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Aromatic Recipes

Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Aromatic Recipes
Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Sustainability
Topical Medicine
January 24, 20240Comments

Medicine of the Evergreens: Our Greatest Winter Allies

In the heart of winter's icy grip exists a steadfast symbol of endurance and resilience – the magnificent evergreen trees. With autumn behind us, many plants have shed their leaves
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic Recipes
Topical Medicine
January 5, 20240Comments

Preparing Winter Medicine with Tree Resins

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
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Aromatic Recipes
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
December 21, 20230Comments

The Health Benefits of Cinnamon Beyond the Kitchen

Cinnamon, the well-known aromatic spice that infuses warmth and depth into our favorite culinary delights, is much more than just a flavor enhancer. From the cozy aroma of chai tea
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Aromatic Recipes
Ritual
December 5, 20230Comments

The Art of the Herbal Bath

In a world that constantly buzzes with activity and stimulation, finding moments of tranquility and self-care can feel like an out-of-reach luxury. But self-care can be simple, affordable, and accessible.
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic Recipes
Ayurveda
Herbal Medicine
Topical Medicine
November 14, 20230Comments

Fall Self-care Practices to Nourish Body, Mind & Soul

As the air turns crisp, leaves transform into a vibrant tapestry of warm hues and Earth’s critters prepare for the cold – the environment invites us to turn our awareness
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Incense sticks smoldering on table indoors
Aromatherapy
Aromatic Recipes
Herbal Medicine
October 9, 20230Comments

Sleep Better Naturally: Aromatic Plants for Restful Sleep

Sound sleep is a key pillar of our well-being, as it restores and rejuvenates our minds, bodies, and senses. However, in the fast-paced world we live in today, sleep-related challenges
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic Recipes
Ayurveda
Topical Medicine
July 11, 20230Comments

Enhancing Your DIY Beauty Care With Aromatic Plants

When it comes to health and wellness, we often focus intently on what we put in our bodies – but what we put on our bodies can be just as
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
person holding fresh rosemary plant in between their fingers
Aromatherapy
Aromatic Recipes
Plant Profiles
April 12, 20230Comments

The Many Gifts and Benefits of Rosemary

Rosemary is one of the most commonly used and widely known aromatic plants. Chances are you’ve eaten this herb in food, perhaps on roasted potatoes, or met this plant growing
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic Recipes
January 31, 20239Comments

10 Aromatic Herbs for Digestive Health

If you’ve ever had an upset stomach, then you know how much it can ruin your day. Our digestive system is a complex network of 100 million neurons and 100
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
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Which aromatic material still leaves a master perf Which aromatic material still leaves a master perfumer in awe after decades of working with aromatics?

Oud.

Also known as Agarwood, this rich, resinous wood is formed only when Aquilaria trees are wounded by a specific fungal species, and respond by producing resin deep within their heartwood. 

This slow, alchemical process can take many years, and only a small percentage of trees ever produce resin at all.

Unlike almost any other aromatic material, no two Oud oils are exactly alike. Their aroma is shaped by the tree species, where they're grown, the resin they produce, and even how they're distilled. One can smell warm and honeyed, another deeply smoky, another bright and fruity.

As JK puts it: "There's nothing else like Oud out there."

It's just one of the many topics we explored in our recent conversation with JK about the ancient art of attars and natural perfumery.

In the interview, we also talk about:
🌿 How JK's journey led him into natural perfumery
🌿 What makes an attar different from modern perfume
🌿 The biggest misconceptions beginners have about perfumery
🌿 Why he believes anyone can learn this ancient craft

✨ Comment PERFUME to get the full interview sent to your inbox!

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 #oudoil #oudperfume #naturalperfume #perfume #attar #agarwood #artisanperfumer
Many people think aromatherapy and natural perfume Many people think aromatherapy and natural perfumery are essentially the same thing.

Spoiler: they're not.

In fact, that misunderstanding is one of the biggest reasons people never discover the incredible depth of traditional perfumery.

We recently sat down with master perfumer JK DeLapp to explore the ancient art of attars, how his journey into natural perfumery began, and why this centuries-old craft is unlike anything most people have experienced.

