Seamus Hammond
Incense has been used for centuries in various cultures and is made from fragrant materials. You can make your own incense cones at home with herbs, such as basil, dill, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass. You can also add aromatic ingredients like sandalwood, cedar, pine, frankincense, myrrh, copal, cinnamon, and patchouli. The herbs should be dried and ground into a powder before being mixed with a binder, like gum or wood, and a small amount of water to create a dough. The dough is then shaped into cones and dried before burning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Herbs to use | Basil, dill, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, sage, cedar, sweetgrass, frankincense, myrrh, copal, cinnamon, pine, sandalwood |
| Base materials | Sandalwood, cedar, pine |
| Binders | Makko powder, marshmallow root powder, gum binders (guar gum, xanthan gum), wood binders |
| Liquids | Water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, herbal teas, wine |
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What You'll Learn
- Popular herbs: lavender, basil, dill, rosemary, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass
- Aromatic resins: copal, frankincense, myrrh
- Base materials: sandalwood, cedar, pine
- Binders: gum binders, makko powder, marshmallow root powder, Tabu-No-Ki, wood binders
- Other ingredients: cinnamon, essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, extracts
Popular herbs: lavender, basil, dill, rosemary, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass
Incense has been used for various purposes for centuries. While incense is often made from fragrant materials like cinnamon, frankincense, and sandalwood, many people like to experiment with different types of herbs to create their own unique incense recipes.
Lavender, basil, dill, rosemary, and sage are all popular choices when it comes to making homemade incense cones. These herbs are known for their potent aromas, which can be enhanced by grinding them into a powder before mixing with other ingredients. Lavender, in particular, is often sold in bulk for incense-making purposes.
Rosemary incense is said to purify the energies of your home and promote restful sleep. Similarly, sage is believed to have the power to cleanse spaces of negativity and aid concentration.
Sweetgrass is another herb that can be used in incense cones. It is known for its amazing quality and long-lasting aroma, which can fill a room even when it is simply hanging nearby.
When making your own incense cones, it's important to consider any allergies or sensitivities to certain herbs and ingredients and to experiment with different combinations to find your favorite aromas.
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Aromatic resins: copal, frankincense, myrrh
Incense has been used for centuries for various purposes, including spiritual practices, aromatherapy, and addressing bad odours. When making your own incense cones, it's important to use potent herbs to ensure a pleasant aroma. Popular choices include basil, dill, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, and sage.
Now, let's delve into the world of aromatic resins: copal, frankincense, and myrrh. These three resins stand out for their versatility, unique characteristics, and uses.
Copal
Copal is a resin harvested from various tree species in Central and South America. Its colour ranges from pale yellow to dark brown. Copal has been used in ancient traditions and continues to be relevant today, especially in aromatherapy and natural medicine.
Frankincense
Referred to as the "king of resins," frankincense is derived from trees of the Boswellia genus, particularly the Boswellia sacra tree, which is known for producing top-quality frankincense. It has a milky-white or pale yellow appearance and a sweet, woody, and slightly citrusy fragrance. Frankincense has been associated with spiritual practices for millennia and is used in religious ceremonies across various cultures and faiths. It also possesses therapeutic properties, including anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects.
Myrrh
Myrrh is a reddish-brown resin extracted from the Commiphora tree. It has a warm, earthy, and slightly bitter aroma. Like frankincense, myrrh is often used in spiritual and medicinal practices. Historically, it was employed in ancient Egypt for embalming and religious rituals. Additionally, myrrh exhibits antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties and has been traditionally used to treat wounds, infections, and digestive issues. Its aroma is believed to promote emotional healing, grounding, and introspection.
By incorporating these aromatic resins into your incense cones, you can create captivating fragrances and potentially harness their therapeutic benefits. Remember to always burn incense responsibly, ensuring proper aeration and keeping it away from children and pets.
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Base materials: sandalwood, cedar, pine
Incense is made from fragrant materials like cinnamon, frankincense, and sandalwood, and produces a fragrant scent when burned. Sandalwood has a woodsy, earthy smell and is often used as a base for incense with aromatics like frankincense or patchouli. Red sandalwood, alder, and charcoal are all very low-scent base materials that can be easier to work with for new incense makers.
