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Incense as Medicine

Aromatherapy
Aromatic Recipes
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
February 14, 202210Comments

Aromatic Plants for the Heart

As humans, we experience the gift, and sometimes what can feel like a curse, of love. A risk of love is loss – it requires courage to take risks, and
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic Recipes
Ayurveda
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Ritual
February 3, 20227Comments

Relieving Seasonal Depression with Aromatic Medicine

Do the winter days have you feeling blue? Seasonal melancholy can be a big challenge for many people, especially here in the Pacific Northwest where the sun often peeks through an
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
January 24, 20225Comments

How to Boost Your Winter Immunity

Have you ever wondered, what does it really mean to be healthy? And why do we get sick in the first place? Winter season, though beautiful and cozy, can sometimes bring
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 Recipes
Incense as Medicine
Topical Medicine
November 29, 20215Comments

Holiday Spices: Warming, Uplifting Medicines for Cold Winter Months

Bring Warmth To Your Holiday Season With Aromatic Kitchen Spices Fall and winter are the time to get cozy, nourish yourself with warmth, and support your body through the changing seasons. Warming
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Incense as Medicine
May 26, 20200Comments

Aromatics & Incense for Times of Pandemic

What's the most universal thing people have looked to for thousands of years during times of pandemic and infectious disease outbreak? It's not hand sanitizer or Clorox wipes, though those
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Alchemy
Incense as Medicine
February 1, 20200Comments

“How much of an herb do I give?” A discussion on dosage of medicinal plants

A Guest Blog by Sajah Popham, founder of The School of Evolutionary Herbalism From a single drop to 5 mL of tincture or 1 tsp to 5 grams for a cup
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Ayurveda
Incense as Medicine
January 30, 20200Comments

The Ancient Indian Philosophy of Aroma & Incense, Part II

In my last blog, The Ancient Indian Philosophy of Aroma & Incense, Part I, I spoke about the beautiful tradition of healing plant smoke, Dhumapana, and the many used of
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Ayurveda
Incense as Medicine
January 24, 20200Comments

The Ancient Indian Philosophy of Aroma & Incense, Part I

Ayurveda, The Science of Life You’ve likely heard of the ancient Indian system of healing known as Ayurveda, translated to ‘the Science of Life.’ This 10,000 year old system has withstood
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic Recipes
Incense as Medicine
September 8, 20190Comments

Nourishing Your Nervous System with Aromatics

Feeling stressed or anxious? Nervous or fearful? Spread thin or overburdened? Ungrounded? In this video I'll give a simple and easy to understand breakdown of why most people's nervous systems
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
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Have you ever felt that nature was trying to commu Have you ever felt that nature was trying to communicate to you beyond words?

Plants are intelligent beings.

Many traditional peoples around the world have known this all along. Our ancestors at one point in time were united in this belief, as they lived close to the Earth in small communities, married to the land and nature. 

On a daily basis, they witnessed the precious interconnectedness of species, both plant and animal, and lived each day interacting with plants and the elements around them in intimate ways.

Such connections kept them healthy, wise, and in tune with themselves and the natural and spiritual worlds.

As humans began migrating out of the forests and fields and into towns and cities, our deep connection to nature began to slowly shift. 

What would our lives look like if we rekindled our relationship to plants and the Earth? 

Could we be better stewards of the Earth? Could we help save our beloved plants and animals from extinction? Could we pass on a better world to our younger generations?

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#nature #plantintelligence #natureisamazing #natureismagic #reciprocity #earthstewardship #earthstewards
Have you ever burned Bay leaves? 🍃 While they are Have you ever burned Bay leaves? 🍃

While they are now commonly used as seasoning in dishes, Bay leaves were traditionally burned as incense for a variety of reasons.

The aroma of Bay, also called “Sweet Laurel”, has been known to offer inspiration, insight, and help boost self-esteem.

In fact, in ancient times, the leaves were commonly burnt by temple priestesses of Delphi, Greece, as visionary herbs for the oracle. The Ancient Greeks would also place leaves under their pillows at night to call in dreams of divination.

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#bayleaf #bayleaves #bayleavesburning #naturalincense #aromaticmedicine #ancientgreece #sweetlaurel
Cottonwood and Poplar buds are among my favorite a Cottonwood and Poplar buds are among my favorite aromatics this time of year, when they’re abundant and full of life. The next time you’re walking along a river, stream, or floodplain, take a look around, and you’ll likely spot the tall, towering Cottonwood trees, their buds just beginning to emerge at the tips of the branches.

After a windy storm, you might get lucky and find fallen branches scattered on the ground. Gently pop off a bud, roll it between your fingers, and breathe in its sweet, resinous, woodsy aroma.

This fragrant resin has a long tradition of topical use as an anti-inflammatory, helping to ease aches and strains. It’s especially beautiful infused into an herbal oil or crafted into a soothing salve.

