Herbal Incense Highs: Diy Guide To Getting Elevated

Herbal incense, or mojo, has become a popular way for people to get high, with users smoking it to achieve a marijuana-like high. While the effects of herbal incense are well-known, the process of making it is less understood. This guide will take you through the steps of making your own herbal incense, from choosing the right herbs and ingredients to forming the final product. While making your own herbal incense can be a creative and meditative process, it is important to exercise caution as the practice of burning incense has been linked to health risks such as lung cancer and high blood pressure.

Choose your herbs: frankincense, myrrh, lavender, rosemary, hops, etc

When making herbal incense, the herbs you choose will depend on the scent you want to create. You can use any herb that you enjoy the smell of, or you can use multiple herbs that complement each other. Some popular herbs with therapeutic benefits include frankincense, myrrh, lavender, rosemary, and hops.

Frankincense has been used for centuries in various cultures for its spiritual and therapeutic advantages. It is believed to have calming, anti-inflammatory, and mood-enhancing properties. When burned, it releases a pleasant fragrance and is often combined with other herbal incenses to create a balanced aroma.

Myrrh is another ancient resin known for its medicinal properties. When burned, it produces a calming aroma. It is often used in combination with other herbs such as frankincense, lavender, and benzoin to create a sweet, floral fragrance.

Lavender is widely used for its calming and relaxing effects. It is believed to reduce stress and promote better sleep, making it ideal for use before bedtime. However, it is important to limit exposure to avoid overwhelming scents.

Rosemary has both culinary and therapeutic applications. Its invigorating scent is believed to uplift moods, and it offers anti-inflammatory benefits that are advantageous for respiratory health. It may also help improve cognitive function and clear sinuses.

Hops are known to contain high levels of the terpene myrcene, which produces relaxing effects when inhaled.

When choosing your herbs, it is important to consider their effects and combine them in a way that creates a harmonious blend. You can use dried herbs to test the scent before making your incense sticks or cones.

Prepare your herbs: dry, powder, and blend with a bonding agent

Preparing your herbs is a crucial step in making herbal incense. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:

Drying your herbs

The first step is to gather your chosen herbs. You can use fresh flowers and herbs, such as lavender, roses, thyme, rosemary, or eucalyptus. It is recommended to use plants that are not fully bloomed and have not been grown with chemicals or pesticides. Once you have your selection, hang them in a cool, dry spot to air-dry for 2 to 3 weeks. Ensure that the herbs are completely dry before moving on to the next step.

Powdering the herbs

Once your herbs are dried, it's time to grind them into a fine powder. Using a mortar and pestle, or a blender, pulverize the herbs into a soft, powdery consistency. This step helps release the aromatic compounds and makes it easier to blend with other ingredients.

Blending with a bonding agent

To create a cohesive incense blend, you'll need a bonding agent, also known as a binder. Common natural bonding agents include honey, hydrosols, dates (processed into a paste), red wine, salt, and brandy. Start by adding a small amount of the bonding agent to your powdered herbs and mix well. You can always add more if needed, but it's important to start with a conservative amount to avoid making the mixture too sticky. Allow the mixture to sit for a couple of hours to ensure the bonding agent has done its job.

At this stage, you can also add other aromatic substances to enhance the fragrance of your incense. This could include spices, botanical powders, or different types of wood and bark, such as sandalwood, juniper, or cinnamon. Experiment with different combinations to create unique and pleasing scents.

Once you're happy with your blend, it's time to shape your incense. Common shapes include cones, cylinders, sticks, or coils. You can roll the mixture into small balls or use molds to create your desired shape. If you're making sticks or cones, you can wrap the mixture around a thin piece of twine or cotton string, creating a handle for easy burning.

Finally, allow your herbal incense to dry thoroughly before burning. Place them on a ceramic plate or parchment paper and leave them to dry for several days or up to a couple of weeks, turning them occasionally to ensure even drying.

Choose your incense shape: cones, sticks, or balls

Now that you've gathered your ingredients, it's time to choose the shape of your herbal incense. The three most common shapes are cones, sticks, and balls. Each shape has its own unique advantages and can be used in different settings.

Cones are a classic shape for herbal incense and are known for their slow and consistent burn. They are often placed on small dishes and lit at the tip, burning in a similar way to incense sticks. Cones are perfect for meditation or relaxation, as they require minimal attention once lit.

Sticks are another popular option and are available in two main types: those with a bamboo centre (or core) and those without. Hand-making incense sticks is an ancient art that originated in China and later spread to Japan. The advantage of sticks is that they can be placed in a holder, making them convenient for use during meditation, yoga, or other activities.

Balls are a less common but equally effective option for herbal incense. They are made by rolling the dough into small, evenly sized balls, which are then placed directly onto charcoals to burn. Balls are perfect for creating a relaxing atmosphere during a candlelit bath or a romantic dinner.

Regardless of the shape you choose, it's important to calculate the amount of powdered ingredients needed based on the desired number and length of your incense. For example, 28g/1oz of incense powder typically yields about 40 full-length 2mm Chinese incense sticks, with some leftover dough that can be used to make cones.

Add water to form dough and shape your incense

Now that you have selected your herbs and blended them into a fine powder, it is time to add water to form a dough and shape your incense. This part of the process is creative and experimental, so feel free to try out new things. First, you will need to calculate how much powdered ingredients to use. This will depend on how many incense sticks you want to make and what length you would like them to be. For example, 28g/1oz of powder will typically yield about 40 full-length (2mm) sticks. Keep in mind that you won't get full use out of the dough, so make sure to make some allowance for leftovers.

Once you have measured out the required amount of powder, add the water slowly. It is important that the dough doesn't get too moist. Thoroughly mix the powder and water together after each addition of water. You can use a spoon or chopsticks to mix everything until it is well blended.

When you have achieved the right consistency, you can start shaping your incense. You can form many different shapes, such as cones or sticks. You can also roll the dough into small balls and place them straight onto charcoals to burn. Place your shaped incense onto a wooden board to dry. Once they are dry, place your creations into airtight containers to maintain freshness.

Dry your incense and store in airtight containers

Once you've created your desired shape, it's time to let your incense dry. Place your incense on a wooden board to dry. The drying process will likely take several hours, but you can leave it overnight to be sure.

When your incense has dried completely, it's ready to be stored. Store your incense in airtight containers to maintain freshness. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids are a good option. Make sure your containers are labelled clearly, especially if you plan to make multiple batches of incense with different ingredients or scents.

You can also add decorations to your containers, such as stickers or ribbons, to make them more aesthetically pleasing. If you're giving your incense as a gift, you can tie a ribbon around the jar or add a personalised label.

Proper storage will help ensure that your incense stays fresh and potent. Store your containers in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Incense can last for several months or even years when stored properly, so you can enjoy your creations for a long time!

Frequently asked questions