In the interview, you'll discover:
🌿 How JK's path from medicine led him into natural perfumery
🌿 What makes aromatherapy and perfumery fundamentally different
🌿 What an attar is and why it's unlike modern perfume
🌿 The biggest misconceptions beginners have about crafting perfume
🌿 Why JK believes anyone can learn this ancient art

If you've ever been curious about natural perfume, aromatic plants, or the history behind fragrance, this is a fascinating read.

 ✨ Explore the full interview at the link in bio.

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#naturalperfumery  #masterperfumer #attarperfume #naturalperfume #naturalperfumer #artisanperfumer #artisanperfume
Comment AROMA to get our full Cardamom Plant Monog Comment AROMA to get our full Cardamom Plant Monograph sent straight to your DMs! 🌿✨

You don't need a fancy apothecary to start working with aromatic plants…

Sometimes the most "ordinary" plants are the most powerful, simply because they're so accessible.

Many of the world's most beloved aromatic herbs and spices are probably already sitting in your kitchen. Here are a few of our favorites:

🌿 Rosemary: Traditionally used to support memory, focus, and mental clarity with its fresh, uplifting aroma.

✨ Ginger: A warming aromatic root that helps soothe digestion and brings comforting heat to the body.

🌿 Thyme: A classic respiratory ally with a rich history of supporting the lungs and immune system.

✨ Basil: More than a culinary favorite, Basil's uplifting aroma can help brighten the mind and ease everyday stress.

🌿 Oregano: One of nature's most potent aromatic herbs, prized for its powerful cleansing and immune-supporting properties.

✨ Cinnamon: A warming spice that supports healthy circulation and fills any space with its comforting aroma.

🌿 Fennel: Sweet and slightly licorice-like, this spice has long been used to calm digestion after meals.

✨ Citrus: Fresh peels from Lemons, Oranges, and Limes contain vibrant aromatic oils that naturally uplift the mood.

🌿 Star Anise: Its sweet, spicy aroma has been traditionally used to support respiratory and digestive wellness.

✨ Cardamom: Known as the "Queen of Spices," Cardamom is a beautifully complex aromatic that supports the lungs, digestion, and overall vitality.

Comment AROMA below, and we'll send you our FREE Cardamom Plant Profile! 🌿💚

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#cardamom #aromaticherbs #aromaticspices #aromaticmedicine #apothecary #herbalism
Did you know that perfumes actually don’t need alc Did you know that perfumes actually don’t need alcohol? 

Long before spray bottles and synthetic fragrances, artisan perfumers were working with something very different: highly concentrated natural perfumes known as attars.

These fragrances were crafted from precious woods, flowers, resins, and aromatic oils, using methods that predate modern perfumery by centuries.

The result is a dense, intimate style of oil-based perfume that wears and unfolds in a completely different way than what most people are used to.

To explore this tradition more deeply, we sat down with master perfumer JK DeLapp.
​​​​​​​
Over the past decade, JK has traveled the world in search of high-quality aromatic materials, built relationships with traditional distillers, and worked with some of the rarest aromatics on earth.

We asked him the questions we've always been curious about:

• What exactly is an attar, and what makes it stand out?
• Which aromatic material still amazes him after decades?
• What mistakes do nearly all beginner perfumers make?
• Can anyone really learn this ancient craft?

✨ Read the full interview at the link in our bio.

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 #attar #attaroil #attarperfume #naturalperfumery #naturalperfumer #expertinterview #artisanperfume
The legend of Ylang-Ylang 🌿 In the beginning of t The legend of Ylang-Ylang 🌿

In the beginning of time, when the Earth was created, most of the plants had leaves but no flowers. 

The Goddess of Beauty arrived to decorate the Earth with color and heavenly aromas. She painted beauty high and low, across all the lands, and gave many trees and plants flowers. 

She believed that only the kind-hearted flowers deserved luxurious scents, and went on a mission to interview each one. 

