10 Best Herbs & Botanicals for Homemade Incense
- Astrid van Essen
- Jul 16, 2025
- 4 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
There’s something beautifully grounding about working with herbs — their colours, textures, and scents awaken a little bit of everyday magic. Whether you’re simmering them on the stove, blending them into incense, or tying them into smudge bundles, herbal recipes are a soulful and straightforward way to connect with nature and yourself.
In this post, I’ll share how to make herbal incense blends at home, how to set intentions as you craft, and where to find my ready-to-print recipe guides to make the process even easier.
For broader ideas for using herbs and botanicals at home, visit our sister site Simmer & Stir.
Why Herbal Blending is So Special
Herbs have been used for centuries in rituals, remedies, and homes, not just for their practical uses, but for the meaning and intention we attach to them.
Lavender calms.
Rosemary clears the mind.
Rose petals open the heart.
Sage cleanses and renews.
When we bring them together into blends — whether for incense, simmer pots, or smudge sticks — we’re not just creating something beautiful or fragrant; we’re crafting a moment of mindful ritual.
10 Herbs & Botanicals for Homemade Incense
Use clean, untreated and fully dried plant material. Start with small amounts: some botanicals are much stronger when heated than they smell in the jar.
1. Lavender
Lavender brings a soft floral note and pairs well with sandalwood, frankincense and gentle woods.
2. Rosemary
Rosemary has a fresh, resinous herbal scent that works particularly well with cedar, pine and citrus peel.
3. Garden Sage
Common garden sage has a dry, earthy aroma. Use it sparingly so it does not overpower softer flowers and resins.
4. Rose Petals
Dried rose petals add a delicate floral layer and blend beautifully with benzoin, sandalwood and lavender.
5. Chamomile
Chamomile has a soft, slightly sweet scent that works well in gentle floral blends with lavender and rose.
6. Bay Leaves
Dried bay has a warm, green and lightly spicy character. Crush it finely and use a small amount in woody or resinous blends.
7. Thyme
Thyme is sharp and herbaceous, so a little goes a long way. Pair it with rosemary, cedar or frankincense.
8. Mint
Dried mint adds a cool, bright note. Because it can dominate a blend, combine it with warmer woods or resins for balance.
9. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm gives a light lemon-herbal character and works well with lavender, rosemary and softer floral ingredients.
10. Pine Needles
Fully dried pine needles bring a crisp forest scent and make a useful bridge between leafy herbs, woods and natural resins.
Ready to turn these ingredients into a blend? Follow the full loose incense guide for ratios, blending ideas and burning methods.
Always burn incense in a well-ventilated room, use a stable heat-resistant burner, and never leave burning or heated incense unattended.
How to Set an Intention
Before you start blending, pause and ask yourself:
What do I need right now? What feeling or energy am I inviting in?
Your intention might be to cultivate calmness, focus, protection, love, or simply clear out old energy. Hold this intention lightly in your mind as you choose your herbs and mix them. Think of it as infusing your blend with a little extra magic.
How to Make a Simple Herbal Blend
You don’t need fancy tools — just some dried herbs, a small bowl, and your hands.
Choose your base. Select 2–4 herbs that align with your intention. For example, lavender + chamomile for calm, or rosemary + sage for clearing.
Mix gently. Use your fingers or a spoon, and take your time. This is where you bring your intention in — stir clockwise for drawing in energy, anticlockwise for releasing.
Use your blend. Sprinkle onto a charcoal disc for incense, tie into a smudge stick, or simmer in water on the stove for a home-cleansing brew.
Where to Find Easy Printable Recipes
If you’d like ready-made blends to follow, I’ve put together a 15 Easy DIY Incense Recipes guide — available as a digital download in the shop. It’s filled with botanical combinations for love, calm, clarity, focus, and more, using easy-to-find herbs and resins.
You can print them for your altar, planner, or grimoire — or keep them on your device for inspiration whenever you need a little plant magic.
Final Thoughts
Herbal crafting is about slowing down, connecting with the natural world, and making something meaningful with your hands. Whether you follow your intuition or one of my ready-made recipes, trust that you’re creating something beautiful, not just for your space, but for your spirit.
Happy blending!
How to Make Herbal Incense Blends: Frequently Asked Questions
What ingredients are needed to make herbal incense? Most blends utilise readily available dried herbs, flowers, spices, and resins — such as lavender, rosemary, rose petals, frankincense, and cinnamon. You can find them at herbal shops, health stores, or even your kitchen!
Do I need special tools to make incense at home? Not at all! You’ll need a small bowl for mixing and a safe way to burn, like a charcoal disc on a heatproof incense burner (we love our handcrafted concrete ones from Botanical Blueprint!).
Can I use these recipes for smudge sticks or simmer pots as well? Some herbs overlap beautifully! While these blends are designed for loose incense, you can adapt the combinations for smudge bundles or simmer pots — always check for safe use.
Is this a physical product or a digital download? This is a digital product — you’ll receive printable PDF and PNG files to view on your device or print at home. No physical product will be shipped.
I’m new to intention setting — how do I start? Pause, breathe, and ask yourself what you want to invite in (like calm, clarity, or love). As you blend the herbs, hold this intention in mind — it’s a gentle, personal practice with no right or wrong.
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