The Public Herbarium

leaves and flowers of mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium)

Natural Herbal Incense

Create natural incense from herbs and resins. Learn traditional ingredients, simple blending, and safe burning methods. Natural incense, accessible DIY approach, budget-friendly, sustainable.

What Is Natural Herbal Incense?

Natural herbal incense is the practice of gently heating dried plant materials to release their aromatic compounds into the air. Think of it like this: when you crush a lavender bud between your fingers, you smell its scent. When you gently warm that lavender, the scent becomes stronger and fills the room.

What We’re NOT Doing:

What We ARE Doing:

Why This Matters: Traditional smoke-based incense involves combustion, which breaks down plant compounds and can create irritating or potentially harmful smoke. Gentle heat simply warms the aromatic oils until they evaporate into the air—pure plant scent, nothing else.

Why Make Your Own?

Control Over Ingredients: You know exactly what’s in your incense. No synthetic fragrances, mystery chemicals, or “fragrance oils” that can trigger allergies or headaches.

Budget-Friendly: A small jar of commercial incense can cost $15-25. You can create your own blends for $2-5 using herbs you grow or buy in bulk.

Customisation: Create scents that are perfect for YOU—calming blends for evening, energising blends for morning, or festive blends for special occasions.

Connection to Plants: There’s something deeply satisfying about growing lavender, drying it, and then filling your home with its scent. It connects you to the entire process.

Safer for Sensitive People: If you have asthma, allergies, or respiratory sensitivities, gentle heat methods are much kinder than smoke.

NZ Pricing Examples:

The Gentle Heat Method (Safest & Easiest)

This is the method I recommend everyone start with. It’s safe, simple, and gives you complete control.

What You Need

1. Heat Source – Electric Wax/Oil Warmer

2. Your Dried Herbs Start with these easy, safe options:

3. Basic Equipment

The Simple Process

Step 1: Prepare Your Herbs

All herbs MUST be completely dry—crispy and brittle. Moisture will cause problems.

Why This Matters: Crushing increases the surface area, which means more aromatic oils can be released when you heat them.

Step 2: Create Your Blend

Start simple with just 2-3 herbs. Here’s an easy first blend:

“Calm Evening” Blend:

Mix together in your bowl. Store in a jar with a tight lid.

How Long It Lasts: A properly stored blend stays fragrant for 3-6 months.

Step 3: Use Your Warmer

  1. Plug in your electric warmer and turn it on. Let it warm for 2-3 minutes.
  2. Add a small pinch (about 1/2 to 1 teaspoon) of your herb blend to the top dish.
  1. Enjoy the scent: Within 5-10 minutes, you’ll notice a gentle, natural fragrance filling the room. It won’t be as strong as synthetic air fresheners, but it will be pure and pleasant.
  2. Duration: The scent will last 30-60 minutes. When it fades, turn off the warmer, let it cool, and compost the used herbs.

Optional Enhancement: Add a tiny amount of water to the dish (just enough to dampen the herbs). This creates gentle steam, which helps carry the scent. This is particularly nice with floral blends.

Why This Method Works

The Science: Plant aromatics are volatile organic compounds (VOCs)—molecules that easily turn into gas when warmed. Electric warmers typically operate at 50-80°C, which is perfect for releasing these compounds without breaking them down.

Temperature Matters:

Your electric warmer keeps things in that sweet spot automatically.

The Traditional Charcoal Method (Advanced)

Important Note: This method is more advanced and carries more risk. I recommend starting with the gentle heat method first. Only try this once you’re comfortable with incense basics.

What You Need

1. Self-Lighting Charcoal Disks

2. Heat-Proof Censer (Burner)

3. Your Incense Blend For charcoal use, you need a special blend:

The Process

Preparation:

  1. Create base powder: Thoroughly dry rosemary stems and leaves. Grind in a coffee grinder until you have a fluffy powder.
  2. Prepare scents: Grind or crush your chosen herbs.
  3. Prepare resins: Freeze for 2 hours, then grind.
  4. Mix everything thoroughly in a bowl.

Burning:

  1. Open a window first. Ventilation is mandatory.
  2. Fill your censer with 2-3cm of sand.
  3. Light the charcoal: Hold with tongs, apply flame to edge. It will spark and ember. Place on sand immediately.
  4. Wait 5-10 minutes until charcoal is fully lit and covered in grey ash.
  5. Add a small pinch (1/4 teaspoon) of your blend to the centre of the charcoal.
  6. Never leave unattended. The charcoal stays hot for over an hour.

