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Plant Profiles

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
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
November 15, 20227Comments

The Benefits of Clary Sage

Clary Sage has been revered for ages for its ability to both nourish and uplift, on a physical, mental, and emotional level. This majestic plant has lovely heart-shaped leaves and
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Aromatic Recipes
Plant Profiles
July 11, 20227Comments

The Many Benefits of Lemon Balm

If you have ever had the luxury of smelling fresh Lemon Balm, you know how refreshing it can be. A blend of sweet, Citrus, and Mint, all in one inhale
by NW School of Aromatic 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
Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
Sustainability
October 27, 20219Comments

Saving Spikenard: The Sustainability Struggle

Some might say that the words sustainable and essential oil can never be in the same sentence. Essential oils have dynamic health benefits, however, they’re also resource-intensive products. Hundreds to
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
Plant Profiles
January 25, 202134Comments

The Medicine & Magic of Pine

Article written by Evan SylliaasenFor ages, humans across the Earth have maintained a special and magical relationship with evergreen trees of all kinds. The multifaceted wisdom in their growth patterns,
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
March 10, 202011Comments

Copal Plant Profile – Ancient Incense & Mystical Medicine

Copal, it's one of the most well-known and oldest names in the world of incense. If you're into incense, surely you've heard of it and likely have burned some before.
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
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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
Some scents linger in the memory like a song that Some scents linger in the memory like a song that never quite finishes; others vanish the moment after we notice them. But why? When it comes to natural perfumery, why do some fragrances feel flat, fleeting, or empty, while others unfold like a story: dimensional, alive, and utterly satisfying? The difference isn’t synthetic additives. It’s balance. In our newest blog, we explore the architecture of natural perfume: how top, heart, and base notes work together, why some scents feel empty while others feel whole, and how plants themselves teach us about balance, memory, and beauty. If you’ve ever felt drawn to scent, ritual, perfumery, or the poetry of plants… this one is for you. ✨ Read “Creating Harmony: The Composition of Natural Perfumes” by clicking the link in our bio. --------- #naturalperfume #aromaticplants #aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine #naturalperfumery
Enfleurage: such a whimsical term for a truly beau Enfleurage: such a whimsical term for a truly beautiful tradition. Enfleurage is a time-honored and gentle method used to extract essential oils from fragile flowers, particularly those with volatile oils that can be damaged by the high heat required in traditional steam distillation. A lengthy labor of love, this extraction method utilizes odorless vegetable or animal fats to capture aroma and essential oils. Fresh aromatic flowers are placed on a thin layer of highly purified fat or oil, such as lard, tallow, or coconut oil in a glass or ceramic plate. Over time, the fat absorbs the aromatic compounds from the flowers, which can take a few hours up to several days to fully extract. Once the flowers release their fragrance into the fat, they’re removed and replaced with fresh ones to continue the extraction process. On average, flowers are replaced at least 35 times, but sometimes it can be up to 50 times! Then, the fat is either scraped off and kept as an enfleurage pomade to be used as solid perfume, or dissolved in alcohol to extract the aromatic compounds. The alcohol is then evaporated, leaving behind a highly concentrated floral essence, which may undergo further processing or dilution before being used in perfumery. While enfleurage was once a popular method for extracting essential oils, it’s not commonly used today due to its labor-intensive nature. Many enfleurage absolutes are expensive because they’re very time-consuming, however, it’s an effective form of extraction that matches closely with the floral itself. Some commonly enfleuraged flowers include Jasmine, Tuberose, Rose, Gardenia, and Orange Blossom. This gentle and ancient extraction process effectively preserves these gorgeous and delicate fragrances. #enfleurage #enfleurageperfume #jasmine #roseenfleurage #naturalperfume #perfumery
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