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Aromatherapy
Ayurveda
Incense as Medicine
January 30, 20200Comments

The Ancient Indian Philosophy of Aroma & Incense, Part II

In my last blog, The Ancient Indian Philosophy of Aroma & Incense, Part I, I spoke about the beautiful tradition of healing plant smoke, Dhumapana, and the many used of
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine

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What if caring for yourself didn’t have to be comp What if caring for yourself didn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming? 🌸 Sometimes, the smallest rituals can have the greatest impact. This is where aromatic medicine truly shines. Women and aromatic plants have a long history together. Aromatics have filled kitchens where stews and herbal teas simmered on the stove, herbal baths where petals floated across warm water, and medicine cabinets stocked with oils, tinctures, and dried plants. Long before modern wellness trends, women turned to fragrant plants to calm frazzled nerves, ease discomfort, lift heavy moods, and restore balance to the rhythms of the body. To be a woman in the world today comes with a myriad of challenges… With a never-ending to-do list and the weight of work, family, and everything in between, taking care of ourselves usually ends up last on the list. Self-care becomes the thing we'll get to eventually. Except eventually rarely comes. But with aromatic plants, self-care can be simple. Many of these versatile herbs have long traditions in both herbalism and aromatherapy, offering support for the body and mind through scent, flavor, and subtle energetic qualities. This might look like slowing down to brew a cup of herbal tea. Diffusing a calming essential oil blend at the end of the day. Lighting an incense crafted with intention. Carrying a hydrosol in your purse for moments when you need to come back to yourself. These tiny acts can help create moments of calm and care in busy lives, and over time, those moments add up. In honor of Women's History Month, we're exploring some of our favorite aromatic herbs for women's health in our new blog. You’ll discover: 🌿 6 aromatic plants traditionally used to support women’s health 🌿 Their physical, emotional, and energetic benefits for the body, mind, and heart 🌿 Simple self-care rituals using teas, topicals, baths, steams, hydrosols, EOs, and more 🌿 A DIY belly massage oil recipe to support cycles, menopause, postpartum recovery, or daily self-care 🌸 Read the full article at the link in our bio. ___________ #womenshealth #herbsforwomen #womenherbal #bellyoil #aromaticherbs #selfcarerituals #womensmonth
🌞 Your Sun Sign Is Only the Beginning… What if you 🌞 Your Sun Sign Is Only the Beginning… What if your birth chart could help you choose the right plant remedy, not just for a symptom, but for your entire constitution? For centuries, physicians and herbalists studied astrology alongside plant medicine. They understood something we’ve largely forgotten: the same cosmic forces that shape human nature also shape the plants growing from the earth. Astrology isn’t just personality traits and fun horoscopes. Your birth chart reflects patterns in your body, mind, temperament, and even predispositions. The 12 signs, houses, and planets were traditionally used to understand constitution and to guide more precise plant selection. And the plants themselves even carry planetary signatures. A beautiful example of planetary patterns in plants is St. John’s Wort and its connection to the Sun. With its vibrant yellow flowers, love of hot, dry climates, and tendency to grow in open, sun-drenched spaces, it embodies solar energy in both form and habitat. Energetically warming and uplifting, it brings light to dark moods and is often used during the long winter months to strengthen our inner sun. This is the art of Astrological Herbalism, where plants and people are brought together through pattern, timing, and deep observation. In our blog, we explore: • Why your sun sign is just the surface • How planetary patterns relate to body constitution • How plants reflect cosmic forces • How astrological timing can even enhance the potency of your preparations If you love plants AND astrology (and if you’ve ever felt there was more to both of them)… This is your invitation to explore it! 🌞🌿 Click the link in our bio to read the full article. And when you’re done reading, tell us: What’s your sun sign, and have you ever worked with plants through an astrological lens? 👇 _________ #astrology #herbalism #astroherbalism #sunsign #stjohnswort #astrologicalremedies #herbalremedies
