Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used for thousands of years for a variety of purposes, from medicinal uses in ancient Egypt and China to religious ceremonies. Making your own incense is a way to connect with these ancient traditions and rituals, as well as a way to exercise your creativity and craft unique fragrances. The process involves grinding and mixing natural ingredients such as resins, woods, herbs, and essential oils, and then rolling the mixture into thin sticks or cones. The incense can then be dried and burned, filling your space with a custom aroma.
How to roll incense:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Natural tree gums, frankincense, benzoin, myrrh, copal, herbal/leafy ingredients, essential oils, chemicals, marshmallow root, guar gum, gum powder, water, etc. |
| Tools | Mortar and pestle, blender, bowls, pipette, rolling board, bamboo stick, parchment paper, wax paper, etc. |
| Process | Powderize herbs and other ingredients, mix with water to form a dough, roll into thin sticks, wrap around a bamboo stick, dry for 24-48 hours, store in a dark place |
| Tips | Use gloves, work in a well-ventilated area, avoid direct sunlight and heat during the drying process, test burn in a well-ventilated area on a heat-resistant surface |
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What You'll Learn
Using a clay extruder to roll incense
Using a clay extruder is a great way to make incense sticks with minimal effort and maximum precision. Clay extruders are designed to help you make evenly shaped incense sticks with ease. They are especially useful if you are making incense for more than just personal use. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to use a clay extruder to roll your own incense:
Firstly, prepare your incense dough. Grind your chosen ingredients, such as resins, herbs, and wood powders, into a fine powder. You can use a blender, mortar and pestle, or coffee grinder for this step. Add a binder, such as makko powder, and a small amount of water to create a dough. The makko powder will also act as a base, helping the incense burn better. You can also use gum binders like tragacanth, but be aware that gums can reduce burnability.
Once you have a well-mixed dough, it's time to load it into the clay extruder. The Extruder 2.0 by The Incense Dragon is a popular choice and comes with different-sized tips for various styles of incense sticks. Load the dough into the tube of the extruder, select your preferred tip size, attach the end cap, and start turning the handle. The dough will be pushed through the tip, creating a smooth and evenly shaped incense stick.
Place the extruded incense on a drying board or screen. You can use wax paper or a drying board to ensure the incense dries straight and doesn't curl or bend. Allow the incense to air dry slowly in a well-ventilated area. Avoid direct sunlight or heat sources, as this can cause uneven drying and cracks. Depending on the humidity and the type of dough you've used, drying can take anywhere from a few hours to a couple of days.
Using a clay extruder is an efficient and precise way to make your own incense sticks. It's a great option if you want to speed up your production and create consistently shaped incense.
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Choosing the right ingredients
Start with a small number of ingredients: If you're new to making incense, it's best to keep things simple. Start with three ingredients, such as one wood and two herbs, or one resin, one wood, and one herb. As you become more experienced, you can gradually add more ingredients to your mixtures.
Select a base: The base is an important component of your incense, as it helps with burning and releases the scents of your aromatic ingredients. Choose a base with a neutral scent, such as red sandalwood, alder, or charcoal, or select a base with a complementary scent to your other ingredients, like sandalwood, cedar, or pine.
Choose aromatic ingredients: These are the ingredients that will provide the desired fragrance for your incense. Herbs, resins, and woods are all excellent choices for aromatics. You can also use essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts to enhance the scent.
Consider a binder: Binders help to hold your incense mixture together. Natural tree gums like makko, a blend derived from the Tabu-no-ki tree, are popular choices. Gum binders like tragacanth or cornstarch can also be used, but they may affect burnability.
Prepare your ingredients properly: Finely grinding your ingredients is crucial. The smaller the particles, the easier it will be to shape your incense and the denser your material will become. This can increase burn times and reduce the chances of your incense cracking or breaking apart.
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Preparing the incense mixture
Powdering the Ingredients:
Start by selecting your desired natural ingredients, such as resins, woods, and herbs. Powder these ingredients using a blender or a mortar and pestle until you achieve a very fine consistency. Sift the powdered ingredients into a bowl to ensure an even texture.
Mixing the Powders:
Evenly mix all the powdered ingredients in a bowl. This step ensures that the fragrance notes of each ingredient are well-distributed in the final incense mixture.
Preparing the Decoction (for herbal ingredients):
If your incense mixture includes herbal ingredients like ginger or mint, you may want to prepare a decoction. To do this, decoct the herbs in water over low heat for a few minutes. Turn off the heat, cover, and allow the mixture to steep. Finally, strain the decoction and let it cool before adding it to the powder mixture.
Adding a Binder:
To help the incense mixture hold together, you'll need a binder. Traditional options include natural tree gum powders like Makko, which also acts as a base and aids in ignition. Alternatively, you can use gum binders like Tragacanth, which give the dough a "silky" texture and make it easier to shape. When using Makko, aim for a ratio of 40% marshmallow root or 1/8 teaspoon of guar gum per 2 tablespoons of incense.
