Preparing Winter Medicine with Tree Saps
Guest Article Written By Dan Riegler, founder of Apothecary’s Garden As we enter another winter here in the Northern hemisphere questions about chest rubs, cough and cold syrups, salves and liniments for sore muscles and joints are increasing. Short days and long nights bring some of us a sense of dread with Seasonal Affective Disorder looming in the…
Holiday Smells: Aromatic Traditions from Winters Past
Fresh cut Pine and Spruce trees, Cedar boughs, pots of evergreen needles steaming on the wood stove. Aromas of Cinnamon and Clove rising from the oven. Orange peel and Star Anise filling your senses as you sip spiced apple cider from your mug. Mulled wine. Who doesn’t love the aromas of the holidays? There are…
What’s Missing in Most Modern Aromatic & Herbal Practices
Somehow humanity has gotten stuck in a downward spiral of surrounding ourselves more and more with chemicals. They’re in our food system, beauty products, healthcare, and just about everything else. In the field of aromatics specifically, you likely know that synthetic fragrance oils and manmade chemicals are everywhere, and are sometimes hard to avoid. Even…
Harvesting Your Own Aromatic Plants Along with the Seasons
In my recent vlog post I talked about the importance of Bio-regional Aromatic Medicine and connecting with and learning about your own local aromatic plants growing around where you live. We all have our family of local herbs waiting to be discovered. Our own medicine chest and array of aromatics that herbalists and healers in…
Ancient Alchemical Principles Explain The Spiritual Connection of Scent
I don’t know about you, but with the fall energies coming in throughout the Northern Hemisphere, I’m feeling that Autumn inspiration once again to journey deeper into the more mystical teachings of nature and aromatic medicine. I’m also inspired to share with you some insights that have been at the core of my own belief…
The Trinity of Incense: Healing, Spirit, Pleasure
Many people in the western world think incense is just used to cover up funky odors or bring on a good mood and good smell. Yes these are all truths, but it’s SOOO much more than this. Most folks have no clue that incense is the oldest form of aromatic medicine, and is in fact…
The Importance of Bio-regional Aromatic Medicine
So often today people rely on books and websites to learn information about plants and healing, which is totally fine. But when people limit themselves to these modes of learning, they’re missing out on the most ancient and intrinsic part of the herbal path. To be completely honest, if you don’t nourish your real-life connections…
Aromatics & Incense for Times of Pandemic
What’s the most universal thing people have looked to for thousands of years during times of pandemic and infectious disease outbreak? It’s not hand sanitizer or Clorox wipes, though those are great modern tools that are definitely helpful. It’s much more ancient than that.. For ages incense and aromatic plants have been used as immune…
Copal Plant Profile – Ancient Incense & Mystical Medicine
Copal, it’s one of the most well-known and oldest names in the world of incense. If you’re into incense, surely you’ve heard of it and likely have burned some before. But what exactly is Copal? True Copal is a tree resin found from the American Southwest down through northern Argentina, produced by a number of…
Making Poplar Bud Medicine: Harvesting, Infusions, & Salves
As I write this, the snow in the foothills of the Pacific Northwest has vanished, signs of life begin to sprout from the earth, the first blossoms of the year are forming on fruit trees, and the Poplar buds are ripe for harvest. This time of year, from late December to early March, many species…
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