Katrina Rosales
Beeswax is a versatile ingredient with a range of uses, from candles to cosmetics. It is also used in the creation of incense, where it acts as a bonding agent to hold together scented ingredients and release their fragrance when heated. When making incense, it is important to choose a recipe and gather the required ingredients, which may include natural resins, woods, and herbs. The ingredients are then pulverized into powders and weighed before being mixed and dried. This process allows individuals to create unique aromatic blends for various purposes, such as enhancing meditation, purifying spaces, or creating a relaxing atmosphere.
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right beeswax
When choosing the right beeswax for making incense, there are several factors to consider. Firstly, it is important to understand the role of beeswax in incense-making. Beeswax acts as a binder, helping to blend and hold the other ingredients together. It also affects the burn rate of the incense, slowing it down. Therefore, the right beeswax should have binding properties and be able to burn slowly and consistently.
Secondly, the quality of the beeswax is crucial. Pure beeswax is typically preferred, as it indicates a higher quality product. One way to identify pure beeswax is by looking for a whitish cast, known as "beeswax bloom", which appears due to the wax's sensitivity to temperature changes. This coating can be easily removed by warming the wax and buffing it with a soft cloth.
Additionally, the colour and scent of the beeswax can be considered. Beeswax sheets come in various colours, and while the natural golden hue of beeswax is often desirable, different colours can be used to create unique incense blends. Beeswax also has a subtle, natural fragrance that can enhance the overall scent of the incense. However, it's important to note that burning beeswax may produce a wax-like smell, which some may find unpleasant.
Lastly, the form of beeswax should be considered. Beeswax is available in different forms, such as pellets, blocks, or sheets. For incense-making, it is typically more convenient to use beeswax in a powdered or pellet form, as it is easier to measure and blend with other ingredients. However, blocks and sheets of beeswax can also be grated or shaved to achieve the desired consistency.
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Preparing the powdered resin
Preparing powdered resin can be a messy process, so it is recommended to grind the wood and herbs first and save the resins for last. Young and soft resins will make a mess of your mortar and pestle, so it is best to freeze them for around 15 minutes to make them easier to pulverize. If you are making a large batch, you can store it in an airtight container.
If you are using a mortar and pestle, resins can be difficult to grind, so it is recommended to use a coffee grinder instead. However, electric coffee grinders produce too much heat, which can cause the loss of vital chemicals, so it is best to use a hand crank coffee grinder.
When making incense, it is recommended to keep the number of ingredients to a minimum when starting out. A basic mixture will consist of one wood, two herbs, and one resin. Sandalwood is the best wood to use for incense, but it is expensive. Alternatives include slippery elm, wild cherry, and willow. For resins, you can use frankincense gum and benzoin gum in a 2:1 ratio.
Once you have your ingredients, you can begin to mix them. Weigh each ingredient and keep the dry ingredients separate from the resins. If you are making incense cones, you will also need to add a liquid to the mixture. You can use water, a herbal infusion, or a hydrosol. Add the liquid slowly and keep mixing—the mixture may look too dry at first, but it will come together.
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Mixing the two together
Mixing beeswax with powdered resin to make incense requires a few steps. Firstly, you will need to gather your ingredients and tools. For the mixture itself, you will need beeswax, powdered resin, and any other desired additives such as essential oils, dried flowers, or herbs. It is recommended to keep the number of ingredients to a minimum when starting out. Tools such as a coffee grinder, mortar and pestle, mixing bowls, measuring utensils, and a heat source will also be required.
Once you have your ingredients and tools, you can begin the process of mixing. If you are not using pre-powdered resin, you will need to grind it into a fine powder using either a mortar and pestle or a coffee grinder. Freezing the resin beforehand will make it easier to grind. After grinding, weigh or measure the desired amount of resin and place it into a mixing bowl.
Next, you will need to soften or melt the beeswax. This can be done by applying heat, either directly to the beeswax or by using a double boiler. Be careful not to overheat the wax, as it can burn. Once the beeswax is softened or melted, add it to the bowl with the powdered resin.
The final step is to mix the beeswax and resin together. This can be done with a wooden or metal utensil, or even your hands if the mixture is cool enough. Be sure to mix thoroughly until you have a homogeneous mixture. You can then add any additional ingredients, such as essential oils, dried flowers, or herbs, and mix again until everything is combined.
