Antonio Mcgowan
Incense has been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes, from medicinal uses to perfuming clothing. Making your own incense at home is a great way to create a sacred space and connect with your indigenous roots. To make incense powder at home, you'll need to choose a base, binder, aromatics, and water. Common bases include sandalwood, while binders can be gum-based or wood-based, with the latter serving a dual purpose as a base. For aromatics, you can use essential oils, resins, or dried and powdered herbs. Once you've gathered your ingredients, you'll need to mix them together with a small amount of water to activate the binder. The amount of water you add will depend on the humidity in your area and the type of ingredients you're using. Finally, you can let your mixture dry and burn it on a piece of charcoal or roll it into cones or sticks to create your own unique incense experience.
How to Make Incense Powder at Home
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base | Sandalwood, frankincense, patchouli, makko, charcoal, or tabu-no-ki |
| Binder | Gum binders (guar gum or xanthan gum) or wood binders (joss powder or makko) |
| Aromatics | Essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, extracts, herbs, resins, or woods |
| Liquid | Water or decoction |
| Tools | Spoon, bowl, blender, extruder, stencil, Dremel tool, knife |
| Process | Combine base, binder, and aromatics, slowly add liquid, mix and mash until dough forms, shape into cones or sticks, and dry for 2-7 days |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a base and aromatics
Incense-making requires a base, binder, aromatics, and water. The base burns well and evenly, while the binder and water act as a glue to hold the incense together. Aromatics lend their scent to the incense.
Makko, a natural combustible derived from the bark of the tabu-no-ki tree, native to Asia, is a popular choice as it serves the dual purpose of a base and binder. Charcoal can also be used as a base, often in conjunction with makko, and is commonly used as a base substitute.
For binders, there are two basic types: gum binders and wood binders. Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are more potent and require only a small amount (1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material). Wood binders, such as joss powder (also called jiggit) or tabu no ki, are easier to work with and often double as a base material. However, they may require larger quantities in recipes, sometimes up to 75%.
When choosing aromatics, incense makers may opt for dried and powdered aromatics, essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, or other extracts. The choice of aromatics depends on the desired scent profile and the complementary nature of the base. For example, using sandalwood as a base pairs well with aromatics like frankincense or patchouli. Alternatively, one could choose a set of aromatics first and then select a base that complements or does not interfere with them.
Some common aromatics used in incense-making include:
- Lemongrass powder
- Rosemary powder
- Lavender powder
- Ginger powder
- Peppermint powder
- Clove
- Resins
- Spices
- Essential oils
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Selecting a binder
The binder is a form of glue that holds the incense together in the shape you choose. There are two basic types of binders: gum binders and wood binders. Wood binders are easy to work with and can act as a base material in addition to being a binder. Common wood binders include joss powder (sometimes called jiggit) and “tabu no ki” (sometimes called "makko"). They are forgiving binders and a good choice for new incense makers. However, they have the drawback of requiring a large quantity in recipes—up to 75% wood binder. Most wood binders are not as strong as gum binders. Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are much more potent than wood binders. A typical incense recipe will use just 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material. Because of their strength, adding too much gum binder to a recipe can cause it to bind too strongly and prevent burning.
If you want to roll cones by hand, you don’t need much more than the ingredients and a mixing bowl. To make joss sticks and coils by hand, you'll need an extruder. To make masala sticks, use Tabu-No-Ki rather than Joss powder. Super Makko is a powerful and flexible joss powder that can be blended with other ingredients to create a strong and elastic makko blend. Magic Makko can be used as a replacement for Tabu-No-Ki, and Super Makko can replace Joss Powder or Tabu-No-Ki.
Makko serves a double purpose as both a base and a binder and is, therefore, commonly used in incense making. Charcoal supports makko as a base and can act as a substitute. Binder substitutes include marshmallow root or guar gum. For potential makko substitutes, use 40% marshmallow root or 1/8 tsp of guar gum per 2 tablespoons of incense (1:48 ratio).
Whether you choose a wood or gum binder, you must add water to your blend to "activate" the binder. While you do need to use a water-based liquid, it doesn’t need to be plain water. After each addition of water, use the back of a spoon to mash the powder and water together. This is more of a pressing motion than a stirring motion. At first, the mixture will look crumbly, but eventually, it will form a dough. You’re looking for a fairly dry dough that holds together without being runny.
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Mixing the powder
Firstly, choose your base. Common choices include sandalwood, frankincense, and patchouli. The base should complement the other aromatics in your incense. If you're using makko, you can substitute it for part of your base. Charcoal can also be added to support the base.
