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aromatic medicine

Aromatherapy
Ayurveda
Herbal Medicine
January 30, 20240Comments

Holistic Aromatic Medicine Through The Ayurvedic Lens

Ayurveda is an ancient healing science from India that offers a holistic approach to well-being and longevity. The very word “Ayurveda” can be translated as “knowledge of life” or “science
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Aromatic Recipes
Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Sustainability
Topical Medicine
January 24, 20240Comments

Medicine of the Evergreens: Our Greatest Winter Allies

In the heart of winter's icy grip exists a steadfast symbol of endurance and resilience – the magnificent evergreen trees. With autumn behind us, many plants have shed their leaves
by NW School of Aromatic 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
Aromatic History & Lore
Aromatic Recipes
Ritual
December 5, 20230Comments

The Art of the Herbal Bath

In a world that constantly buzzes with activity and stimulation, finding moments of tranquility and self-care can feel like an out-of-reach luxury. But self-care can be simple, affordable, and accessible.
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic Recipes
Ayurveda
Herbal Medicine
Topical Medicine
November 14, 20230Comments

Fall Self-care Practices to Nourish Body, Mind & Soul

As the air turns crisp, leaves transform into a vibrant tapestry of warm hues and Earth’s critters prepare for the cold – the environment invites us to turn our awareness
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 sticks smoldering on table indoors
Aromatherapy
Aromatic Recipes
Herbal Medicine
October 9, 20230Comments

Sleep Better Naturally: Aromatic Plants for Restful Sleep

Sound sleep is a key pillar of our well-being, as it restores and rejuvenates our minds, bodies, and senses. However, in the fast-paced world we live in today, sleep-related challenges
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
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You've likely heard yoga teachers or wellness prac You've likely heard yoga teachers or wellness practitioners speak of "grounding" – but what does this word truly mean? 

Energetically, grounding means bringing awareness, energy, and presence back into the body, into the moment, and into relationship with the Earth. It’s the opposite of dissociation, fragmentation, anxiety, or excessive mental activity. 

To understand grounding, let’s look to the roots of plants. Roots anchor plants into the earth, holding them steady against wind, rain, and the changing seasons. Without roots, a plant would topple or drift. 

Roots provide stability, connection, and a literal link to nourishment. 

Similarly, aromatic roots anchor us into our bodies and into the present moment. When we feel scattered, anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected from ourselves, we become ungrounded – like a plant without roots, vulnerable to every passing storm. 

Grounding brings us back into balance, and working with aromatic roots helps restore this sense of rootedness. They remind us that we belong to the earth, we have a place here, and we can draw strength from the ground beneath our feet.

In our new blog article, we’ll:

🌿 Uncover why roots carry the deepest wisdom and resilience for winter
❄️ Journey into the energetics of winter through aromatic medicine
🔥 Learn about the top 5 aromatic roots that can help us stay warm, grounded, and vital all winter long

✨ Read “Aromatic Roots for Winter” by clicking the link in our bio.

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#aromaticroots #herbalroots #winterherbs #herbalist #aromatherapist #energetics #angelicaroot
Winter is the season of rooting. 🌱 When the light Winter is the season of rooting. 🌱 When the light fades and the world grows cold and quiet, life doesn’t disappear – it moves underground. Into roots. Into reserves. Into what will carry us through.

In our newest blog, we explore why roots are winter’s most powerful plant allies, and how aromatic roots like Ginger, Vetiver, Angelica, and more support warmth, grounding, resilience, and emotional balance through the cold months.

If you’ve been feeling tired, scattered, heavy, or simply called inward… this one is for you.

❄️ Read “Aromatic Roots for Winter” by clicking the link in our bio.

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#winteraromas #winterherbs #aromatherapy #herbalism #herbalroots #ginger #vetiver #angelica
How long do essential oils last? The answer depen How long do essential oils last?

The answer depends on how it’s made. Essential oils are produced in mainly 3 different ways: steam distillation, solvent extraction, and cold press distillation. 

