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Incense Crafting

Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Ayurveda
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Incense Crafting
Natural Perfumery
Plant Profiles
November 7, 20256Comments

Cardamom Benefits: The Ancient Spice for Digestion, Clarity, and Vitality

Imagine a single seed pod, no larger than your fingertip, holding within it the power to kindle digestive fire, clear stagnant breath from congested lungs, and lift the fog of
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Incense Crafting
October 9, 20250Comments

4 Powerful Reasons to Make Your Own Incense

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine: a thin ribbon of smoke rising from a hand-rolled cone of incense, its earthy-sweet scent unfurling through the room like a gentle
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
glass cork bottle of benzoin oil next to benzoin resin on a counter
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Incense as Medicine
Incense Crafting
Natural Perfumery
Plant Profiles
Ritual
August 13, 20250Comments

Why Benzoin Resin Belongs in Your Apothecary: Benefits & Ritual Uses

Imagine something that looks like a beautiful golden rock, but upon closer inspection, you're greeted with sweet, balsamic, resinous notes, with hints of vanilla that feel like a warm embrace.
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
Herbal Medicine
Human/Plant Connection
Incense Crafting
Natural Perfumery
Ritual
May 22, 20250Comments

The Energy You Bring to the Craft: Intention as an Ingredient

Have you ever followed a recipe exactly, only to have it fall flat, while someone else makes the same thing and it comes alive? Or crafted an herbal or aromatic
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Aromatic Recipes
Human/Plant Connection
Incense as Medicine
Incense Crafting
Ritual
October 1, 20240Comments

Incense 101: Aromatic Medicine Beyond Incense Sticks

The scented swirls of incense smoke carry a profound story – the life cycle of each botanical ingredient, the journey from seedling to thriving herb, nurtured by the sun and
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Incense Crafting
Ritual
February 21, 20240Comments

The Ancient Story of Incense Clocks

How would you tell time without your iPhone, watch, or digital clock? Before the invention of electricity and modern technology, ancient peoples would often use the elements of the natural
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
Incense as Medicine
Incense Crafting
September 22, 202211Comments

Incense Crafting: A Path to Healing & Personal Fulfillment

The Art of Incense CraftingImagine walking through the depths of the forest; it’s so quiet that all you hear are the treetops swaying from the light breeze, it smells like
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Incense Crafting
April 26, 20224Comments

Incorporating Incense Into Your Herbal Practice

Incense as medicine has been utilized for ages in cultures around the world, but has unfortunately been forgotten by most modern herbalists. We often hear from our students that they
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Incense as Medicine
Incense Crafting
Topical Medicine
March 16, 20225Comments

