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copal

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
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
Incense as Medicine
Sustainability
March 19, 20180Comments

The Magic & Medicine of Aromatic Tree Resins

Tree resins have been a major part of human history and have been used in nearly every culture on Earth for thousands of years. Whether used in natural perfumery, as
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine

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Here on the Olympic Peninsula, the evergreens are Here on the Olympic Peninsula, the evergreens are some of the only strong aromatics available this time of year. In the quieter months, they become steady companions. I’ll often take a slow walk through the forest, or drive into the mountains closeby, pausing to breathe in the scent of freshly fallen Cedar branches, letting the aroma wake my senses and reconnect me to this land we call home. Cedar has been my favorite tree for as long as I can remember. From early childhood, wandering moss-covered forests and rain-soaked trails of the Pacific Northwest, it has been a constant presence: grounding, familiar, and comforting. For Indigenous peoples along the coast, from Washington all the way to Alaska, Cedar has long been held as one of the most sacred plants. It was everything: warmth from fire, shelter and clothing, tools for weaving and art, canoes for travel, incense for ceremony, and powerful medicine for healing. To many Northwest tribes, Cedar remains the true “tree of life,” woven into nearly every aspect of living. Sometimes I imagine what it would feel like if a single plant touched every layer of our lives today, from the material to the spiritual. Perhaps then we would truly understand what it means to call a plant an ally. 🌲 ___________ #cedar #treeoflife #plantally #plantsareteachers #sacredplants #plantsaremagic
Natural remedies are trending now more than ever. Natural remedies are trending now more than ever. And alongside this resurgence, something new has emerged: the “AI herbalist.” We’re witnessing an explosion of AI-generated herbal blogs, books, and courses, often created by so-called “experts,” often with no education, clinical training, or lived relationship with the plants. Here’s the problem: herbal and aromatic medicine is nuanced, individualized, and deeply contextual. It cannot be reduced to algorithmic AI-pattern recognition or “input symptom, output herb.” True plant medicine is a lived experience. It unfolds in the kitchen, the garden, the apothecary, and the clinic. It engages the senses and touches the spirit. In a world where algorithms can generate polished content in seconds, human expertise matters more than ever. Real herbalists and aromatherapists know the plants intimately. They understand the delicate balance of body, mind, and spirit. They’ve walked this path, felt the plant resin on their fingers, inhaled the deep aroma of incense smoke, and seen the subtle ways plants work. And they pass their knowledge on through mentorship, ensuring plant medicine continues to thrive as a living tradition rather than a recycled dataset. Let us not lose sight of the heart and soul of plant wisdom. In our latest blog, Living in the Age of the AI Herbalist, you’ll learn: 🌱 Why AI is often wrong with plant medicine 🌱 How it doubles down on errors with absolute confidence 🌱 Why trained herbalists and aromatherapists frequently disagree with AI answers 🌱 How to spot an AI herbalist 🌱 How to protect the heart and soul of plant medicine ✨ Click the link in our bio to read the full blog. _____________ #aicontent #plantmedicine #herbalmedicine #herbalist #aromatherapist #herbalism
How can you tell the difference between AI-assembl How can you tell the difference between AI-assembled herbal information and real plant wisdom? It’s honestly getting harder to spot. The branding is clean and polished, and the tone is confident. That’s what makes it so convincing. Natural remedies are trending like never before, and with that surge comes a new problem: the “AI herbalist.” In recent years, AI-generated blogs, social media “experts” with no clinical experience, and even AI-written herbal books and courses have flooded the marketplace. This is especially concerning now that Instagram and Facebook stopped independent fact-checking in early 2025, and about 20% of TikTok content contains misinformation. Confident-sounding advice can spread faster than ever… even when it’s wrong. In our latest blog, Living in the Age of the AI Herbalist, we reveal some shocking examples: last year’s #1 Amazon bestseller in “Herbal Remedies” was written by AI (with a completely made-up author), and roughly 82% of new herbal books on Amazon were at least partially AI-generated. You’ll also learn: 🌱 Why AI is often wrong with plant medicine 🌱 How it doubles down on errors with absolute confidence 🌱 Why trained herbalists and aromatherapists frequently disagree with AI answers 🌱 How to spot an AI herbalist 🌱 How to protect the heart and soul of plant medicine ✨ Click the link in our bio to read the full blog. _______________ #AI #ageofai #herbalism #herbalist #plantmedicine #plantwisdom #herbaleducation #herbalmedicine
Did you know that over 80% of new herbal books on Did you know that over 80% of new herbal books on Amazon in 2025 were likely written by AI? 🤯 Polished, confidently written, and trending, but with no human experience, no clinical training, and no heart behind them. Herbal and aromatic medicine is not just data. It’s intuition, experience, and relationship with plants. One wrong recommendation can cause real harm… and AI doesn’t understand nuance, energetics, or safety. If real plant wisdom is important to you and you want to know how to spot “AI herbalists” before it’s too late, read our latest blog: Living in the Age of the AI Herbalist. 🌱✨ Click the link in our bio to read the full blog. _______________ #aiherbal #artificial_intelligence #herbalism #herbalist #misinformation #ageofai
