I have always wanted to make incense sticks commonly called agarbatti in India using natural ingredients at home. After researching so much about incense making at home, I settled with two methods.
First Method:
The first method is very easy and all you need is unscented agarbattis and your favorite essential oils. Place the unscented agarbatti in a long ceramic box. Now mix your fragrance oils and then sprinkle it over the agarbatti. The drippings in the box can be reused again.
Once the whole stick is soaked in the fragrance oil, tap to remove the excess fragrance and then place it in a glass jar to dry out for at least 24 hours. Once dry, your personalized incense sticks are ready. This process is easy, very simple and the unscented incense sticks can be bought very cheaply everywhere.
Second Method:
The other method is making cones from natural ingredients. I thought of grinding my favorite herbs for making the cones, but I got a pack of fresh sandalwood shavings and they smelt so divine that I decided to use it instead. Making incense cones is a matter of personal choice, you can grind up any of your favorite herbs.
Usually makko powder is used as a binding agent, as it helps the incense cones burn smoothly and evenly. Makko powder is a natural powder obtained form an evergreen tree and it’ s smoke does no harm to the body. You can also use charcoal, but the fumes from charcoal are very bad for us.
How To Make Incense At Home:
To make your own incense, powder your favorite herbs and mix it with makko powder in the ratio of 3: 1. Add distilled water and bind everything together into small cones, let it dry and your homemade incense cones are ready to be lit. I know many of you will be wondering, why make our own incense when there are so many varieties of incense in the market.
The herbal incense that you make at home are very pure and can do multiple things like ward of mosquitoes, relieve headache, relax depending on the herb that you are using and also the intense satisfaction of making our own things that are pure. Since I had the sandalwood shavings, I didn’t use the makko powder.
It is very hard to get sandalwood shavings, so try using makko powder. I mixed the sandalwood shavings with pure sandalwood powder and made it into cones, I also added a few drops of sandalwood essential oil to it. Frankincense powder, sandalwood powder, dried holy basil leaves are all good choices to use for the making the incense cones. Get creative and have fun making incense sticks and cones at home!
How To Make Incense Sticks At Home
METHOD:
1. To make the incense sticks, take the unscented incense sticks and place it in a long container so that it will be easy to catch the drippings.
2.Make sure to completely wet the whole incense stick with your choice of essential oils, place it in a long glass tumbler to dry out for a day and your incense sticks are ready!
3. To Make Incense Cones: Take the sandalwood shavings in a dry mixer. They smell so very divine.
4. I ground the sandalwood shavings to a fine powder and mixed it with little bit of sandalwood powder and distilled water to make a thick paste that can be rolled into cones.
5. Make small cones and arrange it in a plate to dry out for at least a day inside the house. Once completely dry, it is ready to be lit.
NOTES:
- Make sure the bottom part of the cone is also dry.
- Try to make small batches for the perfume to remain fresh.
- For agarbatti sticks, you can use any combination of your favorite fragrance oils or essential oils.
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Brilliant Ramya! But what is makko powder and which kind of shops sell it? In West Bengal it is very difficult to get decent sandalwood stick leave alone, powder and shavings.The forest department sells sandal wood tree saplings though @ INR 40 a piece. I noticed leaves of the bottle brush plant smell very nice. Same goes for Eucalyptus leaves and bark. Can we use these. Is there anything else we can use as binder. Please enlighten.
Aparna, Makko powder has been used for incense making for years all over Asia and it's naturally a very combustible powder and burns evenly without producing smoke. You can order it online in any one of the herbal shops. Like you mentioned, you can also try using different tree shavings and your favorite herbs. But make sure it is completely dry and powder it well before mixing……
Hi Ramya JiI am Jay from Mathura (UP)Can you send me full making process details about incense stick. I am opening a small manufacturing and i have no idea what is the process.please help and suggest on my email id jay.rasik@gmail.com
I M having agarbatti machine but struggling to make masala for black agarbatti can u please help me through email pradgb@gmail.com
Hi,nice creation.but what is Marko powder,translate in Tamil.Pls.thank you.
Hi Miges Billi, Makko is the powder got from Machillus Thunbergii tree. It was a natural binder used in incense for centuries in Japan because it burns evenly and smoothly without releasing toxic fumes.. Now it is used all over the world for making incense cones because it available easily online. We don't get it in Tamil Nadu and it can be easily ordered online through shops like mountain rose herbs. You can also use sambrani powder as a binder, if you don't want to use makko powder……
Awesome method ramya..But will you please tell me what does this unscented incense sticks and from where I can manage them
Unscented sticks are ready made incense sticks but without any fragrance, try unscented sticks for making agarbatti here: http://www.amazon.in/Unscented-incense-sticks-100-pack/dp/B004F0P95M
Thanks Ramya for your briefing.Can you kindly say , from where can I get the sandalwood powder and sandalwood shaving?
I usually get sandalwood powder from government khadi shops, you can also try online shops like ebay or amazon…
can i use neem barks instead of sandal wood shavings?
