Loose (or "raw") incense is very easy to make - You can use any mixture of herbs and resins, but it needs to be smoldered on charcoal. It doesn't burn on its own.

To make self-burning sticks or cones, many recipes call for adding charcoal, saltpetre (potassium nitrate) or even lighter fluid. Because I often burn incense in my home, I avoid those ingredients and instead use makko powder.

Makko is a Japanese word for the generic term "incense powder."

Makko is also the name used for the bark of a particular tree, the Tabu No Ki tree. It's bark is naturally combustible, eliminating the need for charcoal, burning evenly and smoothly. It also has excellent water-soluble binding properties, while adding little or no scent to an incense mixture (makko comes in four grades, and the higher grades have less aroma than the lower ones).

When adding makko to your incense blend, use 10 to 25% makko if incense mixture has no resin, and 25 to 80% makko if incense blend has resin.

My Favorite Summer Solstice Blend

• 3 parts thyme
• 3 parts rosemary
• 3 parts dragons blood
• 6 parts benzoin
• 3 parts pine bark
• 3 parts orris root
• a few drops rosemary essential oil if desired

For loose incense: Chop or grind herbs and resins into small pieces and mix well. Add rosemary essential oil if desired. Keep blend in a canning jar with covered lid and allow to "cure" for at least 24 hours, letting the scents blend.

For self-burning cones and sticks: Grind incense mixture to a fine powder. Add makko and blend well (When I made this recipe into cones, I added 33% makko (2 Tbsp incense mix to 1 Tbsp makko), but you may need to add a little more or less). Add small amounts of hydrosol or distilled water (a bit at a time) until the powder becomes a workable dough. If the dough is sticky, you've added too much water - Add a little more makko. Knead the dough well to blend, then form into cones or sticks and let dry thoroughly in a warm, dark place for at least 24 hours. The longer you let it cure, the better it smells!

Happy Solstice!