Heidi Norton
Incense is an ancient tradition that has been used for centuries to connect with spirituality and evoke relaxation. While incense sticks and cones are easy to find, making your own at home is a great way to know exactly what you're burning and to create unique fragrances. The process is simple: you can use blank incense sticks and coat them with your chosen fragrance, whether that be essential oils, fragrance oils, or other liquid scents such as decoctions, hydrosols, and extracts.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Base | Sandalwood, cedar, pine, red sandalwood, alder, charcoal, and joss powder |
| Binder | Gum binders (guar gum or xanthan gum) or wood binders |
| Liquid | Water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, herbal teas, wine |
| Essential oil substitutes | Resins, woods, spices, herbs, and extracts |
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What You'll Learn
Using dried and powdered aromatics
Incense is primarily composed of aromatic plant materials that burn to release a gentle smoke and distinct fragrance. The basic formula for natural incense is simple: create a properly mixed batch of incense dough, then form it into any shape you wish. Sticks and cones are the most common forms, but you can choose any shape. The base material in your incense replaces the charcoal or other outside heat source used in non-combusting forms of incense.
When using dried and powdered aromatics, you can use a variety of herbs, resins, and woods with wonderful aromatic properties. Sandalwood, cedar, and pine are all excellent bases that can add a very strong scent to your incense blend. Red sandalwood (which is not actual sandalwood), alder, and charcoal are all very low-scent base materials, making them easier to work with. Using an aromatic base that complements the other aromatic components is a good way to start any recipe. For example, using sandalwood as a base for an incense stick with aromatics like frankincense or patchouli will often provide amazing results.
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"). Gum binders (such as guar gum or xanthan gum) are much more powerful than wood binders. A typical incense recipe will use just 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material. Because of their strength, adding too much gum binder to a recipe can cause it to bind so strongly that it can't burn. Gum binders add no scent of their own to the blend, so you don't have to worry about their impact on the fragrance.
While you do need to use a water-based liquid to "activate" your binder, it doesn't have 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.
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Adding water to activate the binder
When making incense, you will need a binder to act as 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.
If you are using a binder, you must add water to your blend to "activate" it. While you do need to use a water-based liquid, it doesn't have to be plain water. Any liquid that is mostly water will work to activate your binder. This 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. However, keep in mind 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.
A typical incense recipe will use just 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material. Because of their strength, adding too much gum binder to a recipe can cause it to bind so strongly that it can't burn.
Some common binders include:
- Guar gum
- Xanthan gum
- Tragacanth gum
- Makko (a blend that often includes tabu no ki, but it is much more than that single ingredient)
- Joss powder (sometimes called jiggit)
- "Tabu no ki" (sometimes, incorrectly, called "makko")
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Using wood binders as a base material
Wood binders are a type of glue that holds the incense together in the shape of your choice. They 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 (also called jiggit or makko powder) and "tabu no ki".
To make incense using wood binders, you will need to create a batch of incense dough, which can then be formed into any shape you wish. Sticks and cones are the most common forms, but you can also get creative and experiment with different shapes.
When choosing a base material, consider its scent and how it will complement the other aromatic components in your incense. For example, using sandalwood as a base can work well with aromatic ingredients like frankincense or patchouli. Other options for low-scent base materials include red sandalwood, alder, and charcoal, which contribute very little to the overall scent and may be easier to work with if you are new to making incense.
It is important to note that wood binders are not as strong as gum binders (such as guar gum or xanthan gum), so you will need to use a smaller amount. A typical incense recipe uses just 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material.
In addition to the binder, you will need to add water or a water-based liquid to your blend to "activate" the binder. This can include water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, or other liquids with a high water content. Keep in mind that the liquid you choose may also contribute to the overall scent of your incense.
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Using gum binders for a stronger hold
When making incense, a binder is required to act as a form of glue that holds the incense together in the desired shape. Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are more potent than wood binders. They are versatile and can be used to create various forms of incense, including cones, joss sticks, masala sticks, coils, and cylinders.
The strength of gum binders allows for a stronger hold in your incense, but it is important to use them sparingly as too much can prevent the incense from burning properly. A typical recipe calls for a small amount of binder—approximately 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material. This ratio can be adjusted to achieve the desired consistency and strength, but it is crucial not to exceed a certain threshold to avoid impairing the burnability of the incense.
When experimenting with different gum binders, it is advisable to dilute them in water. This allows for more precise additions in small volumes. For instance, you can mix a gum binder with water and a small steel ball bearing to facilitate thorough mixing. The ratio of gum solution in your incense mixture can range from 0.5% to 1.5%.
Some popular gum binders to consider include guar gum, xanthan gum, gum arabic (also known as acacia gum), CMC (the industrial equivalent of tragacanth gum), and tragacanth gum. These gum binders vary in strength and characteristics, so it is recommended to experiment with different options to determine which best suits your specific requirements.
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Soaking sticks in oil
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.
If you are using DPG, insert your incense stick blanks into a shallow glass dish that is as small as possible while still allowing the blanks to lay flat. Once the sticks are set up, pour the DPG and essential oil blend into the container, covering the blanks completely. If needed, you can add extra DPG to make sure the sticks are completely covered. Cover the container and let the sticks soak for 24 hours in a safe spot away from direct sunlight or excessive heat or cold.
After soaking, remove the sticks from the dish and place them on a rack to dry. The drying process can take anywhere from 10 to 24 hours, depending on the recipe.
It is important to note that not all essential oils will result in a potent fragrance. Oils with a denser consistency, such as sandalwood, frankincense, and benzoin, tend to work better in incense sticks as they evaporate more slowly. Additionally, the type of wood used as a base can also impact the strength of the scent. Sandalwood, cedar, and pine are excellent choices for a strong-scented incense blend, while red sandalwood, alder, and charcoal have very low scents and are easier to work with.
Through this process of soaking sticks in oil, you can create natural and aromatic incense sticks tailored to your desired fragrance profile.
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Frequently asked questions
Sandalwood, cedar, and pine are all excellent bases that can add a very strong scent to your incense blend. Other low-scent base materials include red sandalwood, alder, and charcoal, which can be easier to work with if you're new to making incense.
Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are more powerful than wood binders. Wood binders, such as joss powder or "tabu no ki", are easier to work with and can also act as a base material.
While water is necessary to "activate" your incense, it doesn't have to be plain water. Any liquid that is mostly water will work, such as tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, herbal teas, or wine.
You can use fragrance oils, which are man-made chemicals, instead of essential oils. There are hundreds of varieties available, including aromas like toffee, vanilla, honey, or even mimicked essential oil blends.
