Resin incense has been used for centuries during religious ceremonies, and is known for its calming and healing properties. It is made from small beads of hardened tree saps that release a fragrant smoke when burned.
To use resin incense, start by placing a charcoal disk into your heat proof burner and waiting for it to heat up. Once it’s hot enough, place the resin incense over the charcoal disk and enjoy.
Burning Resin
Resins are some of the oldest smoke-producing aromatics, having been used for centuries in religious ceremonies. These resins contain beads of hardened tree saps, such as copal and styrax, which are coloured and imbued with essential oils. These are then mixed with other natural materials such as Boswellia Papyrifera or Commiphora Myrrha, dried flower petals, wood chips, and so on. The combination of the various resins produces a sweet, herbal, and woody aroma when burned. Resin incense is a little more complex to burn than stick incense, but it can be done in a variety of ways.
The most common method involves using a metal incense burner, also known as an oil warmer, which is placed on a heat-resistant surface. This could be a ceramic tile or even a piece of aluminum foil. Alternatively, an electric incense burner can be used. The burner works by heating a plate that melts the incense and releases the fragrance through a vapor or smoke.
Once the burner is set up, the resin is placed on top of it. The resin will slowly smolder. It is important to only use a small amount of resin, as too much will fill the room with too much smoke. It is also important to be sure that the incense isn’t touching any flammable materials such as plastic or glass. It is also a good idea to use tongs when handling the burning charcoal as it will be very hot.
This method is great if you want to use a specific resin and don’t have a dedicated incense burner. It is also a very safe way to burn resin incense. It is a great alternative to burning resin on a charcoal based incense burner or using an oil warmer. This method is also good if you live in an apartment or have strict policies about using burning charcoal. It can also be used if you want to avoid breathing in any smoke, such as if you suffer from respiratory issues.
Using Aluminum Foil and a Strainer
Since antiquity, incense has been used for creating aromatic spaces both indoors and out. The soothing smoke of resins such as Myrrh, Copal, Sandalwood, Frankincense, Dragon’s Blood, and Palo Styrax fill the air with their healing aromas and strengthen the connection between us and nature.
Many of these resins are pliable and allow for the formation of pellets that can be dipped in oil to bind them together. These smolder in the same manner as cone or stick incense in a charcoal burner. They are easy to make at home and can also be added to your favorite incense mix for extra fragrance and texture.
For this method of making resin incense, start with a piece of aluminum foil that is large enough to cover the bottom of your incense burner. Then fold the edges of the foil into a little bowl and place the smoldering resin inside. Make sure to leave a small opening in the center for the smoke to escape. This method is a great choice for resins that can be burned without charcoal as it will help to prevent the incense from melting or burning the coal underneath.
Place the foil cup on top of a heat-resistant surface such as a ceramic tile or metal plate. Be sure to avoid using anything made of glass or plastic that could melt when exposed to high heat. Once the charcoal and incense are lit, they will quickly fill the room with smoke. This is a very effective way to get a strong scent from your incense and is especially useful for aromatic resins that do not have much of a burn time, such as Benzoin. You can even use this technique with resins that are not pliable, like Labdanum, to give them an extra kick and make them more difficult to break apart while making them into a pellet.