Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used for centuries to create aromatic spaces and is deeply intertwined with religious ceremonies and the practice of medicine. Making your own incense blend is a meditative and creative process that allows you to explore different scents and their effects on your mood and emotions. You can use various natural ingredients such as resins, woods, herbs, and essential oils to craft unique blends that enhance your environment and stimulate your senses. Whether you're looking for relaxation, purification, or simply a pleasant aroma, creating your own incense blend is a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
How to Make Incense Blend
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base | Resin, sandalwood, cedar, pine, red sandalwood, alder, charcoal, makko |
| Binder | Gum binders, wood binders, honey, water |
| Ingredients | Herbs, woods, resins, dried fruits, essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, extracts |
| Tools | Mortar and pestle, food processor, tongs, lighter, charcoal disk, incense burner |
| Purpose | Aromatic, medicinal, religious, entertainment, purification, relaxation, stimulation |
| Storage | Store in a safe place |
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What You'll Learn
Choose your base: dried herbs, resins, or wood
When making incense, you can choose from a variety of bases: dried herbs, resins, or wood. Each of these offers a unique set of aromatic properties that can enhance your incense blend. Here's a guide to help you choose the right base for your creation:
Dried Herbs
Dried herbs are a popular choice for incense making, offering a wide range of scents and properties. When selecting dried herbs as your base, consider using a combination of bitter and sweet herbs to create a balanced blend. Some common bitter herbs include sagebrush, mugwort, yarrow leaves, juniper berries, and rosemary. On the sweeter side, you can opt for rose petals, lavender, cinnamon, or fir needles. You can grind these herbs into a fine powder, which will form the foundation of your incense blend.
Resins
Resins, preferably in powdered form, can serve as an excellent base for your incense. They come in various types, each with its unique aromatic and ritualistic qualities. For instance, copal is known for invoking love, blessings, and happiness, while dragon's blood is used for protection and purification. When using resins, it's advisable to grind them into a powder first. Freezing the resins beforehand will make them easier to work with and prevent them from becoming sticky.
Wood
Wooden bases, such as sandalwood, cedar, and pine, can impart a strong scent to your incense blend. These woods are typically available in "oil-extracted" or lower-quality forms with less scent. As a beginner, you may find it easier to work with low-scent base materials such as red sandalwood, alder, or charcoal, as they contribute less to the overall fragrance. When using wood as your base, you can also use it as a binder, which acts as a form of glue to hold the incense together.
Binders
Whether you choose herbs, resins, or wood as your base, you'll need to incorporate a binder to hold your incense blend together. Common binders include gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, and wood binders, like joss powder ("jiggit") or "tabu no ki" (sometimes mislabelled as "makko"). Makko, a Japanese blend, often includes tabu no ki and clove, and may contain other ingredients like sandalwood. Binders require a water-based liquid, such as water, tea, fruit juices, or wine, to activate them. However, be cautious when adding liquid scents like essential oils, as they don't contain water.
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Add aromatics: dried fruit, essential oils, or decoctions
Aromatics are the ingredients that give incense its scent. They are usually dried and powdered, but can also be in liquid form, such as essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts.
Essential oils
Essential oils are a common aromatic used in incense. To make incense sticks with essential oils, you will need a tray or dish, some unscented incense sticks, a dropper, and your chosen essential oil. First, line your tray with aluminium foil and place the incense sticks on it in even spaces. Using the dropper, add 20 drops of essential oil to each incense stick, making sure the oil is evenly distributed across the whole stick. Once applied, store the sticks in a glass jar and leave them to rest for 24 hours.
You can also make incense cones with essential oils. For this, you will need a deep pan or dish, some blank incense cones, and a mixture of 1/3 essential oil and 2/3 alcohol. Place your cones in the mixture and leave them to soak for 24 hours. Then, remove the cones and place them on a drying rack lined with paper towels. Leave the cones to dry for another 24 hours.
Dried aromatics
Dried aromatics are usually powdered before being added to incense blends. You can powder dried herbs using a blender or another tool and then sifting them into a bowl. You can also use dried fruit, such as orange peel, in your incense blend.
Decoctions
Decoctions are another type of aromatic that can be used in incense. To make a decoction, you will need to slowly heat your chosen ingredient (such as ginger) in water. Once the decoction has cooled, it can be added to your incense blend.
Choosing aromatics
When choosing aromatics for your incense blend, consider the scent you want to create. Different aromatics have different associations and effects. For example, jasmine is associated with love and attraction, while sandalwood is associated with meditation and purification. Frankincense is used to drive away negativity, while dragon's blood is burned for protection.