At this point, your incense mixture is ready to be formed into cones or sticks. If making cones, you will need to add a small amount of liquid, such as water or a herbal infusion, to help bind the mixture. Mix the liquid in slowly and thoroughly, and then allow the incense to cure and dry on a flat surface for several days. For sticks, you can roll the mixture into thin cylinders and dry them in the same way.
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Adding other ingredients
Beeswax is a versatile ingredient that can be used in combination with powdered resin to make incense. It serves as a bonding agent, helping to lock in the fragrance of the scented ingredients. When creating your own incense, it is recommended to keep the number of ingredients to a minimum at first and then slowly expand as you become more comfortable with the process. Here are some additional ingredients you can consider when making incense with beeswax and powdered resin:
Woods and Barks
Different types of wood and bark can be used to create various energies in your incense. For example, ash can be used for fire energy, birch for water and yin energies, cedar for purifying and yang energies, and pine for yin energies. Sandalwood is another popular choice, known for its pleasant aroma, although it tends to be more expensive. If you're looking for a more affordable option, slippery elm is a great alternative that works well as a base for all incense types.
Herbs and Spices
Herbs and spices are essential for adding unique aromas to your incense. You can experiment with a variety of wildcrafted or organic herbs such as pine needles, juniper berries, red cedar tips, clove powder, and guar gum. These ingredients can be ground into a fine powder and blended together to create a distinct fragrance. Additionally, spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, or cardamom can add warmth and depth to your incense.
Resins
Resins are a key component in incense-making, providing a strong aromatic presence. Frankincense, benzoin gum, and copal are commonly used resins, each offering distinct scents and properties. Frankincense has a high amount of gum and wax, giving it a sticky texture, while copal is mostly resin and liquefies easily when heated. You can also explore other resin options like myrrh, dragon's blood, or elemi to create unique scent profiles.
Natural Ingredients
Incorporate natural ingredients such as dried flowers, dried fruits, or wine to enhance the fragrance of your incense. Honey is another natural ingredient that can be added, but use it sparingly as it can affect the burn quality of your incense. Additionally, essential oils can be used to boost the aromatic properties of your incense. Choose oils that complement the other ingredients and align with your desired intention for the incense.
Colorants
If you want to give your incense a unique appearance, you can add natural or artificial colorants to the mixture. These colorants can be in the form of powdered pigments or liquid dyes. When choosing colorants, opt for those that are non-toxic and specifically designed for use in incense or cosmetic products. This will ensure that your incense is safe to burn and won't produce harmful fumes.
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Shaping and drying the incense
Shaping and drying your incense is an important step in the incense-making process. Once you have gathered your ingredients and combined them, you can shape your incense mixture into cones or sticks. To make sticks, you will need to use a mould, and to make cones, you can simply shape the mixture by hand. If you are making sticks, you will need to add a small amount of liquid to your mixture—a little at a time—until you reach the desired consistency.
After shaping your incense, it is important to let it cure and dry. Place your shaped incense on a clean, flat surface and leave it to dry for 5-7 days. Keep the incense away from drafts, direct sunlight, and heat sources. A long, slow drying process is best, as drying your incense too quickly can cause cracks and burning issues. Once your incense is completely dry, store it in a glass container in a cool, dark place.
If you are making smudge sticks, you can sprinkle your incense mixture with beeswax to slow the burn rate. You can also add dried flowers and resins to your smudge sticks. However, be aware that resins and honey can make your incense sticky, so use them sparingly.
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Frequently asked questions
Beeswax is a natural ingredient that binds together scented ingredients, helping to lock in their fragrances. It is also used to slow down the burn rate of incense.
To make incense, you will need a burnable base, an aromatic substance, a bonding element, and a liquid to bring it all together. The base can be a mixture of powdered tree barks and powdered gum resin. You can mix large batches of this ahead of time and store it in an airtight container. The ratio of beeswax to resin depends on the desired consistency—more beeswax will make the mixture stiffer, while less will make it creamier.
It is important to note that resins, if young and soft, will make a mess of your mortar and pestle, so it is best to freeze them before grinding them into a powder. Additionally, the incense should be allowed to cure/dry on a clean, flat surface for 5-7 days, away from drafts, direct sunlight, and heat.
