Katrina Rosales
Incense has been used in temples and other places of worship for as long as we can trace human history. Burning wood and herbs is part of our ancestry, and the smoke is considered to cleanse the energy of the area in which it is burned. The practice of making your own herbal incense blends is a creative process and there are no solid rules, so feel free to experiment with new things. It is also a lot cheaper than buying commercial blends, which can be expensive and come with the risk of not knowing exactly what they contain. You can use any herb that you enjoy the smell of, or multiple herbs that complement each other.
How to Make Your Own Herbal Incense Smoke Blend
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of herbs | No more than three |
| Ingredients | Any herb with a smell you enjoy or multiple herbs that complement each other. Popular choices include frankincense, myrrh, lavender, sandalwood, juniper, and cinnamon. |
| Base | A substance that burns steadily and slowly over time to ensure the blend doesn't burn out quickly. The base can be selected to have a nice aroma or no scent at all. |
| Ratio | 2 parts herbs to 1 part base |
| Bonding agent | Natural herbal resins, gums, gum arabic, or tragacanth |
| Coloring agent | Simple food coloring or herbs that are rich in certain bright pigments |
| Equipment | Blender, pestle and mortar, a couple of bowls, measuring cups, and a spoon |
| Other tools | Charcoal disc, sand, incense burner or small dish, tongs, and a long lighter |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your herbs
When choosing your herbs, it's important to consider the aroma you want to create. You can opt for a single herb that you enjoy the smell of, or you can experiment with combining multiple herbs that complement each other. There is no solid set of rules when it comes to choosing your herbs, so feel free to get creative and try new things.
Some popular herbs and resins to use as a base for your incense include frankincense, myrrh, lavender, sandalwood, juniper, and cinnamon. These resins are often burned in the form of sap from trees. You can also use dried or fresh herbs, although dried herbs will burn longer. If you want to add colour to your incense sticks, choose herbs that are rich in certain bright pigments, or use simple food colouring.
It is recommended to use no more than three herbs in your blend to ensure the scent doesn't become muddled. You can also add essential oils to enhance the aroma of your blend, but be careful not to use chemicals. The purest form of incense is loose incense, which is just herbs with no additives, providing purifying benefits without sending toxins into the air.
If you're unsure about how your blend will smell, you can test it by placing some dried herbs on a piece of burning coal, similar to what is used in a shisha pipe. The fumes released will give you an idea of how your incense sticks will smell when burned.
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Selecting a base
There are several options to consider when selecting a base for your herbal incense blend. One option is to use natural herbal resins and gums, such as gum Arabic or tragacanth, which can act as bonding agents to bind the herbs together and keep the sticks intact. These natural bases can be chosen based on their aromatic properties to enhance the overall scent of the incense blend.
Another option for a base is to use a charcoal disc. Charcoal discs are commonly used for burning loose incense blends and ensure that the herbs stay lit for an extended period. This can be especially useful if you are using herbs that have a pleasant aroma when burned and want to prolong the release of the fragrance. Charcoal discs can be easily lit using a long lighter and placed in a heat-safe dish or incense burner.
When choosing a base, it is important to consider the ratio of herbs to the base. A common ratio is 2 parts herbs to 1 part base, but this can be adjusted based on your desired volume of incense sticks. The base should act as a supporting element to the herbs, enhancing their aroma and ensuring a slow, steady burn.
Additionally, you can experiment with different bases to find the one that works best for your specific blend. The process of making herbal incense is creative, and there are no strict rules, so feel free to explore different options and combinations to discover unique and pleasing results.
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Preparing the herbs
Firstly, decide on the scent you want to create and choose the herbal ingredients accordingly. You can select any herb that you enjoy the smell of or use multiple herbs that complement each other aromatically. Popular choices include frankincense, myrrh, lavender, sandalwood, juniper, and cinnamon. You can also add wildflowers, rose petals, and ocean grass for a unique touch. If you're unsure, a good rule of thumb is to stick to a maximum of three herbs to avoid a muddled, unpleasant smell.
Once you've selected your herbs, ensure they are dry. Fresh herbs can be used, but dried herbs will burn longer and are more suitable for incense. You can either buy dried herbs or dry them yourself. If you choose to dry your own, there are various methods you can use, such as air drying, oven drying, or using a food dehydrator.
After your herbs are ready, it's time to grind them into a fine powder. This can be done with a blender, pestle, and mortar, or a similar tool. This step is crucial, as it increases the surface area of the herbs, allowing them to burn more effectively and release their fragrances more intensely.
Finally, mix your powdered herbs with a base substance. The base will ensure that your incense burns steadily and slowly, preventing it from extinguishing too quickly. Common choices for bases include charcoal discs, which are placed in a heat-safe dish or incense burner, and natural herbal resins or gums, such as gum arabic or tragacanth, which act as binding agents. Experiment with different bases to find the one that suits your needs and complements your herbal blend.
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Adding a bonding agent
There are several natural bonding agents that you can use, including herbal resins and gums. Some specific examples are agar, gum arabic, and tragacanth, which is the most recommended option due to its ease of use and ability to form finely shaped incense sticks. These bonding agents burn well and do not produce toxic smoke, making them safe to use.
When choosing a bonding agent, it is important to consider the burnability of your incense sticks. For example, while pine resin can be used as a bonding agent, it may make the incense harder to burn. Therefore, it is advisable to select a bonding agent that complements the other ingredients in your blend.
To activate the bonding agent, you will need to add a liquid to it. This process transforms the dry powder into a glue-like substance that can adhere to the other ingredients. The ratio of liquid to the dry mixture is crucial, and it is recommended to use three parts liquid to five parts dry mixture.
By following these steps and choosing the right bonding agent, you can create incense blends that burn effectively and provide the desired aromatic experience.
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Shaping your blend
Before shaping your blend, it is important to ensure your herbs are dry. You can use a blender or pestle and mortar to grind the herbs into a fine powder. This powder can then be combined with your chosen base, such as charcoal disks, at a ratio of 2 parts herbs to 1 part base. The amount you use will depend on how many incense sticks or cones you want to make.
Once you have your powder mixture, you will need to add a liquid to create a dough-like consistency. Use 3 parts liquid to 5 parts powder, and add the liquid gradually until you achieve the desired consistency. This liquid will activate the bonding agent, turning it into a glue-like substance that will hold your incense together.
Now it's time to shape your blend! Use your hands or a spoon to form the mixture into your desired shape. If you're making sticks, you can roll the mixture into thin cylinders. For cones, you can shape the mixture into small, upright piles. Place your shaped incense on a wooden board to dry.
Once your incense has dried completely, it's ready to be burned! You can store your incense in airtight containers to maintain freshness and prolong its shelf life.
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Frequently asked questions
Making your own herbal incense blend is a great way to save money and know exactly what you are burning. You can also personalise your blend to suit your needs and experiment with different herbs and aromas.
You will need a selection of dried herbs of your choice, a base, a bonding agent, a colouring agent (optional), a blender or pestle and mortar, a couple of bowls, measuring cups, a wooden cutting board and a spoon.
First, decide on your desired aroma and choose your herbal ingredients. Then, blend your herbs into a fine powder and combine with your chosen base in a ratio of 2:1. Add your chosen liquid to this mixture in a ratio of 3:5. Finally, add your bonding agent bit by bit until a doughy consistency is achieved. You can now shape your blend into cones or sticks and leave them to dry on a wooden board.