Have you ever worked with Poplar buds before? 

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#poplar  #poplarbuds  #cottonwood #cottonwoodtrees  #herbalinfusedoil #herbaloil #herbalsalve
Can plants change the way we age, or the way we fe Can plants change the way we age, or the way we feel about aging? 🌼

We explore this topic in our new blog post, Anti-Aging Aromatics: Herbs & Essential Oils for Radiant Skin.

Inside, we cover 8 aromatics that support aging skin (& the science behind why they work):

▪️Rose: antioxidant protection + cooling anti-inflammatory
▪️Helichrysum: nicknamed "Immortelle" for a reason
▪️Frankincense: collagen support + skin regeneration
▪️Lavender: calming, restorative, and endlessly versatile
▪️Calendula: the star of skin repair
▪️Geranium: tones, balances, and brightens
▪️Rosemary: stimulates circulation for a lit-from-within glow
▪️Sandalwood: deeply moisturizing and protective

Our latest blog post breaks down how each one works, what preparations to use them in, and includes a simple DIY anti-aging facial oil recipe you can make with just a few ingredients.

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

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 #antiagingtips #antiagingskincare #antiagingskincareroutine #naturalskincaretips #naturalskincareroutine #skincareherbal #radiantskincare
“How do you define nature? If we define it as that “How do you define nature? If we define it as that which is untouched by humans, then we won't have any nature left for our children when they’re adults.” 

-  Emma Marris, environmental writer

Nature is everywhere… we just need to learn to see it that way. 

Let’s consider a new definition of nature, one that includes not only pristine wilderness but also anywhere that life thrives, like the untended patches of plants growing in urban spaces. 

Let’s encourage each other, and our children, to connect with all types of nature, so that we feel called to love and protect it.

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#nature #emmamarris #natureiseverywhere #natureiseverything #natureismagic
What if the skincare industry has it backwards? W What if the skincare industry has it backwards?

We've been sold the idea that aging skin is the enemy… something to fight, reverse, and erase. Advertisements for expensive skincare products and Botox reinforce that narrative. 

But aging isn’t a problem to fix; it's a natural part of being alive, something to support rather than fight.

In the world of aromatic medicine, this similar mantra is something we return to again and again: plants don't "treat problems," they support bodies. 

And when it comes to aging skin, aromatic plants have so much to offer in that spirit; not to reverse the clock or erase the evidence of a life well-lived, but to nourish, strengthen, and bring radiance to skin that is constantly, beautifully renewing itself.

Our latest blog post explores 8 herbs and essential oils—including Helichrysum (pictured), Frankincense, Rosemary, and Rose—that work with your skin's natural rhythms to support elasticity, radiance, and regeneration from the inside out.

Plus: a beautiful DIY facial oil recipe that's become a daily ritual for us. 

🌿 Read Anti-Aging Aromatics: Herbs & Essential Oils for Radiant Skin at the link in bio.

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 #antiaging #antiagingtips #antiagingroutine #antiagingskincare  #antiagingoil #naturalskincaretips  #diyfaceoil
A friend said something to me recently that I have A friend said something to me recently that I haven't been able to stop thinking about.

We were sitting in the park, talking about aging (the new gray hairs, the fine lines), and I admitted I felt a small pang of discouragement. Then she said: "I cherish my wrinkles and laugh lines. They tell the stories of my years of joy and laughter."

Just like that, something in me shifted.

It was a gentle reminder that aging isn't a problem to be solved, but a natural, dynamic process unfolding in us, as it has in every human who has ever lived a full and meaningful life. 

Many of us are taught to believe that aging is the enemy…

But what if aging skin isn't a problem to fix, but something to support? 

Aromatic plants have been doing exactly that for centuries. 

In my latest blog post, I dive into 8 powerful herbs and essential oils that nourish, strengthen, and bring radiance to the skin, plus a simple DIY facial oil recipe you can make at home.

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

Enjoy the article, 
Melissa

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 #antiaging #antiagingtips #antiagingroutine #antiagingskincare #naturalskincaretips #naturalskincareroutine #diyskincarerecipes
Outside of the world of aromatics, it’s a little-k Outside of the world of aromatics, it’s a little-known fact that aromatic plants have a direct effect on our emotions and mental state.

There's a magical, mystical association with scent and how it interacts with our being and consciousness. This exists across all ancient teachings of aromatherapy and incense.

Maybe you’ve felt it before… a deep, undeniable, and indescribable feeling inside of you when you smell a certain aroma, like Rose, Frankincense, or Pine.

Aroma reaches every part of our being, mind, body, and soul, and its gift opens something sacred within us, connecting our spirit to the divinity of life. 

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#aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine #aroma #aromatics #aromatherapymagic  #sacred
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