Katrina Rosales
Incense paper is a delightful variation of combustible incense. The process involves using tinctures and paper as the basic ingredients. The end product is a richly scented paper that can be smoldered with minimal fuss. To make paper incense, you will need white blotter paper, potassium nitrate, water, and essential oils, concretes, and absolutes. The process involves cutting the paper into strips, creating a solution of potassium nitrate and water, soaking the paper in the solution, and then drying it. Once dry, you can add fragrance by coating the paper with essential oils or tinctures. The paper can then be hung up to dry and stored in airtight containers.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paper | Absorbent paper, white blotter paper |
| Paper size | Six-inch strips, 1-inch wide |
| Potassium Nitrate | 1 1/2 teaspoons |
| Water | 1/2 cup, very warm |
| Soaking | Paper strips soaked in solution, then hung to dry |
| Tincture | A few drops on one strip, smear and add more drops until coated on one side |
| Alcohol | 90% or 95% |
| Fragrance | Frankincense, styrax, gum benzoin, balsam of Peru, balsam of Tolu, cinnamon, amber, orris, myrrh, musk |
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What You'll Learn
Soak paper in a solution of potassium nitrate
To make paper incense, you'll need to create a solution of potassium nitrate and water. The general consensus is to add 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of potassium nitrate to 1/2 a cup of warm water. Stir the solution until the potassium nitrate is completely dissolved. You can then soak the paper strips in the solution until they are thoroughly wet.
It is important to use absorbent paper for this purpose. Thin, white blotting paper is a good option and should be cut into six-inch strips about an inch wide. Once the paper is soaked, hang the strips to dry. You can also place them in the oven at a low temperature to speed up the drying process.
After the paper has dried, you can use it as a substitute for charcoal blocks to burn incense. The scent of burning paper can be off-putting, so it is recommended to use heavy fragrances or tinctures. Tinctures made from gums and resins are a good option.
Once your paper is dry and scented, simply light one tip with a match, blow it out, and place the glowing paper in a censer to smolder and release its fragrance.
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Make an alcoholic tincture from dried plants
To make paper incense, you will need white blotter paper cut into six-inch strips about an inch wide. Then, add one and a half teaspoons of potassium nitrate to half a cup of warm water and stir until the potassium nitrate is completely dissolved. Soak the paper strips in this solution until they are thoroughly wet, then hang them up to dry. To add fragrance to the paper, you can sprinkle a little incense on the smouldering paper and let it burn. Alternatively, you can create a tincture by soaking dried plants in alcohol.
To make an alcoholic tincture from dried plants, you will need to gather the useful parts of the plant, such as the berries, leaves, roots, or bark, and remove any unwanted parts. Wash and coarsely chop the herbs, then place them into an airtight jar. The next step is to pour alcohol into the jar and seal it. The type and concentration of alcohol depend on the plant. For dried herbs, use a 1-to-4 ratio of plant material to alcohol. Seal the jar for at least 6 weeks, shaking it occasionally, to allow the alcohol to absorb the active components of the herbs. After 6 weeks, strain out the tincture using a fine sieve or muslin, and place the liquid in a glass bottle, preferably dark-coloured glass to prevent light from breaking down the tincture.
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Use a strong fragrance to mask burning paper smell
To make paper incense, you'll need to use a strong fragrance to mask the smell of burning paper. This can be achieved by creating a tincture, which is a more potent form of scent. To make a tincture, you'll need to soak dried plants of your choice in alcohol for a few weeks. You can experiment with different plants and fragrances to find the one that appeals to you the most. Once you have your tincture, you can move on to preparing your paper strips.
Take a piece of white blotter paper and cut it into six-inch strips that are about an inch wide. In a separate container, add one and a half teaspoons of potassium nitrate to half a cup of very warm water and stir until the potassium nitrate is completely dissolved. Soak your paper strips in this solution until they are thoroughly wet, then hang them up to dry.
Once your paper strips are dry, you can add your fragrance. Pour a few drops of your tincture onto one strip of paper and smear it over the surface. Add more drops until one side of the paper is completely coated. Hang the strip up to dry again and make sure it is completely dry before you burn it. You can also add a few drops of essential oils, concretes, or absolutes to enhance the fragrance.
