How to Make Coal Incense
Coal incense is a loose, powdered mixture of aromatic ingredients. Rather than being self-burning like stick or cone incense, it is sprinkled over a self-burning coal created specifically for incense. You can make your own coal incense using herbs, essential oils, woods and resins whose fragrance you enjoy. Learn how to make sweet-smelling incense coal.
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Things You'll Need
- Self-burning incense coal
- Censor or heat-proof container
- 1 to 2 Types of aromatic wood
- 1 to 2 Aromatic resins
- 1 to 2 Fragrant dried herbs
- 1 to 2 Types of essential oil
Instructions
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Start by ensuring that all of your solid materials have been ground to a powder so they will burn efficiently. Use a mortar and pestle or a hand-operated coffee grinder. Resins are easier to grind if you freeze them before attempting to grind.
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Use a wood or resin as your base for your coal incense. Use only half a teaspoon of the wood or resin you've chosen. Add another layer to your incense by mixing an herb or essential oil with the wood or resin you've chosen. When using essential oils, use only a drop because most are very potent and can easily overpower the other scents. For herbs, use half a teaspoon as well.
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When you've gotten 2 to 3 ingredients mixed, sprinkle a bit on your self-burning incense coal and test the fragrance of your incense. Write down the blend you have tried and the results; whether you liked the scent or didn't care for it. By continuing to try different blends of oils, resins, woods and herbs, you can create coal incense blends that you truly enjoy.
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As you master the process, begin mixing more of one ingredient, such as two different kinds of essential oil or two different herbs. Continue to record your results for future reference.
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Tips & Warnings
Woods, resins, essential oils and herbs are typically available in herb or magic shops. You may have the good fortune of finding these in your own yard, though. Censors and coal for burning incense are readily available in these types of shops as well, or on the Internet.
Never burn the incense coal in anything but a censor designed specifically for this kind of coal, or another heat-proof container filled with sand. When lighting the self-burning coal, use a pair of tweezers to hold it so you can avoid being burned. Some essential oils and herbs shouldn't be burned indoors, as they may be toxic or produce negative effects. Ask a qualified herbalist for advice when purchasing incense ingredients.
Resources
- Photo Credit Photo Courtesy of www.MermadeArts.com