Forming the Dough:
Slowly add the cooled decoction (if used) or water to the powder mixture. Mix until you achieve a dough-like consistency that is moist but not too wet or sticky. You can adjust the moisture level by adding more powder or liquid as needed.
Rolling the Incense:
Once your dough is ready, it's time to roll it into thin incense sticks. You can roll the dough between your hands, on wooden boards, or use a clay extruder for more evenly shaped sticks. If you prefer, you can also roll the dough around a blank bamboo stick, ensuring the thickness is to your liking.
Remember to wear gloves and work in a well-ventilated area when preparing the incense mixture, especially when using essential oils and chemicals. Always test-burn your incense in a well-ventilated area, on a heat-resistant surface, and away from flammable materials.
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Rolling incense by hand
Making your own incense is a great way to connect with your indigenous roots and build rituals. The process of rolling incense by hand is quite simple, but it requires patience and practice to master the technique. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you get started:
Prepare the Ingredients:
Firstly, gather your ingredients. The basic formula for natural incense includes a base, a binder, and aromatic ingredients. Choose your desired combination of herbs, resins, and woods, such as lavender, frankincense, or sandalwood. You will also need a natural tree gum powder like Makko, which acts as a binder and helps with ignition.
Mix and Grind:
Grind your chosen ingredients into a fine, even powder using a mortar and pestle or a hand crank coffee grinder. The finer the ingredients are ground, the easier it will be to mix and shape the dough. Combine the powdered ingredients in a bowl, adding enough water to create a moist dough that holds together without being too sticky. You can adjust the consistency by gradually adding small amounts of water.
Roll the Dough:
Once you have a properly mixed batch of incense dough, it's time to roll it out. Place a piece of wax paper on a flat surface to roll the dough on. You can roll the dough by hand, using your fingers to gently shape it into thin incense sticks. Alternatively, you can use wooden boards or a clay extruder for more uniform sticks. Aim for a diameter of approximately 2 mm for the sticks.
Cut and Dry:
Cut the rolled incense sticks to your desired length, typically around 2 inches long. Pack the sticks tightly and straight, allowing for airflow, on a plastic or metal screen or frame. Keep them away from direct sunlight and heat, and let them dry for at least two weeks. The drying time may vary depending on the climate and the shape of your incense (sticks dry faster than cones).
Test and Adjust:
After the incense has dried, light one and observe how it burns and smells. If it doesn't burn steadily, you may need to increase the amount of binder (Makko) in your mixture. If it burns too quickly, reduce the binder content. You can always grind up any imperfect batches and adjust the mixture by adding more binder or loose incense blend.
Remember to wear a face mask during the process to avoid breathing in the dry powdered ingredients, and consider using vinyl gloves to prevent the dough from sticking to your fingers. Enjoy the process of creating your own incense and take pride in the unique, handmade product you have crafted!
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Drying and storing incense
Drying and storing your incense correctly is essential to preserving its aroma and ensuring you get the most out of your purchase. Here are some tips to help you dry and store your incense effectively:
Drying Incense:
- Avoid adding too much water when making your incense dough. The less water you use, the faster the incense will dry.
- Allow enough time for your incense to air dry. Drying too quickly can cause cracking and bending.
- If you live in a humid climate, consider using a dehydrator or oven to help speed up the drying process. However, be cautious as temperatures that are too high can ruin your incense.
- Place incense in an airtight container with rice or silica gel to absorb excess moisture.
Storing Incense:
- Choose an airtight container made from non-reactive materials such as glass, ceramic, or metal. Avoid plastic containers as they can affect the fragrance.
- Store incense in a cool, dry, and dark place, such as a drawer or cupboard.
- Keep incense away from direct sunlight, heat sources, and areas with high humidity, as these can cause the incense to degrade and lose its fragrance.
- Store each type of incense separately to prevent the scents from mixing and creating a muddled aroma.
- Consider adding desiccant packets to your storage container to absorb any excess moisture and prolong the life of your incense.
- Store incense upright to avoid bending and place them in a location with minimal temperature fluctuations.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a combination of a binder, scent, and base material. For a natural scent, you can use aromatic botanicals such as frankincense, benzoin, myrrh, copal, lavender, sandalwood, palo santo, or cloves. For a base, you can use makko powder, which is made from the bark of the tabunoki tree. To bind your incense, you can use natural tree gums or gum powder.
First, grind your chosen ingredients into a fine powder. You can use a blender or a mortar and pestle. Next, add water to form a dough. You can roll the dough into thin, snake-like shapes and lay them on parchment paper to dry. Alternatively, you can wrap the dough around a bamboo stick. Leave your incense to dry for 24-48 hours, or until it is completely dry.
Hold the tip of your incense stick to an open flame until it catches. Allow it to burn for a few seconds, then blow out the flame. If your incense is still slightly damp, it may not burn well.
