Anisha Riggs
Incense is an ancient tradition that has been used for centuries to connect with spirituality and evoke relaxation. It is composed of aromatic plant materials that burn to release a gentle smoke and distinct fragrance. In this modern world, incense is making a comeback, with people discovering its benefits and uses. Incense can be used as a form of aromatherapy, with essential oils added to increase the scent and provide additional physical and mental benefits. Incense sticks can be easily crafted at home using a variety of bases, binders, and essential oils to create unique and personalized fragrances. The process involves soaking the incense sticks in a blend of essential oils and other liquid scents, allowing them to dry, and then packaging them for future use. The use of incense can be a powerful way to create associations and evoke specific memories, moods, and states of mind.
How to use herbal incense oil
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base materials | Sandalwood, cedar, pine, alder, charcoal, red sandalwood |
| Binders | Wood binders (joss powder, "tabu no ki"), gum binders (guar gum, xanthan gum) |
| Essential oils | Lavender, amyris, frankincense, myrrh, orange Valencia, clove leaf, cinnamon leaf, fir needle, lemon, rose |
| Liquid scents | Essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, extracts |
| Water-based liquid | Water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, herbal teas, wine |
| Drying time | 24 hours |
| Burning time | 30 seconds |
| Burning instructions | Place sand in an incense dish, add a charcoal briquette, light it and wait for it to burn evenly before placing the incense ball on top |
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What You'll Learn
Using essential oils to scent incense
Incense is primarily composed of aromatic plant materials that burn to release a gentle smoke and distinct fragrance. Essential oils are often used to increase the scent and provide additional physical and mental benefits. The use of incense can be described as a form of aromatherapy, as the properties of the oil are inhaled to positively impact health and wellness.
Any oil can be used to scent incense, but many people opt for calming, gentle aromas to evoke relaxation and serenity. This is due to the association of incense with spirituality and higher connections. Classic aromas of lavender oil, for example, are key for unlocking total relaxation. Sweet and floral with fresh, herbaceous undertones, lavender can be heavily linked to one of its main constituents - linalool. According to a 2018 study from Japan, linalool can stimulate the olfactory system and produce a calming effect on the body. This, in turn, affects mood, heart rate, and blood pressure to keep us feeling relaxed.
If you are looking for an outside-the-box option that still maintains calming, restorative tones, geranium oil is a good choice. Geranium oil is also highly effective against symptoms of anxiety or stress. For spicy essential oil lovers, cinnamon essential oil is a popular choice for scenting incense sticks and complimenting their earthy aromas. Cinnamon has also been scientifically linked to stress relief and deeper sleep, making it great for burning at the end of the day.
To make your own scented incense, you can use a single essential oil or create blends. For a single test stick of incense, simply apply up to 20 drops of essential oil directly to one incense stick. If you are using a blend of oils, be sure to mix them before applying them to the incense stick to ensure they are evenly distributed. You can use up to 4ml (about 100 drops) of essential oil per five incense sticks, and a little less per stick as the volume increases. If you are not using DPG, simply lay your incense stick blanks down on a tray lined with aluminum foil. Use a dropper or sprayer to distribute the essential oil blend as evenly as you can over your blanks. Place the soaked blanks on a rack to dry for 24 hours. After that, they can be packaged in wax paper or cellophane to protect their aroma.
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Choosing a base material
When choosing a base material for your herbal incense oil, there are a few things to consider. The base material in incense replaces the charcoal or other outside heat source used in non-combusting forms of incense. Good base materials burn well and burn evenly.
There are two main choices when it comes to the scent of your base material. You can either use a base with a very subtle scent or opt for a base with a stronger 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. However, keep in mind that some base materials, like sandalwood, have very prominent scents of their own that can be challenging to work with. If you prefer a more subtle approach, red sandalwood (which is not actual sandalwood), alder, and charcoal are all very low-scent base materials.
Wood binders are a popular choice for base materials as they are easy to work with and act as both a binder and a base. Common wood binders include joss powder (also known as jiggit) and "tabu no ki" (sometimes mistakenly referred to as "makko"). These wood binders are forgiving and suitable for beginners, but they usually make up a large portion of the recipe, often around 75%. While they are not as strong as gum binders, this can be seen as an advantage or a disadvantage depending on your preferences.
Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are significantly more potent than wood binders. They are added in small quantities, typically just 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material. Gum binders have the potential to bind so strongly that the incense cannot burn if used in excess. One of the advantages of gum binders is that they do not contribute any scent to the blend, allowing your chosen fragrances to shine without interference. Natural plant-based gum binders like gum arabic or gum tragacanth are commonly used to bind the incense mixture together.
