[Incense Making Tips] Two Main Methods for Making Incense | Plant-Based Fragrance & Essential Oil Infusion

Jun 02, 2023heungyau

There are two main methods of making incense. One is "original plant grinding", which is to directly grind wood, fats, leaves, stems and other plants into powder, add sticky plant powder (such as nanmu powder, elm bark powder, etc.), and shape them into incense sticks or tower incense.

The other is "essential oil infusion", which is to add aromatherapy essential oils, essential oils and other fragrances to de-oiled powder (that is, plant powder without oil, mostly the residue after essential oils are extracted from plants) or odorless chemical sticky powder while stirring it into a fragrant ball, or after it is formed.

【Production process】

Incense materials have a great impact on the production time, material loss, production and product stability of incense.

Plant-based incense production places high demands on the selection of incense materials. Firstly, the fineness, oil content, and density of the plant grinding all affect the production process. The proportions and amounts must be adjusted according to the characteristics of different incense materials.

In contrast, the process of making fragrances from essential oils is relatively smooth because the de-oiled powder has a simpler composition, and some even use sticky chemical adhesives. De-oiled powder is generally made from the plant powder left after extracting the essential oils. Because the aromatic essential oils have already been extracted, de-oiled powder has no flavor, requiring the addition of aromatic elements later. Therefore, the production process is relatively simple.

【odor】

The principle of botanical incense is very simple, which is to utilize the fragrance of the plant itself; however, not every plant is suitable for making incense, because proteins or sugars will release a burnt smell. If floral scents are to be produced, additional processing is required, such as distillation, soaking, etc. ... Because of this, one way to distinguish the two is to observe the flavor of the fragrance. For example, under normal circumstances, the flavor of botanical incense is more direct and natural; to produce complex scents such as rose, lavender, cherry blossoms, etc. (most flowers will release a burnt smell when burned directly), it is necessary to soak them in essential oils.

Another simple way is to simply smell it. Without heating, the original plant fragrance has only a faint scent, or even almost no scent. However, heating changes the scent, and it can even become more fragrant the longer it burns. Essential oil infusions, whether using essential oils or fragrance oils, are also volatile and emit a fragrance even when unlit, and the scent will be similar after lighting.

【appearance】

Because it is made of the most primitive wood and plants, its colors are mainly dark brown and earthy, and its appearance is slightly rough or grainy.

Essential oil impregnation depends on the ingredients used to make the sticky powder. Some manufacturers use chemical processing to make the sticky powder, and then add pigments to make it colorful and smoother in appearance.

However, there are also an increasing number of products combining the two on the market (i.e. made from colorless chemical adhesive powder + pigment + natural plants), and even some plants themselves have colors (such as agarwood and dragon's blood). Therefore, it is difficult to distinguish the two based on appearance alone.

Is natural good or bad?

How to distinguish good incense from bad has always been a controversial issue. Some argue that processed incense is not natural. But can essential oils truly be considered natural? Natural plant-based incense does have its limitations, so how should people choose?

Scent itself is a personal perception, just as some people enjoy delicacies while others prefer demae iccho... It's not just about perspective. For example, if you're looking for health, instant noodles are useless, but if you're looking for convenience, they're a satisfying and affordable option. Before choosing the right incense stick for you, consider several factors. Plant-based incense doesn't produce a universal scent, tends to have a more uniform appearance and color, and requires burning to detect its aroma. Essential oil incense offers a wider variety of flavors, has a shorter shelf life due to evaporation, and improper dosage can cause discomfort. Try different incense sticks to find your own unique scent.

However, the use of essential oils or fragrance oils is complex, and safety considerations are crucial. This is especially true when used in incense sticks, where high temperatures are required. The gases released can be hazardous to the human body, so it's crucial to understand the composition and dosage before choosing.

The above is only personal experience and analysis for reference only.

*postscript:

Once again, I strongly advise and reiterate to users that essential oils involve a wide range of knowledge and applications, and that essential oils involve a large number of concentrated ingredients. Please pay attention before use.

We primarily use "original plant fragrances" to create our fragrances. The above information is based on past reading and experience. If you have further questions about essential oils, please feel free to consult with essential oil professionals.

We agree that water scents have their own appeal, so if you like essential oils / essences, you can consider using perfume or diffuser stones. For those who like the smell of woody notes, we also highly recommend fragrances made from natural plants. Both in Hong Kong and Taiwan, there are many dedicated perfumers with different styles, and the quality is in no way inferior to mainstream aromatherapy products. We also hope that more friends will recognize the beauty of plant scents.