Shortcut DIY Incense & Aromatherapy Blends to Go with Them

I'm almost always looking for a 'shortcut' ; an easier way to do things. I like to combine effects and discover how I can 'make them better', to create more time for other things. In making incense, there is a much faster & easier way which works just as well as any other method.

Unscented incense cones, sticks and punks are very inexpensive, and can save you a lot of money if you enjoy the scent of incense, and love easy DIY projects. First decide what scent you would like your incense to have, and if you want to use fragrance oils or essential oils/ or combination. Of course, fragrances are cheaper than essential oils, but the benefits that come with using the essentials far outweigh the price savings the fragrances. Here are some great all natural, aromatherapeutic essential oil recipes that are wonderful for your home, car or office:

Relaxing Blend: Use 1 part Sandalwood, 1 part Chamomile, 2 parts Sweet Orange, and 1 part Lavender. (Please don't use this one while driving!)

For "Purify My Space" Blend: (Also great for a 'pick-me-up' scent in your office or car) Use 1 part Eucalyptus, 1 part Spearmint or Peppermint, 1 part Tea Tree, and 2 parts Lemon

If you like an Exotic Blend: Use 1 part Sandalwood, 1 part Cedarwood, 1 part Ylang Ylang, 1 part Jasmine, and 1 part Neroli.

For a "Fresh Burst" Blend: (great for kitchen, bathrooms, car and office). Fresh Burst is my favorite of these . Use 1 part Sweet Orange, 1 part Neroli, 1 part Tangerine, and 2 parts Grapefruit.

Instructions & things you'll need DIY incense:

• Unscented Incense Sticks or Cones, or punks (see bottom of article for where to find supplies)
• Essential Oils or Fragrances
• DPG (Dipropylene Glycol; a water soluble, low odor, colorless & non toxic, wetting agent /solvent) used as a dilutant for essential oils or fragrances, and incense oils.
• Denatured or grain alcohol (not isopropyl) *Optional
• Old Cookie Sheet
• Baker's Rack
• Glass Cake Pan (Pyrex works best)
• Paper Towels
• Funnel
• Bottle for leftover fragrance blend
• Incense Bags or long ziplock bags
  

1. Mix your essential oils or fragrances into the final scent you desire, then add DPG & Denatured Alcohol (optional) and mix to make "the brew". Start w/ a small amount, such as 1/4 oz. essential oils to 1 and 3/4 oz. DPG, and check scent throw with a few trials. You may add up to approx. 1/4 oz of the denatured alcohol if you want a thinner 'brew'. It's not recommended to use more than 50% fragrance oil to 50% DPG. Try 1 part fragrance to 7 parts DPG first, and if it's not a strong enough scent for you then, you may add up to 50% fragrance. (Note: Citrus oils may cloud, but this has no impact on scent. And any fragrance with vanilla will brown, and also has no impact on scent or throw. Just shake in a bottle or stir well. Do not use alcohol in place of DPG, it does not work well. You may add up to 10% denatured alcohol to thin 'the brew' if needed, it is entirely optional. Do not use straight fragrance oil as it will make your incense excessively smokey.

2. Once your fragrance blend is mixed with the DPG ('the brew'), Get your glass cake pan and arrange the unscented sticks or cones (punks) in the bottom so they are not overcrowded. Pour your fragrance blend mixed with the DPG ("the brew") evenly over the unscented punks until fully covered, soaking and marinating them in the 'brew' for at least 24 hours. .

3. After 24 hours, get your cookie sheet pan and line with paper towels and (these can be used again too, in your drawers, cabinets, closets, etc.), place the baker' s rack on top of the paper towels. Remove the now scented and wet incense sticks from the glass cake pan arranging them on the baker's rack to dry for at least 48-72 hours. If you don't have a baker' s rack or cookie sheet, you can use a window screen as a drying rack.

4. Do not light incense before they are dry. They must be completely dried out before using or they will not burn correctly and create too much smoke. Sixteen ounces of 'the brew' should yield about 500 incense sticks or up to 1000 cones. Properly made, fully dried incense should burn for approximately 45 minutes. Store incense in zip lock bags and enjoy your aromatherapeutic home fragrance!

Tips & Warnings

TIPS

DPG(F) - fragrance grade DPG, can be used to make dozens of body care products, for instance making your own bath & body spa treatments. See (Article on How To Make Spa Treatments at Home - The Shortcut).

To make an alcohol-free perfume, mix 15-25% essential or fragrance oils with 75-85% DPG. And for a less intense perfumed body oil, just reduce the amount of fragrance blend to 10% and increase the DPG to 90% of the mix. It's important not to burn your incense until completely dry

Aromatherapy information provided is not designed to diagnose, prescribe, or treat any illness or injury and is provided for informational purposes only. Always consult a medical doctor, or other alternative medical practitioner when suffering from any disease, illness, or injury, or before attempting a traditional or folk remedy. Keep all products away from children. As with any natural product, they can be toxic if misused. The best way to learn about aromatherapy is to purchase a quality book.

Here are a few examples:

The Complete Book of Essential Oils and Aromatherapy: Over 600 Natural, Non-Toxic and Fragrant Recipes to Create Health - Beauty - a Safe Home Environment--by Valerie Ann Worwood

The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Essential Oils: The Complete Guide to the Use of Oils in Aromatherapy & Herbalism (Illustrated Encyclopedia)--by Julia Lawless

Medical Aromatherapy: Healing with Essential Oils- by Kurt Schnaubelt

Advanced Aromatherapy: The Science of Essential Oil Therapy by Kurt Schnaubelt

BRAND NEW~ The Healing Intelligence of Essential Oils: The Science of Advanced Aromatherapy by Kurt Schnaubelt; pre-order!

Aromatherapy for Healing the Spirit: Restoring Emotional and Mental Balance with Essential Oils- By Gabriel Mojay

These statements and products have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat or prevent any disease.

CAUTIONS: These blends are not a substitute for professional medical care. For External Use Only. Do not ingest! Check warnings with each essential oil. Never use near eyes! Store blends in cool, dark place, keep upright and capped. Store blends out of reach of children! For children under 6: cut amounts in half. Test on skin for sensitivity. Essential oils are potent.

Resources & More Reading

Snowdrift Farm Suppliers

Suppliers

SaveOnScents

Bella Mira Essential Oils Therapeutic Grade Oils

Essential Oils

Helpful list of suppliers:

SOURCES & SUPPLIERS;

http://www.snowdriftfarm.com/dpg.html

http://scentsations4u.com/dipropylene_glycol.htm

http://www.saveonscents.com/index.php/cPath/4_6

http://scentsations4u.com/supplies.htm

http://www.grandpasgeneral.com/shop/sticks100-unscented-incense-sticks-p-400.html

http://www.wellingtonfragrance.com/Incense_C7.cfm

http://www.essentialoil.com/product_info.php?products_id=1878&osCsid=pvfkmp3oi58lbvgbb9410rks70

http://www.essentialoil.com/product_info.php?products_id=1880&osCsid=9ltnt74acd4e3084cf0i32qd12

http://shop.ebay.com/?_from=R40&_trksid=m38&_nkw=unscented+incense

http://shop.ebay.com/items/?_nkw=Dipropylene+Glycol&_sacat=0&_fromfsb=&_trksid=m270.l1313&_odkw=DPG&_osacat=0