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Aromatic History & Lore

Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Ayurveda
May 8, 20230Comments

The Spiritual and Scientific Magic Behind Our Sense of Smell

Our sense of smell is a mysterious mechanism through which we can experience the healing power of aromatic plants. We know aromatic plants have been used since ancient times for
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Aromatic Recipes
Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Topical Medicine
December 21, 20229Comments

The Magic and Medicine of Douglas Fir

With autumn behind us, many plants have shed their leaves in preparation for winter and wild-harvesting opportunities can feel sparse. But there is one particular type of plant you can
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
November 15, 20227Comments

The Benefits of Clary Sage

Clary Sage has been revered for ages for its ability to both nourish and uplift, on a physical, mental, and emotional level. This majestic plant has lovely heart-shaped leaves and
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Incense as Medicine
August 25, 20229Comments

10 Aromatic Plants for Overcoming Anxiety

The world can feel overwhelming at times. There are so many herbs that can help ease anxiety, it’s almost as if the plants know how chaotic life can feel and
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Aromatic Recipes
Plant Profiles
July 11, 20227Comments

The Many Benefits of Lemon Balm

If you have ever had the luxury of smelling fresh Lemon Balm, you know how refreshing it can be. A blend of sweet, Citrus, and Mint, all in one inhale
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Topical Medicine
December 28, 20217Comments

The Many Uses of Eucalyptus

Eucalyptus leaves are more than just koala food. If you’ve ever smelled this plant, the aromatics really stick in your memory – it’s bold, refreshing, vibrant, and opening. After one
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Ritual
December 20, 202116Comments

10 Ancient Medicinal Plants in the Bible

Did you know there are more than 10 aromatic plants mentioned in the Bible? As the holiday season unfolds, you may be putting up a Christmas tree in your living room,
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
Sustainability
October 27, 20219Comments

Saving Spikenard: The Sustainability Struggle

Some might say that the words sustainable and essential oil can never be in the same sentence. Essential oils have dynamic health benefits, however, they’re also resource-intensive products. Hundreds to
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Human/Plant Connection
Ritual
Sustainability
July 19, 20210Comments

Smudging: An Issue of Ethics and Sustainability

Have you ever scrolled past a social media ad with an image of someone burning a smudge stick of White Sage with the caption reading something like, “Say Bye-Bye to
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Ritual
March 21, 20210Comments

