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Incense as 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
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
December 15, 20230Comments

Breathing Easier: Aromatic Plants for Respiratory Health

We often breathe without much thought, until a tickle in our throats or a deep, heavy cough reminds us of our lungs' delicate and vital role in our daily life.
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Incense Crafting
October 17, 20230Comments

Incense: The Original Form of Aromatherapy

The world of holistic healing is a deep ocean of ancient wisdom and practices. Within the treasure chest of wonderful traditional remedies that have been passed down over time, incense
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Incense as Medicine
September 15, 20230Comments

5 Aromatic Plants for Emotional Support

Imagine a world where the fragrance of a flower or the aroma of a plant could whisk away your worries, calm your racing thoughts, and bring a sense of tranquility
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Incense as Medicine
August 10, 20230Comments

Supporting Emotional Health with Aromatic Medicine

Certain aromas can evoke emotional responses and resurface memories, which is a phenomenon many of us have experienced. Maybe you can relate? The smell of freshly baked brownies from the
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Ritual
July 26, 20230Comments

Aromatic Herbs in Grief Support & End-of-Life Care

Death, the inevitable end of our journey, is a universal experience that touches us all. A profound event which leaves us grappling with a myriad of emotions, a profound sense
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Ayurveda
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
June 6, 20231Comments

Are You Prepared For The Looming Health Practitioner Crisis?

Our health is everything to us. When we fall ill, our world slows or stops, concern sets in, and most people look to their health care provider for answers. But
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Ayurveda
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
May 22, 20230Comments

9 Aromatic Plants for Focus & Mental Clarity

In our fast-paced and busy lives, humans are no strangers to mental fatigue, brain fog and a lack of focus.There are many factors which can contribute to these problems, such
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Incense as Medicine
March 29, 20230Comments

Fragrance Oils and Synthetics Exposed

From the fragrant days of cave dwelling, to the glory of the ancient incense and spice routes, to mass-produced, chemical-based, aromatic mimicry, the evolution of humanity’s relationship with scent is
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Incense as Medicine
March 14, 20230Comments

Addressing Stress & Anxiety with Aromatic Medicine & Mindfulness

You can’t treat plants like pills. Too often, aromatherapy is used as a quick fix for our problems, when it doesn’t really work that way. If you have a headache,
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
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There’s a corner of the aromatic world that many h There’s a corner of the aromatic world that many have yet to explore. ✨ It’s a place where scent becomes story, and the line between perfumery and sacred ritual begins to dissolve. It goes beyond simply blending top, heart, and base notes, inviting you into an art of creating fragrances that carry beauty and intention. For centuries, traditional attar-making has brought together aromatic plants and craftsmanship into a truly unique form of natural perfumery. And this week, we're opening the door to this world once again. The Crafting Supreme Attars Mini-Course is an immersive journey into the timeless traditions of botanical attar-making. You'll explore the ingredients, techniques, and cultural and spiritual significance behind this extraordinary aromatic tradition while learning how to create your own all-natural attars. If you've felt called to deepen your aromatic practice, this may be exactly what you've been looking for. 🚨 For 1 week only, we're offering an exclusive discount on this mini-course before the price increases permanently. Learn more at the link in bio. ✨ #attars #attar #naturalperfumery #naturalperfumeryhistory #essentialoils #aromaticoils
Our instructor, JK DeLapp, explores the history of Our instructor, JK DeLapp, explores the history of sacred Kyphi incense and its connection to perfumery and aromatic medicine. Kyphi is an ancient Egyptian blend of aromatics historically burned as incense, worn as perfume, and ingested as medicine. Ancient texts suggest that Kyphi contained at least 16 ingredients, though the exact recipe varied across different dynasties and regions, often including Frankincense, Myrrh, Storax, Cinnamon, honey, raisins, wine, and other precious botanicals. JK leads our Natural Perfumery Course and Crafting Supreme Attars Mini-Course. Stay tuned for a special announcement from JK! 🌿✨ ____________ #kyphi #incense #ancientincense #naturalperfume #ancientegypt #sacred
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! _____________ #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. ____________ #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! 🌿💚 ___________ #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. ______________ #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”. ________ #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! ____________ #ancientwisdom #plantwisdom #herbaltradition #herbalwisdom #plantscience #herbalism #aromatherapy
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