Create your own incense cones.
Shape the DIY incense cones: Put the incense mix inside a small piping cone. Push it in so it’s nice and stuck together.
Then, take a toothpick to make a hole in the center of the cone. (This will help it burn better.) Then, tap the piping cone hard onto the table 3-4 times.
It won’t come out, but it will help loosen it from the sides.
Then, take the toothpick to help push the incense cone out of the piping cone. Repeat until you’ve used up all the incense mix.
(You can also mold them by hand by using a ring as the base to work up from. They will be smaller, and it’ll be hard to put a hole in the base.)
Once you get a hang of making incense cones, why not be creative and use some of the herbs already growing in your garden by drying and processing them to a fine powder, suitable for use.
Making incense cones yourself is a way to ensure that only quality materials are used in the crafting process and as per your tastes.
If you are making cones or sticks, then burning your incense is straightforward and simple: light one end of the cone or stick, fan out the flame, and allow it to slowly burn of its own accord.
Note: In some cultures, it is considered disrespectful to all that is natural to "blow" out the flame
Choose the right ingredients for your incense.
Some herbs simply make better incense than others; make sure you use herbs that are still potent: over time, most herbs lose their potency, which could impact the aroma created by your incense.
Some popular choices include basil, dill, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, and sage.
Note: consider any allergies or sensitivities to certain herbs and ingredients and talk to your doctor before making your own incense.
The starting ground for making fine aromatic incense mixtures is using high-quality natural ingredients.
Start with some of your favorite woods and spices.
Experiment with new substances as you become more comfortable and intrigued with the process.
Try to always use at least one resin or wood in your mixture as a base. Visit local herb shops, incense stores, nurseries, etc.
to uncover hidden aromatic treasures. Here is a partial list of popular incense ingredients from around the world.
Wine, honey, dried fruits, and fragrant hydrosols are often used as well.
Recipes and suggestions are listed later in this article. All ingredients should be stored in a dark, cool space.
As you experiment with different types of incense in your homemade recipes, you'll find the ones that work best for your specific needs.
Continue to explore, test out new combinations, and learn more about what you like to determine which combinations you want to make most often.
Related: Where did incense burning originate?
Allow the incense to burn for the prescribed amount of time.
Sometimes we don't want to burn an entire stick of incense.
Perhaps you only wanted to burn the incense for a 15-minute meditation session, or 10 minutes of reading. In this case, you can put out an incense that is halfway through burning, and keep the remainder for your next session.
Allow the charcoal to burn and heat up.
This can take up to three minutes. The charcoal disk will start to look grey around the edges.
Sprinkle a small amount of resin, herbs, or powdered incense on top of the charcoal.
These will burn until they are gone, as little as a few minutes. Add another small amount of your incense waterfall to enjoy it longer. Pieces of resin will burn longer than powders.
The tablet itself will burn for 15 to 30 minutes, depending on size, but can stay hot for hours.
There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on the type of incense being burned and the individual’s preference.
Some people prefer to burn incense for just a few minutes, while others may like to let it burn for a longer period of time.