Heidi Norton
Incense has been used for centuries to create aromatic spaces, both indoors and outdoors, and is often associated with religious ceremonies and traditional medicine. If you want to make your own incense from scratch, you'll need to start with a few key materials and follow a simple process. Firstly, source some blank bamboo sticks or cones, along with fragrance oils of your choice, and a binding agent like makko or dipropylene glycol (DPG) to help reduce smoke. Prepare your mixture, roll it onto the sticks or shape it into cones, and let them dry for a couple of weeks in a cool, dark place. Once dry, light your creations and enjoy the unique fragrance you've crafted!
How to make incense out of smelly leaves
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Blank bamboo sticks, charcoal, makko, fragrance oil, dipropylene glycol (DPG), bowl, rectangular box, cooling rack |
| Process | Soak unscented sticks in DPG and fragrance oil, roll mixture onto sticks, allow to dry for a couple of weeks, light and observe burn and smell |
| Tips | Burn incense outside or near an open window to reduce smoke, use a burner case with perforated holes, use a bowl with white rice ash, charcoal, and makko |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right leaves for fragrance
Leaf Variety
Not all leaves are created equal when it comes to fragrance. Some leaves have a more potent scent than others, and certain varieties are known for their aromatic qualities. For example, lavender, basil, and rose leaves are known for their distinct and pleasant aromas. Sandalwood, frankincense, myrrh, and lemongrass are also commonly used in incense for their exotic and soothing scents.
Leaf Freshness
The freshness of the leaves you choose can impact the fragrance of your incense. Fresh, vibrant leaves tend to have a more intense and pure scent compared to dried or aged leaves. If you're using fresh leaves, make sure they are free from any signs of wilting or decay, as these can impart an unpleasant odour to your incense.
Leaf Combination
Combining different types of leaves can create unique and complex fragrances for your incense. Experimenting with different leaf combinations allows you to customise the scent to your personal preference or intended purpose, such as relaxation or meditation. For example, you could blend floral leaves with citrus leaves for a refreshing and uplifting aroma.
Leaf Quality
The quality of the leaves you choose can impact the overall quality of your incense. Look for leaves that are organic and free from pesticides or other chemicals that may affect their scent or release toxic fumes when burned. High-quality leaves will generally result in a purer and more natural-smelling incense.
Drying and Aging
After choosing your leaves, consider the drying and aging process. Properly dried and aged leaves can result in a more potent and long-lasting fragrance. The drying process typically involves hanging or laying the leaves out in a cool, dark, and well-ventilated area for several days or weeks, depending on the leaf variety. Aging the leaves in a sealed container for a few months can further enhance their fragrance.
By carefully selecting the right leaves for fragrance, you can create incense with a unique and pleasing aroma. Remember to experiment with different varieties, combinations, and drying techniques to find the perfect scent for your incense-making endeavours.
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Preparing the incense mixture
It is important to allow your incense sticks or cones to dry thoroughly. This process can take a couple of weeks or more, depending on the climate. Keep your creations away from sunlight and heat during this time. A useful indicator of dryness is comparing the colour of the centre bottom to the outer edges of the cones; if they differ, they are likely dry. You can also test the dryness by lighting one of your incense sticks or cones. If it does not burn steadily, you may need to increase the amount of combustible material in your mixture, and if it burns too quickly, you can adjust by decreasing the combustible content.
Once your incense has dried, you can store it or gift it. You can also experiment with different fragrances and adjust the burning speed by grinding up your creations, adding more combustible material or incense mixture, and a small amount of water. This process allows you to create unique and personalised fragrances. It is worth noting that the more incense sticks or cones you make in a batch, the stronger the fragrance will be. Typically, a batch of 20-30 sticks will produce a noticeable scent, and you can increase the quantity of fragrance oil and dipropylene glycol (DPG) accordingly if you wish to make larger batches.
To burn your incense, light one end of the stick or cone and gently fan out the flame. Allow it to burn slowly and naturally. If you are using loose incense mixtures or pellets, charcoal or makko can be used to heat your incense. Burning incense outdoors can be done by placing the loose ingredients or pellets directly onto hot rocks or into a small campfire, ensuring that only glowing coals remain with no open flame.