A common misconception during the dead of Winter i A common misconception during the dead of Winter is that there’s nothing to wild-harvest… However, careful observation of the plant life cycle reveals that’s not necessarily true! As plants lose their leaves, they send their energy into their roots, getting ready to sustain themselves for a long winter. During this time, the life force of plants is concentrated within the woods, roots, and aromatic resins. In the winter months, the plant’s energy is highly concentrated in its root system, before moving back upwards and outwards in the spring and summer to produce more leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. That’s why this is the best time of year to harvest roots, woods, gums, and resins. Plants have a rhythm with how they move their life force according to the seasons and the environment. Don’t let the lack of new growth in the winter deceive you! There’s always abundance in the forest. 🌲 Have you harvested anything new lately?? _____________ #wildharvest #wildharvesting #sustainableharvest #wildcrafting #treeresins #harvesting #incenseresin
Did you know that essential oils should always be Did you know that essential oils should always be diluted before applying to your skin? 💧 Many people skip this step, which can lead to irritation, rashes, or even sensitization – a delayed allergic reaction that develops after repeated exposure. Not sure how to dilute safely? We’ve got you covered! Our free Dilution Chart & Reference Guide breaks down exact ratios for everything from face and body care to herbal baths and first-aid use. ✨ Comment “DILUTION” below, and we’ll send the guide straight to your DMs! Here’s to safe, happy, and effective essential oil use! 🌿 ___________ #essentialoil #essentialoilsafety #essentialoildilution #essentialoiltips #essentialoiltipsandtricks #essentialoiluses #aromatherapy
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a tropical perenni Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a tropical perennial from the same botanical family as Turmeric and Cardamom. And here’s a fun fact: what we all know as Ginger root isn’t actually a root at all – it’s a rhizome (a horizontal underground stem that sends up new shoots and spreads the plant outward). 🌱 Even more fascinating? Culinary Ginger is considered a cultigen, meaning it exists only through its thousands of years of human cultivation. This species doesn’t grow wild anywhere in the world, though its cousin, Wild Ginger, does. The plant reaches about 3-4 feet tall with glossy, lance-shaped leaves, and its rhizomes are harvested once the foliage yellows and dies back (about 8-10 months after planting). From there, Ginger can be used fresh or is transformed into dried slices, powder, preserves, or essential oil. This classic aromatic spice has been used for thousands of years across cultures – there’s evidence of it being used in China and India over 2,000 years ago! Ginger is one of the only herbal remedies seen in the main 4 ancient traditional medicine systems: Chinese, Ayurvedic, Unani Tibb, and Greek. All 4 systems recognize Ginger as a warming herb traditionally used to support cold conditions in the body. That kind of universal consensus is rare in herbal history. 🔥 Swipe through to explore the aromatic medicine of this fiery, fragrant spice.
In nature, energy moves downward in winter. Plants In nature, energy moves downward in winter. Plants instinctively know this isn't the time to grow outward – it's time to ground inward. Sap withdraws from branches and leaves and sinks into the roots. Plants release their leaves, cease their blooming, and focus entirely on conserving energy deep beneath the soil. Life concentrates itself underground, where warmth is steadier, nourishment is stored, and strength is sustained. The root becomes the plant's anchor and its storehouse through the cold months. Animals follow this same wisdom: bears curl into dens, insects burrow into bark and soil, amphibians sink into mud, and countless species enter states of dormancy or hibernation, conserving their life force until the light returns. As animals of Earth, we humans mirror this cycle too, whether we realize it or not. Winter invites us inward, into our homes, into our bodies, into our inner landscapes. It asks us to slow down, to root ourselves, and to nourish what sustains us beneath the surface. We are called to tend our inner fire and honor the ancient winter wisdom of rest and regeneration. And just as plants draw strength from their roots, we too can draw upon the medicine of aromatic roots to support us through winter’s depths. Aromatic roots are uniquely suited for winter support: anchoring us when we feel scattered, strengthening us when we grow weary, and protecting us when our defenses run thin. They carry the plant's deepest intelligence – the part that knows not just how to survive, but how to thrive. In our new article, we explore how specific aromatic roots can help you build warmth, resilience, and grounding through the winter months… You’ll discover: ❄️ How to work with winter’s energetics instead of pushing against them 🌱 The top 5 aromatic roots for winter wellness and grounding 🔥 How to support your body and nervous system through the darkest months of the year ✨ Read “Aromatic Roots for Winter” by clicking the link in our bio. ___________ #herbalroots #plantroots #herbalwisdom #aromatherapy #energeticherbalism #energetics #aromaticmedicine
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