Burning aromatic resins, barks and flowers for spiritual and medicinal purposes date back thousands of years. An incense trade route existed in Saudi Arabia before the time of Christ, and the source of the most revered incense ingredients, frankincense and myrrh, were so highly guarded, that even the greatest pharaohs could not uncover the location of the sacred trees from which these resins were gathered. The story of the Three Kings suggests that frankincense and myrrh were in fact, as valuable as gold.
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In the first century AD, Arabia exported between 2500 and 3000 tons of frankincense per year. In the mid-1970s however, the numbers had reduced to about 300 tons per year. Considering the increase in population in our modern times, it is clear to see that the use of these fragrant resins has dropped considerably. Much of the frankincense used today is made into frankincense oil or ground down and blended into a paste with other aromatic substances and made into incense sticks.
In ancient times, however, the extraction of essential oils had not been discovered, so the most common method used to release the fragrant gifts held within these plant’s substances was to burn them. Loose incense or hand-blended incense was the most common form of incense used in the distant past. Some parts of Asia eventually developed incense sticks which have become popular today, for the most part, because they are easy to use.
Hand blended incense offers a more intimate experience of burning incense. A ‘fire’, so to speak, needs to be prepared. A charcoal disk made from potassium nitrate or bamboo is easily lit with a candle or match and is set in an incense burner on a bed of sand, salt or stones. (I don’t recommend using charcoal disks that have an accelerant added because they are very toxic, the links I provided are good to use)
It takes a few minutes for the charcoal to ignite completely before it is ready to use. Incense granules are then placed on the heated disk and beautiful plumes of smoke rise to the heavens laced with the sensuous fragrance of nature’s gifts. You can check out this video on Youtube to see how it works.
Resins such as frankincense, myrrh, copal, and dragons blood release their sweet scents. Sage, aniseed, cinnamon, lavender and juniper berries are a few of the many fragrant plants that are used in hand-blended incense. Our ancestors believed that prayers sent upon these fragrant plumes of smoke would be answered by the gods as they would be so pleased by such a beautiful offering.
Another method to release the fragrant aroma from hand-blended incense is to use an essential oil burner. Simply place one or two layers of tin foil in the bowl of the burner, add a small amount of incense, and set a tea light below the bowl. The heat of the flame will gently release the aroma into the room in the same way essential oils do. I demonstrate this in the video as well.
The fragrance released by incense, especially natural incense, has a powerful effect on emotions and the mind. One whiff of a scent can evoke a memory from the past; rose oil of your grandmother, the sage of Christmas dinner, or the scent of cedar as you walk through the forest; any number of scents will bring you back in time.
A little known fact is that incense was used for medicinal purposes. The healing properties of herbs and resins were thought to be released when burned. Respiratory illnesses, infection, pain, inflammation, and insomnia were a few of the ailments treated with incense. Special blends would also be used during childbirth to ease pain, promote relaxation and help the placenta come out.
Incense burners used in churches were used not only for their fragrant offerings but as a disinfectant as well. Santiago de Compostela in Spain houses the world’s largest incense ball. It takes eight men to prepare and suspend the ball filled with frankincense and myrrh in this ancient cathedral. It has been used for thousands of years, not as an offering to God, but as a disinfectant for the pilgrims who had traveled the hundreds of miles by foot from areas throughout Europe.
Below you will find a recipe for the most famous hand-blended incense in the world…Frankincense and Myrrh! This is truly one of the most beautiful blends of resin incense ever made.
Simply blend together 2 parts frankincense with 1 part myrrh. If you choose to use the oil burner method, you can grind these resins in a mortar and pestle to help release more aroma more effectively.
If you are wanting to try making your own incense, you can check out Mountain Rose Herbs as they have a great selection of ingredients. Again, I recommend the ‘Three Kings’ brand of charcoal or bamboo charcoal, as they do not have an added accelerant (which is very toxic).
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