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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
Aromatherapy
Ayurveda
Incense as Medicine
January 24, 20200Comments

The Ancient Indian Philosophy of Aroma & Incense, Part I

Ayurveda, The Science of Life You’ve likely heard of the ancient Indian system of healing known as Ayurveda, translated to ‘the Science of Life.’ This 10,000 year old system has withstood
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine

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Ready to dive deep into Yarrow? 🌿 We just released Ready to dive deep into Yarrow? 🌿 We just released the FULL 1+ hour Yarrow Plant Talk for free for a limited time. Yarrow is one of those rare plants that seems to meet people exactly where they are. For centuries, it’s been associated with healers, caregivers, empaths, and wounded warriors, supporting those who give deeply to others while learning to protect and restore themselves in the process. It’s a plant connected to resilience, boundaries, self-care, and the power of healing our own wounds, seen and unseen. Inside this free Plant Talk, you’ll explore: 🌿 The mythology & folklore of Yarrow 🌿 Why it’s known as the “Wounded Warrior & Healer” plant 🌿 Traditional uses in herbalism & aromatherapy 🌿 How it supports digestion, circulation, skin, menstrual health & more 🌿 Yarrow’s connection to emotional balance & energetic boundaries 🌿 Botany, growing tips & identification 🌿 How to use Yarrow tea, tincture, flower essence, hydrosol, infused oil, incense & more Plus, a downloadable Plant Monograph with recipes. This is one of the most-loved lessons inside the Aromatic Medicine Garden, and it's yours free for 1 week only. Watch it now at the link in bio before it returns to the members-only library. #herbalremedies #yarrow #naturalremedies #planteducation #Aromaticmedicinegarden
Have you ever met a plant that seems to know exact Have you ever met a plant that seems to know exactly what your body needs? For us, that plant is Yarrow. 🌿 For centuries, Yarrow has been used as both a protective herb for warriors and a plant for healers & empaths. According to legend, the Greek warrior Achilles used Yarrow to tend his soldiers' wounds in battle. That story still lives on today in its Latin name, Achillea millefolium, and its enduring symbolism. It’s a plant of fascinating opposites: Cooling yet warming. Grounding yet uplifting. Protective while still opening. Traditionally, it’s been used to help slow bleeding while also encouraging movement and circulation; a plant so attuned to imbalance that it seems to meet the body exactly where it’s needed. And energetically, Yarrow has long been associated with healthy boundaries. Some plants don’t just offer remedies… They completely change the way you understand healing itself. A while back, we shared a short excerpt from our Yarrow Plant Talk, and the response was incredible! It resonated with so many people that we decided to share the full lesson for a limited time. In this free, full-length Plant Talk, clincial herbalist and aromatherapist Erika Galentin explores the traditional medicine, history, energetics, and herbal & aromatic uses of Yarrow in a way that will transform how you see this powerful plant. Inside, you’ll discover: ✨ Why Yarrow is known as the “Herb of the Wounded Warrior & Healer” ✨ Its rich history, folklore, and traditional use across cultures & healing systems ✨ How it supports physical, emotional & energetic balance ✨ Herbal & aromatherapy recipes you can make at home ✨ Yarrow’s botany & how to grow it ✨ Practical ways to work with Yarrow in everyday life Comment YARROW to get the full free Plant Talk sent directly to your inbox! __________ #yarrow #herbaleducation #planteducation #herbalism #aromatherapy #herbalremedies #naturalremedies
What is an aroma? How does our body process aroma? What is an aroma? How does our body process aroma? Our instructor Erika Galentin dives into the scientific essence of aromas, explaining how these molecules transcend their chemical origins, becoming sensations within the body. Want to hear more from Erika? Stay tuned for a very special announcement tomorrow! ##aroma #aromaticplants #aromaticmedicine #aromaticmedicineschool #aromaticmedicinegarden
If you were stranded on a deserted island and coul If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring one herbal item, what would it be? For me, it would be Pine resin salve. 🌲 Many years ago, I gave a jar of Pine resin salve to a farmer friend of mine who was worried about one of his goats, Daisy. She’d been with him for many years, and they had formed a sweet bond over the years. One morning, he noticed Daisy limping in the distance and discovered a deep gash on her leg. He called me to ask if I had anything that might help, and I could hear the concern in his voice. I’d just made a fresh batch of Pine resin salve, so I delivered him some, knowing its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties would help soothe whatever had happened to sweet Daisy. He gently cleaned Daisy's wound and applied the salve, spreading it evenly over the injured area. And as he did, he whispered comforting words to his loyal friend, assuring her that everything would be alright. Daily, he faithfully tended to Daisy's wound, applying the Pine resin salve. Slowly but surely, the deep wound began to close, and Daisy's limp gradually faded away. Her spirits lifted, and a spark returned to her eyes. One day, my friend called me again, this time excited and relieved to share that Daisy was okay. The Pine resin salve had helped seal her wound, and she was back to her happy, playful self. My friend was in awe. While I trusted in the healing potential of Pine, it was still a magical marvel and a reassuring moment to witness and be a part of. It's little stories like these that remind me of the beauty, wonder, and healing power of the natural world. What’s your trusted herbal ally? Share with us in a comment below! __________ #pine #pineresin #herbalsalve #herbalally #herbalmedicine #aromaticmedicine
