Heidi Norton
Incense is used across the world and in countless cultures and religions. In Christianity, Buddhism and Hinduism, for example, it is used as a symbol of reverence and devotion to God. Incense is also used in ceremonies, for healing, and for cleansing an area. Burning rosemary, in particular, is said to help stimulate mental clarity and concentration. There are several ways to make rosemary incense, including bundles, loose incense, and sticks.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Symbolism and devotion in religion, air freshener, stress relief, meditation, scenting, and cleansing |
| Incense Forms | Loose, pellets, sticks, and cones |
| Ingredients | Essential oils, wood, resins, flowers, or herbs |
| Rosemary Incense Ingredients | Rosemary, resin, raisins, honey, makko, charcoal, and/or sandalwood powder |
| Equipment | Mortar and pestle, mixing bowl, wax paper, metal/wood/pottery bowl, scissors, ruler, lighter, heat-proof dish, and/or cotton twine |
| Recipe | Grind resin into powder, mix with rosemary and wood, blend aromas, add raisins, drizzle honey, knead, dry, burn |
| Drying Time | 2-4 weeks |
| Storage | Cool, dark, and dry location; airtight glass container |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing ingredients and supplies
Incense is used across the world and in countless religions and cultures. Burning rosemary, in particular, is said to help stimulate mental clarity and concentration.
When choosing your ingredients and supplies to make rosemary incense, you can opt for a few different methods. You can make incense sticks, bundles, or loose incense.
If you want to make incense sticks, you will need:
- Fresh rosemary
- Other herbs or flowers (optional): lavender, roses, thyme, sage, eucalyptus, or peppermint
- Cotton twine
- Scissors
- A lighter
- A heat-proof dish
- Incense sticks
- DPG
- Oil
- Rubber gloves
- A cooling rack
If you want to make incense bundles, you will need:
- Fresh rosemary
- Other herbs or flowers (optional): lavender, roses, thyme, sage, eucalyptus, or peppermint
- Cotton twine
- Scissors
- A lighter
- A heat-proof dish
If you want to make loose incense, you will need:
- Rosemary
- Resin (frozen): myrrh, amber, or dragon's blood
- Wood
- Raisins
- Honey
- Makko
- A mixing bowl
- A mortar and pestle
- An incense burner
- Charcoal
- A metal, pottery, or wooden bowl/cup
You can purchase these supplies at nurseries, herb stores, incense stores, or online.
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Mixing and blending
First, choose your ingredients. Rosemary is a popular and ancient incense herb known for its ability to stimulate mental clarity and concentration. You can use fresh or dried rosemary, depending on your preference. Additionally, you will need to choose a type of resin, such as myrrh, amber, or dragon's blood, which will serve as a base for your incense. It is recommended to freeze the resin before grinding it to make the process easier.
Next, prepare your ingredients for mixing. Measure out 1/2 cup of frozen resin and grind it into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle. Separately, prepare your rosemary by grinding it into a powder as well. You can also add wood to your mixture, which will need to be ground into a powder. Place the powdered rosemary, resin, and wood (if using) into a mixing bowl and blend them together using the mortar and pestle. This step ensures that the aromas of each ingredient are blended harmoniously.
Now, you can add additional ingredients to create a more complex and personalized incense blend. Some options include:
- Essential oils: Choose from lavender, thyme, sage, peppermint, or other aromatic oils. Add 3-4 drops of your chosen oil(s) directly to the mortar and pestle, combining them with the other ingredients.
- Raisins: Add 3/4 cup of raisins to your mixture. Pulverize the raisins first and then mix them with the loose incense blend.
- Honey: Drizzle 1 teaspoon of honey into the mixture. Use your hands to knead the mixture well until it is thoroughly combined.
- Makko: This natural binder made from the bark of the tabu no ki tree in Southeast Asia will help your incense burn effectively. Add 1 1/2 to 3 tablespoons of makko to your powdered incense blend in a mixing bowl.
Finally, blend all the ingredients together thoroughly. You can use a whisk or a spoon to combine them in a mixing bowl, or simply continue to use the mortar and pestle. The key is to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly distributed and that their aromas are well-blended.
Once you have finished mixing and blending your rosemary incense, you can shape it into cones or pellets, form it around sticks, or leave it loose, depending on your preference. Allow your incense to dry and age for several days or weeks before burning, to ensure it holds together and to allow the aromas to meld and mature.
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Shaping the incense
Shaping rosemary incense depends on the form you want it to take. Incense can come in several forms, including loose, pellets, sticks, and cones.
Sticks
To make rosemary incense sticks, you will need fresh rosemary, scissors, cotton twine, and a lighter. First, cut a 4-inch piece of twine and place a 1/2-inch-thick bouquet of rosemary in the centre. You can also add other herbs or flowers such as lavender, rose, thyme, or eucalyptus. Ensure that all the plants are facing the same direction, with stems at one end and leaves or flowers at the other. Tie the bundle tightly in the middle, then wrap the twine in a criss-cross pattern from the base to the tip of the bundle. Tie off the twine and cut off any excess. Hang the bundle in a cool, dry, and dark place for two to three weeks, or until it is completely dry. When you are ready to use it, light the top of the bundle and let it burn for a few seconds before blowing out the flame. Place the bundle into a heat-proof dish and enjoy the aroma.