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Using a binder
The binder is a form of glue that holds the incense together in the shape you choose. There are two basic types of binders: gum binders and wood binders. Wood binders are easy to work with and, in most cases, act as a base material in addition to being a binder. Common wood binders include joss powder (sometimes called jiggit) and "tabu no ki" (sometimes, incorrectly, called "makko").
While you do need to use a water-based liquid to activate your binder, it doesn’t need to be plain water. Any liquid that is mostly water will work to activate your binder. That means that water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, and other liquids can be used to activate your binder. Herbal teas and wine are commonly used liquids. Keep in mind, however, that essential oils do not contain water. You can supplement the amount of water you use with some oils, but you cannot use oils in place of water.
Examples of binders include honey, hydrosols, dates (processed in a food processor until they become a paste), red wine, salt, and brandy. You should only need a little bit of this to bind everything together into a stable "dough."
To make cones, powder the materials as finely as possible. Add enough binder to make a playdough-like consistency. Knead until it holds together. Break off pieces and form them into little balls or cones. Allow them to dry for a few days before burning.
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Drying and packaging your incense
Drying your incense:
To dry your incense, you must first cut the herb and flower stems to the appropriate length. Cut the herb stems to about six inches and the flower stems to between three and six inches. This is because the leaves will shrivel up and the flowers may lose their petals in the drying process. Next, tie your herbs and flowers together with cotton twine. You can then hang your bundle to air-dry in a cool, dry spot for two to three weeks. Make sure the bundle is completely dry before burning. If you live in a humid climate, you may want to consider drying your herbs in an oven at a low temperature, such as 150°F for 20 minutes, or using a dehydrator. You could also try putting them in a sealed container with a desiccant or in a bag with rice or silica gel.
Once your incense is dry, you can burn it by holding the handle end and lighting the other end until a flame appears. Blow out the fire and place the burning herbs in a small heat-proof bowl or dish. Alternatively, you can burn loose herbs by shredding small amounts in your hands and rolling or smooshing them into a ball. You can also burn dried herbs on top of dried white sage leaves or Yerba Santa. If you are making incense cones, you will need to add some distilled water to your dry incense mixture to form a dough, which you can then mould into cones. Place your cones on parchment or wax paper and let them dry for a minimum of 12 hours, turning them over halfway through. When you are ready to burn your cone, place it in a small, heat-resistant bowl and light the tip. Blow out the flame after a few seconds and the cone should continue to smoke for about an hour.
Packaging your incense:
To package your incense, you can store your dried incense bundles in a cool, dry location, ensuring they are kept away from drafty areas such as open doors and windows. Exposure to moisture or heat can cause the bundles to mould or become more brittle. Keep all incense out of the reach of children and pets.
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Burning incense
How to Burn Incense:
When burning loose incense, you can use a heat-proof dish or bowl, an incense burner, or a ceramic vessel. Fill the bowl or burner with a layer of sand, soil, rock salt, or ash to absorb heat and catch the ashes. If using a burner, you can also use a charcoal disk. However, be cautious as charcoal produces a lot of smoke, which may cause breathing problems. If you decide to use charcoal, light it and wait for it to turn grey before placing your incense on top. You can also form loose incense into small cakes and burn them directly, or use dried white sage leaves to burn other herbs on.
To burn essential oils as incense, you can use a ceramic oil warmer, an aromatherapy oil warmer, or a tea light setup. Place the warmer on a heat-proof surface, and fill the top bowl with water or carrier oil. Light a tea light candle and place it below the warmer. Allow the oil to heat up, and the fragrance will start to release. Extinguish the candle when you are done, and replace the incense and oil after 3-4 days.
Safety Precautions:
Always ensure your burning setup is on a fire-safe surface and well-ventilated. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets, and never leave it unattended. When disposing of charcoal tablets, be mindful of their impact on aquatic life and opt for plant-based options.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense has been used for centuries to connect with spirituality and evoke relaxation. Burning incense can be a form of aromatherapy, as the properties of the oil are inhaled to positively impact health and wellness.
Any oil can be used to scent incense, but many people opt for calming, gentle aromas to promote relaxation and serenity. Popular choices include lavender, sandalwood, and citrus oils.
You will need blank or unscented incense sticks, dipropylene glycol (DPG), and your choice of essential oils. If you are not using DPG, you will also need a binder such as wood or gum binders, and water or another water-based liquid to "activate" the binder.
First, prepare your incense sticks by laying them on a tray lined with aluminum foil. Use a dropper or sprayer to distribute your essential oil blend evenly over the sticks. If you are using DPG, place the sticks in a shallow glass dish and pour the DPG and oil blend over them. Allow the sticks to soak for 24 hours, then let them dry for another 24 hours. Package your incense in wax paper or cellophane to protect their aroma.
