Lance Carson
Incense has been used by virtually every civilization since before the Stone Age, often for religious ceremonies and medicine. The base of your incense mixture is important as it replaces the charcoal heat source used in non-combusting incense. Good bases burn well and burn evenly, and you can choose a base with a scent that complements the rest of your blend. Sandalwood, cedar, and pine are all excellent bases that can add a strong scent to your incense blend. You can also use low-scent bases such as red sandalwood, alder, and charcoal. Incense mixtures can be made from resins, woods, and herbs, and you can experiment with different ingredients to create your own unique blends.
How to Make Your Own Resin Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Coriander seed, usnea, piñon pine resin, clove, nutmeg, mace, cinnamon, myrrh, marshmallow root powder, soloman's seal root powder, sandalwood, makko powder, olibanum, frankincense, patchouli, lavender, pine, guar gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic, charcoal, cedar, red sandalwood, alder, essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, extracts, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, wine, water |
| Recipe | Crush and combine ingredients into a thick coin-shaped piece of incense or a dough. Form into a shape, such as sticks or cones. |
| Drying | Dry in a low-heat oven or under the sun. Alternatively, cover with plastic to lose moisture slowly. |
| Testing | Test the texture of the resin to see if it stretches like taffy. |
| Storage | Store ingredients in a dark, cool space. |
| Safety | Always ensure incense does not cause a fire hazard. Set cones on a fireproof tray and away from flammable objects. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your base
There are a variety of options to choose from when it comes to selecting a base for your incense. You can use a base with very little scent, or you can choose one with a scent that complements the rest of your blend. Sandalwood, cedar, and pine are all excellent bases that can add a very strong scent to your incense blend. If you are looking for low-scent base materials, red sandalwood, alder, and charcoal are good options. These contribute very little to the overall scent, making them easier to work with if you are new to making incense.
You can also use resins as a base. Olibanum, or frankincense, is a powerful aroma that gives that signature incense scent. However, too much resin will not burn well or at all, so it should be about a third of the whole mix or less. If you are using resins, it is recommended to use semi-dried resin and test it to see if it stretches like taffy. You can also freeze resins for a short time (around 15 minutes) to make them easier to pulverize.
In addition to the base, you will also need a binder. Gum binders such as guar gum or xanthan gum are more powerful than wood binders and have no scent of their own. A typical incense recipe uses just 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material. If you are using a binder, you must add water to your blend to "activate" it. While you need to use a water-based liquid, it doesn't have to be plain water—any liquid that is mostly water will work.
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Selecting a binder
There are several options to choose from when it comes to binders, each with its own unique properties and effects on the final product. Here are some commonly used binders and considerations for selecting the right one for your incense:
- Makko Powder: Also known as tabu no ki, Makko powder is a popular choice for incense making. It serves as a light combustible, keeping your incense burning steadily and preventing it from extinguishing easily. Additionally, it becomes sticky when moist, making it ideal for forming cones or other shapes. Makko powder typically requires the addition of water or another water-based liquid to activate its binding properties.
- Gum Binders: Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are powerful binding agents. They are much stronger than wood binders and require only a small amount, typically about 1/8 teaspoon per 2 tablespoons of material. However, be cautious not to overuse gum binders, as too much can cause the incense to bind too strongly and affect its ability to burn. Gum binders are scentless, ensuring they won't interfere with your incense's fragrance.
- Natural Ingredients: Some natural ingredients can also act as binders in your incense mixture. For example, marshmallow root powder, as mentioned earlier, can be used in small quantities to bind the mixture together. This creates a safe and edible incense, although consuming it is not recommended.
- Water: While not a binder itself, water plays a crucial role in activating binders. When using gum binders or Makko powder, adding water or a water-based liquid is essential. This can include plain water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, or even herbal teas and wine. However, keep in mind that essential oils, while adding fragrance, do not contain water and cannot be used as a substitute for water.