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Bind with gum or wood: guar gum, xanthan gum, or joss powder
When making your own incense blend, binders are used to help your mixture stick together. Common wood binders include joss powder (also called jiggit) and “tabu no ki” (sometimes called "makko"). Wood binders are easy to work with and act as a base material. However, they are not as strong as gum binders and a typical recipe will use just 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material.
Guar gum is a popular gum binder for incense blends. It is scentless and very powerful, so it is recommended to use less rather than more. It is light tan or grey in colour and produces a silky texture.
Xanthan gum is another gum binder. It is also scentless and is easier to mix than guar gum. It is also more potent than guar gum.
When making your own incense blend, you will want a stiff, dough-like mixture. It should be crumbly on its own but stick together when you squeeze it. You can roll this mixture into pea-sized balls and leave them to dry for several days or a couple of weeks, depending on the humidity.
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Burn on charcoal: use a charcoal disk and burner or small dish
To burn your incense blend on charcoal, you'll need a charcoal disk, burner, or small dish. A screened charcoal burner is best, as it will create a nook for the disc to stay in place. If your burner doesn't have a screen, place some sand in the bottom of the vessel and put the charcoal on top, as charcoal touching metal won't burn. Make sure your container is heat-proof; metal is the best option as other materials may break and cause a fire. Charcoal gets very hot, so always handle it with tongs.
Light the charcoal with a candle, a torch lighter, or a barbecue lighter. Quick-igniting charcoal will start sparkling; you can avoid the first smoke released from the sparkles. If your charcoal doesn't quick-ignite, you can burn it for a few minutes on a stovetop or with a burner and torch lighter. Once the charcoal has a ring of ash, it's ready for your incense blend. Add a pinch of loose incense with your fingers if you're careful, or use a metal spoon if you're extra careful. Resin will boil and then melt into the charcoal. Herbs burn faster, so wait until they're charred to scrape them off the charcoal and add more. To make the charcoal burn hotter or faster, tap the ashes off; leave them if you want a slower burn.
Charcoal-based incense burners offer a versatile, traditional way to enjoy a wide range of natural incense types, including resins, herbs, and powders. They provide a strong, long-lasting fragrance, ideal for creating a calming, aromatic atmosphere during meditation, relaxation, or spiritual practices. The high heat from the charcoal ensures a complete release of the incense's aroma. Charcoal disc incense is ideal for those who want a slow, even burn that enhances the fragrance of the incense. However, be aware that incense smoke can be harmful, potentially causing respiratory issues and exposing you to toxic chemicals. Always place your burner on a heat-resistant surface, keep it away from flammable materials, and ensure proper ventilation. Never leave it unattended due to potential safety risks.
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Safety first: ensure proper ventilation and avoid flammable objects
Incense burning is a cherished ritual across many cultures, but safety should never take a back seat. Here are some safety precautions to keep in mind when making and burning your own incense blend:
Ensure Proper Ventilation
It is important to always burn incense in a well-ventilated area. Burning incense produces smoke, even if it is a reduced-smoke variety. Inadequate ventilation can lead to smoke accumulation, which may impact breathing and cause allergic reactions. Keep a window slightly open or burn incense outdoors to ensure a constant source of fresh air. Avoid burning incense in confined spaces, such as a closed room or a small area without proper airflow.
Avoid Flammable Objects
Incense sticks are made of highly flammable materials, so it is crucial to keep them away from flammable objects and surfaces. Before lighting incense, ensure that the surrounding area is clear of any flammable items, such as curtains, towels, clothes, wood, or other combustible materials. Avoid burning incense near alcohol, hairspray, aerosols, or any substances with high alcohol or petroleum content, as these can create dangerous fumes and increase the risk of fire. Always use a heat-resistant incense holder or burner, placed on a stable surface, to minimize the risk of the incense toppling over and igniting flammable materials.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use dried and ground herbs, resins, dried fruit, honey, essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts.
Here are some popular incense blend recipes:
- Frankincense, lavender, and rosemary
- Copal, rose, and jasmine
- Dragon’s blood, orange peel, and peppermint
- Sandalwood, cinnamon, and patchouli
First, gather your ingredients. Then, crush the herbs into a powder using a mortar and pestle. Next, mix in your chosen binder, such as makko powder, with water to create a stiff dough-like mixture. Roll the mixture into small balls and place them on a plate to dry for several days. Finally, place a charcoal briquette on a bed of sand in your incense dish and light it.
