Create Unique Loose Incense Blends at Home
- Astrid van Essen
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
Looking to add a touch of ritual and fragrance to your space, naturally? Crafting loose incense blends is a beautiful way to bring scent, intention, and creativity into your home. Whether you're winding down, starting a new moon ritual, or simply creating a calm atmosphere, loose incense offers a completely custom, all-natural option.
This guide will explain everything you need to know to create unique loose incense blends—no sticks or cones required.
What is Loose Incense?
Loose incense is a mixture of dried herbs, resins, flowers, spices, and sometimes woods, designed to be burned on a charcoal disc or with an electric burner. Unlike stick incense, it's 100% customisable—free-form and ritual-friendly.
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Why Make Your Own?
All-natural ingredients (no hidden synthetics)
Personalised scent blends to match your mood
Perfect for rituals, meditation, or everyday ambience
A tactile, satisfying creative process
What You Need to Get Started
Most or all of the ingredients and tools needed are widely available on platforms like Amazon and Etsy. Or even better, try to find a local store!
Basic Tools:
Mortar and pestle or spice grinder
Charcoal discs or an electric incense burner
Fire-safe dish filled with sand or ash
Tongs or tweezers for safe charcoal handling
Essential Ingredients:
Resins: frankincense, myrrh, copal, benzoin
Botanicals: dried lavender, rose petals, rosemary, sage, orange peel
Spices: cinnamon, clove, star anise, cardamom
Optional: wood shavings like sandalwood or cedar, citrus peel, dried fruit rinds
How to Make Loose Incense (Step-by-Step)
Choose Your Intention or Mood:
Relaxation, clarity, energy, protection, or seasonal ambience.
Select Ingredients:
Pick 2–4 components: one base resin, one herb or flower, and one spice.
Grind and Mix:
Use a mortar and pestle to crush larger pieces into a consistent texture for even burning.
Test the Scent Cold:
Smell your blend before burning—adjust if needed.
Store in a Jar:
Store your blend in an airtight glass jar for a day or two to let the aromas meld.
How to Safely Burn Loose Incense
Burn Safely:
Choose a Safe Location:
Ensure you are in a well-ventilated area, away from flammable materials.
Use a Suitable Burner:
Utilise an incense burner or heat-resistant dish to hold the incense. A sand-filled dish or a ceramic bowl works well.
Light with Care:
Use a long lighter or match to ignite the incense. Allow it to catch fire briefly before gently blowing it out, allowing the embers to smoulder.
Monitor the Incense:
Never leave burning incense unattended. Stay nearby while it is burning.
Extinguish Properly:
To extinguish the burning incense, sprinkle water or sand over it. Do not blow on it, as this can spread ash or embers.
Clean Up:
After use, ensure all ashes and remnants are completely cool before disposing of them.
By following these guidelines, you can enjoy the aromatic benefits of loose incense while ensuring safety in your
Personal Note: If you’re drawn to the slow rhythm of seasonal living and the beauty of natural scent, I’d love to introduce you to my sister site, Simmer & Stir. It’s a gentle space filled with simple recipes, herbal DIYs, and mindful rituals for scenting your home naturally—think simmer pots bubbling with citrus and spice, calming potpourri blends, and botanical brews for your tea or tipple. Whether you’re craving a moment of stillness or a new way to connect with the seasons, there’s inspiration waiting for you there.
Easy Loose Incense Blend Recipes
Relax & Restore
1 part frankincense
1 part dried lavender
1/2 part chamomile flowers
Pinch of cinnamon
Cleansing & Clarity
1 part white sage
1 part myrrh
1/2 part rosemary
1/2 part lemon peel
Warm & Grounding
1 part benzoin
1 part cedar shavings
1/2 part clove
Pinch of dried patchouli
(Tip: Use spoons or pinches as your measurements. Ratios are more important than exact quantities.)
Do’s and Don’ts
Do:
Store ingredients in dry, airtight containers
Label your jars with names and dates
Burn small test batches first
Use gloves when handling sticky resins
Burn in a well-ventilated area
Don’t:
Use synthetic fragrance oils
Add essential oils directly to your blend without drying (see below)
Overload your charcoal—start small
Leave burning incense unattended
Use fresh or damp botanicals
Can I Add Essential Oils to Loose Incense?
Technically, yes—but with care. You can add a few drops of essential oil to your dry blend, but only if you let it fully absorb and dry before burning. Otherwise, the oil can ignite or produce harsh smoke when heated on charcoal.
Best practice:
Mix your dry ingredients first.
Add 1–3 drops of essential oil.
Stir well and let the blend dry for 24–48 hours in a sealed jar or open dish, away from direct sunlight.
Then, burn a small pinch to test it.
Important: Never drop essential oils directly onto a hot charcoal disc—they are highly flammable and could cause flare-ups.
Alternative Burning Methods: Teapot Warmers & Heat-Safe Dishes
Looking for a gentler way to enjoy your loose incense?
A teapot or candle warmer can be a lovely alternative to charcoal, especially for enclosed or indoor spaces.
Need a beautiful, heat-safe dish for this method? Visit www.botanicalblueprint.com—we handcraft stunning concrete home accessories, including incense burners perfect for warming or burning loose blends in style.
What You’ll Need:
A teapot warmer or tealight candle warmer
A metal, ceramic, or concrete heat-safe dish
A small pinch of your loose incense blend
How-To:
Place the tealight in the warmer.
Add a small amount of your blend to the dish.
Set the dish above the flame.
Let the aroma release gently with the heat—no smoke, just scent.
Notes:
This is not a burning method—it’s warming, more like natural fragrance diffusion.
Works best with aromatic ingredients like citrus, florals, and spices.
Never leave a tealight unattended.
Don’t add essential oils directly to the dish—it can cause it to overheat or catch fire.
Customising Your Signature Blend
Create blends based on:
Mood: Relaxing, energising, romantic
Season: spring florals, autumn spice
Elements: earth, air, fire, water
Keep a blending journal with notes on what works (and doesn’t). This is your personal scent journey—no rules, just exploration.
Create Unique Loose Incense Blends: Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I burn loose incense without charcoal? Yes! Use an electric incense burner, teapot warmer, or a mica plate over a tealight. These methods release scent gently and safely.
2. What’s the shelf life of homemade loose incense? 6–12 months if stored properly. Scents may fade over time, so make small batches.
3. Is it safe to burn incense around pets or children? Burn in a well-ventilated area and keep out of reach. Some herbs and resins may irritate sensitive noses.
4. Can I use fresh herbs or flowers? No. Only use dried materials—fresh ingredients won’t burn well and may cause mould.
5. My incense smells great cold but not when burned. Why? Some ingredients change when burned. Adjust your ratios or try different resins. Always test a small batch.
Inspired to create your blend? Please share it and tag us @thebotanicalblueprint
We’d love to see your creations!
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