When selecting a binder, it's important to consider the overall fragrance and burning characteristics you desire for your incense. Some binders, like sandalwood, have strong scents of their own, so choosing a complementary or low-scent option may be preferable. Additionally, the amount of binder used will impact the burning properties of your incense, so be sure to follow recommended ratios for the best results.
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Adding resins
When grinding your resins, it is important to use a semi-dried resin and test it to see if it stretches like taffy. You may also want to grind your materials separately. Once you have added the resins, you can toss in any herbs of your choice, such as clove, cinnamon, coriander, or nutmeg. You can also add a binder, such as marshmallow root powder or gum binders like guar gum or xanthan gum, to help your incense mixture hold together. The amount of binder used is typically 1/8 teaspoon for every 2 tablespoons of material.
After you have added all your ingredients, you will need to add a water-based liquid to activate the binder. This can include water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, or other liquids. However, it is important to note that if you are using essential oils, you cannot use them as a substitute for water, but you can supplement the amount of water with some oil. Once your mixture is properly combined, you can form it into any shape you desire, such as sticks or cones.
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Shaping your incense
To make sticks, you will need to prepare a thick dough-like consistency of your incense mixture. Roll the dough into long, thin cylinders and leave them to dry. You can determine the thickness of your incense sticks based on your preference. Thicker sticks will burn for a longer duration, while thinner sticks will produce a quicker fragrance release.
For cone-shaped incense, lay out some wax paper or foil on your workspace. Sprinkle a small amount of your incense mixture onto the surface and add a few drops of water (preferably distilled). The moisture will activate the binder in your mixture, creating a dough-like consistency. Shape the dough into cones with your hands or a mould. If your cones are fragile and break easily, try using more binder or gently covering them with plastic wrap to slow down the moisture loss during the drying process.
Another simple shape you can create is thick, coin-shaped incense. To make these, crush your ingredients together, forming a thick, coin-like shape. You can dry these further in a low-heat oven or under the sun. A slightly gooey texture is ideal, as it helps incorporate the dry ingredients. You can also test the mixture by stretching it; if it stretches like taffy, it is ready to be shaped.
Remember, the shaping process is a creative aspect of incense making. You can experiment with different shapes and sizes to find what works best for you. Always ensure your shaped incense is thoroughly dried before use, and store them in a cool, dry place until ready to burn.
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Using your incense
The incense you make can be used to greet the rising sun with a clean and invigorating aroma, entertain guests with exotic fragrances, purify indoor spaces, enhance dream activity, or relax with a soft, smooth, and calming mixture. Incense has been used for creating aromatic spaces both indoors and outdoors, and it has been deeply intertwined with religious ceremonies and the practice of medicine.
You can also get creative with the shape of your incense. Sticks and cones are the most common forms, but you can form your incense dough into any shape you like. Make sure your incense has a flat base and a pointed tip so they can stand by themselves.
If you are using makko powder in your incense, you can make cones by laying some wax paper or foil over your workspace, pouring out some of your mixtures, and adding a little distilled water. You can also add other liquids that are mostly water to activate your binder, such as tea, coffee, milk, or fruit juices.
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Frequently asked questions
You can use a combination of herbs, woods, and resins (tree sap). You can also add liquid scents such as essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts.
Common herbs include coriander, clove, nutmeg, mace, and cinnamon. Common woods include sandalwood, cedar, and pine. Common resins include myrrh, piñon, and frankincense.
You will need a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder to pulverize your ingredients. You may also need wax paper or foil to lay out your incense mixture.
First, gather your ingredients and pulverize them using a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder. Then, combine your ingredients in a mortar, adding a binder such as marshmallow root powder or gum binder. Finally, form your incense into the desired shape and let it dry.
Place your resin incense on an ignited charcoal surface or a heat-proof surface such as a flat stone. You can also light it with a match or lighter. Always make sure your incense is not a fire hazard and set it on a fireproof tray away from flammable objects.
