Skip to content
The Northwest School of Aromatic Medicine
  • About
  • Courses
  • Resources
    • The Aromatic Medicine Blog
    • Video Library
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Close Search Form     Open Search Form
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
Student Login
Tag

Balm of Gilead

Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Ritual
December 20, 202116Comments

10 Ancient Medicinal Plants in the Bible

Did you know there are more than 10 aromatic plants mentioned in the Bible? As the holiday season unfolds, you may be putting up a Christmas tree in your living room,
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic Recipes
Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
Herbal Medicine
Plant Profiles
Topical Medicine
March 3, 20201Comments

Making Poplar Bud Medicine: Harvesting, Infusions, & Salves

As I write this, the snow in the foothills of the Pacific Northwest has vanished, signs of life begin to sprout from the earth, the first blossoms of the year
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
August 26, 201912Comments

Myrrh Plant Profile – The Sacred Bitter Medicine of Antiquity

Have you ever noticed how Frankincense and Myrrh are commonly mentioned together by herbalists and incense connoisseurs, yet Frankincense somehow receives all the attention in the media and medical journals these days? Why
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
Ritual
Topical Medicine
January 1, 20190Comments

Balm of Gilead, Comfort for the Soul

Considered to be among the most sacred of herbs throughout many ancient Eastern cultures, the renowned Balm of Gilead was once used in various forms of holy incense and anointing
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine

aromatic_medicine

🌿 Follow us on Instagram for daily inspiration, plant knowledge, aromatic wisdom, and one-of-a-kind courses 🌿
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. ____________ #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? ______________ #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. ____________ #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? _________ #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. _________ #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. ___________ #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. ____________ #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 ___________ #antiaging #antiagingtips #antiagingroutine #antiagingskincare #naturalskincaretips #naturalskincareroutine #diyskincarerecipes
Follow on Instagram

OFFERINGS

  • Aromatic Medicine Garden Membership
  • Incense Crafting Course
  • Botanical Resins & Gums Course
  • Materia Aromatica Ebook

QUICK LINKS

  • About
  • Courses
  • The Aromatic Medicine Blog
  • The School
  • Evan Sylliaasen
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

FOLLOW US

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube

OUR NEWSLETTER

Stay in the know on new releases and special offers

Loading

support@aromaticmedicineschool.com

© 2026 The Northwest School of Aromatic Medicine, All rights reserved.