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Incense Crafting

Aromatic History & Lore
Incense as Medicine
Incense Crafting
Topical Medicine
March 27, 20260Comments

The Magic & Medicine of Botanical Resins, Part II

Somewhere deep in a forest, a storm rolls through and damages a tree. A branch snaps, the bark splits open, and the tree is suddenly vulnerable. But almost immediately, the
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
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
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Stumbling upon Wild Rose in nature is truly a gift Stumbling upon Wild Rose in nature is truly a gift. 

There are over 300 different species of roses. ​​Wild Rose is a group of species that occur naturally, with no help from humans — a true wildflower. 

The appearance of Wild Rose is quite different from the classic Rose image. 

In the Pacific Northwest, we have a few varieties, like this huge Nootka Wild Rose. 

Energetically, Wild Rose is uplifting, nourishing, and healing for the emotional heart. It helps promote emotional equilibrium, lifting the spirit and opening the heart.

Have you ever spotted Wild Rose in the wild?

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#wildrose #rosearoma #rosearomatherapy #aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine #wildflowers #emotionalbalance
Juniper represents strength, resilience, and hardi Juniper represents strength, resilience, and hardiness.

Its trunk is often twisted, tattered, and gnarly from standing strong through storms, high winds, heavy rain, flash floods, dust devils, and the extreme heat and cold of high-desert environments. 

This tree’s resilience in the face of the harshness of life is inspiring and strengthening.

Its long-lasting hardiness brings hope and reflects the capability we all have within us to stand firm and strong in the face of whatever challenges life presents.

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#juniper  #junipertree #aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine  #groundingenergy #strength #resilience
Sometimes, less really is more. ✨🌿 Aromatic molec Sometimes, less really is more. ✨🌿

Aromatic molecules are incredibly potent, working almost instantly to support our mental and emotional well-being.

In this clip, our instructor Erika Galentin breaks down the science behind scent and why small amounts can have such powerful effects.

Erika is a clinical herbalist and aromatherapist with 2 decades of experience (and the newly appointed Executive Director of the American Herbalists Guild!).

You can find more of her teachings in our Aromatic Medicine Garden membership & online education hub (link in bio).
Plants aren’t here to “fix” us. That’s not their r Plants aren’t here to “fix” us. That’s not their role. 🌿 

What they do is offer gentle guidance…They support our bodies, soothe our emotional landscape, and create the conditions for healing to unfold. 

We do the work: the plants simply become the tools, our allies, helpers along the way.

Herbalism and aromatherapy are based on the philosophy of holistic health; it’s all about tending to the whole person, not chasing symptoms. The key is digging down to the root of our issues, with plants by our side.

When we shift from treating problems to supporting people, everything changes. 

This is why herbal practice feels so different from conventional approaches. Instead of forcing the body into a specific outcome, we work with the body’s wisdom: nudging, nourishing, and creating space for change to happen naturally. 

And when we invite plants to support us on both the physical and emotional levels, we tap into something deeper: partnership. 

Healing becomes a conversation rather than a prescription, a slow, steady return to balance with the help of our botanical allies. 🌱✨

*This is an excerpt from our Aromatic Medicine Garden membership. You can learn more about our online education hub at the link in our bio.

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#herbalism #aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine  #herbalist #herbalmedicine #herbalremedies #holistichealth
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
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