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Aromatic History & Lore

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
Aromatic History & Lore
Ayurveda
March 2, 20210Comments

Herbal Smoking as Medicine

You might never have thought that smoking can actually have positive effects on your health, but this may be the case, depending on what you’re smoking. Now, don’t get me
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
Plant Profiles
January 25, 202134Comments

The Medicine & Magic of Pine

Article written by Evan SylliaasenFor ages, humans across the Earth have maintained a special and magical relationship with evergreen trees of all kinds. The multifaceted wisdom in their growth patterns,
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
December 20, 20200Comments

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
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
March 10, 202011Comments

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.
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
August 26, 201912Comments

Myrrh Plant Profile – The Sacred Bitter Medicine of Antiquity

Have you ever noticed how Frankincense and Myrrh are commonly mentioned together by herbalists and incense connoisseurs, yet Frankincense somehow receives all the attention in the media and medical journals these days? Why
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Ayurveda
Incense as Medicine
May 25, 20190Comments

Incense As Medicine

In addition to their pleasant and uplifting aromas, nearly all aromatic plants used in incense also have medicinal qualities. Whether burned for therapeutic, spiritual, or aesthetic purposes, everyone who burns
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Alchemy
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Incense as Medicine
March 24, 20190Comments

The Roots of Aromatherapy & The Soul of Plants

Modern aromatherapy, the therapeutic use of botanical essential oils, is one of the fastest growing healing modalities of our time, and its name is widely known around the world today.
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
Ritual
Topical Medicine
January 1, 20190Comments

