Heidi Norton
Flower incense is a popular way to bring the scent of flowers indoors. Flower incense is made from dried flowers and herbs, and can be purchased or made at home. Flowers and herbs that are not fully bloomed are typically used in the making of flower incense, as mature flowers are more likely to mould or lose their petals during the drying process. Flowers such as lavender, roses, thyme, rosemary, eucalyptus, and hibiscus are commonly used in flower incense.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Flowers, herbs, essential oils, crushed ingredients |
| Flowers | Roses, lavender, thyme, rosemary, eucalyptus, hibiscus, hydrangea, osmanthus, lotus, magnolia, cedar, pine, sage, cinnamon, citronella, mint, sweet shrub, marigold, Mexican marigold, cedar musk, sandalwood, lemongrass, jasmine, etc. |
| Other Ingredients | Cotton twine, scissors, lighter, heat-proof dish, hanger, matches, candles |
| Process | Tie flowers and herbs together with twine, cut to appropriate length, dry the bundle, light the herbs until they smoke, blow out the flame and let it smolder |
| Benefits | Natural way to bring scents into your home, can be used to scent, cleanse or during religious practices, can be used to improve concentration or energy levels, can be a stress buster |
| Brands | Phool, Hem, Lotus, Ostara |
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What You'll Learn
How to make flower incense at home
Incense is any material made from plants that are burned for fragrance. You can make your own incense at home using flowers and herbs. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make flower incense at home:
Step 1: Gather Your Materials
You will need flowers and herbs, scissors, a ruler, cotton twine, a hanger, a heat-proof plate, and matches or a lighter. It is recommended to use fresh flowers and herbs that are not fully bloomed, as mature flowers are more likely to mould or lose their petals during the drying process. Choose flowers and herbs that dry well and that have not been grown with pesticides or chemicals. You can also add other ingredients like dried fruits, fragrant hydrosols, wine, honey, or essential oils to enhance the fragrance.
Step 2: Prepare the Flowers and Herbs
Cut the herb and flower stems to the appropriate length, with herb stems at about six inches and flower stems between three to six inches. Make a bouquet of flowers and herbs, ensuring they are all facing the same direction with stems at one end and leaves or flowers at the other. You can also add cuttings from cedar or pine trees for additional fragrance.
Step 3: Bundle the Ingredients
Use cotton twine to hold the bouquet together. Cut a piece of twine that is approximately eight times the length of the bouquet. Tie a knot in the middle of the bouquet to secure it, with one end of the knot longer than the other. Wrap the longer end of the twine around the bouquet tightly, as the herbs and flowers will shrink during the drying process. Criss-cross the twine back down the bouquet and tie it off at the end.
Step 4: Dry the Bundle
Find a cool, dry spot with good circulation to hang your bundle. Use the hanger to hang the bundle upside down so it can dry completely. The drying process may take some time, and it is important to ensure the bundle is fully dry before burning it.
Step 5: Burn the Incense
Take the dried bundle and place it on the heat-proof plate. Use matches or a lighter to ignite the herbs until they start to smoke. Blow out the flame and allow the herbs to smoulder, releasing the fragrance into the air. You can also burn loose incense mixtures on a charcoal disk or makko placed in a heat-proof dish.
Storage and Pre-Preparation
To store your incense, keep it in a cool, dry, and dark location, such as an airtight glass container. Exposure to moisture or heat can cause the incense to mould or become brittle. You can prepare several bundles ahead of time so that you have a supply of dried incense ready for future use.
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Flowers and herbs to use for incense
Flower incense is made from dried flowers, herbs, and essential oils. Incense is a substance that can be burned to produce an aromatic scent. The use of incense dates back to ancient times and was particularly popular in the ancient Babylonian empire, as well as in Greece and Egypt. To this day, people of many different cultures use incense for aromatherapy, meditation, religious ceremonies, and even for simple aesthetic reasons. Incense is also used to counteract unpleasant odors or to repel insects.
