Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used for centuries, and its scent can evoke powerful emotions and memories. Making your own incense is an easy and rewarding process that allows you to connect with the plants and ingredients used. You can use commonly found botanicals, aromatic plants, and resins such as frankincense or myrrh, and dried and ground herbs like rosemary and thyme. The key to a good incense blend is a fine powder, and a base and binder like makko, a blend of tabu no ki and clove, or a gum binder, to hold it all together. You can then shape your incense into cones or sticks, or simply burn it as a loose incense on a charcoal briquette.
How to Make Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base Materials | Red sandalwood, alder, charcoal |
| Binders | Gum binders, wood binders, Makko powder, marshmallow root powder |
| Aromatics | Frankincense, patchouli, essential oils, resins, herbs, flowers, cinnamon, rosemary, lemongrass |
| Tools | Mortar and pestle, scale, spoon, bowl, knife, brush, dog claw scissors, blender, sieve, fondant extruder, syringe, respirator, glasses, gloves |
| Burning Method | Charcoal briquette, incense dish |
| Storage | Store in a safe place |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing ingredients: Use natural ingredients like wood, herbs, flowers, resins, and essential oils
- Mixing: Combine aromatic botanical powders with a binding agent like marshmallow root powder
- Shaping: Form the dough into sticks by hand or use an incense-squeezing syringe or equipment
- Drying: Allow shaped incense to dry overnight or for a few hours before burning
- Burning: Place incense on a charcoal briquette and light it, allowing it to burn for 30 seconds first
Choosing ingredients: Use natural ingredients like wood, herbs, flowers, resins, and essential oils
Incense is primarily composed of aromatic plant materials that burn to release a gentle smoke and distinct fragrance. The key to making incense that burns properly is to pulverize your ingredients into a very fine powder. When choosing your ingredients, opt for natural ingredients like wood, herbs, flowers, resins, and essential oils.
Wood
You can use powdered wood as a base for your incense mixture. Woods are very difficult to pulverize with a mortar and pestle, so it's best to use a hand-crank coffee grinder or start with powdered wood. Popular types of wood include cedar and sandalwood.
Herbs
You can use a variety of home-grown or store-bought dried herbs such as lavender, sage, and sweetgrass. Crush them into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle.
Flowers
You can make incense cones from sacred flowers such as Pooja flowers.
Resins
Commercial resins such as frankincense or myrrh can be purchased, or you can gather your own from the sap of conifer trees. Be mindful not to take resin that is still forming on the tree, as it serves a protective function. Only gather hard resin, not soft sticky sap. To make resin easier to crush, place it in the freezer first.
Essential Oils
Any essential oil can be used to scent your incense, but many people opt for calming, gentle aromas like lavender or amyris to promote relaxation and serenity.
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Mixing: Combine aromatic botanical powders with a binding agent like marshmallow root powder
When making incense, you'll want to use a binder to hold the mixture together. Marshmallow root powder is a great option for this, as it acts as a glue when mixed with water, and has soothing, healing, softening, and cooling properties.
To make incense, you'll need to combine your aromatic botanical powders with the marshmallow root powder. The basic recipe is 2 parts herbs to 1 part marshmallow root powder, but you can adjust this ratio depending on your preferences and the specific herbs you're using. For example, some recipes call for up to 40% marshmallow root powder, while others use 25% or less. You can also experiment with different blends of herbs to find a combination that you like.
Once you've measured out your ingredients, mix them together in a small bowl. You can use a spoon to combine the powders at first, and then use your hands to knead the mixture like bread dough. This helps to ensure that the herbs are thoroughly blended and incorporated with the marshmallow root powder. Add just enough water to the mixture to create a dough-like texture that holds together. The dough should be on the dry side, but wet enough to form a ball.
After mixing and kneading your incense dough, you can shape it into cones or sticks. To make cones, use the conical tip of a piping bag as a mold. Press the mixture into the piping tip, and then gently push it out with a toothpick. For sticks, roll the dough into thin, 2-inch-long, 2-mm-diameter lengths between your hands, wooden boards, or with an extruder. Pack the incense sticks tightly and straight to dry, and let them dry for 2-7 days.
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Shaping: Form the dough into sticks by hand or use an incense-squeezing syringe or equipment
Once you've prepared your incense dough, it's time to shape it into sticks. There are several methods you can use to do this, and the one you choose will depend on the tools you have available and the size of the batch you're making.
