Lance Carson
Incense has been used in various rituals and ceremonies for millennia, with evidence of its use by the Ancient Egyptians, Babylonians, and in China as far back as 2000 BC. The word incense comes from the Latin 'incendere', which means 'to burn'. Incense is typically made from aromatic plant matter, essential oils, and resins, and is designed to burn slowly, producing aromatic smoke. The binding agent used in incense is an important component, as it holds the incense together in the desired shape. There are several types of binding agents that can be used, including wood binders, gum binders, and pliable resins. Wood binders such as joss powder or tabu no ki (also known as makko) are commonly used and act as a base material in addition to being a binder. Gum binders such as guar gum or xanthan gum are more potent than wood binders and require only a small amount to be effective. Pliable resins like labdanum are also used in incense-making, particularly in Japan. Other natural binding agents like dried fruit, honey, and charcoal can be used as well.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Traditional Japanese incense | Makko |
| Indian incense | Joss Powder |
| Other binders | Guar Gum, Tragacanth Gum, Gum Arabic, Karaya |
| Combustible incense | Burning mixtures in the form of cones or sticks |
| Non-combustible incense | Loose incense or incense pellets |
| Burning incense | Lighting one end of the cone or stick, fanning out the flame, and allowing it to burn slowly |
| Incense burner | Bowl-shaped filled with white rice ash, sand, or pulverized lava rock |
| Base ingredients | Sandalwood, cedar, pine, lavender, clove |
| Binder | Glue that holds the incense together |
| Binder activation | Requires water or other water-based liquids |
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What You'll Learn
Wood binders, such as joss powder, are commonly used
Wood binders are often combined with water to activate them and turn them into a glue-like substance. While plain water is typically used, other liquids such as tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, and even wine can be added to activate the binder. It is important to note that essential oils do not contain water, so they cannot be used as a substitute for water.
Wood binders have a milder scent compared to gum binders, which are much more potent. Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, typically require only a small amount, such as 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material. Using too much gum binder can cause the incense to bind too strongly and affect its ability to burn properly.
When choosing a wood binder, it is important to consider the scent and burning properties it will contribute to the overall incense blend. Some wood binders, like sandalwood, have very prominent scents, while others, like red sandalwood, alder, and charcoal, have low scents and are easier to work with for new incense makers. Additionally, certain ingredients like clove can increase the heat and cause the incense to burn faster, while others like white ash can slow down the burn.
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Gum binders, like guar gum, are strong and scentless
When making incense, it's important to choose the right binder to hold your incense together in the shape you choose. Gum binders, like guar gum, are strong and scentless. They are much more powerful than wood binders, and only a small amount is needed for a typical incense recipe. For example, a recipe might use just 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material.
While gum binders are strong, adding too much to a recipe can cause it to bind so strongly that it can't burn. Gum binders are also more difficult to work with than wood binders, as they require water to activate. However, almost any fluid may be used, including water, tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, wine, honey, rose water, olive oil, and even beer.
In addition to guar gum, other types of gum binders used in incense include xanthan gum, gum arabic (or acacia), gum tragacanth, and karaya. Gum arabic is one of the first incense binders used in the West, and it forms a sticky glue when mixed with water. Tragacanth is also an excellent binder, with a very mild scent, that is strong, pliable, and forgiving for novice incense makers. Karaya is the least expensive gum and is widely used by incense makers, although it must be dissolved in boiling water.
Makko is another popular binder that is a blend of various ingredients, including wood binders and gum binders. It is a special base and binder blend that simplifies the incense-making process. It is made from the bark of the tabu-no-ki tree, which grows in Asia, and it is a natural combustible material that is also water-soluble.
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Makko is a blend of several ingredients, including tabu no ki
Tabu no ki is often used interchangeably with makko, but they are distinct. While tabu no ki is virtually scentless, makko has a pleasant incense-like scent. Makko is darker brown in colour, while tabu no ki is medium to light brown.
Makko is a special base and binder blend, simplifying the process of making incense. It is a traditional Japanese blend that often includes tabu no ki and clove, and may also contain sandalwood. One source describes a blend called Magic Makko, which combines nine different ingredients, including two wood binders, one gum binder, and ingredients to improve the burn and enhance the scent.
Makko is used as a burning agent to improve how well incense blends burn. It binds well and has an almost transparent scent when used with fragrant ingredients. It also does not add much heat to the normal burning temperature of the materials it binds.
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Traditional Japanese incense uses makko
Makko is a popular choice for incense-making due to its effectiveness as a binder and its minimal impact on the scent of the incense. When used with fragrant ingredients, it has an almost transparent scent and does not add much heat to the normal burning temperature of the materials it binds. This makes it ideal for use in a variety of incense recipes.
In addition to makko, other common binding agents used in incense-making include gum arabic, guar gum, xanthan gum, and tragacanth gum. These gum binders are stronger than wood binders and typically require a smaller quantity in recipes. Wood binders, such as joss powder and tabu no ki, are also commonly used and can act as both base and binder materials. They are more forgiving for new incense makers but may require larger quantities in recipes.
The choice of binding agent depends on various factors, including the desired scent, burning properties, and ease of use. Makko, with its versatility and effectiveness, has become a popular choice for traditional Japanese incense, contributing to the rich history and cultural significance of incense-making in Japan.
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Other bases include sandalwood, cedar, and pine
The base ingredients in incense determine its burning properties and can also enhance its scent. While wood powder is the most common base material, non-wood bases and fixatives can be used. These include sandalwood, cedar, pine, lavender, and essential oils.
Sandalwood, cedar, and pine are all excellent bases that can add a very strong scent to your incense blend. If you are looking for a base with a minimal scent, you can use "red" sandalwood (which is not actually sandalwood), alder, or charcoal. These bases will be easier to work with as they will not compete with or overwhelm the rest of your blend.
Wood binders are easy to work with and 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 called “makko”). Makko is a special blend that often includes tabu no ki and is used to simplify incense-making. It is made from the bark of the tabu-no-ki tree, which grows in Asia and is a natural combustible material that is also water-soluble.
When using wood or gum binders, you must add water or another water-based liquid to "activate" the binder. This can include tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, and other liquids.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several binding agents that can be used in incense, including makko, joss powder, guar gum, tragacanth gum, and gum arabic. The type of binder chosen depends on the desired outcome, as some binders have stronger scents or burning capacities than others.
Makko is a special blend of base and binder that originated in Japan. It is made from the bark of the tabu-no-ki tree, which is a natural combustible material that is also water-soluble. Makko is a popular choice for incense makers as it binds well, has a neutral scent, and does not alter the normal burning temperature of the materials it binds.
Wood binders, such as joss powder and tabu no ki, are easy to work with and often act as a base material in addition to being a binder. Gum binders, such as guar gum and xanthan gum, are much more potent than wood binders, requiring only a small amount to be effective. Gum binders are also scentless and do not impact the fragrance of the incense blend.
In addition to binding agents, incense typically includes aromatic plant matter, essential oils, resins, herbs, and spices. The precise ingredients differ between products, but common choices include sandalwood, pine, cedar, vanilla, sage, ginger, and cinnamon.