Most essential oils are made using steam distillation, with an exception of Citrus oils which are primarily created using cold press distillation (also known as expression). In this process, mechanical pressure is used to rupture the volatile oil-containing glands in the plant material, then the resulting mixture is filtered to obtain just the essential oil. 

Absolutes are made using solvent extraction, where plant materials are submerged in a solvent such as ethanol, hexane, or carbon dioxide, to release their aroma, and then the solvent is removed, leaving behind the volatile oils.

Most steam-distilled essential oils generally have a shelf life of 3 years.

Citrus oils have the shortest shelf-life, about 2 years. 

And absolutes have a shelf-life of around 5 years.

There are a few plants that are an exception to this rule and actually get better with age – like a fine wine – such as Patchouli and Vetiver. The older these plant oils get, the more the aroma shifts and expands over time. 

To get the most out of your essential oils, always store them in amber-colored bottles and away from direct sunlight. The standard recommendation is to store the bottles in a cool, dark place like a cabinet or closet. Always keep the lids on to reduce oxidation. 

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#essentialoils #aromatherapy  #essentialoils101 #essentialoileducation  #absolutes  #co2extract #naturalperfumery
Chamomile has an energetic influence on our solar Chamomile has an energetic influence on our solar plexus – the complex network of nerves located in your stomach area. Lying halfway between the area where we get our “gut instinct” and the empathetic heart, the solar plexus represents the center of our psychological needs and wants. 

It’s an important part of your sympathetic nervous system, which controls your body’s “fight or flight” response to danger or stress. 

Chamomile has an affinity for soothing nervous tension and anxiety felt in the solar plexus, particularly in times when our emotional needs and wants feel intensified or unmet. This can come out in many ways, such as actions of overbearing, over-controlling, self-criticism, irritability, frustration, depression, or resentment. 

Chamomile is the plant of calm composure and easy embrace. Chamomile can help us let go of fixed expectations, calmly see and acknowledge our limitations, and open up to receive the support that others have to give. 

Just as the flower resembles the sun, it inspires a more sunny disposition inside our emotional and mental realms. 

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#chamomile  #chamomileoil #chamomilebenefits  #chamomiletea #ChamomileCalm #aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine
In the cold winter months here in the Pacific Nort In the cold winter months here in the Pacific Northwest, life naturally turns inward. We spend more time indoors, tending the hearth, the home, and our inner landscapes.

One of my favorite winter rituals is a stovetop herbal steam. Across many cultures and household traditions, aromatic plants have long been simmered gently to freshen and uplift the home, invite warmth and positivity, offer subtle spiritual protection, and serve as simple medicine for the immune and respiratory system, especially during the darker months of the year. 

Here’s a DIY Aromatic Winter Herbal Steam you can make at home. Feel free to adapt it to what you have on hand or what feels good to add. 

🌿 Ingredients
 8 slices of Citrus (Orange, Lemon, or Grapefruit)
 1 sliced apple
 1 cup evergreen needles (Fir, Pine, Spruce, or Cedar)
 5 Cinnamon sticks
 10 whole Cloves
 5 Star Anise
 A thumb-sized piece of fresh Ginger

🔥 Directions
 
Add all ingredients to a stovetop pot and cover with water. Bring to a gentle boil, then reduce to a slow simmer. Allow it to steam for several hours, filling your home with warmth, fragrance, and quiet magic.

These small seasonal rituals remind us that tending our spaces is also a form of medicine—one that nourishes the body, lifts the spirit, and keeps us in relationship with plants. 🌲✨

For another similar recipe, check out our Herbal Steaming blog post. Link in bio. 

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#herbalsteaming #diyherbalism  #aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine  #herbalsteam #herbalsteamingblends
“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

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#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. 🌲

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#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.

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#pine #pineneedles  #pineneedletea  #pinetree #aromatherapy #herbaltea #tearecipe
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