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Shaping incense into cones or sticks
To shape incense into cones, you will need around 1.5 tsp of your herb mixture for each cone. Ensure that you grind the herbs into a powder for the best effect. If you're using ingredients like honey, add them after grinding the herbs. You will need about 1 tbsp of water and 1-2 tbsp of any other liquid ingredients. Mix the ingredients in a bowl to create a mixture that holds its shape. If the mixture is too wet or too dry, it won't form effective incense cones.
The easiest way to shape your incense cones is to press the mixture into a piping tip, preferably one with a wide nozzle. Slide a toothpick into the centre of the cone to create a little space, which will help the cone burn better. Allow the cones to dry for one to two days in a sunny spot. You can tell when they are dry when there is no colour difference between the centre of the bottom and the outer edges.
To shape incense into sticks, you will need to buy pre-prepared, unscented sticks. Ordinary bamboo sticks will not work. Combine one part pulverized charcoal to three parts makko powder in a bowl. Next, slowly add your chosen essential or fragrance oil to the dry mix. The amount of oil depends on the strength of the fragrance you desire. A good guideline is to start with 20% of the total weight of the dry mixture.
For a milder, more consistent scent, dilute your fragrance oil with dipropylene glycol at a 1:1 ratio before adding it to the dry mixture. Roll your incense mixture onto the sticks. Allow the incense sticks to dry for at least a couple of weeks in a well-ventilated area, on a heat-resistant surface, and away from sunlight, heat, and flammable materials.
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Adding a combustible material
To make incense from scratch, you will need to add a combustible material to your mixture. This is necessary for forming your incense into cones or sticks. You can purchase blank bamboo sticks with no additives and roll your mixture onto them. Alternatively, you can make your incense combustible by using charcoal. Charcoal is a popular method for burning loose incense mixtures or pellets. You can place your incense mixture directly on top of a piece of charcoal or next to it. The charcoal will heat your incense and release its fragrance into the air.
If you are using charcoal, it is recommended to use a bowl or cup-shaped incense burner filled with ash or sand. The ash or sand will prevent the incense from getting too hot and burning your incense mixture. You can also use a small bit of sand in a dish underneath the hot charcoal. If you are using a dish, make sure that it is made of a material that will not catch fire, such as a steel tray.
Once you have added your combustible material and formed your incense into the desired shape, you will need to let it dry. This process can take a couple of weeks, depending on the climate. Keep your incense away from sunlight and heat during this time. If you are using sticks, they will dry faster than cones. You can tell when a cone is dry by turning it upside down and looking for a colour difference between the centre of the bottom and the outer edges.
After your incense has dried, you can light it and see how it burns and smells. If it does not burn steadily, you may need to increase the amount of combustible material in your mixture. If it burns too quickly, you will need to decrease the amount.
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Drying and storing the incense
Drying and storing your incense correctly is a crucial step in the process of making your own incense. The drying time will vary depending on the climate and the type of incense you are making. For example, incense sticks will dry faster than cones. A good way to tell if your cones are dry is to turn them upside down and look for any colour differences between the centre of the bottom and the outer edges. If there is no noticeable difference, they are dry and ready to be burned.
It is important to keep your incense away from sunlight and heat while it dries. A cool, dry, dark place is best for storing your incense. You can place the incense on a rectangular box, cooling rack, or any other flat surface to dry. Cover the area with a thin cloth to protect it from dust and other contaminants.
If you are making incense sticks, you will need to purchase pre-prepared, unscented sticks. Ordinary bamboo sticks will not work as they do not have the necessary additives. You can find these online or at your local aromatherapy store. Soak the unscented sticks in your chosen fragrance oil and dipropylene glycol mixture. Allow them to dry completely before use.
Once your incense has dried, you can store it in a sealed container to keep it fresh. Glass jars with tight-fitting lids work well for this purpose. Store your incense in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Proper storage will help extend the life of your incense and maintain its fragrance.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need blank bamboo sticks with no additives, a mixture of your choice, a rectangular box or dish, a cooling rack, dipropylene glycol, fragrance oil, and a burner.
First, soak the unscented bamboo sticks in a mixture of dipropylene glycol and fragrance oil. Then, roll your leaves mixture onto the sticks. Allow the sticks to dry for a couple of weeks, away from sunlight and heat.
Light one end of the incense stick, fan out the flame, and let it burn slowly. If you are using loose incense, you will need to burn it on a small bit of charcoal or makko placed on a dish of sand or ash.
Open a window and place a fan at one end of the room, pointing towards the window. Let the room ventilate for about an hour. Set bowls of baking soda around the room and sprinkle it over fabrics and upholstery.