The Spirit of Aroma & The Sacred Sense of Smell

The other night I had a super weird thing happen between my dream life and waking life that was the inspiration for this blog. In my dream I was smelling
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
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Juniper: the desert elder 🌲 Juniper has been a sy Juniper: the desert elder 🌲 Juniper has been a symbol of strength and longevity for centuries. In various cultures around the world, Juniper’s known as the Tree of Protection. Throughout its mythology, it has been found protecting travelers and sheltering those in danger. In the Biblical story, Jesus and his family hid under a Juniper tree when King Herod’s soldiers were pursuing them. Juniper’s magical quality of spiritual, energetic, and physical protection is known by every culture that has shared its native habitat, and many people still call on the spirit of this tree to protect themselves and others. What's your favorite way to use this sacred tree? ___________ #juniper #junipertree #naturalincense #aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine #aromaticplants
Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has a long and storied his Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has a long and storied history, believed to have been used by the ancient Sumerians over 3,500 years ago, likely burned as an aromatic fumigant. 🌿 The ancient Egyptians, who called it “tham,” employed Thyme in their sacred embalming rituals. The Greeks used it not only to flavor their food and preserve meat but also to purify the air and help prevent the spread of disease. It’s thought that the Latin name, Thymus, traces back to the Greek word “thymon,” meaning “to fumigate,” “to make a burnt offering,” or “to sacrifice,” indicating its long history of use as incense and aromatic medicine. Others believe that the name Thymus comes from the Greek verb meaning “soul” or “spirit.” Some scholars suggest an alternative origin, linking the name to the Greek word thymos, translating to "strength," or thumon, meaning "courage" – qualities the plant came to symbolize. Roman soldiers reportedly bathed in Thyme before going into battle to instill bravery, and during the Middle Ages, sprigs of Thyme were often woven into the scarves of knights setting out on Crusades, a fragrant emblem of valor. Interestingly, the word Thymus also refers to the thymus gland, an organ in the human body essential to the development of T cells and the immune system, particularly during childhood when we're most vulnerable. While the thymus gland plays a less active role in adulthood, this connection offers a poetic nod to Thyme’s traditional role as an immunity herb. As early as 500 AD, the renowned Greek physician Dioscorides recommended Thyme tea for illness, asthma, chest congestion, persistent coughs, and to stimulate circulation. 🌿➡️ Swipe through to learn more about the health benefits of this powerful plant. ________ #thyme #aromaticherbs #aromaticspices #culinaryherbs #aromaticmedicine #aromatherapy
🌈✨ Have you ever seen a Rainbow Eucalyptus tree?! 🌈✨ Have you ever seen a Rainbow Eucalyptus tree?! There are over 700 types of Eucalyptus trees, but the Rainbow tree is by far the most colorful. Eucalyptus deglupta, also known as Mindanao gum or rainbow gum, is the only Eucalyptus that lives in the rainforest and is one of only four species that are not native to Australia. It grows in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, where it can rise up to 250 feet tall! The tree trunk takes on different colors as the bark sheds and the inner bark is exposed to the air. As it sheds, it first reveals a bright green color, which changes over time, aging into different colors of blue, purple, orange, and maroon. The varied, colorful striations are a reflection of the tree bark shedding at different times throughout the year. The result is a stunning display that is in perpetual metamorphosis, a beautiful representation that the only constant in life is change. ________ #rainboweucalyptus #rainboweucalyptustree #eucalyptus #eucalyptustree #natureismagic #aromatics
As spring brings new life all around us, you might As spring brings new life all around us, you might be wondering what wild-harvesting opportunities lie outside your doorstep… Just as the outside world affects us, the energies within plants also ebb and flow along with external influences. The changing seasons, elements, the sun, moon, stars, and planetary positions all affect how and when plants move their life force within their bodies. Learning how to read these rhythms can help you understand when certain plants and their plant parts are the most potent, and when is the best time to harvest them. Observing nature can teach us many things – you can actually oftentimes see where plants put their energy and how they move it. For example, in the spring, a dead-looking, bare branch will suddenly burst to life with a vibrant shoot or bud, eventually turning into a leaf or flower. In the summer, that flower might bloom and die, with a fruit ripening in its place. In the fall and winter, the plants move their energy into their bark, wood, and roots, preparing to hibernate as their leaves wither and fall. When a plant is putting its energy into a particular plant part, it is usually most potent during that time, and likely at its peak potential for harvesting. For example, the spring is the most ideal time to harvest fresh shoots, leaves, buds, and early flowers; in the summer, foliage and flowers; in the fall, fruiting bodies, seeds, resins, gums; and in the winter, woods and roots. Of course, this is a general rule of thumb. Many plant parts can also be harvested year-round if you can’t get to them at the most ideal time. Also, not all plants are on the same schedule. Remember, whenever wild-harvesting, to always harvest sustainably! To learn more about this topic, check out our vlog: Harvesting Your Own Aromatic Plants Along With the Seasons. 🌿 Link in bio. _____________ #wildharvesting #wildharvested #wildcrafting #sustainableharvest #sustainability #aromaticplants
Terpenes from trees are nature’s aromatic medicine Terpenes from trees are nature’s aromatic medicine. Recent studies have shown that exposure to the natural environment is beneficial to human health, and “forest bathing” has many beneficial health effects. Forest bathing, or forest therapy, generally means taking in the forest atmosphere using all of your senses. This is more than simply a walk in the woods, but also the conscious and contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest. Forest air is full of terpenes, which are aerosols emitted by various plants and trees, particularly conifers. Terpenes aid in the defense mechanism of the plant against herbivores and the environment, as well as their developmental physiology. Some observed benefits of terpenes on human health include: 🌲 ​​mood boosting qualities 🌲 therapeutic effects in children with asthma and atopic dermatitis 🌲 strong anti-inflammatory properties 🌲 anti-tumorigenic effects 🌲 neuroprotective effects Just a few more reasons to spend some time in forests! Here’s a link to a scientific study if you’re curious: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5402865/ ______________ #terepenes #forestbathing #foresttherapy #benefitsofnature #natureistherapy #natureismedicine
Do you know the many benefits of bitters? Bitter Do you know the many benefits of bitters? Bitters are not only used to effectively support digestion and ease digestive upset, but they may also help deliver a gentle liver detox to your body. Supporting the liver is a great thing to do at the start of Spring, when our bodies are beginning to wake up from Winter hibernation and move more. Common herbs used in bitters include Dandelion Root and Burdock Root, but there are also a lot of aromatic plants traditionally used as well, like Angelica Root, Mugwort, Grapefruit Peel, Orange Peel, Tangerine Peel, Fennel Seed, Ginger Root, Yellow Dock, Gentian, and even Juniper Berries. Traditionally, bitters are taken before a meal, but often folks like to add them to drinks or cocktails, too. Do you take bitters? What’s your favorite way to consume them? ___________ #bitters #aromaticroots #herbaltinctures #herbaltips #spring #dandelionroot #ginger
Aromatic smoke has always occupied a special place Aromatic smoke has always occupied a special place in human experience — a bridge between the physical and the invisible, the seen and the unseen. Scent is the sense most deeply tied to memory and emotion, which means aromatic smoke can reach places deep within us. It can soften grief, lift mental fog, signal a transition, or simply tell the body: something is different now. It's okay to let go. Perhaps this is why aromatic plants have been considered sacred across cultures for centuries. They stir something within us that's hard to describe. For thousands of years, people around the world have turned to aromatic plants, incense, and smoke cleansing rituals to mark new beginnings, clear stagnation, and refresh both their homes and their minds. As we move into spring, it's the perfect time to reconnect with these ancient traditions and with the plants growing all around you. Local plants carry a special resonance because they grow in the same ecosystem you inhabit and move through the same seasons you experience. They feel like home because, in a very real sense, they are. In our new article, you'll discover: 🌿 The history of smoke cleansing across cultures 🌿 Sustainable alternatives to White Sage 🌿 Aromatic herbs that refresh your space and uplift your spirit 🌿 How to make your own dried herb bundles using plants growing around you Read the full guide at the link in our bio. ✨ ____________ #smokecleansing #herbbundle #smokeritual #naturalincense #whitesage #aromaticherbs #smokecleansingherbs
“Plants are our food, oxygen, and medicine. Some e “Plants are our food, oxygen, and medicine. Some even say they are one of the most pleasurable experiences on Earth! From the flowers to the trees and the seas filled with coral dreams, the earth’s natural flora has inspired and enhanced humans for as long as time can tell. That’s why the power of plants is the key to unlocking our enjoyment of life.” ― Natasha Potter
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