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How to Burn Spice as Incense

Making incense at home is an ancient craft that can be performed using little more than spices and herbs found in your home spice cabinet. Each spice and herb has its own particular aroma and characteristics: some are invigorating, some are enlightening, and some are so relaxing they seem to, as Henry David Thoreau put it, "ask the gods to pardon" the complexities of life. Walk in the footsteps of the ancients and make your own private, personal incense sticks with these steps.

Things You'll Need

Mortar and pestle
Makko powder
Spices and herbs
Distilled water

Instructions

- 1
  
  Many ingredients for incense can be found in your spice cabinet.
  
  Choose a scent for the incense. This can be either a single scent or a blend, depending on your preference. Examples of spice and herbs commonly used for incense are: coriander seeds, cloves, star anise, vanilla, patchouli, saffron, sage, thyme, rosemary, marjoram, cinnamon, cardamom, and lemongrass.
- 2
  
  A mortar and pestle helps grind herbs for incense.
  
  Pulverize the spices and herbs into a very fine powder with a mortar and pestle. In a pinch, use a coffee grinder.
- 3
  Cover the mixture and let it sit overnight. This allows the mixture to air out and settle. Furthermore, if you used more than one spice, it helps the ingredients to blend together.
- 4
  Add makko powder to your mixture. Use an approximate ratio of 4-to1. For example, add 1 tablespoon of makko powder to 4 tablespoons of ground incense mixture.
- 5
  Add distilled water very slowly to the blend of ground spices and makko powder. Mix the blend with your hands as you add the water. The ideal incense mixture will be gummy yet firm: It should be gummy enough to mold into shape and firm enough to hold that shape.
- 6
  Place the mixture on wax paper and mold or roll it into sticks.
- 7
  
  Incense in stick shape is the easiest to store and transport.
  
  Allow your incense to dry out of direct sunlight and heat for at least two weeks before burning.

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