What type of Frankincense matches your mood? Fran What type of Frankincense matches your mood? Frankincense resin is one of the world’s most revered aromatic treasures, used for centuries in sacred rituals, meditation, healing, and energetic alignment. Our sister company, Higher Mind Incense, now offers 4 different types of sustainably sourced Frankincense. Each species offers its own subtle magic: ✨ Boswellia carterii: Bright, citrusy, slightly piney, with warm honey-like undertones. A beloved classic used for serenity, purification, and creating a peaceful atmosphere. ✨ Boswellia rivae: Fresh, slightly sweet, and softly woody with gentle floral accents. Uplifting and mood-brightening, often used to enhance clarity and elevate the spirit. ✨ Boswellia neglecta: Deep, earthy, and balsamic with a touch of spice. Wonderfully grounding and calming. ✨ Boswellia serrata: Warm, resinous, and gently balsamic with a soft natural sweetness. Traditionally used to cultivate tranquility, deepen breathwork, and support meditative practices. Let your senses choose their favorite. Each variety brings beauty, depth, and intention to your incense rituals and aromatic recipes. Not sure which variety to choose? Experience all 4 with our Frankincense Variety Pack! Link in bio. _________ #frankincense #frankincenseresin #incenseresin #treeresin #naturalincense #incense #sustainablysourced
Tree resin is the beautiful defense mechanism of a Tree resin is the beautiful defense mechanism of a tree. Resin is a combination of essential oils, volatile oils, and other organic compounds that are secreted from trees and shrubs as a means of protection from infection and pests. In essence, tree resins have a protective nature. They have antibiotic and antimicrobial qualities that provide powerful protection topically. The ancients observed this long ago and began employing them for physical, energetic, and spiritual protection. Just as a tree produces this precious resin to seal and heal its own wounds, resins and gums have been used topically to treat wounds, cuts, abrasions, and other external skin issues of humans for ages. Mayan and Aztec warriors were treated after battle with melted resin or resin ointments to prevent infection and speed recovery and healing. It’s quite a magical reflection that resins work to protect trees and can provide the same protection to humans, too… A beautiful example that we are, in fact, a part of nature. _________ #incenseresin #treeresin #naturalincense #aromaticmedicine #aromatherapy #treesarebeautiful #treesarelife
What if your astrological chart could change the w What if your astrological chart could change the way you work with plants? Most people think astrology begins and ends with their sun sign. But your birth chart is so much more than a horoscope! It’s a blueprint of your constitution, your personality, and even potential imbalances within the body and mind. For centuries, physicians and herbalists studied astrology to better understand plants, people, and patterns of health. This was the art of Medical Astrology, a system that saw the cosmos, the human body, and the plant world as deeply interconnected. When you look at a birth chart beyond the surface, you begin to see: ✨ How planetary energies correlate with temperament and constitution ✨ Why certain imbalances show up the way they do ✨ Which plants may resonate more with an individual Astrology can amplify aromatic medicine. It moves you beyond “use this for that” remedies and into a more intentional and personalized plant practice. And it doesn’t stop there… The plants themselves carry planetary signatures. From their physical form and habitat to their energetics and actions, they reflect celestial patterns. When you begin to see this, plant work becomes an art form of celestial matchmaking. If you’ve ever felt like there might be a deeper layer to herbalism and aromatherapy… there is. In our blog, we explore: • Why your sun sign is only the beginning • How planetary correspondences guide plant selection • How astrological timing can potentize your preparations • And why working with cosmic cycles can transform your practice If you’re ready to expand how you see plants, people, and the world around you… 🌙 Tap the link in our bio and read the full article now. ________ #astrology #herbalism #astroherbalism #astrologicalchart #medicalastrology #sunsign #astrologysigns
A Rescue Remedy for Flu Season: Herbal Steaming 🌿💨 A Rescue Remedy for Flu Season: Herbal Steaming 🌿💨 Cold and flu season is still here…and congestion, heaviness, and fatigue often come with it. Before reaching for an over-the-counter spray with ingredients you can’t pronounce, consider returning to this time-honored tradition. Herbal steaming is an age-old therapeutic practice used across cultures to support the respiratory system and ease cold and flu symptoms. While it’s often praised in skincare rituals, its roots run much deeper, as a gentle, effective way to work with aromatic plants and their volatile oils. To create an herbal steam, aromatic plants (fresh or dried) are added to hot water. As the water heats, it releases the plant’s volatile compounds into the air (much like a simple distillation), allowing you to inhale their therapeutic properties directly. Steam is naturally warming, opening, and moistening. When combined with aromatic plants, it can gently penetrate the mucosal tissues, helping to soothe congestion and invite clearer breathing in a localized, supportive way. Certain aromatic plants also offer immune support alongside antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory qualities, helping ease sore throats, sinus pressure, fatigue, and that run-down feeling that often comes with seasonal illness. ✨ Ready to try it yourself? All you need is a pot, hot water, a towel, and a handful of aromatics. Comment “STEAM” and we’ll send you our free Herbal Steaming Guide, complete with step-by-step instructions and our top 10 aromatic plants for herbal steams (+ their benefits!).