She asked Wild Rose, “What would you do if I gave you a beautiful smell?” and the Rose said, “I would ask Sister Wind to help share it with everyone.” And so, Rose was blessed with a divine, sweet floral aroma. 

She asked the Lotus flower what they would do, and the Lotus replied, “I would harness the aroma to inspire kindness in every soul.” So the Goddess gave Lotus a lovely, fruity smell.

After asking Hibiscus the same question, they said: “With a sweet aroma in addition to my already stunning beauty, I would be the most powerful flower in the world!” The Goddess rolled her eyes and moved on. (This is why Hibiscus doesn’t have a strong smell.)

When her work was almost done, she realized she still hadn’t given away the most pure and prized of all aromas, “the Goddess of the Scents”. And then she spotted Ylang-Ylang and asked what they would do with a beautiful scent. And Ylang-Ylang replied, “I would be so grateful, but I think you should give it to the grass! I am blessed with living in a tree, where I get to float and sway in the wind, but the flowers in the grass get stepped on every day.”

With tears in her eyes, the Goddess cried, “Oh sweet Ylang-Ylang, you deserve this pure and magical fragrance – use it to spread love to all living beings on Earth!” And so, to this day, Ylang-Ylang is revered as a pure, intoxicating smell, and often referred to as the “Goddess of the Flowers”. 

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#ylangylang #ylangylangessentialoil #folklore #plantfolklore #plantlore #aromatics
Since ancient times, aromatic plants have been all Since ancient times, aromatic plants have been allies in supporting our minds, bodies, and spirits. That's why their stories survived this long, passed down through song, folklore, and the written record, long before anyone needed a clinical trial to take them seriously. 

They're more than just a pleasant smell or a beautiful bloom; they have a real, measurable influence on how we feel and move through the world. 

It's easy for modern skepticism to wave all of this off as superstition or wishful thinking, but the plants—and now, increasingly, the research—say otherwise.

In our newest blog, we explore 4 aromatic plants whose traditional uses are now being supported by modern research, revealing how ancient wisdom and contemporary science can deepen our understanding of aromatic medicine.

✨ Comment ANCIENT to get the full article sent to your inbox!

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#ancientwisdom #plantwisdom #herbaltradition #herbalwisdom #plantscience #herbalism #aromatherapy
What’s Patchouli all about? It’s not just a sign t What’s Patchouli all about? It’s not just a sign that hippies are near 😉🌿

This plant has a grounding, earthy aroma that has a long history of use in aromatic medicine and is one of the most widely used natural raw materials in perfumery. 

Patchouli is a bushy herb in the Mint family, native to Indonesia and Malaysia. It can grow up to 2-3 feet high and has small, pink-white flowers.

When fresh, the plant is almost odorless, but when dried, it has a strong, rich, musky-sweet fragrance. 

Its aromatics have been traditionally used to help ease stress, depression, anxiety, and insomnia. It’s also commonly used to help relieve cold and flu symptoms.

With Patchouli, we find that people either fall in love with it or are totally repelled by it. 

Where do you stand?

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#patchouli  #patchoulioil #patchouliknowledge #patchouliperfume #aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine #aromaticherbs
Have you heard of bio-regional aromatic medicine? Have you heard of bio-regional aromatic medicine? 🌿✨

It’s the theory that the plants growing near you are the most powerful medicine for you. People of a specific region are best nourished by the flora of that same region. 

This is wisdom that traditional healers and ancient medical systems around the world have known and used for ages.

When you live in a particular place, the environment becomes a part of you: the air that you breathe, the water you drink, and the food that you eat (especially if it’s sourced locally) have energetic imprints of the Earth and the elements that are unique to that place. 

Even the climate, weather patterns, seasonal changes, unique stars and planetary alignment, and specific levels of minerals and nutrients in the soil become a part of you. 

The flora that grows near you is a part of this interconnected web. The plants in your backyard are thriving in the same environment that you are living in. And since that environment is also a part of you, these plants have a much easier time thriving inside of you.

What local plants are your best support system??

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 #bioregionalherbalism #bioregionalism #localplants #aromaticmedicine #aromatherapy #herbalism
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