Next, select your binder. Binders act as a form of glue that holds the incense together. Wood binders, such as joss powder or "tabu no ki" (also known as makko), are easy to work with and act as a base material. Gum binders, like guar gum or xanthan gum, are more powerful but can be difficult to work with as they require precise measurements.
Now, add your aromatics. This is where you can get creative and experiment with different scents. You can use essential oils, dried and powdered herbs, resins, or woods. Remember that the type of aromatic you choose may impact the burn rate of your incense—for example, clove increases the burn temperature, while resins slow it down.
Finally, slowly add water to your mixture. The amount of water needed will depend on the humidity in your area and the other ingredients in your recipe. Use a pipette or small spoon to gradually add water to your powder, mixing until you achieve a dry dough consistency. You're looking for a mixture that holds together without being too wet or sticky. If you're using makko, you can add a small amount of liquid to form your incense into cones.
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Adding water
When adding water, it is important to do so slowly, a few drops at a time. This will help you control the consistency of the mixture. You are looking for a fairly dry dough—just wet enough to hold together without being crumbly, but definitely not runny. After each addition of water, use the back of a spoon to mash the powder and water together. This is more about pressing the two substances together, rather than stirring.
The amount of water you need to add will depend on a few factors. The humidity in your area and the amount of resins and woods in your recipe will influence the amount of water needed. The mixture will initially look crumbly, but as you add more water, the crumbles will begin to mash together to form a dough. If you are using a natural combustible like Makko, which is derived from the bark of the tabu-no-ki tree, the amount of water you add will also depend on the solubility of this ingredient.
Once your mixture can hold together, you can form it into cones or sticks. For cones, pinch off a small piece of the dough and shape it into a tall, skinny cone. Place the cones on a flat surface and let them dry for about 5 to 7 days, or until they burn well. For sticks, gently roll the dough into thin incense sticks using your hands, wooden boards, or an extruder. Cut them into 2-inch-long, 2-mm-diameter lengths and pack them tightly and straight to dry. Allow them to dry for 2 to 7 days.
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Forming the incense
Forming incense requires a binder, which acts as a glue to hold the incense together in the desired shape. The two basic types of binders are gum binders and wood binders. Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are more potent than wood binders and are typically used in smaller quantities. Wood binders, such as joss powder (also known as jiggit) or "tabu no ki" (sometimes incorrectly referred to as "makko"), are easier to work with and often serve as a base material in addition to their binding function. However, they may require larger quantities in recipes, up to 75% in some cases.
Once you've chosen your binder, you can start forming your incense. First, mix your chosen aromatic botanical powders with the binder. You can experiment with different combinations of herbs, resins, and woods to create your unique incense blend. For example, you can try using sandalwood as a base for aromatics like frankincense or patchouli.
Next, slowly add water to the mixture. This step helps ""activate"" the binder and bring the ingredients together. Use a spoon to mash the powder and water, pressing them together until the mixture forms a dough. The dough should be fairly dry and crumbly, just wet enough to hold its shape without becoming runny.
Now, you can shape your incense. You can form cones by pinching off a small amount of the dough and moulding it into a cone shape. Taller, skinnier cones tend to burn better. Alternatively, you can try making incense sticks. Roll the dough gently between your hands, wooden boards, or use an extruder to form thin incense sticks. Cut them into 2-inch-long pieces with a 2-mm diameter.
Finally, place your incense creations on a flat, dry surface and allow them to dry completely. This process can take anywhere from 2 to 7 days, depending on your climate and the humidity in your area. Once they're dry, light the tip of your incense with a flame and enjoy the aromatic experience.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a base, a binder, aromatics, and water. Common bases include sandalwood, frankincense, or patchouli. Binders include gum binders and wood binders. Aromatics can be dried and powdered herbs, resins, or woods, or liquid scents such as essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts.
First, choose your aromatics and base. Powder your herbs with a blender or other tool and sift them into a bowl. Slowly add water to the mix, using the back of a spoon to mash the powder and water together. The mixture should be dry and crumbly at first, and eventually form a dough. Pull off a small pinch and form it into a cone or stick shape. Leave the shapes to dry for 2-7 days before burning.
The finer the powder, the better it will burn. However, if you are using a stencil, you will need some rough shavings to ensure the ember does not clump and fails to move down the incense line. You can add more essential oil if the scent is too weak, but be careful not to add too much as it may affect the consistency of the incense.
