Katrina Rosales
Incense is an ancient tradition that has been practised for over 6000 years, with historians linking its origins to early Egyptian and Mesopotamian civilisations. The practice has evolved over time, with modern-day incense commonly being made from aromatic plant materials and essential oils, which are known to offer various physical and mental benefits. The process of making incense involves using blank incense sticks and coating them with essential oils, with popular choices including lavender oil and amyris essential oil, which are known for their calming and relaxing properties. This process can be done through various methods, such as the vertical and horizontal methods, which involve soaking the sticks in essential oils for 24 hours and allowing them to dry. On the other hand, alcohol addiction is a chronic relapsing disorder characterised by compulsive alcohol drinking and a loss of control over intake. It is a spectrum disorder that can range from mild to severe and is associated with negative emotional states and compromised brain function. Treatment options for alcohol use disorder include medication and behavioural therapy, with support also available through helplines and family therapy.
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What You'll Learn
How to make incense with essential oils: the history of incense
The history of incense is a long and fascinating one, dating back more than 6,000 years to ancient civilisations in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and India. In these early times, incense was used for practical purposes, such as masking unpleasant odours, as well as spiritual and religious reasons, such as deterring demons and offering to the gods.
The use of incense spread from Egypt and Mesopotamia to Greece, Rome, and the Indus Civilisation. One of the oldest textual sources on incense is the Vedas, specifically the Atharvaveda and the Rigveda. Incense was also an important part of rituals in ancient China, where it was made from blends of herbs and plants like cinnamon and sandalwood, fragrances that are still popular today.
In Japan, incense appreciation is considered an art form, with its own dedicated space in the tea ceremony and a specific term, "Kōdō," which translates to "the way of incense." The history of incense in Japan is closely tied to the Buddhist priest Ganjin, who introduced a thriving incense culture from Tang dynasty China to Japan in 754 AD. Before this, incense in Japan was primarily used for medicinal purposes, with the introduction of nerikoh (blended incense balls) marking the start of fragrance appreciation.
Today, incense is still widely used around the world, with modern adaptations and a range of fragrances to suit different tastes and purposes. While incense is often associated with spirituality and higher connections, it is also used for ambiance, therapy, and meditation, as well as for its aromatic and deodorising properties.
Making incense at home with essential oils is a popular way to create personalised fragrances for different moods and occasions. The process involves soaking blank incense sticks in a mixture of essential oils and other ingredients, such as carrier oils or alcohol, for 24 hours. The sticks are then allowed to dry, and they can be packaged in special bags, tubes, or boxes.
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How to make incense with essential oils: choosing the right oil
Making your own incense with essential oils is a fun hobby that allows you to customize scents that resonate with your unique preferences and needs. Incense is primarily composed of aromatic plant materials that burn to release a gentle smoke and distinct fragrance. Essential oils are used to increase the scent and provide additional physical and mental benefits. The use of incense can therefore be described as a form of aromatherapy, as the properties of the oil are inhaled to positively impact health and wellness.
When choosing the right essential oil for your incense, it's important to note that not all essential oils are created equal; some may cause irritation or allergic reactions if not used properly. It's also important to pay attention to whether you're using an essential oil or a fragrance oil, as both have different properties and potential side effects. Fragrance oils are synthetic, whereas essential oils are derived from plants.
To make incense, you can use any oil, regardless of its benefits or note profile. However, many people opt for calming, gentle aromas to evoke relaxation and serenity due to the association of incense with spirituality and higher connections. Classic aromas of lavender oil are key for unlocking total relaxation. Other popular scents for relaxation include chamomile, bergamot, ylang-ylang, and frankincense. Citrus scents like lemon or bergamot can be uplifting, and peppermint can enhance mental clarity and focus.
When using essential oils in incense blends, it's recommended to choose the more syrupy essential oils like sandalwood, frankincense, and benzoin. These denser base notes will not evaporate as readily and can act as fixatives for lighter oils, helping the scent last longer. Earthy base notes from essential oils such as Sandalwood, Palo Santo, and Patchouli also make excellent starting points.
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How to make incense with essential oils: the two methods
Making incense with essential oils can be done using two methods: the vertical method and the horizontal method.
The Vertical Method:
This method is suitable for making incense for retail sale as it takes less space and produces less waste. Here are the steps:
- Bind the top of the incense sticks before soaking them.
- Soak the sticks in bundles in a mixture of essential oils and a solvent like dipropylene glycol (DPG) for 24 hours. DPG helps the incense burn slower, reduces black smoke, and allows the scent to absorb better.
- Store the leftover mixture for future use or to start the next batch.
- Hang or stand the bundles for another 24 hours to dry.
- Package the dried incense in special plastic bags, kraft tubes, or boxes.
The Horizontal Method:
This method involves laying the incense sticks horizontally while applying the essential oil blend. Here are the steps:
- Prepare a blend of essential oils and DPG. If you are not using DPG, simply mix your blend of essential oils.
- Lay the incense stick blanks on a tray lined with aluminum foil.
- Use a dropper or sprayer to distribute the blend evenly over the blanks. Alternatively, if using DPG, place the blanks in a shallow glass dish and pour the blend over them, ensuring they are completely covered.