When making incense cones, you can use a piping tip to shape your cone, or mould them by hand. You can also add a hole in the incense cone to ensure no part of the cone is too thick. The base and binder are used to heat the aromatics and release their scents. You can use wood binders such as joss powder or "tabu no ki" (sometimes called "makko"), or gum binders such as guar gum or xanthan gum.
If you are using base materials such as sandalwood, cedar, and pine, you can blend them with herbs such as basil, dill, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, and sage. You can also experiment with your own combinations of herbs, resins, and woods to create your favourite aromas.
Once you have your herbs and base materials, mix and blend them with a small amount of water until you have a dough-like texture. Form your cones by hand or with a mould, and place them on a piece of parchment paper to dry for at least a day, preferably two days or more. You can speed up the drying process by placing them on the dashboard of a car on a sunny day. After drying, move the cones to an airtight container for storage.
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Binders: gum binders, makko powder, marshmallow root powder, Tabu-No-Ki, wood binders
When making incense cones, binders are necessary to hold the fragrant ingredients together and help them burn evenly. Some common binders used in incense-making include gum binders, makko powder, marshmallow root powder, Tabu-No-Ki, and wood binders.
Makko powder, also known as Tabu-No-Ki, is derived from the bark of the Tabu-No-Ki tree, native to Asia. It is a virtually scentless, natural wood binder that easily absorbs the scents of any incense blend. Makko is the most widely used incense binder in the world and is traditionally used in Japanese incense. It is water-soluble, so the amount added to a mixture depends on the humidity and the quantity of resins and woods in the recipe. Makko also burns well on its own and does not add much heat to the normal burning temperature of the materials it binds.
Gum binders, such as guar gum and tragacanth gum, are also commonly used in incense-making. These gums can alter the aroma of the incense, so it is important to experiment with different amounts to achieve the desired effect.
Another option for a binder is marshmallow root powder, which has a sickly-sweet scent when raw but transforms into a burnt caramel scent when burned. However, some people find it too weak as a binder, especially for thin, Japanese-style sticks.
Wood binders, such as pine bark, are also used in incense-making. These natural wood powders can be ground manually or purchased as a cheap alternative to other binders.
When choosing herbs for incense cones, it is important to select potent herbs that have not lost their aroma over time. Popular choices include basil, dill, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, and sage. These herbs can be mixed, ground, and combined with liquids such as water, honey, essential oils, and tinctures to create unique incense cone recipes.
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Other ingredients: cinnamon, essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, extracts
Cinnamon is a popular ingredient in incense, giving off a strong aroma. However, some people have reported that burning a cinnamon stick can cause sparking and popping, which may be due to moisture in the stick. Cinnamon oil is also very flammable, so caution should be exercised when using it as an ingredient.
Essential oils are another popular ingredient in incense, with their aromas influencing mood and memory processing. Popular essential oils for incense include nag champa, rose, coconut, lavender, and neroli.
Decoctions are also used in incense-making. To make a decoction, steep the ingredients in water, strain, and let cool. Then, slowly add the cooled liquid to the incense powder and mix until a moist dough forms. This dough can then be shaped into incense cones or sticks.
Hydrosols, such as incense cedar hydrosol, are available for purchase, but it is unclear if they are used as an ingredient in incense-making or simply as a fragrance on their own.
Extracts are used in incense-making, with popular choices including vanilla, honey, and various resins such as gum arabic and halmaddi. These resins can act as binding agents and contribute to the overall fragrance of the incense.
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Frequently asked questions
There are many herbs that can be used in incense cones, including basil, dill, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, sage, cedar, sweetgrass, and many more.
Sandalwood, cedar, and pine are all excellent bases that can add a strong scent to your incense blend.
Copal, frankincense, myrrh, and sandalwood are popular choices due to their rich aromatics and mass marketing. However, there are many other herbs that can be used, and you can experiment to find your favourite combinations.
It is important to use herbs that are still potent, as herbs can lose their potency over time, impacting the aroma of your incense. You should also consider any allergies or sensitivities to certain herbs and consult a doctor before using new herbs.
