Lance Carson
Incense is used for a variety of purposes, including meditation, spiritual attunement, and aromatherapy. While it is readily available in shops worldwide, some people prefer to make their own incense at home. This allows them to control the ingredients used and avoid synthetic chemicals and low-quality components found in some commercial incense products. The Incense Dragon is a popular resource for learning how to make natural incense, offering a range of supplies, including bases, binders, and aromatics, and just-add-water kits. For those who want to buy incense, HEM Fragrances offers a diverse range of premium incense sticks, burners, dhoop, and fragrances. Sea Witch Botanicals also provides all-natural incense sticks with essential oils, crafted for quality and spiritually uplifting experiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense ingredients and products | Binders, bases, aromatics, charcoal, resins, sage bundles, burners, sticks, cones, oils, soap |
| Incense product characteristics | Natural, handcrafted, premium, vegan, risk-free, long burn time, affordable, synthetic-free, toxic-free, essential oils |
| Incense product uses | Meditation, spiritual attunement, air purification, smudging ceremonies, aromatherapy, religious traditions, yoga, stress relief, chakra healing, cleansing |
| Incense suppliers | The Incense Dragon, Sea Witch Botanicals, Hem Fragrances, Incense Warehouse, Juniper Ridge |
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Natural ingredients vs. synthetic ingredients
Incense has been used for centuries for its therapeutic benefits, from soothing exhaustion and anxiety to lifting spirits. While incense is a great way to add fragrance to a room, not all incense is created equal. Some are natural, while others contain harmful ingredients like phthalates and synthetic fragrances.
Natural incense is made from aromatic herbs, flower resin, and essential oils. Natural resins, gums, and herbs have been burned as incense since ancient times for their spiritual, medicinal, and fragrancing properties. Natural incense powder can be made using powdered sandalwood, herbs, and other natural ingredients. Natural resins such as frankincense, myrrh, opoponax, and dragon's blood can be burned alone as incense. Aromatic woods such as aloeswood, sandalwood, cedarwood, and palo santo can also be burned alone or mixed with resins and herbs to create an incense blend.
Synthetic incense, on the other hand, is made from petroleum-based ingredients, including benzene, formaldehyde, styrene, toluene, and xylene. Synthetic incense is often called "factory incense" because it is mass-produced in factories using a base of sawdust and synthetic fragrances. The exact ingredients used to vary from company to company, but synthetic incense often contains paraffin or other petroleum derivatives. While synthetic incense may be safer for use around children due to the absence of dyes or preservatives, it is important to note that the chemicals used to create it are known to be toxic. Phthalates, commonly found in synthetic incense, have been linked to cancer, birth defects, and other health issues.
When choosing between natural and synthetic incense, it is important to consider your own preferences and needs. Natural incense offers a healthier alternative for those with allergies or sensitivities to synthetic fragrances, as it does not contain any artificial aromas or chemical byproducts. Synthetic incense, however, may be preferred by those seeking a more vibrant and crisp fragrance, although it may lead to headaches for some individuals.
You can purchase incense ingredients, both natural and synthetic, from various online sources, such as The Incense Dragon and Sea Witch Botanicals.
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Binders
One commonly used binder is makko powder, which is suitable for incense that will be burned. Makko powder can be purchased from suppliers such as Japan Incense. If you are using a heater to warm your incense, alternative binders can be used, such as honey, water, or dried fruit soaked in wine. These options provide a more natural and edible alternative to makko powder. Etsy also offers a range of incense binders, including leather binders and vintage treasures that can be loved again.
Another option for binders is to look for ingredients that act as a natural glue, such as guar gum and xanthum gum. These ingredients can often be found in health food stores or the bulk foods section of mainstream grocery stores. They are useful for creating a stiff dough-like mixture that can be rolled into cones or sticks and allowed to dry before use.
When purchasing binders, it is important to read the item descriptions carefully, as some ingredients may clump together, requiring additional processing. It is also recommended to avoid using a mortar and pestle as the primary method of grinding, as this may not be effective for certain materials. Instead, a coffee grinder or food processor may be more suitable for achieving a fine powder consistency.
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Bases
The base of your incense determines its burning properties and can also enhance its scent. Wood powder is the most common base material, but you can also use non-wood bases, such as lavender. If you're using lavender, the thick, spindly stems at the base of the plant make a great incense base.
If you're looking for a base that acts as both a base material and a binder, you can use makko, which is a very mild incense on its own. You can add your favourite ingredients to a few tablespoons of makko, add some water, and make amazing incense cones, sticks, or other shapes. Thai Punk sticks are another option for dipping in essential oils or applying your own incense mixture.
If you're looking for a virtually scentless base, tabu powder is a good option. It's perfect for making masala incense sticks, joss sticks, cones, coils, cylinders, or other shapes. While tabu powder is sometimes called "makko", true makko contains tabu powder with other ingredients.
Commercially, two types of incense base predominate: Fuel and oxidizer mixtures. Charcoal or wood powder acts as fuel for combustion, while an oxidizer like sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate helps the incense burn.
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Aromatics
Some incense makers also use essential oils as aromatics. These can be used to create a wide range of fragrances, from floral and fruity scents to muskier, more sensual aromas. Essential oils are highly concentrated and a little goes a long way, so they can be a cost-effective option for incense making. They are also typically free from synthetic chemicals, which is important to many incense users.
When choosing aromatics for incense, it is important to consider the quality of the ingredients. Some incense makers opt for natural, sustainably sourced aromatics to ensure the purity of their incense and avoid potentially toxic chemicals. Others may use synthetic aromatics, which can be less expensive but may also be more likely to cause allergic reactions in some people.
It is also important to consider the form of the aromatics. Some aromatics are sold in powder form, which can be convenient for measuring and mixing. However, some materials, especially resins, may clump together and need to be re-powdered. Liquid aromatics, such as essential oils, can also be used, but may require a different preparation method.
Overall, the type of aromatics used in incense will depend on the desired fragrance, as well as the maker's preference for natural or synthetic ingredients, and the intended use of the incense.
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Powders
When it comes to buying incense powders, there are several online retailers to consider. Etsy, for instance, offers a wide range of incense powders, with over 3,000 results for "incense powder" on their website. You can find unique and custom incense powder options from various home and living shops on Etsy.
Another option is Amazon, which offers a variety of powdered incense products, including sandalwood powder and other scented incense powders. Amazon also provides free shipping on eligible orders.
Specialty stores like The Ancient Sage Spiritual Supply Store offer powder incense, which is a self-lighting, natural-burning medium infused with essential oils. Their website provides instructions on how to use their powder incense safely.
For those looking for a wider range of incense-making supplies, The Incense Dragon offers various "powder" labelled supplies, although they caution that some of these may clump and require re-powdering upon receipt.
Lastly, New Age Incense and Incense Warehouse both offer a selection of powdered incense, including the popular Nag Champa incense powder and various scented options like lavender, sandalwood, and more.
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Frequently asked questions
You can buy incense ingredients online from The Incense Dragon and Hem Fragrances.
The Incense Dragon offers natural incense-making kits and supplies.
Incense ingredients can be purchased in-store from grocery stores, convenience stores, and roadside stands.
You can buy incense sticks online from Sea Witch Botanicals, Hem Fragrances, Incense Warehouse, and Juniper Ridge.