Did you know that astrology can be more than horos Did you know that astrology can be more than horoscopes… and actually serves as a powerful tool for working with plants in your aromatherapy or herbal practice? For centuries, the study of the planets and celestial forces has been a core part of aromatic and herbal medicine. This is the ancient tradition of Medical Astrology, a system used to classify plants, understand bodily constitutions, and create remedies that align with both the individual and the cosmos. ​​​​​​​Far from being outdated, these celestial patterns still influence our health, the plants we work with, and the world around us. And when you learn to work alongside them, your plant practice can become deeper, more precise, and more potent, just as practitioners have known across cultures for ages. In our blog post, we dive into the fascinating relationships between astrology, plants, and people. You’ll discover how incorporating astrology can: ▪️ Illuminate the root causes of imbalance and illness ▪️ Guide you in matching people with the remedies that will benefit them most ▪️ Even enhance the potency and effectiveness of your plant preparations You might never look at your astrological chart (or your apothecary) the same way again! 🌿✨ Click the link in our bio to read the full article. ___________ #astrology #herbalism #astroherbalism #medicalastrology #birthchart #astrologicalmagic
Have you ever worked with a plant that was technic Have you ever worked with a plant that was technically the right match for someone – aligned with their constitution, indicated for their symptoms, supported by everything you’ve studied – and yet something about it still felt slightly off? In your mind and on paper, it made sense, but in practice, it didn’t have the impact you'd hoped for. There’s a layer of plant work that lives beyond symptom-matching and even beyond basic energetics. And you don't have to be a wizard to figure it out! It has to do with patterns... the deeper architecture of a person, and the deeper signature of a plant. When I first began exploring the relationship between planets and plants through my buddy Sajah’s work, I was drawn in by how mystical it all felt. But what struck me was how simple and observational it actually was. You can literally see planetary qualities in the way a plant grows, in its structure, its scent, its taste, the direction it moves in the body, and the kinds of imbalances it addresses. And once I started putting it all into practice, everything shifted. Suddenly, the famous alchemical saying “As above, so below” stopped sounding symbolic and started functioning like a super-accurate diagnostic lens. In Lesson 2 of his free Astro-Herbalism Mini-Course, Sajah lays out the exact framework he uses to determine a plant’s planetary signature, and shows how to see which herbs truly correspond to a person’s underlying patterns, not just their surface symptoms. If you’ve ever felt like there’s a deeper pattern at play in plant medicine, something that explains why certain remedies truly resonate, this training can give language to what you’ve already sensed and help you find greater depth, meaning, precision, and confidence in your plant work. ✨ Join the free Astro-Herbalism Mini-Course online using the link in our bio. (It's only available for a limited time, so check it out soon!). ___________ #astroherbalism #astrology #herbalism #herbalist #plantsandastrology #planetsandplants #evolutionaryherbalism
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