- Basil – Its aroma can be described as herbal with slightly spicy undertones.
- Catnip – Catnip was heavily used in medieval times for cooking and herbal medicines. It is known for its calming effect on felines and humans and produces a faint mint aroma, which is refreshing and not overpowering.
- Dill – One of the earliest uses of dill was as a soothing medicinal herb in ancient Egypt. It has a fresh, light, herbaceous aroma.
- Thyme – The ancient Greeks and Romans purified their temples by burning bundles of thyme. Thyme has a spicy and warming scent and is great for those wanting a more penetrating, invigorating aroma.
- Hyssop – Its aroma can be described as fruity, woody, and slightly sweet. Some even claim it smells like licorice.
- Lavender – Its fragrance has been known to promote tranquility and help reduce stress.
- Marjoram – The ancient Greeks greatly valued marjoram, using it as a natural remedy for many ailments. It possesses a mild, sweet aroma with woody notes, ideal for adding refreshing vibes to your living space.
- Peppermint – Its aroma can be described as cool and minty-fresh.
- Cedar – A sacred plant in many cultures, cedar has been used to purify and drive out negative energy, as well as bring in good influences. It is often burnt to bless a new house.
- Sage – Sage is quite possibly the best-known ceremonial smudge plant, used for meditation, cleansing, and purification. Its scent can be described as earthy and herbaceous.
- Sweetgrass – This plant was sacred to the Native Americans and is often braided before drying.
- Dried hibiscus flowers – These work well for incense and can be bought powdered from incense suppliers.
- Hydrangea – This flower may be one you can grow yourself for use in incense.
- Osmanthus – It is unclear which variety is used for incense, but it is likely Osmanthus fragrans.
- Clove – One of the most common spices used in the Japanese tradition.
- Cinnamon – Also commonly used in Japan, though it is actually cassia that is burned.
- Star anise – Another spice commonly used in Japan.
- Turmeric – Used occasionally in Japanese incense, along with galangal and other ginger-type roots.
- Pine – Pine needles can be warmed gently to release a lovely aroma.
- Pine resin – Keep an eye out for this when foraging.
- Cedar resin – This can be burned as incense.
- Frankincense – The dried resin of an African tree, prized in ancient times and used in meditation and healing.
- Myrrh – A valuable resin that comes from a Middle Eastern shrub. It was used by the ancient Egyptians for healing and to embalm bodies and is currently used for meditation, spirituality, and enhancing happiness and confidence.
- Rose – Dried rose petals can be burned to attract love and enhance a romantic environment. It is also used for meditation and encouraging peace.
- Lemongrass – Found to give energy and improve concentration.
- Rosemary – This herb burns well in stick holders.
- Cinnamon sticks – These also burn well in stick holders.
- Patchouli – This herb burns well in stick holders.
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Flowers to avoid using for incense
Incense is any material made from plants that are burned for fragrance, and there are many ways to make it. It is recommended to use flowers and herbs that were not grown with chemicals or pesticides, so they do not spread into the air when burned. Flowers that are not fully bloomed should be chosen as mature flowers are more likely to mould or lose their petals in the drying process.
- Flowers grown with chemicals or pesticides: These flowers are not ideal as the chemicals or pesticides may be released into the air when burned, potentially causing respiratory issues or other health problems.
- Mature flowers: Fully bloomed flowers tend to mould or lose their petals when dried, making them unsuitable for incense.
- Moisture-prone flowers: Flowers that are susceptible to moisture damage should be avoided as exposure to moisture can cause the incense bundles to mould or become brittle.
- Strongly scented flowers: While not necessarily a detriment, some flowers with strong scents, such as jasmine or gardenia, may be overpowering when burned as incense. It is important to consider the desired fragrance and whether a particular flower's scent will be too intense.
- Poisonous flowers: Certain flowers, such as poison ivy or poison oak, are inherently toxic and should be avoided altogether. Burning them may release toxic fumes, causing health hazards.
