Creating Aromatic Bliss: Handcrafting your Own Incense Cones
Welcome to the world of sensory delight and tranquility!
If you find yourself drawn to incense, and looking for organic chemical-free options, why not embark on a journey of olfactory satisfaction by crafting your very own handmade incense cones?
With their captivating aromas and profound ability to enhance your space, handmade incense cones are the ultimate expression of self-care and mindful intent.
In this guide, we will delve into the history of these aromatic delights, exploring the various ingredients, techniques, and benefits that await you.
A Brief History
Ok friends, as a big history buff, I researched the historical use of incense and I was shocked by how much richness and usefulness both spiritually and therapeutically incense has.
Incense has been used for spiritual purposes throughout history, and Christianity is no exception. The use of incense in Christian practice has roots in both the Old and New Testaments of the Bible. In the Old Testament, God commands Moses to create an altar of incense in the tabernacle for burning fragrant incense[1]. God considered his own appointed blends of incense so special and holy that he commanded no one to copy these recipes for personal use [2].
In the New Testament, the use of incense can be seen in the story of the Wise Men and their gifts to baby Jesus. The Wise Men brought frankincense as one of their gifts, which is a type of incense — and personally, one of my favorite scents!
Today, incense is used in Christianity for several reasons. It is seen as a way to purify the air and create a sacred atmosphere. The aromatic constituents of the herbs both cleanse and refresh the air.
Burning incense can also symbolize prayers rising to heaven and the presence of God. My most cherished memories of incense come from Sunday masses.
The history of incense in Christianity is closely tied to its use in Judaism, as well as in other early religions. The use of incense can be traced back to ancient civilizations in Egypt, China, and India, where it was used for medicinal and religious purposes. [3]
We can attest to the power of aromatherapy in modern practice and I’m happy to keep the legacy going with simple and delightful recipes.
Choosing Ingredients
When choosing the right ingredients for incense making, it’s important to remember these three factors:
Aroma
Quality
Texture
Aroma
The whole purpose of incense is to experience the wide variety of aromatic delights the world of plants, barks, and resins have to offer.
There are a few beginner staples I always have readily available, and these include:
Lavender
Lemongrass
Peppermint
Spearmint
Clove
Cinnamon
Vanilla
Orange peel
Rose
Frankincense
Myrrh
Sandalwood
Cedar
Pine
By starting with these herbs, you’ll have an abundance of options and blends to make. The key is balancing the herbs and aromas.
Quality
The quality of herb is one of the most important pieces to crafting your own incense. Think of it like this: would you like to be burning and inhaling toxic substances?
The truth about industrial-made incense sticks is that they’re made with synthetic chemical fragrances that release harmful toxins in the air — definitely not a good thing to have in our space.
By replacing these chemicals with well-sourced organic or wild-crafted plants, you can be assured that you’ll be getting the highest quality aromatherapy.
Some companies I really like are Mountain Rose Herbs, Grassroots Herb Supply, Native Vanilla, and The World Makes Scents.
Texture
The texture of the herbs are key to having the incense cones mesh together well.
When I first started making incense cones, the herbs I was using weren’t powdered enough and it left the cones burning unevenly and even having a dangerous crack and pop at times. This can be both annoying and dangerous if left unattended.
The fool-proof way to ensure proper powdered herbs is to purchase them already powdered. The only caveat to this suggestion is that once powdered, the quality of the herbs and their scent degrade much faster.
So the second best thing to do is purchase a coffee grinder specifically for herbs. This grinder is perfect for the job.
How To Make Your Own Incense Cones
Step 1
Gather the herbs together. I enjoy mixing aromatic flowers or leaves, barks, and resins.
Step 2
The ratio I like most is 3:1 aromatic herbs to binders like Makko or Marshmallow root.
Step 3
Add enough water to have a clay-like consistency and roll about a quarter-sized amount into a ball.
Step 4
Begin rolling the ball into a cone shape. I prefer working with a paper towel to shape the cones.
Viola!
Line your cones up on a paper towel and let them dry for about 24-36 hours.
The Recipe
Spice Delight Incense Cone
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
The key to having a good burn is a 3:1 herb to binder ratio. In this case, Mako and Marshmallow root are the binders.
Also, when working with Cinnamon, expect to use a little bit more water than normally. It sucks up water much more than other herbs.
Never burn in a closed area and unattended. Each cone lasts around 10-15 minutes depending on size. Make sure they're fully dry before igniting.
Sources:
Exodus 30:34-36
Exodus 30:37-38
https://www.heddels.com/2018/12/incense-101-history-products/