Why This Is Advanced: The charcoal burns extremely hot. If you add too much incense, it can flame up. Too little, and the charcoal goes out. It takes practice to get right.

Best Herbs for Incense

Safe, Easy, Beginner-Friendly Herbs

Lavender (Lavandula)

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) flower stalk and some leaves
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis) in flower
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)

chamomile flowers in full bloom
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)

Mint (Mentha – Peppermint or Spearmint)

Peppermint (Mentha × piperita) leaves
Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) leaves
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum)

Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.) dried bark and powdered dried bark
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum spp.)

Dried Citrus Peel (Orange, Lemon, Grapefruit)

botanical drawing of Lemon (Citrus × limon)
Lemon (Citrus × limon)

Pine Needles (Pinus radiata in NZ)

Pine (Pinus radiata) showing needles and cones
Pine (Pinus radiata)

Rose Petals (Rosa)

Rose (Rosa spp.) flowers and leaves
Rose (Rosa spp.)

Resins (Optional but Wonderful)

Resins add depth, warmth, and help your incense last longer.

Frankincense (Boswellia)

Frankincense (Boswellia spp.) resin
Frankincense (Boswellia spp.)

More:

View public domain image source here

Benzoin (Styrax benzoin)

Benzoin (Styrax spp.) flowers and lev]aves
Benzoin (Styrax spp.)

Creating Your First Blends

Beginner Blend #1: “Calm Evening”

Purpose: Relaxing, perfect for unwinding after work

What You Need:

Mix together and use 1/2-1 teaspoon per session on your warmer.

Why This Works: Lavender and chamomile are both known for their calming properties. Lemon balm adds a gentle lift, preventing the blend from becoming too “heavy.”

Beginner Blend #2: “Fresh Morning”

Purpose: Energising, clarifying, perfect for starting the day

What You Need:

Mix together and use 1/2 teaspoon per session.

Why This Works: Rosemary and mint are both stimulating and focusing. The citrus adds brightness and freshness.

Beginner Blend #3: “Cosy Winter”

Purpose: Warming, festive, comforting

What You Need:

Mix together and use 1/2 teaspoon per session.

Why This Works: The spices create warmth, the citrus adds brightness, and the rosemary provides an herbal balance.

Advanced Blend #4: “Forest Meditation” (with resin)

Purpose: Grounding, meditative, complex

What You Need:

Mix together and use 1/2-1 teaspoon per session.

Why This Works: The pine and frankincense create a classic “incense” smell, while the rosemary adds complexity. This is perfect for meditation or quiet reading.

NZ-Specific Plants for Incense

Important Cultural Note

Some native New Zealand plants are taonga (treasured) in rongoā Māori and have deep cultural significance. Before using native plants:

  • Understand their cultural context
  • Only harvest if you have permission and understanding
  • Give thanks and take only what you need
  • Consider whether it’s appropriate for your use

Native & Naturalised Plants

Kawakawa (Piper excelsum)

leaves of kawakawa (Piper excelsum) plant
Kawakawa (Piper excelsum)

Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium)

leaves and flowers of mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium)
Mānuka (Leptospermum scoparium)

Kānuka (Kunzea ericoides)

Kānuka (Kunzea ericoides) leaves and flowers
Kānuka (Kunzea ericoides)

Pine (Pinus radiata – Naturalised)

Pine (Pinus radiata) showing needles and cones
Pine (Pinus radiata)

Eucalyptus (Various species – Naturalised)

Eucalyptus, showing leaves and flowers
Eucalyptus

Troubleshooting

Problem: I can’t smell anything when I use my warmer

Possible Causes:

  1. Not enough plant material
  2. Herbs are old and have lost their scent
  3. Warmer isn’t hot enough
  4. Your nose has adapted (scent fatigue)

Solutions:

Problem: The scent is overwhelming/giving me a headache

Possible Causes:

  1. Too much material used
  2. Poor ventilation
  3. Sensitive to that particular herb
  4. Warmer too hot

Solutions:

Problem: My herbs won’t stay lit on the charcoal/keep going out

Possible Causes:

  1. Herbs aren’t dry enough
  2. Not enough base powder in your blend
  3. Charcoal wasn’t fully lit before adding herbs
  4. Adding too much at once

Solutions:

Problem: My herbs caught fire instead of smoldering

Possible Causes:

  1. Too much herbal material, not enough resin
  2. Charcoal too hot
  3. Using very dry, powdery herbs without base

Solutions:

Problem: My blend smells different when heated than when I smell it in the jar

Explanation: This is normal! Different aromatic compounds volatilise at different temperatures, so the scent changes when heated.

