Mimicking Incense Scents With Essential Oils: A Guide

Incense has been used for centuries in spiritual practices and to evoke relaxation. With the rise of the boho trend, incense is making a comeback, and consumers are taking more interest in what goes into their household products. Making your own incense sticks with essential oils is a great way to fill your space with captivating scents while knowing exactly what you're burning in your home.

The process of making incense sticks with essential oils is relatively simple. You can make them one at a time or in small batches. The basic ingredients are blank or unscented incense sticks and your chosen essential oil or blend of oils. You can also add dipropylene glycol (DPG) to your incense sticks to help them burn slower, reduce black smoke, and make the scent last longer.

To make a small batch of incense sticks, first measure out your essential oils using a graduated cylinder. For five incense sticks, you will need a total of 100 drops of essential oil (about 4 ml). Place your blank incense sticks in a narrow dish, such as an olive dish or a piece of aluminium foil folded into a V shape. Then, add your essential oils to the dish and gently press the sticks into the oil to absorb it all. Let your incense sticks dry overnight (for 10 to 15 hours) before burning them.

Choose essential oils: sandalwood, lavender, cinnamon, etc

When choosing essential oils to replicate the aroma of incense, there are several options that can help you achieve this. Sandalwood, for example, is a classic choice with a deep, earthy, and easily recognisable aroma. It is often used as a base in incense and perfumery. Lavender is another popular option, known for its calming and relaxing properties. It blends well with other scents and can be used to create a soothing atmosphere.

If you're looking for something a little more spicy and warm, cinnamon is an excellent choice. It has a strong, distinctive scent and is commonly used in incense blends. Similarly, clove essential oil can add a warm and spicy note to your blend, reminiscent of autumn spices. For a fresh and uplifting scent, consider orange essential oil, which can be paired with cinnamon and clove for a bright, cheerful aroma.

Other essential oils that can help replicate the aroma of incense include patchouli, with its deep, woody fragrance, and palo santo, also known as "Holy Wood," which has a natural, aromatic incense scent. Frankincense is another classic incense ingredient with a rich, balsamic, and resinous aroma. These essential oils can be blended in various combinations to create unique and captivating incense fragrances.

Prepare a dish: use an olive dish or aluminium foil

Preparing a dish for making incense with essential oils is simple. You can use an olive dish or a piece of aluminium foil. An olive dish is a long, narrow dish. If you don't have one, you can use a piece of aluminium foil folded into a "V" shape, ensuring the ends are folded up to prevent oil spillage.

If you are making a single incense stick, place the blank incense stick in the dish and add up to 20 drops of your chosen essential oil(s). You can use up to three oils to ensure you have enough drops to distribute over the length of the stick. Gently press the stick into the dish to absorb any oil pooled in the dish.

If you are making a batch of incense sticks, first measure out your essential oils. For five incense sticks, you will need 100 drops of essential oil (approximately 4ml). You can use a graduated cylinder to measure out the oil or add drops directly to the dish. Place the blank incense sticks in the dish and gently press them into the oil.

Measure oils: 20 drops per stick; 100 drops for 5

To make incense sticks, you can use up to 20 drops of essential oil per stick. If you are making a blend of oils, be sure to mix them before applying them to the incense stick to ensure even distribution.

For a batch of five incense sticks, you can use up to 4ml (about 100 drops) of essential oil. This works out to the following ratios for differently-sized batches:

Incense Stick Quantity / Total Essential Oil (ml) / Total Essential Oil (drops)

1 / 0.8ml / 20 drops

5 / 4ml / 100 drops

10 / 8ml / 200 drops

20 / 16ml / 400 drops

If you are using dipropylene glycol (DPG), a common additive to reduce black smoke, you will need between 1 and 1.5ml per incense stick.

Soak sticks: place in oil and press gently

To replicate the incense aroma with essential oils, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, gather your materials. You will need 20 drops of your chosen essential oil(s) and some raw blank incense sticks. It is recommended to use a narrow dish, such as an olive tray, and gloves to protect your hands. You can also use aluminium foil to line your tray or dish, and a mug to help the sticks dry.

If you are making 5 incense sticks at once, grab a narrow dish and fill it with 100 total drops of essential oil. If you are using multiple essential oils, mix them together with a spoon handle first. Then, place the incense sticks into the oil and gently press them into the mixture to ensure they absorb all the oil. You can also use aluminium foil folded into a 'V' shape if the sticks don't fit in the dish. Make sure all sides of the sticks are soaked in the oil.

Once the sticks are soaked, place them in a mug with the incense end up and let them dry overnight (10-15 hours) before burning. You can also let them soak in the oil for a full day before drying and burning them.

It is important to keep your incense sticks away from children and pets, and to always burn them in a well-ventilated area.

Dry sticks: leave in a mug for 10-15 hours

To replicate the aroma of incense using essential oils, you can follow these steps using the dry sticks method:

Firstly, source some blank or unscented incense sticks. These are easily available online or from your local aromatherapy store. You will also need essential oils of your choice and dipropylene glycol (DPG), which helps to reduce black smoke and distribute the scent evenly.

For this method, you will need a mug or glass container that is small enough to fit the number of sticks you wish to scent. Prepare your essential oil blend and DPG mixture according to the number of incense sticks you are using. A general guideline is to use between 1 to 1.5 ml of DPG per incense stick. For essential oils, you can use up to 4 ml (about 100 drops) for every five incense sticks.

Once you have prepared your mixture, pour it into your mug or container. Fully submerge each incense stick into the mixture and let them soak for 24 hours. Cover the container to prevent evaporation.

After the sticks have soaked, remove them from the mixture and place them in the mug or container, standing them upright. Allow them to dry for another 24 hours. The sticks will be ready to burn after this drying period, but you may need to extend the drying time if you live in a humid climate.

Your scented incense sticks are now ready for use or to be gifted!

Frequently asked questions