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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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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
What are you ready to leave behind this spring? 🌿 What are you ready to leave behind this spring? 🌿 Spring cleaning isn’t just about clearing out the closet… That urge to throw open the windows and start fresh is your inner world responding to the season. Spring calls us toward new growth, but leaving the energy of winter behind isn't always easy. Some years it clings like a fog in the mind, a sluggishness in the body, or a staleness in the home that's hard to name but impossible to ignore. Aromatic plants have long been used to move exactly this kind of feeling: breaking up stagnation, lifting the spirit, and signaling to the body that it's time to begin again. For centuries, cultures around the world have used aromatic herbs, smoke, and incense in seasonal cleansing rituals and energetic resets. Aromatic plants have a unique ability to awaken the senses and shift the feeling of a space (or our headspace). In our new article, you'll discover: ✨ The history of smoke cleansing across cultures ✨ Aromatic herbs traditionally used to clear stagnant energy ✨ Sustainable alternatives to White Sage ✨ How scent affects mood, memory, and emotional well-being ✨ Step-by-step instructions for making your own herb bundles using plants from your local landscape 🌱 Comment SPRING to get the full guide sent straight to your inbox! ____________ #smokecleansing #herbbundle #naturalincense #DIYherbalism #whitesage #smokeritual #aromaticherbs
🌿 Raise your hand if you love White Sage as much a 🌿 Raise your hand if you love White Sage as much as we do… While we adore this plant’s musky, camphor-like notes & sweet undertones, White Sage holds deep sacred significance for many Indigenous cultures of North America, and that deserves our respect before we reach for it casually. Beyond the cultural conversation, there's an ecological one too. Over-harvesting to meet global demand has placed enormous pressure on wild populations, landing White Sage on the United Plant Savers At-Risk Species List. Much of the wild-harvested White Sage on the market is thought to come from unauthorized harvesting. The good news is, aromatic smoke cleansing is an ancient global tradition & there are so many other beautiful herbs to work with: 🌿 Garden Sage: A sustainable alternative to White Sage, traditionally used to clear stagnant energy, purify spaces & boost mental clarity. 🌿 Bay Laurel: Revered since ancient Greece & burned for purification, protection, confidence & creative inspiration. 🌿 Mugwort: Traditionally used in smoke cleansing to clear negativity, sharpen intuition & support dreamwork & meditation. 🌿 Rosemary: Its bold, invigorating aroma helps sweep away mental fog, break up stagnation & rekindle motivation & self-confidence. 🌿 Evergreens: Burned for centuries to purify spaces, offer protection & bring a grounding sense of calm & resilience. 🌿 Lavender: Believed to wash away stress, negativity & emotional turbulence. The rich, worldwide history of smoke cleansing means there is a way into this practice for everyone, one that feels personally meaningful without intruding on traditions sacred to others. Getting to know the aromatic plants of your local landscape is a beautiful place to start (or growing your own!). Local plants carry a special resonance because they move through the same seasons we do. They feel like home, because they are. We just posted a free DIY guide for making your own dried herb bundle using the plants growing around you! Inside, we explore this topic more & give you step-by-step instructions to create your own smoke cleansing practice. Link in bio! ✨ _____________ #smokecleansing #herbbundle #DIY #ritual #whitesage
Have you ever walked into a room and felt like the Have you ever walked into a room and felt like the energy was... off? Maybe it feels heavy, stagnant, or like something old is lingering that you're ready to release. For thousands of years, people around the world have turned to aromatic plants, incense, and smoke cleansing rituals to mark transitions, clear stagnant energy, and invite renewal. As we move through spring, it's the perfect time to explore these ancient traditions and reconnect with the plants growing all around us. We just published a free DIY guide that walks you through how to create your own dried herb bundles using aromatic plants from your garden or local landscape. 🌱 Inside, you'll discover: 🌿 The history of smoke cleansing across cultures 🌿 6 aromatic herbs that can help refresh your space and uplift your spirit 🌿 Sustainable alternatives to White Sage 🌿 Step-by-step instructions for crafting your own dried herb bundles 🌿 Why spring is the perfect season to reconnect with the natural world Read the full article through the link in our bio. ✨ _____________ #smokecleansing #smokecleanse #smokecleansingsticks #herbbundle #diyherbalism #whitesage #ritual
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