What to Do: This is actually part of the art of incense-making. Experiment with different blends to see how they change when heated. Take notes on what works.

Critical Safety Guidelines

NEVER Do These Things

Always Do These Things

Specific Safety Concerns

Pregnancy & Nursing:
Avoid using large amounts of strongly scented herbs, especially:

Gentle amounts of lavender, chamomile, and rose are generally fine.

Young Children:

Asthma & Respiratory Issues:

Pets:

Allergies:

Herbs to Avoid or Use with Extreme Caution

Never Use:

Use Very Sparingly:

Getting Started: Your Action Plan

Week 1: Gather Materials

Week 2: Make Your First Blend

Week 3: Experiment

Week 4: Create Your Own

Ongoing:

Final Thoughts

Creating natural herbal incense is one of the most accessible and rewarding ways to bring plant magic into your home. You don’t need expensive equipment, rare ingredients, or expert knowledge. You just need some dried herbs, a gentle heat source, and a willingness to experiment.

Start simple. Trust your nose. And remember: the goal isn’t to create an overwhelming artificial fragrance—it’s to fill your space with the gentle, natural scent of plants. It should be subtle, pleasant, and make you feel good.

The scents you create will be softer than commercial products, but they’ll be pure, natural, and uniquely yours. That’s the whole point.

Sources & References

  1. Tisserand, R., & Young, R. (2014). Essential Oil Safety (2nd ed.). Churchill Livingstone. (Safety data for aromatic compounds)
  2. Lawless, J. (2013). The Encyclopedia of Essential Oils (2nd ed.). Conari Press. (Understanding plant aromatics)
  3. Green, J. (2007). The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook: A Home Manual. Crossing Press. (Traditional herbal preparation methods)
  4. Riley, M. (1994). Māori Healing and Herbal. Viking Sevenseas NZ. (Rongoā Māori traditional knowledge)
  5. Gladstar, R. (2012). Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. Storey Publishing. (Safe herb use)
  6. Grieve, M. (1931). A Modern Herbal. Dover Publications. (Historical uses of aromatic plants)
  7. New Zealand Plant Conservation Network. (2024). Native Plant Database. https://www.nzpcn.org.nz
  8. Riley, M. (1994). Māori Healing and Herbal. Viking Sevenseas NZ. (Rongoā Māori traditional knowledge)
  9. Crowe, A. (2004). Which Native Tree? Penguin Books NZ. (NZ native plant identification)
  10. Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. (2022). Rongoā Māori Practice Guidelines. (Cultural considerations for using taonga plants)
  11. Keville, K., & Green, M. (2009). Aromatherapy: A Complete Guide to the Healing Art (2nd ed.). Crossing Press. (Aromatic blending principles)

Rongoā Māori Disclaimer: This guide does not represent rongoā Māori preparation methods or traditional Māori medicine-making. Rongoā Māori is a complete healing system with its own protocols, karakia (prayers), and cultural practices that cannot be separated from te ao Māori (the Māori worldview). For rongoā Māori knowledge and treatment, please consult qualified rongoā practitioners through Te Paepae Motuhake or other appropriate Māori health services.

Medical Disclaimer: This guide is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. The incense methods described are for ambient scenting only, not for therapeutic treatment of health conditions. Always ensure proper plant identification before use. Never use incense in sealed rooms—ventilation is mandatory. If you are pregnant, nursing, have asthma, allergies, or respiratory conditions, consult with a healthcare provider before using incense. When using plants with cultural significance (particularly taonga plants in rongoā Māori), approach with respect and appropriate permissions. Keep all incense materials and heat sources away from children and pets. Never leave heat sources unattended. The author and publisher assume no liability for adverse reactions, injuries, or losses resulting from the use of information in this guide. The information presented represents current scientific understanding, which continues to evolve.

Note on Pricing: All prices mentioned in this guide are approximate and based on New Zealand suppliers as of December 2025. Prices vary by supplier, season, and market conditions. We recommend checking current prices with your local suppliers.

The Public Herbarium is built on a foundation of scientific integrity, transparency, and care. Research sources are referenced throughout the site wherever possible. Content creation is assisted by AI tools and carefully reviewed for accuracy.