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eucalyptus

Aromatherapy
Aromatic Recipes
Topical Medicine
July 7, 20250Comments

Top Essential Oil Blends for Bug Repellent

Summer is finally here! And with it, the sweet return of long, golden days spent outdoors. Whether you're hiking through sunny trails, swimming in crystal-clear lakes, camping under the stars,
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Top 5 Aromatherapy Oils for Congestion Relief text over green eucalyptus leaves
Aromatherapy
May 15, 20250Comments

Top 5 Aromatherapy Oils for Congestion Relief

Congestion – the unwelcome guest that steals sleep, muddles your mind, and makes every breath feel like a struggle. When a stuffy nose or relentless sinus pressure strikes, finding relief
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic Recipes
Incense as Medicine
Topical Medicine
February 11, 20250Comments

Aromatherapy Blends for Respiratory Health

It starts with a tickle in your throat, then a stuffy nose. Before you know it, you’re wrapped in blankets, battling congestion that makes it hard to breathe. Whether it’s
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic Recipes
Topical Medicine
October 29, 20240Comments

How to Use Essential Oils for Headaches

Picture this: You have something incredibly important to do – whether it's finishing a work project, getting ready for a big event, or tackling a long to-do list. You're in
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Aromatic Recipes
Human/Plant Connection
Incense as Medicine
Incense Crafting
Ritual
October 1, 20240Comments

Incense 101: Aromatic Medicine Beyond Incense Sticks

The scented swirls of incense smoke carry a profound story – the life cycle of each botanical ingredient, the journey from seedling to thriving herb, nurtured by the sun and
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Human/Plant Connection
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Ritual
September 25, 20241Comments

Aromatic Plants for Improving Indoor Air Quality

In a world where we often retreat to the comfort of our homes, the indoor air we breathe has never been more crucial to our health. Did you know that
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Eucalyptus Benefits for Sinus Congestion and Allergies
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Topical Medicine
August 22, 20240Comments

Eucalyptus Benefits for Sinus Congestion and Allergies

It’s the middle of the night, and you’re tossing and turning in bed, unable to sleep because you can’t breathe through your nose. Whether it's due to a cold, seasonal
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Incense as Medicine
March 12, 20240Comments

Aromatics & Incense for Mental Health Support

Too often, aromatic plants and incense are dismissed merely as pleasant fragrances. Yet, the volatile oils released when burning natural aromatic plants, or using them in other ways, possess remarkable
by NW School of 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
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What if one of the most powerful tools in herbal m What if one of the most powerful tools in herbal medicine has been hiding in plain sight? 🌿

Botanical resins have been cherished for thousands of years in incense, perfumery, ritual, and medicine. But in modern herbalism, they're widely underused.

That’s why I'm hosting a FREE Botanical Resins Workshop Series, and I'd love for you to join us!

Here’s what’s inside:

✨ The true potential of resins and how they can elevate your creations
✨ The key differences between resin species and how to choose the right one for your intention
✨ How to dissolve, extract, and transform raw resins into usable forms
✨ Tips for avoiding common beginner mistakes (no more sticky disasters!)
✨ A step-by-step resin-infused salve tutorial with a downloadable recipe guide

If you've ever felt like something was missing from your herbal practice, this might be it.

🌿✨ Save your spot at the link in our bio (yes, it’s free!).

This series is only available for a limited time, so be sure to join us soon!

 #aromaticmedicine #resins #aromatherapy #herbalism #aromaticherbs #traditionalmedicine #freeworkshop
There's a word that gets thrown around a lot in we There's a word that gets thrown around a lot in wellness circles these days: grounding. At its core, grounding is the practice of bringing your awareness back into your body and into the present moment — a felt sense of being settled, stable, and connected to the earth beneath you. 

Tree resins are one of the most effective tools for cultivating a grounding energy, helping us feel more rooted, present, and embodied. Especially now, when so many people are living almost entirely in their heads: scrolling, thinking, staring at screens, disconnected from our bodies and the natural world around us.

Working with resins as a daily ritual can be an antidote to that. And it makes sense intuitively… Resins are medicines of the trees. If anything in nature embodies being rooted, grounded, and solid, it's a tree. 

When you work with tree resin with the intention of grounding, you're connecting with the energy of the tree it came from, and as you inhale its volatile oils, you can feel that downward-moving quality — that calming, slowing-down sensation of grounding.

In our Magic & Medicine of Botanical Resins video blog series, we explore the vast therapeutic benefits of tree resins, their sacred status and ritual uses, and how to bring this ancient practice into your modern life.

Inside, you’ll discover:
✨ Why tree resins are considered sacred across cultures
✨ How aromatic compounds influence your nervous system and energy
✨ How resins can calm the mind and support emotional balance
✨ The powerful skin-healing and first-aid uses of resins
✨ Simple, creative ways to start working with resins at home

Parts 1 and 2 are now live on our blog.

🌲 Visit the full vlog at the link in our bio.
~ Gums vs Resins ~ Do you know the difference? ~ Gums vs Resins ~

Do you know the difference? 

It’s pretty common to mix up the two, or think they’re the same thing!

Resin and gum are sticky, protective, healing substances that ooze out from a shrub or tree’s bark, each with its own unique chemical composition.

The main differences between gums and resins is that:

- Resins aren’t water soluble, gums are
- Gums are not oil or alcohol soluble, resins are
- Resins contain a high content of volatile aromatics (essential oils) and other constituents
- Gums have a small amount of aromatics, but have their own therapeutic properties, to a lesser degree

Resins are most commonly used in herbalism, aromatherapy, beauty and cosmetic products, perfumery, incense, and other aromatic and therapeutic preparations. 

