How to Make Incense Stick
Making your own incense allows you to design it to your own tastes. Mix your favorite ingredients to create an aromatic treat that you can enjoy, sell or give to your friends. If making your own incense, you can choose the color, size, smell and design of each stick. Since each ingredient has distinct burning properties, some experimentation is necessary, but you can prepare different mixtures for different occasions.
Instructions
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1
Choose your ingredients. You can use any kind of powdered or fresh herb or even grind down scented woods and resins. Sandalwood is a popular incense base due to its pleasant aroma and burning-agent qualities. Juniper, pine and cedar are other potential woods. Look for pre-ground herbs like turmeric, clove and cinnamon. You can also use essential oils like lavender or patchouli. Frankincense, myrrh and other resins have a calming yet spicy aroma. If you cannot find woods or resins already in powder form, you will need to grind them into a powder using a mortar and pestle. Purchase your ingredients at natural foods suppliers, incense or herb stores, drug stores, and bath and body shops. You may even have appropriate ingredients in your own garden.
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Makko is an important binding formula that also works as a burning agent. Ask for it at your local herbal source or order the desired quantity from one of the many online sources. Look for sticks that fit your requirements for size, color and length in the same type of stores. If you cannot find them, you can make your own or improvise with kabob sticks.
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Mix four parts Makko, two parts sandalwood (or other powdered ingredient) and two parts frankincense (or other powdered resin ingredient) to one part clove powder. If you wish to add an essential oil, simply add a few drops to the mixture. Start out with one teaspoon representing two parts. Test the mixture for consistency and proper burning before mixing larger batches.
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Stir the mixture until evenly combined and dough-like. Add a splash of warm water or more essential oil if the mixture is too dry. Knead the dough and dry at room temperature for 24 hours.
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Place a tablespoon of the dried paste in a bowl and add drops of warm water until it becomes pliable. Flatten the paste on a flat surface into a long, thin, ovular shape. Place a stick on the outer edge and roll the stick across, guiding the paste to wrap around the stick. Mold the paste around the stick evenly and smoothly.
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Repeat until the test mixture is empty. Leave the sticks to dry for 24 hours and test the quality of the smoke and burning process.
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Tips & Warnings
If the stick is too smoky or wet, try adding more powder to the mix on the next batch. If the stick goes out frequently, you may have too high a resin content or need more Makko.
Be careful when testing your incense stick. Keep flammable substances away from your body and wear protective gear like gloves and eye gear.
