Create and Blend Your Own Rapé

This guide is a general introduction to blending your own Rapé using premade powders of Tabaco and ashes—available individually in our shop, or as part of a complete blending kit offering a variety of ingredients to get started.

Blending your own Rapé is a deeply personal and affirming act. It allows you to charge your preparation with your own energy, direction, and purpose. While many refer to this as setting an intention, we prefer to speak in terms of affirmation. An intention is something you aim to do or achieve—something that still lies ahead. An affirmation, on the other hand, is a statement of what already is. It aligns your words and focus with the reality you are calling into being. Where hoping, wishing, or even praying can imply lack, affirmation assumes presence and power. This is key to making a blend that resonates with your inner clarity and purpose.

In many indigenous traditions, the process of making Rapé begins with this energetic alignment. Before selecting ingredients, the maker becomes fully present—affirming the effect or quality they are calling in, whether for healing, grounding, clarity, or connection. Rarely do they blend without this focus being deeply embodied in the process. We recommend approaching your own creation the same way: pause, reflect, and become clear on what you are creating—not as a wish, but as a reality you are stepping into. You may find our article The Power of Affirmation an inspiring place to begin exploring this deeper aspect of the practice.

Understanding the Basics

Rapé is typically made from just two key ingredients: Tabaco and plant ashes. Together, these form the base of nearly all blends. From there, many variations can be created by incorporating aromatic or medicinal plants, herbs, flowers, or even spices. For a powerful yet simple start, you can mix powdered Tabaco de Moi with an equal amount of ashes—charging the blend with your own focused affirmation. Even this basic combination can produce an experience comparable to many traditional Rapés. Small variations in the type of Tabaco or ash used can dramatically shift the character and energy of the blend. For example, a Rapé made from Mapacho and Pau Pereira ashes is quite different in feel and effect than a blend of Tabaco de Moi and Murici ashes.

While the Tabaco-Ashes formula is foundational, it is entirely possible to create Tabaco-free blends. You can substitute Tabaco with finely powdered herbs or use ashes alone as a base. There are essentially no limitations when crafting your own custom blend. Just ensure that any herbs you choose are safe—as a general rule, if a plant is aromatic and suitable for tea, it can usually be safely experimented with in Rapé form.

Start with Pure Ingredients

It’s best to get to know each ingredient on its own. Try small doses of each type of Tabaco or ash to understand their individual qualities. This process can’t be rushed—let each plant speak to you over time.

You can prepare your own Tabaco powder from raw material, using our guide, How to Make Powder from Raw Tabaco. This explains how to cut, dry, and grind Tabaco properly. Once ground, we strongly recommend sieving it for a fine, smooth consistency. Our article How to Properly Sieve and Refine Rapé covers everything you need to know for that step.

Below is an image of our complete blending kit, featuring nearly all of our available Tabaco and ash varieties, along with storage bottles and jars and essential processing tools.

Blending Your First Batch

Once you’ve chosen your Tabaco and ash, begin with a small amount. A teaspoon of each is enough for a few doses and lets you explore the effect without wasting material. Keep notes on proportions and ingredients—you’ll want to replicate your successful blends later. You can also use an existing Rapé as an ingredient in a new blend, introducing continuity and layering effects.

Let your blend rest overnight before testing. Allowing it to settle helps the components energetically harmonize, deepening the integration of all ingredients. Some people describe this as the powders 'infusing each other with their powers.' Use a digital scale for precision if needed. A common starting point is a 1:1 ratio of Tabaco to ash. From there, you can adjust based on strength, smoothness, aroma, or personal preference. To ensure the mixture is evenly combined, it's helpful to run the final blend through a fine sieve before storage or testing.

How to Mix Evenly

To blend thoroughly:
- Place the powder mix in a clean glass jar or small bottle.
- Fill it only about one-third of the way to leave space for movement.
- Shake the jar gently but thoroughly.
- Let it settle overnight so the particles can infuse with each other’s qualities.
- Shake again before use.
- A useful tool to really blend all particles evenly is a fine sieve.

More ash will make the Rapé sharper and more “Grey”, and stronger in the onset; more Tabaco makes it more "Brown". Deeper, more bodily, and more grounding. Finding your balance between the two is part of the art.

Dryness Matters

Work in a dry environment. Rapé absorbs humidity quickly, which can dull the aroma, affect texture, and reduce potency. Always close your containers promptly, and avoid preparing Rapé on damp or rainy days. Store your finished blends in airtight containers—ideally with a desiccant to maintain dryness.

Scaling Up

Once you’re satisfied with your test batch, you can multiply your recipe. Be sure you have enough of each ingredient before starting a larger blend. Measure carefully and follow the same process to maintain consistency.

Many creators never let their Rapé pot run empty—always saving the final 10% of each batch and blending it into the next. This practice creates an ongoing energetic lineage, so a part of every previous blend lives on in the next. In this way, your personal Rapé carries your history and affirmation forward.

Keep in mind that recreating a Rapé exactly—even from a detailed recipe—is nearly impossible. Environmental conditions, ingredient variation, timing, and your own state of being all influence the outcome. Each batch becomes a unique expression of the moment it was made.

Infusing Aromatics

To add subtle notes of flowers or herbs, place a fresh leaf (like spearmint or lavender) into your Rapé in a glass jar. Let it infuse for 24 hours in a warm place. If condensation appears, open the jar to release moisture. Then spread the Rapé on a dish to dry fully. Remove the leaf before storing. A desiccant can help pull out remaining humidity.

Dry spices like Cinnamon, Vanilla, Mint leaves or Tonka can also be infused. Add a piece of spice to your pot, let it rest for a few days, and remove it before use—no drying necessary afterward.

You can also blend dry, powdered herbs directly into your Rapé. Examples include Sage, Mint, Palo Santo, and Lemon Balm. These must be finely ground and sieved to match the powder's texture. Use sparingly and blend carefully with a mortar and pestle to ensure even distribution.

Making Your Own Ashes

Creating your own ashes adds another layer of connection. Burn clean, dry plant material like Sweetgrass, Sage, or Palo Santo fully, and collect the fine ash left behind. Only a small amount is needed in a blend. These ashes are potent—use with care.

Evenly Mixing Potent Ingredients

When adding very small amounts of strong ingredients—like Menthol crystals or Tonka bean powder—use a methodical approach:
- Start with the smallest ingredient in a mortar.
- Add about 5x its amount of Rapé and blend thoroughly.
- Continue adding more Rapé gradually, always mixing between additions.
- This ensures the powerful element is distributed evenly. Use strong aromatics sparingly:
- Menthol: ~0.1%
- Tonka: ~0.5%

Adjusting and Balancing Your Blend

If your Rapé turns out too strong or aromatic, simply dilute it with more plain Tabaco powder or ashes until it suits your taste.

Suggested Rapé Ingredients

Based on years of blending, here are some key aromatics and herbs we’ve worked with:
Chocolate, Menthol, Vanilla, Cinnamon, Cardamom, Coffee Beans, Tonka Beans, Spearmint, Lavender, Osha, Sage, Guayusa, Lemon Balm.

Everything You Need in One Place

All tools and materials mentioned—Raw Tabaco, powdered Tabaco, plant ashes, fine sieves, desiccants, storage containers, bottles and blending kits—are available in our shop.

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