Your Guide to the Topical & Internal Herbal Preparations for Healing & Beauty

When it comes to working with plants, knowing where to start can feel intimidating. However, don’t let the vast amount of information available overwhelm you, or stop you from giving
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
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“Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence. “Spring passes and one remembers one’s innocence. Summer passes and one remembers one’s exuberance. Autumn passes and one remembers one’s reverence. Winter passes and one remembers one’s perseverance.” – Yoko Ono __________ #yokoono #yokoonoquotes #inspiringquotes #winterweather #inspirationalquotes
When’s the best time of year to harvest resin? N When’s the best time of year to harvest resin? Now! ✨ The wintertime is ideal for resin harvesting. It can be harvested any time of year, but a tree’s energies are condensed inside its wood and resin most in winter, making it more potent in many ways. 🌲 The types of trees with resin easiest to find in North America are conifers like Pine, Fir, Cypress, Spruce, and Cedar. ✨ How to harvest: Find a Conifer tree with some resin on its surface, make sure to properly identify the tree, and harvest by scraping the outer layer of resin off the tree using a knife. Glass containers are best for storage, but plastic or ceramic work too. 🌲 Keep in mind that resin is the tree's defense mechanism, so don’t take too much or you’ll risk harming the tree. ✨ It’s easiest to harvest hardened resin. In colder weather, it may be hard enough to simply break off, rather than scrape it. If harvesting fresh resin, use foil or something similar to help you collect it, and let it dry for several weeks to months, depending on the resin species and climate you’re in. Curious how to work with tree resin? Explore our Aromatic Medicine Blog for more tips! Link in bio. 🌲 __________ #treeresin #incenseresin #sustainableharvesting #resin #wildharvesting #aromaticmedicine
DIY Pine Tip tea (and why you should drink it)… P DIY Pine Tip tea (and why you should drink it)… Pine Needles have many medicinal benefits, both aromatically and internally. They’re high in antioxidants and Vitamin C, providing support to your immune system and decreasing your risk for serious health issues. They help boost mental clarity and relieve depression, in addition to easing respiratory ailments like a sore throat, cough, and chest congestion, making it a great Wintertime herbal tea. Making Pine Tip tea is quite simple… 🌲 Forage for Pine Needles by going for a nature walk with some garden clippers. Make sure to properly identify a Pine Tree, then snip off some needles. The fresher tips will be fresher and might have a lighter green color compared to the older growth. 🌲 Boil some water and pour it over your Pine Needles. Cover it to keep in the medicinal aromatics and leave to infuse for 20-30 minutes, then strain and serve. 🌲 You can enjoy it on its own, or add it to your favorite herbal tea. I love mixing it with chai spices to make Forest Chai tea! ✨ Learn more about the history, harvesting, and health benefits of Pine Tip tea in our blog: Pine Needle Tea Benefits, Harvesting Tips + Recipe! Link in bio. _________ #pine #pineneedles #pineneedletea #pinetree #aromatherapy #herbaltea #tearecipe
Have you ever tried burning Bay leaves? Bay Laur Have you ever tried burning Bay leaves? Bay Laurel, also known as Sweet Laurel or Sweet Bay, is an important historical tree for prophecy and divination. In Ancient Greece, the psychic priestesses at the Oracle of Delphi, known as the Pythia, chewed Bay Laurel leaves and inhaled the incense of burned leaves to support their visionary trances. Pythia were highly regarded and it was believed that they channeled prophecies from the Greek god Apollo while deep in a dreamlike state. The ritual to interpret the word of Apollo started with the Pythia bathing in the Castalian Spring, sacrificing a goat, then entering a special chamber beneath a temple which was filled with the aroma of burning Laurel leaves. She would sit in the center of the temple, on a covered cauldron over a deep well-like chasm, enveloped by vapors and shaking Bay branches. From here, the Pythia would fall into a trance state and channel the prophecy of Apollo. Those seeking the help of Apollo and his priestess would bring offerings of Laurel branches, money, and animal sacrifices. #baylaurel #Apollo #pythia #aroma #aromaticplants #herbalmedicine
Attar: an Arabic word that translates to “scent.” Attar: an Arabic word that translates to “scent.” Attars are traditional natural perfume oils that originate from the Middle East and South Asia, where they’ve been used for centuries. Attars are crafted exclusively from 100% pure essential oils and aromatic materials, without any carrier oils for dilution, making them intensely concentrated perfumes known for their potency and rich aroma. Traditional attar makers often distill aromatic plants directly into a base of Sandalwood essential oil, a practice still revered today for its meticulous craftsmanship. Attars are prized for their rich and complex scents and are typically applied sparingly on the skin or clothing for a long-lasting aroma. Have you ever used or crafted an attar before? What’s your favorite attar scent profile? #attar #attars #perfume #perfumery #naturalperfume
Incense is the foundation of perfumery. The orig Incense is the foundation of perfumery. The origin of the word perfume reflects the ancient practice of using aromatic plants as incense to create pleasing scents to permeate through the air. In some ancient cultures, the words perfume and incense were interchangeable. Many cultures believe burning incense is like a rising prayer, as the fragrant smoke drifts up to the heavens, serving as a bridge that links the material and spiritual worlds. This same reverence translated to the world of perfumery. Initially reserved for rituals for the gods, religious rites, or royalty in ancient Egypt, perfume gradually became associated with purifying and spiritually cleansing the body. As time progressed, perfume found diverse applications, serving purposes ranging from aesthetic enhancement to practical functionality, spiritual enrichment, and even sometimes medicinal uses. In the beginning, original perfumes and incense were made only using pure, natural aromatic plants. Unfortunately, modern perfumery has drifted from these ancient roots, as most perfumes available today are laden with synthetic chemicals. It falls upon us to remember and honor the genuine origins of these ancient aromatic traditions, preserving their legacy for future generations to come.
We live in a world saturated with scent. Our air f We live in a world saturated with scent. Our air fresheners, laundry detergents, cosmetics, body products, and even most perfumes are infused with synthetic fragrance compounds designed to imitate nature. But these ingredients are not only far removed from the living world, but many of them are also harmful to ecosystems and toxic to our bodies. It’s no surprise that so many of us are feeling the pull back to our roots, toward scent as nature intended. There’s something about natural perfumery that reaches us beyond words. It’s not just the fragrance, but the emotional and energetic effect it carries. Natural perfumes are made up of the same essential oils traditionally used in aromatherapy for their uplifting and stress-soothing qualities – which can shape our psyche in subtle but deeply meaningful ways. Still, a persistent myth lingers in the perfumery world: that natural perfumes can’t compete. That they’re too unpredictable, too soft, too fleeting—that they won’t project or last beyond an hour. And this can be true… when a perfume is built without structure or foundation. In our new blog, you’ll discover: 🌿 Exactly how a natural perfume is structured and balanced (+ what it’s made of) 🌿 What top, heart, and base notes are, and the role each one plays in a formula 🌿 The truth about synthetics (and why they’re not the secret to longevity) 🌿 Why fixatives are often the missing link in long-lasting natural perfume formulas 🌿 How a blend becomes a living symphony of aromas in harmony ✨ Read the full blog at the link in our bio. _______________ #neroli #naturalperfume #naturalperfumery #naturalperfumes #naturalperfumer #naturalperfumeoils #cleanbeautyproducts
There’s something about natural perfumery that rea There’s something about natural perfumery that reaches us beyond words. It’s not just the fragrance, but the emotional and energetic effect it carries. Natural perfumes are made up of the same essential oils traditionally used in aromatherapy for their uplifting and stress-soothing qualities – which can shape our psyche in subtle but deeply meaningful ways. But many people who are pulled into the natural perfumery world find that their first creations feel flat, fleeting, or empty. The missing ingredient is balance. Natural perfumery is a form of aromatic architecture – the art of composing time, not just smell. It is a doorway into a deeper relationship with plants, with the body, and with beauty itself. When we understand how scent is built, layered, and anchored, we begin to understand why certain perfumes feel whole… and why others do not. When a perfume feels complete, it has foundation, body, and lift. It projects, lingers, and evolves. It speaks to the nervous system, stirs memory, and invites ritual into the moment. A natural perfume is never a single note – it is a sequence, a symphony of aromas unfolding in intentional harmony. In our new blog, you’ll discover: 🌿 Exactly how a natural perfume is structured and balanced (+ what it’s made of) 🌿 What top, heart, and base notes are, and the role each one plays in a formula 🌿 The truth about synthetics (and why they’re not the secret to longevity) 🌿 Why fixatives are often the missing link in long-lasting natural perfume formulas 🌿 How a blend becomes a living symphony of aromas in harmony ✨ Read the full blog at the link in our bio. ____________ #naturalperfume #naturalperfumery #perfume #essentialoils #howtomakeperfume #naturalperfumer #naturalperfumeoils
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