come from a variety of wood types, including sandalwood, cedar, pine, and alder. Sandalwood is a traditional base with a strong scent, and it works well with aromatics like frankincense or patchouli. However, some types of wood, like alder and red sandalwood, have very little scent when burned, making them ideal for those who want the aromatic ingredients to stand out. If you're an experienced incense maker, you can also try using oak, but it is very tricky to work with.
In addition to wood powder, you can also use tree foliage, such as dried and powdered pine needles, to improve combustion characteristics. However, be cautious when using foliage from evergreens as they can produce acrid smoke that may irritate the eyes and throats of those nearby.
Charcoal is another option for a base material, especially if you're looking for a low-scent alternative. It serves as an outside heat source in non-combusting forms of incense.
Remember, the base material you choose will depend on the overall scent profile and burning characteristics you desire for your herbal incense e-liquid.
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Aromatics: dried and powdered herbs, spices, or botanical powders
Aromatics are a key ingredient in herbal incense, providing the scent that will be released when the incense is burned. When choosing aromatics, dried and powdered herbs, spices, or botanical powders are all suitable options.
The volume of aromatic substances should be about twice that of the base, and all dry ingredients should be powdered. Common aromatics include sandalwood, juniper, cinnamon, lavender, and rose. However, you can experiment with different herbs, spices, and botanical powders to find a scent that you enjoy.
It's important to note that the smoke from burning herbs can smell different from the fresh or dried herb itself. Therefore, it's recommended to test the fragrance of the herb smoke before using it in your incense. This can be done by dropping a small amount of the dried herb onto a hot piece of charcoal.
In addition to dried and powdered aromatics, you may also choose to include liquid scents in your incense, such as essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts. These can enhance or complement the scent of your chosen aromatics.
When mixing your aromatics with the base and other ingredients, aim for a consistency that resembles soft putty or moist dough. This will make it easier to shape your incense into cones, cylinders, or coils, or roll it onto sticks.
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Binders: gum or wood binders, such as joss powder or gum Arabic
Binders are essential in making incense as they act as a glue that holds the incense together in the desired shape. There are two basic types of binders: gum binders and wood binders.
Joss powder is a commonly used wood binder and has been a principal ingredient in making incense in Nepal, India, and Indonesia for millennia. It is used in the same manner as Makko powder, with the basic distinction being geography and culture. The right proportion of joss powder to powdered aromatics in a blend will allow the incense to burn evenly without the need for charcoal pucks or electric burners. Light and easy-burning aromatics need a relatively small amount of joss powder to keep them burning, while a high percentage of resins such as Frankincense or Myrrh powders require a higher proportion of joss powder.
Gum Arabic is a gum binder that can be used as an alternative to joss powder. It has very little viscosity and becomes sticky immediately upon touching anything while still in powder form. It produces a glossy, brittle lacquer texture as it hardens. Using too much gum Arabic can result in a crunchy exterior with a tacky interior. It is also observed to add hardness to the incense and increase the strength of a joss-style stick.
When working with binders, it is important to remember that water or another water-based liquid must be added to "activate" them. While plain water can be used, other liquids such as tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, herbal teas, and wine can also be used to activate the binder.
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Liquids: water, tea, coffee, wine, or fruit juices
Liquids are an important component of herbal incense, as they are used to "activate" the binder that holds the incense together. While water is the most commonly used liquid, other water-based liquids such as tea, coffee, wine, and fruit juices can also be used.
When choosing a liquid for your herbal incense, it's important to consider the scent of the liquid and how it will complement or enhance the overall fragrance of the incense. For example, herbal teas and wine are commonly used liquids that can add a subtle aroma to the incense. Coffee and fruit juices can also be used, but keep in mind that they may impart a stronger scent to the incense blend.
If you decide to use tea as your liquid, you can experiment with different types of herbal teas to add a subtle fragrance to your incense. Common herbal teas such as chamomile, mint, or lemon balm can be a great option. You can also try using green tea or oolong tea for a more earthy or complex scent.
Coffee can also be used as a liquid base for your herbal incense. When using coffee, it's important to consider the type of coffee and the strength of the brew. A strong, dark roast coffee will impart a deeper, richer scent to the incense, while a lighter roast or a milder brew may result in a more subtle coffee fragrance.
Fruit juices can add a sweet and refreshing scent to your herbal incense. You can use a single type of fruit juice or a combination of juices to create unique fragrance profiles. For example, citrus juices like orange, lemon, or grapefruit can add a bright and invigorating note to your incense. Juices from sweeter fruits like apple, pear, or berries can also be used to create a more mellow and relaxing aroma.
When using liquids such as water, tea, coffee, wine, or fruit juices in your herbal incense, it's important to remember that these liquids must be combined with a binder such as gum binders or wood binders. These binders act as a glue that holds the incense together and allows it to burn effectively. By choosing the right combination of liquids, fragrances, and binders, you can create unique and captivating herbal incense blends.
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Filtering: using a micron strainer to remove solids and particulates
When making herbal incense e-liquid, filtration is a critical step in the process. This step ensures that solids and particulates are removed, resulting in a smoother and more refined final product. Using a micron strainer is an effective method for achieving this.
Micron strainers are designed to capture and retain particles, with the size of the particles they can capture determined by the mesh size or micron rating. The micron rating refers to the size of the openings in the strainer, which can range from a few microns to a few hundred microns. For the purpose of filtering herbal incense e-liquid, a finer mesh size is generally preferred to ensure the removal of smaller particles.
One of the key considerations when choosing a micron strainer is the viscosity of the liquid. Viscosity refers to the thickness or resistance to flow of a fluid. In the context of e-liquid preparation, the viscosity of the liquid can vary depending on its composition and temperature. It is important to select a strainer that is suitable for the viscosity of the liquid to ensure effective filtration. For example, a higher viscosity liquid may require a larger strainer or a self-cleaning strainer to accommodate the thicker fluid and prevent clogging.
Additionally, it is essential to consider the particle size and type when selecting a micron strainer. The micron rating of the strainer should be fine enough to capture the smallest particles expected in the liquid. For instance, a 0.5 or 1-micron strainer is capable of straining up to 99% of particles in an extract, as mentioned by an individual who successfully created a clear herbal e-juice without the issue of coil gunking. However, it is important to note that using an excessively fine strainer can lead to operational and maintenance challenges due to premature fouling of the straining medium.
The flow rate, or the volume of liquid to be filtered per unit of time, is another factor that influences the choice of micron strainer. A higher flow rate may require a larger strainer or multiple strainers to handle the volume effectively without causing excessive pressure drops. The chemical composition and thermal range of the liquid are also important considerations, as they determine the compatibility of the strainer's materials with the liquid being filtered.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need an aromatic substance or mixture, a burnable base, a bonding agent, and a liquid to change the bonding agent into a glue.
Any herb, spice, or botanical powder that gives off a pleasingly scented smoke when burning. These include many kinds of wood (such as sandalwood and juniper) and bark (such as cinnamon) as well as some leaves.
A resin or gum that holds the aromatic and base together. Bonding agents that burn well without giving off toxic smoke include agar, karaya, gum arabic, and