Balm of Gilead, Comfort for the Soul

Considered to be among the most sacred of herbs throughout many ancient Eastern cultures, the renowned Balm of Gilead was once used in various forms of holy incense and anointing
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
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SAME PLANT. DIFFERENT PREPARATIONS. DIFFERENT PURP SAME PLANT. DIFFERENT PREPARATIONS. DIFFERENT PURPOSES. 🌿 Take lavender, for example. Most people know lavender for its beautiful aroma and calming qualities. But depending on how you prepare it, you can work with this plant in very different ways. 🌿 Lavender-infused oil: Massage into tired muscles, use in body care, or turn into a soothing herbal salve. 🌿 Lavender tincture: Traditionally used to help ease nervous tension, mild stress, and restlessness. 🌿 Lavender hydrosol: A gentle aromatic water that can be used as a refreshing facial mist or incorporated into skincare preparations. Three preparations from the same plant, each extracting and delivering different constituents in different ways. And that's one of the most important things to understand about herbal medicine-making. It's not just about knowing which plants to use. It's about knowing how to prepare them, and why. When you understand the principles behind different extraction methods, you're no longer limited to following recipes. You can start making informed decisions about which preparations best suit your needs. This is exactly what we're teaching inside The Art of Aromatic Preparations Course, with clinical herbalist and aromatherapist Erika Galentin. Across seven hands-on video lessons, you'll learn to make herbal oils, salves, tinctures, hydrosols, teas, herbal honeys, and more, using accessible tools and ingredients. Enrollment is currently $50 off through November 17. Explore the course through the link in our bio! #AromaticMedicine #Herbalism #HerbalMedicine #HerbalPreparations #Lavender #HerbalEducation #Aromatherapy #HerbalApothecary #MedicinalPlants #PlantMedicine
🌿 THE ART OF AROMATIC PREPARATIONS COURSE — ENROLL 🌿 THE ART OF AROMATIC PREPARATIONS COURSE — ENROLLMENT IS OPEN! Our online course is now available at a special price for one week! Join clinical herbalist and aromatherapist Erika Galentin as she guides you through the traditional art of making herbal preparations, from infused oils and salves to tinctures, hydrosols, herbal honeys, and more. Through 7 in-depth video lessons, you'll learn how to create 6 foundational types of herbal preparations, using simple ingredients and equipment you may already have in your kitchen. But this course goes beyond simply following recipes. You'll learn the methods behind each preparation, how different techniques extract different plant constituents, how to choose the right preparation for the plants you're working with, and nearly 2 decades of expert tips and tricks. Whether you're an aromatherapist looking to expand beyond essential oils, an herbal enthusiast building your home apothecary, or someone who wants to make beautiful botanical products and handmade gifts, these are skills you can return to for years. 🌿 SPECIAL ENROLLMENT OFFER For the next 8 days, we're taking $50 off tuition! Regular price: $197 Your price: $147 And for the first time ever, we're offering a payment plan of 2 payments of $77! Ends November 17. 👉 Visit the link in our bio to explore the course and enroll! #AromaticMedicine #HerbalMedicineMaking #Herbalism #Aromatherapy #HerbalRemedies #HerbalEducation #HerbalMedicine
How many different ways can you work with a single How many different ways can you work with a single plant? 🌿 Take Chamomile, for example. You could steep the flowers into a fragrant herbal tea, infuse them into oil for skincare, turn that oil into a soothing salve, make an herbal tincture, prepare a honey extract, or even distill a delicate aromatic hydrosol. Six different preparations from one familiar plant. And each one offers something a little different. This is one of the things I love about traditional aromatic medicine. Essential oils are only one part of the picture. When we learn how to work with plants through different preparations, we begin to understand them in new ways. We discover different constituents, different applications, and new possibilities for bringing these plants into our everyday lives. And you don't need a fancy laboratory or expensive equipment to get started. Many of these preparations can be made right in your own kitchen. Tomorrow, we're sharing a special opportunity to learn six foundational types of herbal preparations through our Art of Aromatic Preparations Mini-Course, taught by Erika Galentin. If you've been wanting to expand your herbal skills beyond essential oils, keep an eye out tomorrow! 🌿
Imagine walking into your garden, gathering a hand Imagine walking into your garden, gathering a handful of herbs, and turning them into something beautiful with your own hands. 🌿 A fragrant herbal oil. A soothing botanical salve. A jar of herb-infused honey. Or a bundle of aromatic herbs to dry and enjoy throughout the winter. These are things you can make right in your own kitchen, often with plants you already have growing around you. Rosemary, Lavender, Calendula, Chamomile, and so many others. And if you don't have a garden, a visit to your local herb shop can be just as good a place to start. For generations, people have gathered, dried, infused, and preserved plants to create useful preparations for their homes and families. Somewhere along the way, many of us became more accustomed to buying these things than making them ourselves. But the skills haven't disappeared. You can still learn to make beautiful herbal preparations from simple ingredients, without an elaborate laboratory or a cabinet full of expensive equipment. And once you learn how, an ordinary handful of herbs starts to look a little different. The next time you're out in your garden, take another look at the plants growing around you. There's so much you can create with a handful of herbs, a few simple ingredients, and the knowledge of how to bring them together. #Herbalism #AromaticMedicine #HerbalPreparations #HomeApothecary #HerbalEducation #MedicinalPlants #HerbalCrafting #BotanicalMedicine
Have you ever wondered where the aroma of Vetiver Have you ever wondered where the aroma of Vetiver comes from? 🌿 Vetiver is often referred to as the “Fragrance of the Soil” because of its earthy, woody scent profile. This aromatic grass, native to India, possesses a distinctive aroma reminiscent of damp earth, roots, and freshly turned soil. Its fragrance is rich, smoky, slightly sweet, and deeply grounding. The nickname “Fragrance of the Soil” captures Vetiver's unique aroma, which comes from the fragrant compounds found in its roots, growing deep beneath the earth. Vetiver has an extensive root system, and the plants are often grown for erosion control and bioremediation. When the roots are harvested for essential oil production, the grasses are traditionally repurposed by local communities, woven into cooling shades, roof thatching, window screens, blinds, and hand fans. These fragrant shades are regularly doused with water, helping transform hot, scorching summer air into cool, moist, aromatic breezes. Pretty incredible, isn't it? Vetiver's earthy fragrance has also made it a prized ingredient in perfumery for centuries, where it adds depth, complexity, and a sense of connection to the natural world. Its ability to evoke a sense of rootedness and stability has earned it a special place in the world of natural perfumery. Swipe through to discover why Vetiver is so much more than a fragrance. #Vetiver #VetiveriaZizanioides #ChrysopogonZizanioides #AromaticMedicine #NaturalPerfumery #BotanicalPerfumery #Herbalism #AromaticPlants #PlantEducation #SustainableBotanicals
NOT EVERY PLANT GIVES UP ITS MEDICINE THE SAME WAY NOT EVERY PLANT GIVES UP ITS MEDICINE THE SAME WAY. 🌿 You can take the exact same plant and prepare it three different ways, and end up with three very different herbal preparations. A tea. A tincture. An infused oil. Each preparation draws out different constituents from the plant, depending on their solubility, the solvent being used, and the method of extraction. Some constituents dissolve readily in water. Others are better extracted with alcohol or oil. Some require heat, while others are sensitive to it. And certain aromatic compounds can be lost during preparation if we're not paying attention. This is why understanding how to prepare plants is just as important as knowing which plants to work with. It's also why traditional herbalists developed so many different preparations over the centuries. They weren't simply making things in different forms for convenience. They were learning how to work with the unique properties of each plant. The preparation changes what you're working with. This is a pretty important distinction when we're making herbal medicine. What's your favorite way to prepare plants these days? Teas, tinctures, infused oils, salves, hydrosols, or something else? #HerbalMedicine #Herbalism #PlantMedicine #HerbalPreparations #AromaticMedicine #TraditionalHerbalism
There are things we can only learn from the plants There are things we can only learn from the plants themselves. Not from books or from classrooms, but from spending time with them. Observing, listening, and paying close attention. Sometimes the greatest teacher is the one growing right outside your door. 🌿 #PlantWisdom #Herbalism #PlantConnection #AromaticMedicine #NatureAsTeacher
🌿 Why do some herbal infused oils go bad? You've 🌿 Why do some herbal infused oils go bad? You've carefully selected your herbs, covered them with a beautiful carrier oil, and waited patiently for the infusion to finish. But when you open the jar, something isn't quite right. Maybe the oil smells rancid, there's unexpected cloudiness, or you've discovered signs of spoilage. There are several reasons this can happen, and understanding them is an important part of making herbal preparations successfully. 1. Moisture: Fresh plant material contains water, which can create conditions favorable to microbial growth. This is especially important with oils intended for longer storage. 2. Oxidation: Some carrier oils are more susceptible to rancidity than others. Exposure to heat, light, and oxygen can accelerate the process. 3. Storage: Even a beautifully prepared oil can deteriorate when stored improperly. And here's something that's good to remember: an oil can look and smell perfectly fine and still be unsafe if it was prepared or stored incorrectly. That's why making different herbal preparations involves more than simply following a recipe. Understanding your ingredients, methods, and preservation considerations is important. Fresh herbs do have their place in traditional oil preparations, but they require particular care and appropriate processing. Save this for your next herbal oil infusion, and share it with someone who loves making their own botanical preparations. #Herbalism #HerbalInfusedOil #HerbalPreparations #HomeApothecary #AromaticMedicine #HerbalEducation #HerbalCrafting
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