Gums are mainly used for emulsification, thickening, and for their adhering properties in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, incense, perfumery, food and beverage, and textile industries.

There are also gum-resins, which are a natural mixture of both gum and resin, that possess the properties of both groups. Examples of gum-resins are Frankincense and Myrrh.
~ Gums vs Resins ~ Do you know the difference? ~ Gums vs Resins ~

Do you know the difference? 

It’s pretty common to mix up the two, or think they’re the same thing!

Resin and gum are sticky, protective, healing substances that ooze out from a shrub or tree’s bark, each with its own unique chemical composition.

The main differences between gums and resins is that:

- Resins aren’t water soluble, gums are
- Gums are not oil or alcohol soluble, resins are
- Resins contain a high content of volatile aromatics (essential oils) and other constituents
- Gums have a small amount of aromatics, but have their own therapeutic properties, to a lesser degree

Resins are most commonly used in herbalism, aromatherapy, beauty and cosmetic products, perfumery, incense, and other aromatic and therapeutic preparations. 

Gums are mainly used for emulsification, thickening, and for their adhering properties in the pharmaceutical, cosmetics, incense, perfumery, food and beverage, and textile industries.

There are also gum-resins, which are a natural mixture of both gum and resin, that possess the properties of both groups. Examples of gum-resins are Frankincense and Myrrh.
Ever wondered how trees heal themselves, and what Ever wondered how trees heal themselves, and what we can learn from them? 🌲

When a storm snaps a branch, the bark splits, and suddenly the tree is vulnerable…but almost immediately, the tree's wisdom begins to stir, creating a golden, aromatic substance. It makes its way through intricate networks of tiny canals towards the wound, sealing it off, protecting it from infection, and slowly restoring what was broken.

This substance is resin. It's the tree’s medicine and means of protection. Its way of surviving in a world that doesn't stop throwing things at it. 

Thousands of years ago, humans were paying close attention to this process. Through simple observation, they began to understand something profound: the same substance trees use to heal and protect themselves could be used in much the same way for us.

In ancient times, resins were applied to wounds, used to guard against infection, and valued for their ability to support the body’s natural healing processes. Over time, people also began to notice these aromatic substances had a powerful effect on the mind and emotions, helping to calm the nervous system, sharpen awareness, and support a deeper sense of presence. 

It’s almost as if resins offered protection for the body, mind, and soul. This is why resins have been used for generations in rituals, ceremonies, and therapeutic practices around the world.

So how do you take this raw, sacred material and turn it into something practical for healing, ritual, and everyday use?

In our Magic & Medicine of Botanical Resins video blog series, we explore exactly that! You'll learn about the vast therapeutic benefits of tree resins, their ritual uses, and creative ways you can begin incorporating them into your own herbal remedies or aromatic creations.

🌲✨ Comment RESIN to get the full video blog series sent straight to your inbox.

Parts 1 and 2 are now live!
“Over every mountain there is a path, although it “Over every mountain there is a path, although it may not be seen from the valley.” 

– Theodore Roethke

__________
#poetry #TheodoreRoethke  #lifeisamountain  #theodoreroethkequote  #climbthemountain  #naturemetaphors
Across cultures and continents, tree resins have p Across cultures and continents, tree resins have played a central role in spirituality, ritual, and sacred ceremony for thousands of years. But why have these substances been so universally revered?

In many spiritual and healing traditions around the world, resins have been viewed as the living essence, or spirit, of the tree itself. When we work with resins, especially when they’re burned as incense, it’s often considered as an invitation for the spirit of the tree to join and support whatever intention we bring to the ritual.

In other traditions, including ancient Indigenous cultures and even Biblical teachings, burning incense or resin is believed to create a direct connection to the spirit world. The rising smoke is seen as carrying prayers and offerings upward, drawing the attention of God, gods, or spiritual forces. 

In fact, many cultures referred to these resins as the “Food of the Gods.” Their aromas were believed to please and appease divine beings more than any other offering.

Because of this, resins have long stood at the heart of sacred ceremonies around the world. The fragrant smoke released from these substances – drawn from the very heart of trees – is offered through fire as a bridge between the earthly and spiritual realms. 

In many traditions, this act is not merely symbolic. The smoke of incense is believed to open a pathway of communication, helping prayers and intentions reach the spirit world more clearly.

*This is an excerpt from our new video blog, The Magic and Medicine of Botanical Resins. 

In the vlog, you’ll discover: 

• What tree resins actually are (and how they differ from sap)
• Why cultures around the world consider them sacred
• Their powerful therapeutic properties
• How they’re used in incense, perfumery, and herbal medicine
• A simple way to begin working with resins at home

🌲 Read the full blog and watch the video at the link in our bio.

--
#treeresin #incenseresin  #harvestingtips  #wildharvesting #sustainableharvest  #incensecrafting  #botanicalresin
Evan Sylliaasen, founder of the NW School of Aroma Evan Sylliaasen, founder of the NW School of Aromatic Medicine and Higher Mind Incense, explores the Magic and Medicine of Botanical Resins in our new video blog.

You'll discover: 

• Why cultures around the world consider resins sacred
• Their powerful history and therapeutic properties
• How they’re traditionally used in incense, perfumery, and herbal medicine
• Simple steps you can use at home to meditate and tune into the medicine of resins 

🌲 Visit the full vlog at the link in our bio.
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