If you want to use neem bark shavings, dry it well and mix it with sambrani powder in the ratio of 1: 2 and then use.
Hi Ramya, can we get the regular sambhrani powder from naatu marunthu kadai and do this. Plz elaborate the procedure for using sambhrani powder. What else to be used along?
Hi Brinda, you can use the sambrani powder from naatu marundhu kadai. Mix 2 part sambrani powder with 1 part neem powder and pound both to get a smooth mixture. Add very little water to bind and make into cones, shade dry completely and light them once completely dry….
Can't I use fresh neem leaves paste with sambhrani powder and will this mixture alone burns as there is no bark involved in this?
Yes you can use both for making the cones. Since sambrani is there in the mixture it will work but I would suggest using 4 part sambrani to 1 part neem paste, dry well and use…
thanks good enough .mr.s.m.sabreen.- srilanka
Remya., how can I add perfume on invented Agarbathi. And which chemical use to
If what you are referring to as invented agarbathi is the ready made ones we get from the markets, you can follow the first step in the post. But try to use unscented sticks, if using scented ones add complementary fragrance. You can use any fragrance you prefer…
what if I want to make non-combustible incense
you can try making it with natural resins like guggul, frankincense and dried herbs….
nice
Sorry main English me kamjor hu. Main ek Bharat ka borojgar aadmi hu kuchh karna chahta hu business aap agar meri help karoge to main agarbati Walla business suru kar sakta hu. Mera watsapp no. 9934327724 hai please ramya ji help me
Hi RamyaWe are from Coimbatore,pollachi, and we have lots of coconut fine dust,(a by product of coco peat ) can this dust be used for incense stick production? RegardsJoe
No I don't think coconut fine dust is apt for incense stick production…
what about teak wood saw dust? does it cause toxic pollution on burning? is it advisable to use them like Makko?
You can use teak wood saw dust but the problem is it will burn very rapidly so add a slow burning natural ingredient like sandalwood powder to it. Any incense will cause some air pollution but natural ingredients like teak saw dust or sandalwood powder will not cause any harm like incenses made with ingredients like saltpeter, synthetic petroleum based products, etc…
Hai Ramya ji. Myself from Malaysia. You got mentioned about sambrani power? What is the name in english or tamil? Can we get it online? I even haveheard about incense made from cowdungs. Do u have any formula to make bhatti from that? Nandri. Thanks.
Hi Sir, I am very sorry for the late reply. You can read about sambrani here: wildturmeric . And I am sorry, I don't have any formula for bhatti made from cow dung….
hi Ramyawill you be able to assist us in setting up a small plant for incense production,just a guidance will be more than welcome as we will setup this in chattisgarh.waiting for your response my id amihyd@gmail.com
I am very sorry, I don't hink I have enough knowledge about incense production to setup a production plant..
Ramya sister tell me how to make agarpathi and sambirani i dont know where to buy the equipments and ingredients
Sambrani is a natural resin. Please give me some time, I will update this post very soon with all the details of agarbatti making at home…
Ramya ji. Namasthe ji. My name is Satish from chennai. I want to start some business particularly sambrani and agarbathi making from home. Can you please provide me with the details as how to proceed and also to whom and how can I return the finished products i mean buy back. My mobile no is 9941842642 and my mail id is satishkrishnamurthy@ymail.com
Hi Ramya garu,I am shiva from Visakhapatnam we would like to do Incense sticks at home for my wife without any machines, can explain me the procedure of process and what all raw materials are required for output.Please do mail me @ shiva8905@gmail.com.
Hi Ramya,Can u send me the procedure of making agarbattis & cones using essential oil to kayalmadan.2006@gmail.com
Hi Ramya, Is there any alternatives for Makko powder? I can't find any makko powder here in philippines. I need it for my thesis, Please help me. We needed to make our own product which is making our own Incense stick. Thank you
You can try powdering any one of the natural resins that burn steadily like frankincense, benzoin resin or guggul and use it as an alternative for makko powder…
how much minimum price required for this agarbati making purpose?
hello mam,i wont to start buesiness of agar batti at my netive place UP .can u please share the detil how to make multi types f agar batti
Hi ramya pls send procedure of making computer sampurani at home for my wife with out any machines, mail me @ smahes1986@gmail.com
Hi ramya pls send procedure of making computer sampurani at home for my wife with out any machines, mail me @ smahes1986@gmail.com
Hi ramya pls send procedure of making computer sampurani at home for my wife with out any machines, mail me @ smahes1986@gmail.com
I am sorry I don't know the method of making computer sambrani…
Hey RamyaI am a student of Shri ram college of commerce, Delhi university and currently i am doing a research on incense stick. Can you please help me out? contact me at arihantj7598@gmail.com
I am not an expert in incense making and don't know how far I can help :). But you can contact me personally through Facebook message any time. My facebook page: here
i want to know about how to mix incense formula dipping to incense sticks
I use essential oils for dipping the incense sticks. Some times I use a single essential oil and some times I use blends with the ones that I have at home. Are you interested in essential oil blends or using synthetic fragrances for commercial purposes?