Modern herbal education often begins with utility: Modern herbal education often begins with utility: What is this herb good for? What are its actions? What symptoms does it address? While these are important questions, they can also unintentionally shape the way we relate to plants, reducing them to products or commodities existing solely for human use. But deep down, we know plants are far more than that. Plants are living, intelligent beings participating in vast and intricate ecosystems. They communicate with one another, adapt to their surroundings, nourish ecosystems, stabilize soil, create oxygen, and sustain countless forms of life — including us. When we begin to see plants only through the lens of “What can this do for me?”, we risk losing sight of this. The moment we stop viewing plants only through utility, we create space for relationship to emerge. We move away from commodity and into connection. We begin to approach the plant kingdom with curiosity, presence, humility, and wonder. We shift from consumer to student, with plants as our teachers. And perhaps that is where true herbal wisdom begins. 🌱 ✨ Explore ways you can deepen your relationship with plants in our new video blog. Link in bio. _______ #plantwisdom #herbaleducation #plantsareteachers #herbalwisdom #plantsaremedicine #herbalist #herbalmedicine #aromaticmedicine
In a world that often treats plants as products or In a world that often treats plants as products or commodities, aromatic medicine invites us into something deeper: relationship. 🌿 Plants are not simply resources for human use, they are living, intelligent beings participating in vast ecosystems, sustaining countless forms of life –– including us. When we only ask, “What can this plant do for me?” we risk losing sight of who the plant truly is. Just like human relationships, plant relationships require curiosity, presence, respect, and reciprocity. Plants deserve more than commodification; they deserve reverence. When we shift from asking “What is this plant good for?” to “Who is this plant?”, we move away from commodity and into connection. ✨ Watch the full video blog at the link in bio. *This video features clinical herbalist & aromatherapist Erika Galentin, who guides students inside the Aromatic Medicine Garden, our immersive online education hub for deepening relationship with plants.
What if the most important thing a plant could tea What if the most important thing a plant could teach you… couldn’t be found in a textbook? 🌿 In our plant studies, it’s easy to get caught up in memorizing actions, constituents, and recipes. But true plant wisdom often runs much deeper than that. Plants cannot walk away from their environment — the places they grow and thrive reveal something about who they are. Their adaptations tell a story. Juniper, for example, flourishes in harsh, dry climates where many other species struggle to survive, reflecting its traditional use in aromatic medicine as a symbol of resilience, protection, and inner strength. Vetiver sends deep roots into the earth and is often used for erosion control and restoring damaged soil. It’s no coincidence that Vetiver’s rich, grounding aroma helps us feel rooted and steady amid life’s turbulence. Lemon Balm, on the other hand, thrives in lush gardens with gentle sunlight and rich soil, mirroring its soothing nature and long-standing reputation for calming the nervous system and lifting the spirit. Observing plants in nature is just one of the many ways we can begin building deeper relationships with them and learning the subtle ways they support the psyche. In our new video + blog, clinical herbalist & aromatherapist Erika Galentin explores: ✨ Ways to truly connect with plants through observation, aroma, taste, and presence ✨ How sensory experience deepens herbal knowledge ✨ Why plants deserve more than commodification ✨ How plant education is a lifelong journey, not a destination Read + watch the full piece at the link in bio. 🍃 __________ #plantwisdom #aromatherapist #herbalist #herbaleducation #plantconnection #herbalmedicine
Plants have an intelligence and measurable life fo Plants have an intelligence and measurable life force, able to communicate with other plants and with humans on various levels. Highly attuned to their surroundings, plants demonstrate sensitivity and cooperation within their communities. They actively assess available resources, respond to environmental cues, and even warn neighboring plants of impending threats. Through the emission of volatile aromatic compounds, such as terpenes, they orchestrate a symphony of communication, signaling danger and nurturing collective resilience. Plants work together to keep each other and the forest alive and healthy. This intricate web of plant communication highlights their collaborative efforts in sustaining the health and vitality of our ecosystems. These very same volatile oils are what we humans breathe in as we burn incense, diffuse essential oils, or simply stroll through nature – they swirl and glide through the air in forests and parks, adding to the sensory experience of our surroundings. If plants use these volatile oils to communicate with each other, imagine the messages they impart to us as we inhale their aromatic essences… ✨ Musings inspired by lessons in our Aromatic Medicine Garden. Learn more at the link in bio. ___________ #plantintelligence #plantsareteachers #aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine #herbalism #natureisawesome #plantsaremagic
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