Seamus Hammond
Incense is used in various cultures and has a long history of creating sacred spaces, uplifting intentions, and connecting communities. While making incense, it is essential to have a base, binder, aromatics, and water. Makko is a popular choice for incense making as it serves a dual purpose as both a base and a binder. However, if you want to make incense without Makko, there are alternatives such as Indonesian Joss Powder, charcoal, marshmallow root, guar gum, or gum Arabic. These substitutes can be combined with aromatic plants and herbs to create unique incense blends. Making your own incense allows you to connect with the land and indigenous rituals while also ensuring the sustainable and intentional use of botanicals.
How to make incense without makko
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base | Charcoal |
| Binder | Marshmallow root, Guar gum, Gum Arabic, Gum Tragacanth, Turmeric, Sandalwood powder, Xanthan gum, Clove, Tabu-No-Ki, Gum binders (e.g. Guar gum, Xanthan gum), Wood binders (e.g. Joss powder, Tabu-No-Ki) |
| Aromatics | Bupleurum, Dong quai, Lemongrass, Rosemary, Ginger, Peppermint leaves, Sandalwood, Turmeric |
| Liquid | Water, Tea, Coffee, Milk, Fruit juices, Herbal teas, Wine |
| Process | Powder the herbs, Mix all powders evenly, Decoct aromatics in water, Form a dough, Shape into a cone, Dry for 5-7 days, Light the tip |
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What You'll Learn
Use a gum binder, like gum Arabic or gum Tragacanth, to bind the mixture together
Gums such as gum Arabic and gum Tragacanth are natural plant-based binders that can be used to bind the incense mixture together. The mucilaginous material, derived from botanical sources, is mixed with fragrant materials and water. The mucilage from the wet binding powder holds the fragrant material together while the cellulose in the powder combusts to form a stable ember when lit. The dry binding powder usually comprises about 10% of the dry weight in the finished incense.
To activate the binder, you must add water to your blend. While you do need to use a water-based liquid, it doesn’t need to be plain water. Any liquid that is mostly water will work to activate your binder. That means that water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, and other liquids can be used to activate your binder.
Gum Arabic is known to increase the strength of a joss-style stick. It produces a glossy brittle lacquer texture as it hardens, and if you use too much, it will result in a crunchy exterior with a tacky interior. Gum Arabic is also known to return to being tacky when rolled by hand.
Gum Tragacanth was the first gum binder used by the incense-maker from The Incense Dragon. It is a brownish-white powder with no scent and works just as well as guar gum or xanthan gum. Some incense makers prefer Tragacanth, but it is not considered better than other gum binders.
When using Tragacanth, be careful not to use too much, as it can cause the incense to collapse mid-rolling. If it is just a tiny bit too wet, it can go unnoticed and cause an accidental backflow effect when burning.
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Try a wood binder like Indonesian 'Joss powder' or 'tabu no ki' as a base material
Wood binders, such as Indonesian Joss powder or tabu no ki, are a great base material for making incense without makko. They are easy to work with and can act as a base material in addition to being a binder.
Joss powder is a strong and flexible binder, which can be blended with other ingredients to create a whole new makko blend. It is also possible to roll joss sticks and coils by hand, but an extruder is needed to get a good result. Indonesian Joss powder is not produced in the US, but it is available elsewhere.
Tabu no ki is a natural wood binder used when making makko. It is scentless and will easily absorb the scents from any incense blend. It is the most widely used incense binder in the world. However, a higher proportion of wood binder is needed in the recipe—around 30% to 40%—compared to gum binders, which only require about 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material.
To activate a wood binder, you must add a water-based liquid to your blend. Water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, and other liquids with a high water content can be used.
When purchasing makko, be aware that some sellers may be supplying pure tabu no ki. While this is a great base material for incense, it is not true makko, which contains tabu no ki along with other ingredients.
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Add water to your blend to 'activate' the binder
When making incense, you'll need to add a liquid to your blend to activate the binder. While this liquid is usually water, it doesn't have to be. Any liquid that is mostly water will work, including tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, and other liquids. Herbal teas and wine are commonly used. However, it's important to note that essential oils do not contain water, so they cannot be used as a substitute. You can, however, supplement the amount of water you use with some oils.
The binder is a form of glue that holds the incense together in the desired shape. There are two basic types of binders: gum binders and wood binders. Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are much more powerful 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 prevent it from burning properly. Wood binders, on the other hand, are easy to work with and act as a base material in addition to being a binder. Common wood binders include Indonesian "Joss powder" (also called "jiggit") and "tabu no ki" (sometimes mislabelled as "makko"). However, wood binders are not as strong as gum binders, and a typical recipe may require up to 75% wood binder.
Makko is a special blend that often includes tabu no ki, but it usually contains other ingredients as well. It is a dominant base material for the Incense Masters of Japan, who skillfully powder, blend, moisten, and extrude their incense dough into the form of sticks or cones. Molds are used to create cones, and a slow, warm, and humid drying process is controlled with the help of specially ventilated rooms. Fast drying causes curling and cracks, so makko is an ideal base material for creating incense trails, sticks, or cones.
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Use charcoal as a base substitute
Charcoal is a great base for burning incense, especially if you're looking for a versatile, traditional way to enjoy a wide range of natural incense types, including resins, herbs, and powders. Charcoal burners are 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 and a strong, long-lasting fragrance.
To use a charcoal burner, start by placing it on a heat-resistant surface, away from flammable materials, and ensure proper ventilation as it produces a lot of smoke. You can use tongs to grip the charcoal, hold it over a flame to ignite, and then place it on top of the burner. Alternatively, place the charcoal unlit in the burner and use a barbecue lighter to ignite it. Once the charcoal is lit and ashy, you can add your incense.
It's important to note that a charcoal disc typically burns for about 30 to 45 minutes, and breathing in incense smoke is not recommended due to potential health risks. Always keep hot charcoals, incense, and burners away from children and never leave them unattended. To create a safer experience, burn incense in a well-ventilated area, and keep in mind that burning charcoal needs oxygen, so don't use too much incense at once.
When choosing incense for a charcoal burner, consider resins like frankincense or myrrh, which release deep, aromatic scents when heated. Charcoal disc incense is perfect for those seeking a slow, even burn that enhances the fragrance of the incense. You can also experiment with different liquids to activate your binder, such as water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, or herbal teas, as long as it's mostly water.
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Use marshmallow root or guar gum as a binder substitute
When making incense, you need a base, a binder, an aromatic, and water. 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.
Guar gum is a fine white powder that is made through its extraction from guar beans. It has very similar properties to gum tragacanth and xanthan gum. It also has no odour and is a powerful binding agent. If you choose to use guar gum instead of makko powder, use 1/8 teaspoon of guar gum for every two tablespoons of incense (a 1:48 ratio).
Marshmallow root powder can also be used as a substitute for makko powder. However, some people have reported that 100% marshmallow root powder does not burn at all. One user reported that their marshmallow root powder burned when they added charcoal to it, but the charcoal burned so hot that it overpowered the marshmallow root scent. Another user noted that marshmallow root powder has a smell similar to stale ginger powder and licorice root.
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Frequently asked questions
Alternatives to Makko powder include Indonesian Joss powder, gum Arabic, gum Tragacanth, guar gum, xanthan gum, and marshmallow root.
Makko powder serves as both a base and a binder in incense-making. It burns well and evenly and holds the incense together in the desired shape.
In addition to dried and powdered aromatics, you can use liquid scents such as essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts. Common aromatic plants used for incense include lemongrass, rosemary, and sage.