When making flower incense, it is important to prioritise safety and choose flowers that are appropriately dried, organically grown, and have a pleasant scent when burned.
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The best flowers for fragrance
Flower incense is made by drying out flowers and herbs and then burning them to release their fragrance. To make your own flower incense, it is recommended to use flowers that are not fully bloomed and to hang them in a cool, dry spot to dry. You can also add lots of leaves to your bundle as they will shrivel up during the drying process.
Now, here is some information about the best flowers for fragrance:
Sweet peas are known for their wonderful fragrance, with certain varieties such as Cupani, Painted Lady, Queen of the Night, and April in Paris being particularly fragrant. They are annual, cool-weather climbers that bloom in late spring or early summer. Carnations, which are part of the same family as sweet peas, also have a spicy, clove-like perfume and are excellent cut flowers.
Tulips are another flower that usually has a light, sweet perfume, with certain varieties like Monsella, Foxtrot, and Angelique being known for their fragrance. Bearded iris flowers, including tall, dwarf, and intermediate sizes, also have a unique perfume, with some being fruity and others more floral.
Daffodils are a great option for fragrance, especially when they have been warmed by the sun. Poeticus daffodils, such as Actea, and Tazetta and Jonquilla varieties like Cheerfulness and Falconet, are particularly fragrant.
If you're looking for a shrub or small tree with a delightful fragrance, consider the Tea Olive or Fragrant Olive (Osmanthus fragrans). It blooms from October through April and can perfume an entire city or yard with its sweet scent.
Other flowers known for their pleasant fragrances include lilies, peonies, roses, lavender, lilac, magnolia, jasmine, frangipanis, and hedychiums (Hawaiian ginger).
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How to store flower incense
Flower incense, like other types of incense, should be stored in a cool, dry, and dark place to maintain its quality and fragrance. Exposure to moisture, heat, or direct sunlight can cause the incense to degrade, become brittle, or lose its aroma. Therefore, it is best to keep your flower incense in a moisture-resistant, airtight container made from non-reactive materials such as glass, ceramic, or metal. Avoid plastic containers as they can transfer odours to the incense.
It is also important to keep different types of incense separate to prevent their fragrances from mingling and compromising their unique scents. You can use individual containers or compartments within the same container to separate different incense sticks. If you are using bags or boxes, ensure they are scent-free, as the incense can absorb nearby fragrances.
Additionally, if you live in a humid climate, consider adding a small packet of silica gel to the container to absorb any excess moisture. However, avoid storing incense near heat sources like radiators, stoves, or heaters, as these can expedite the degradation process.
Finally, while it is not recommended for long-term storage, you can revitalise incense that has lost some of its aroma by exposing it to air for a period of time or placing it in a cloth bag with dried flowers to restore its fragrance.
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Frequently asked questions
Flower incense is made from dried flowers and herbs.
To make flower incense, you'll need flowers and herbs, cotton twine, a hanger, a heat-proof plate, and matches or a lighter. First, cut the herb and flower stems to the appropriate length. Then, bundle the flowers and herbs together and wrap them with twine. Hang the bundle upside down in a cool, dry spot and let it air-dry for 2-3 weeks. Once the bundle is completely dry, place it on a heat-proof plate and light it until it starts to smoke. Blow out the flame and enjoy the fragrance.
Many different types of flowers can be used for incense, including roses, lavender, hibiscus, hydrangeas, and marigolds. It's best to use flowers that are not fully bloomed and that have not been grown with chemicals or pesticides.
Flower incense is available for purchase from various online retailers, such as Etsy and Phool. Etsy offers a wide variety of flower-scented incense sticks, cones, and burners, while Phool specializes in charcoal-free incense products.
To use flower incense, simply light the end of the incense stick or bundle and blow out the flame once it's burning. Place the incense in a heat-proof dish and enjoy the fragrance as it smolders.