- Let the sticks soak for 24 hours in a safe spot away from direct sunlight or extreme temperatures.
- Place the soaked blanks on a rack to dry for 24 hours.
- Package the dried incense in wax paper or cellophane to protect their aroma.
Additional Tips:
- Before scenting a large batch, it is advisable to test your blend on a single stick. Apply up to 20 drops of essential oil or 4ml of blend to one stick.
- When using essential oils, choose denser base notes like sandalwood, frankincense, or benzoin, as they evaporate slowly and can act as fixatives for lighter oils.
- If you want to make self-combusting incense, you will need tools like a grinder, fine mesh sieve, bowl, spoon, and your hands.
- For loose incense, a mortar and pestle, scale, spoon, bowl, and brush are essential tools.
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Alcohol addiction: the cycle of addiction
Alcohol addiction, like other forms of addiction, is a spectrum disorder that can be mild, moderate, or severe. It is a complex chronic mental health disorder resulting from compulsive substance use despite harmful consequences. Alcohol addiction can be understood as a repeating cycle with three stages: incentive salience, negative emotional states, and executive function. These stages are linked and feed off each other, and they correspond to three key regions of the brain: the basal ganglia, the extended amygdala, and the prefrontal cortex.
The first stage of the cycle is incentive salience, which involves the basal ganglia. This stage is marked by changes in how a person responds to stimuli associated with drinking alcohol, such as specific people, places, or alcohol-associated cues like glassware or images. Over time, these stimuli can trigger powerful urges to drink alcohol, leading to habit formation and compulsive use.
The second stage is negative emotional states, which involves the extended amygdala. When an individual with an alcohol addiction stops drinking, they experience withdrawal symptoms, which can be physical (e.g., sleep disturbances, pain, and illness) and emotional (e.g., dysphoria, irritability, anxiety, and emotional pain). This overactive negative emotional state may drive further alcohol consumption to find relief from these unpleasant feelings.
The third stage is executive function, which involves the prefrontal cortex. This area of the brain is responsible for organizing thoughts and activities, prioritizing tasks, managing time, and making decisions. Compromised executive function can lead to difficulties in managing one's life and making healthy choices, potentially perpetuating the cycle of addiction.
It is important to note that these stages may not always occur linearly or discretely. They can overlap or occur simultaneously, and individuals can enter the cycle of addiction at any stage. Additionally, the cycle can unfold over various timescales, from weeks to months or even within a day.
Understanding the cycle of alcohol addiction can provide valuable insights into the complex nature of this disorder and inform strategies for prevention, intervention, and treatment.
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Alcohol addiction: treatment and support
While making incense with essential oils and alcohol can be a fun activity, it is important to address the serious topic of alcohol addiction and provide information on treatment and support.
Alcohol use disorder, commonly known as alcoholism, is a common medical condition in which individuals are unable to stop drinking despite the negative impact on their health, safety, and personal relationships. Treatment for alcohol use disorder typically involves medication and behavioural therapy, with the goal of reducing alcohol consumption or achieving abstinence. It is important to recognise that there is no one-size-fits-all solution, and different treatments may work for different individuals.
Behavioural treatments, led by healthcare providers, aim to change drinking behaviour through counselling. These treatments are supported by studies demonstrating their effectiveness. In the United States, three medications are currently approved to aid in reducing or stopping alcohol consumption and preventing relapse. These medications can be prescribed by primary care providers or other healthcare professionals and may be used in conjunction with counselling.
Various resources are available to assist individuals and their loved ones in addressing alcohol problems. The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism (NIAAA) offers guides and information on treatment options, such as the Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention for Youth: A Practitioner's Guide. Additionally, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) operates a National Helpline, providing free and confidential referrals to treatment facilities, support groups, and community organisations. This service is accessible 24/7 via phone, text, or online and is available in English and Spanish.
For those seeking support, it is recommended to contact primary care providers, health insurance plans, local health departments, or employee assistance programs for information about specialty treatment. Support groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) also offer apps and services to aid in recovery. It is beneficial to explore the different options available and choose the most suitable treatment plan.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is primarily composed of aromatic plant materials that burn to release a gentle smoke and distinct fragrance. Essential oils are often added to increase the scent and provide additional benefits. To make your own incense sticks, you can use the vertical or horizontal method. For the vertical method, bind sticks at the top, soak them in your chosen essential oil mixture for 24 hours, and then leave them to dry for another 24 hours. For the horizontal method, gently roll the sticks in the mixture, let them rest for 24 hours, and then stand them up to dry for another 24 hours.
Essential oils can be used to aid in the healing process during alcohol addiction recovery, especially during detox and withdrawal. They can help reduce cravings, improve physical and mental health, and reduce symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression. Popular choices include lavender, chamomile, peppermint, lemon, ginger, and bergamot.
To determine the purity of an essential oil, you can use your sense of smell, check the label, or test its contents using different methods. Pure essential oils will always come in dark-coloured glass containers to protect them from light and heat. Higher prices may also indicate higher-quality oils, as cheaper oils may be diluted with other cheaper substances or synthetic elements.