If you're looking for a warmer vanilla scent, you can try a combination of frankincense, styrax, gum benzoin, balsam of Peru, and balsam of Tolu, with 90% alcohol. Benzoin, a resin with a sweet vanilla and spice scent, is a key ingredient in Armenian paper incense, which was created in the 19th century. You can also burn benzoin on its own or with some frankincense for a deliciously scented incense.
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Soak paper in a mixture of balsams and resins
To make paper incense, you'll need to create a balsam and resin mixture and soak thin, absorbent paper strips in it. Here's a detailed guide:
Prepare the Balsam and Resin Mixture:
Start by gathering your desired balsams and resins. You can use liquid balsams, such as balsam of Peru and balsam of Tolu, along with resins like frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, labdanum, galbanum, or elemi. These resins can be ground into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. If you're using sticky resins, it's best to freeze them overnight before grinding for easier processing.
Combine your chosen balsams and resins in a bowl or jar. You can also add other ingredients like essential oils, dried fruits, or spices to enhance the fragrance. Mix well to create a cohesive blend.
Soak the Paper Strips:
Take thin, absorbent paper, such as blotter paper, and cut it into strips. The strips should be around six inches long and about an inch wide. You can adjust the size to your preference, but ensure they are not too thick to allow for proper soaking and drying.
Prepare a solution by dissolving potassium nitrate in warm water. The amount of potassium nitrate and water can vary, but a common ratio is 1½ teaspoons of potassium nitrate to ½ cup of warm water. Stir the mixture until the potassium nitrate is completely dissolved.
Place the paper strips in the potassium nitrate solution and soak them until they are thoroughly wet. The potassium nitrate solution will enable the paper to burn freely when dried. Remove the strips from the solution and gently squeeze out any excess liquid.
Add Fragrance to the Paper Strips:
Coat the paper strips with your prepared balsam and resin mixture. You can dip the strips directly into the mixture or use a brush to apply it evenly. Ensure that one side of the paper is completely coated. You can also experiment with adding a few drops of essential oils or fragrances to enhance the scent.
Drying and Storage:
Hang the coated paper strips in a well-ventilated area and allow them to air dry completely. This may take several hours or even a day, depending on the thickness of the paper and the humidity of your environment. Once dry, store the incense papers in labelled, airtight containers until you're ready to use them.
Your paper incense is now ready for use! When desired, simply light one end of the paper strip, and it will smoulder and release its fragrance. Experiment with different combinations of balsams and resins to create unique and delightful scents.
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Cut paper into strips and hang to dry
To make paper incense, you'll need to cut your paper into strips and hang it to dry. The type of paper you'll need is thin, absorbent paper. You can use white blotting paper, or filter paper. Cut the paper into strips that are about six inches long and one inch wide. You can play around with the size of the strips, but this is a good starting point.
Once you have your strips, you'll need to soak them in a solution of potassium nitrate and water. This will help the paper burn more freely. You can make the solution by adding 1-2 teaspoons of potassium nitrate to half a cup of warm water. Stir the solution until the potassium nitrate is completely dissolved. Then, soak your paper strips in the solution until they are thoroughly wet.
After soaking, hang the strips up to dry. You can hang them individually or drape them over a laundry rack or clothesline. Make sure they are completely dry before moving on to the next step.
Once dry, your paper strips are ready to be coated with fragrance. You can use essential oils, absolutes, concretes, or tinctured resins. You can also make your own tincture by soaking dried plants in alcohol for a few weeks. Experiment with different fragrances to find your favorite scent.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need white blotter paper, potassium nitrate, water, and essential oils, resins, or dried plants.
First, cut the blotter paper into six-inch strips about an inch wide. Next, dissolve the potassium nitrate in the water. Soak the paper in this solution, then hang it up to dry. Finally, add a few drops of your chosen scent to the paper strips, coating one side completely.
You can use essential oils, resins, or dried plants. Examples of scents that work well for paper incense include frankincense, styrax, gum benzoin, balsam of Peru, balsam of Tolu, and cinnamon.