For small batches, hand-rolling is a simple and effective method. To do this, simply roll the dough into thin sticks by hand. This method can be time-consuming, but it's a great option if you're just starting and don't have any specialised equipment.
If you want to speed up the process or make larger batches, you can use an incense-squeezing syringe or equipment. These tools help you form the dough into long, thin sticks. First, fill the syringe or equipment with the incense dough. Then, squeeze the dough out through the nozzle or lever to create your desired stick shape. You can find incense-squeezing syringes and equipment online, and some even come with different nozzles or dies to create various shapes and sizes of sticks.
Regardless of the shaping method you choose, the next step is to cut the sticks to the required length. Then, place them on a drying screen or rack to dry completely. Remember to let the incense dough rest for a period of time after kneading before shaping, as this will help the dough hold its shape better.
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Drying: Allow shaped incense to dry overnight or for a few hours before burning
Drying your shaped incense properly is a crucial step in the incense-making process. Allowing your incense to dry overnight or for a few hours before burning it will ensure that it burns effectively and smells pleasant. Here are some detailed tips for this drying stage:
Choose a Suitable Drying Environment: Select a dry room in your house, preferably one with good ventilation. Place your shaped incense on a steel tray or a recently washed ceramic dish. You can also use a fan to improve air circulation and speed up the drying process.
Consider the Climate: If you live in a humid climate, you may encounter challenges with mould growth during the drying process. To combat this, use the minimum amount of water necessary when preparing your incense mixture. Additionally, consider placing your incense in front of a fan or using a dehumidifier in the room to reduce moisture in the air.
Drying Time: Allow your shaped incense to dry for a few hours or overnight. In some cases, it may take a couple of days for the incense to dry completely, especially in humid environments. Ensure the incense is thoroughly dry before attempting to burn it.
Storage: Once your incense is completely dry, you can store it in a glass jar with instant rice for future use. The rice will help absorb any remaining moisture, keeping your incense dry and fresh.
By following these steps, you can ensure that your shaped incense is properly dried and ready for burning, enhancing your incense-making experience.
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Burning: Place incense on a charcoal briquette and light it, allowing it to burn for 30 seconds first
Burning incense is a centuries-old practice that allows for the release of deep, rich fragrances from natural materials like resins, herbs, and powders. When done correctly, it creates a calming atmosphere while respecting the traditional methods of incense burning.
To burn incense on a charcoal briquette, start by placing the briquette on a heat-resistant surface, such as a metal plate or a screened charcoal burner, ensuring it is on a stable, heat-proof surface away from flammable materials. Using a pair of tongs, hold the charcoal briquette and light it with a match, lighter, or candle, holding the flame to the edge of the briquette for 20-30 seconds. You will know it is ready when the charcoal starts to crackle, spark, and glow red. Place the lit briquette back into the burner and allow it to burn for 2-5 minutes. During this time, the surface will turn from black to grey as a thin layer of ash forms, indicating that it is fully heated and ready for the incense.
Once the charcoal is prepared, it is time to add the incense. Avoid overloading the charcoal with too much resin, powder, or loose incense at once, as it may produce excessive smoke and reduce the effectiveness of the burn. Start with a small amount, adding more as needed to maintain a steady burn and aromatic release. The heat from the charcoal will cause the incense to smoulder, releasing its fragrance.
Charcoal discs typically burn for 30-45 minutes and cannot usually be reused once they have been fully lit and burned. It is important to note that incense smoke can be harmful, potentially causing respiratory issues and exposing you to toxic chemicals. Therefore, it is recommended to burn incense in a well-ventilated area and to never leave it unattended due to potential safety risks.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make incense from various wood, resin, herb or floral incense powders. You can also add essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts.
You will need a way to grind your ingredients into a fine powder, such as a blender, food processor, or mortar and pestle. You will also need a bowl for mixing, a fine mesh sieve, a scale, a spoon, and a knife.
Sandalwood is a good aromatic base for beginners, as it pairs well with aromatics like frankincense or patchouli. Tabu no ki (also called makko) is a good choice for a binder, as it is forgiving and easy to work with.
Place some sand into your incense dish and then place a charcoal briquette on top. Light the briquette and let it burn for about 30 seconds, or until it is evenly hot. Place your incense on top and enjoy!