Hi Ramya madam,I am Jayatri Maji from Kolkata we would like to do Incense sticks at home without any machines, can explain me the procedure of process and what all raw materials are required for output.Please do jayatrimaji23@gmail.com.
Hi Ramya,I want to give training to poor people for making agarbatti , actually I have an NGO ,so please let me know from where will I get the ingredients for making agarbatti in chief rates .Thanks ,Sunanda MazumdarNorth Bengal Sankalp Foundation
Hi Ramya,I want to give training to poor people for making agarbatti , actually I have an NGO ,so please let me know from where will I get the ingredients for making agarbatti in chief rates .Thanks ,Sunanda MazumdarNorth Bengal Sankalp Foundation
Respected sir, unfortunately I am not an expert to advise regarding agarbatti making especially for commercial use…
why you used distilled water is it because there will be less germs in it and the minerals won't interfere with the burning?
yes….:)
Hi Ramya madam.9 October 2016 would you please let me know the process of making dry and wet flora agarbattis thanks please mail us at ujjal1026@gmail.com
i came across sandalwood chips. can we just light the chip, blow out the flame, let it smoke, put in brass plate and do aarathi with that?
Hi Ramya,Hope you are doing good . I have a query in dhoop stick manufacturing process. we manufactured dhoop stick by using the raw materials like charcoal powder,sambirani and essential oil (aromatic) .we tried with different aromatic oil flavors like jasmine, rose and sandal however we are getting the real fragrance while burning the dhoop stick. Can you suggest any better method to get the real fragrance from dhoop sticks . Appreciate your time.Thanks,Sundar.
Hi Ramya,Hope you are doing good . I have a query in dhoop stick manufacturing process. we manufactured dhoop stick by using the raw materials like charcoal powder,sambirani and essential oil (aromatic) .we tried with different aromatic oil flavors like jasmine, rose and sandal however we are getting the real fragrance while burning the dhoop stick. Can you suggest any better method to get the real fragrance from dhoop sticks . Appreciate your time.Thanks,Sundar.
Dear Madam,Iam interested to set up Small Business Manufacturing agarbatti Making with Manual Agarbatti Making Machine.Kindly guide me
The problem with sandalwood is that it is becoming endangered and is a product not ethically obtained at times (taken without consent by those that hide in the forests with not good intent)….The cost is also getting very high.Ideally it should be taken from a mature tree without the tree harmed, perhaps material from branches or roots I assume is best?Given the immense problems with sandalwood what other alternatives are there that we can use in our pujas to be offered during the times when we offer incense that are not unsafe to inhale given these days our puja materials are synthetic, adulterated and even polluting…..
Hi mamI want to make agarbatti for commercial purpose Tell me what I have to doshabiransari22@gmail.com
Hi Ramya,This is Bhushan from Pune (MH).I have been running Pooja related items shop since last 7-8 months.I have been following this blog since last couple of months which I found very much help full.I am interested in making of my own Agarbatti (scented + Massala) and Dhoop sticks.Based on my knowledge agarbatti/dhoop making is not a complex process but use of raw material in proper proportion and making good essence is the challenging part.Also considering reputed brands I must make these products unique and different or up to their mark, that's why I am looking for such course materials which could teach us step by step process on this part.I have been browsing through net regularly, but unfortunately couldn't found much on this or any institute which conduct such courses in Pune.Could you let me know if there is any such course material available on this on a particular site or if you if you have your own course material which I can order online. Please do let me know.Looking forward for your response.Thanks,Bhushan MulePune
Hi,can you plz mail me all the details of making agarbatt at puvvadabalu123@gmail.com,or tell me how can I CONTACT YOU,Thanks in ADVANCE
Hi Ramayana mam Myself Pradeep and want to start Agarbatti work so pleeeease send me full details regarding this. My no is 09999302200, mail I'd is pradeep-007@hotmail. Waiting to ur reply. Thanx.
Sorry Ramya mam for writing ur wrong name
Hello Ramya,I'm making Agarbatti with (3:2:1) 300gms Charcoal Powder, 200gms wood Powder and 100gms Joss Powder. After making Agarbatti I'm dipping in 1:3 ratio (1:3 mean 1:- perfume and 3:- DEP oil).There's no burning issue but Fragrance results are not good as it spouse to be even we tried number of perfumes.Please correct my mistakes and advise me to make a best quality Agarbatti.Thanks 🙏🏻 9778887000HS Brar
Such a nice blog. I appreciate you efforts. India is wholesale incense sticks manufacturers and a huge number of incense sticks are made by everyday. Incense sticks are able to produce many innovative fragrances with great smelling incense sticks. there are called too many names some are like dhoop batti, agarbatti, dhoop cons and more. for more detail please visit: https://www.zedblack.com/agarbatti
HI I AM MAKING DHOOPBATTI FROM FLOWER WASTE CAN U PLEASE HELP ME.. I HAVE MADE THEM ITS BURNING PROPERLY BUT NOT GIVING AROMA AFTER ADDING NATURAL HERBS CAN U PLEASE HELP ME WITH THAT