Pellets
To make rosemary incense pellets, follow the instructions for making loose incense. Then, add 3/4 cup of raisins to 1 cup of your loose incense mixture. Put the mixture into a mortar and use a pestle to pulverize it. Add 1 teaspoon of honey and knead the mixture well with your hands. Form the mixture into small balls, about the size of peas, and place them on wax paper to dry. Turn the pellets daily for two to four weeks until they are completely dry. Burn the incense pellets on charcoal or in an incense burner filled with sand.
Loose incense
To make loose rosemary incense, you will need rosemary, wood, resin, a mixing bowl, a mortar and pestle, and an incense burner. First, freeze the resin and then grind it into a powder using a mortar and pestle. Place the powdered resin into a mixing bowl with the rosemary and wood, and grind the ingredients together to blend their aromas. You can burn this mixture as-is on a piece of charcoal or in an incense burner filled with ash or sand. Alternatively, you can add raisins, honey, and makko to the loose incense mixture to create a dough, which you can then shape into pellets, as described above.
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Drying the incense
Drying your rosemary incense is a crucial step in the incense-making process. Here is a detailed guide to help you through the drying stage:
Preparing the Incense for Drying
Before you begin the drying process, you must first prepare your rosemary incense mixture. Start by grinding 1/2 cup of frozen resin into a powder using a mortar and pestle. Next, add the powdered resin to a mixing bowl with your rosemary and wood, following the measurements provided in your chosen recipe. Place these ingredients back into the mortar and pestle and grind them together to blend the aromas. At this stage, you have loose incense that is ready for drying and burning.
Drying Techniques
There are two main techniques for drying rosemary incense: air-drying and oven-drying.
Air-Drying
Air-drying is a simple and gentle method for drying your incense. First, prepare a flat surface, such as a tray or baking sheet, and line it with wax paper. Spread your loose incense mixture onto the wax paper, forming small balls or pellets about the size of peas. Ensure the pellets are not crowded and have space between them to allow for adequate air circulation. Place the tray in a cool, dry, and dark location, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Turn the pellets daily for two to four weeks, or until they are completely dry.
Alternatively, you can create herbal incense sticks or bundles. To do this, measure out your desired herbs and flowers, such as rosemary, lavender, and sage, and arrange them neatly into a bouquet. Use cotton twine to securely tie the bundle in the middle, leaving a length of twine at the end to act as a handle when lighting the incense. Hang the incense bundle in a cool, dry, and dark location, allowing it to air-dry for two to three weeks or until completely dry.
Oven-Drying
Oven-drying is a quicker method, but it requires careful temperature control to avoid burning the incense. Preheat your oven to a low temperature, ideally below 200°F. Place your incense tray or baking sheet with the wax paper and incense pellets inside the oven. Leave the oven door slightly ajar to maintain airflow and prevent overheating. Check the incense regularly to ensure it is drying evenly and not burning. The drying time will vary depending on the humidity and the amount of incense you are drying.
Storing Your Dried Incense
Once your rosemary incense is completely dry, it's important to store it properly to maintain its quality and aroma. Place the incense in an airtight glass container and store it in a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard or pantry. Keep the container away from direct sunlight and heat sources, and ensure the lid is tightly secured when not in use.
Now that you've successfully dried your rosemary incense, you can burn it and enjoy its aromatic benefits!
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Burning the incense
Once you've made your rosemary incense, you can burn it. If you've made loose incense, place it in an incense burner filled with ash or sand. If you don't have an incense burner, you can use any bowl or cup made of metal, pottery, or wood. To burn the incense, light a piece of charcoal and heat the loose incense over it. If you're using charcoal, remember to dowse it with water when you're finished—otherwise, it will continue to smolder and pose a fire hazard.
If you've made incense pellets, burn them on charcoal or in an incense burner filled with sand. If you've made incense sticks, hold the stick by the twine handle and light the other end. Once a flame is going, blow it out and let the stick smolder. Place the stick in a small, heat-proof bowl or dish. If you need to extinguish the incense, don't use water—this will make it difficult to light again. Instead, simply snuff it out in the heat-proof dish.
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Frequently asked questions
To make rosemary incense, you will need rosemary, resin, wood, raisins, honey, makko, and charcoal or an incense burner. You can also add essential oils such as lavender, thyme, sage, or peppermint.
You will need a mixing bowl, a mortar and pestle, a grater or grinder, a spoon, wax paper, and a pair of scissors. If making incense sticks, you will also need twine and a ruler.
First, freeze and grind your chosen resin into a powder. Next, mix the powdered resin with rosemary and wood, grinding the ingredients together to blend their aromas. Add raisins and honey to the mixture, and knead well. Form the mixture into pea-sized balls and leave them to dry on wax paper for two to four weeks. Finally, wrap your dried incense balls with twine, hang them upside down, and light the top when ready to use.
