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incense tradition

Person applying oil attar natural perfume to back of hand
Aromatic History & Lore
Natural Perfumery
July 15, 20260Comments

The Ancient History of Natural Perfume

Video features award-winning perfumer & school instructor JK DeLapp Imagine what it was like, thousands of years ago, witnessing it for the first time: raw resin dropped onto hot coals, releasing a
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
woman's hand lightly touching a fresh lavender plant
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Herbal Medicine
July 2, 20260Comments

4 Science-Backed Scents with Ancient Roots

For thousands of years, plants have been woven into human ritual, medicine, and daily life. Long before laboratories existed, physicians, monks, perfumers, and community healers carefully observed how fragrant plants
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
Human/Plant Connection
Ritual
June 4, 20260Comments

Spring Cleaning: Aromatic Herbs for Smoke Cleansing

There's something about spring that makes you want to throw open the windows and start fresh. That urge to declutter and reorganize isn't just a trend on social media, though;
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Incense as Medicine
Incense Crafting
Topical Medicine
March 27, 20260Comments

The Magic & Medicine of Botanical Resins, Part II

Somewhere deep in a forest, a storm rolls through and damages a tree. A branch snaps, the bark splits open, and the tree is suddenly vulnerable. But almost immediately, the
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Herbal Medicine
Human/Plant Connection
Incense as Medicine
Ritual
February 19, 20260Comments

Living in the Age of the AI Herbalist

In late 2025, an investigation by Originality.ai revealed something staggering: roughly 82% of herbal remedy books on Amazon were at least partially generated by AI [1]. Pause for a moment
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Human/Plant Connection
Incense as Medicine
Ritual
Sustainability
December 18, 20250Comments

The Sacred Scents of the Season: Frankincense, Myrrh & Beyond

The scents of Cinnamon, Clove, Nutmeg, and Ginger drift from the oven. Fresh Pine fills the living room from the Christmas tree and evergreen boughs framing the fireplace. Dried Oranges
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Aromatic Recipes
Incense as Medicine
Ritual
December 11, 20250Comments

Plant Allies for Returning the Light: Aromatic Herbs for Hope & Renewal

On the morning of the Winter Solstice, something subtle – but powerful – happens. The world seems to slow down. The sun lingers at its lowest point on the horizon,
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Incense as Medicine
October 16, 20250Comments

5 Common Myths About Incense (and the Truth Behind Them)

Lighting incense has a way of transforming not just the space around you, but the atmosphere within you. The match strikes, the incense tip glows amber-red, and within moments the
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Incense Crafting
October 9, 20250Comments

4 Powerful Reasons to Make Your Own Incense

Close your eyes for a moment and imagine: a thin ribbon of smoke rising from a hand-rolled cone of incense, its earthy-sweet scent unfurling through the room like a gentle
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
bottle of Rosemary essential oil
Aromatherapy
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Topical Medicine
June 20, 20250Comments

How to Use Rosemary for Holistic Health

Sure, Rosemary makes a great addition to roasted potatoes and Mediterranean dishes, but its true power lies far beyond the kitchen. For centuries, healers, herbalists, and aromatherapists have turned to
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
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Comment MOCKTAIL to get the full recipe guide 🧊🍹🌿 Comment MOCKTAIL to get the full recipe guide 🧊🍹🌿 Herbs don’t have to stay on the edge of your glass… they can be the star of your summer drinks. ✨ Some of our favorite iced herbal mocktail combos include bright Lemon Balm + berries, fragrant Rosemary + grapefruit, floral Lavender + lemon, and tart Hibiscus + lime. Add a touch of oxymel, maybe some Rose water, maybe an ice cube full of violets, and you have the perfect summer mocktail. 🌞 In our latest blog, we’re sharing 5 herbal mocktail recipes plus fun ways to turn herbs into easy ingredients like simple syrups, oxymels, cordials, and more. And if you’re feeling creative, we’ve included a simple formula for building your own herbal mocktail from scratch. Comment MOCKTAIL below and we’ll send you the full recipe guide!
Have you ever wondered why Tulsi is called “Holy B Have you ever wondered why Tulsi is called “Holy Basil”? The Hindu name “Holy Basil” translates to "the incomparable one." The plant is considered sacred and is often planted around Hindu shrines. According to ancient Hindu stories, Lord Krishna once sat on a scale, and massive amounts of gold and ornaments were placed on the other side of the scale, but it wouldn’t budge. Then, the gold and precious gifts were removed, and a single Tulsi leaf was placed on the scale, which then balanced. It was said that Lord Krishna is not impressed by expensive or beautiful things, but only by true devotion, and Tulsi is one of his most committed believers. After that day, Tulsi was always revered as sacred. Tulsi reminds us that who you are on the inside matters so much more than how you are on the outside. 🌿✨ ___________ #tulsi #holybasil #LordKrishna #herbalism #aromatherapy #aromaticherbs #plantfolklore
Isn’t it interesting that pharmaceuticals are cons Isn’t it interesting that pharmaceuticals are considered conventional, while herbs are labeled as “alternative”? Before processed drugs were made by humans, plants were the original medicine. In fact, many pharmaceutical drugs on the market are actually derived from plants. For example, aspirin contains salicylates derived from White Willow bark, the drug digitalis comes from the Foxglove plant, and Sudafed was created to mimic a component in the plant Ephedra. (It’s also interesting to note that the Foxglove and Ephedra plants are considered toxic and not safe for consumption in their raw form.) When we incorporate plant medicine into our lives, we are returning to the original source of healing, created and grown by the Earth itself. Whether you burn incense, drink tea, use essential oil diffusers, or take herbal tinctures or supplements… it’s all medicine. 🌿 _______________ #herbs #herbalism #aromatherapy #naturalmedicine #plantmedicine #naturalremedies #alternativemedicines
Chamomile's reputation today is as a calming herb, Chamomile's reputation today is as a calming herb, but that's only part of its story. Since ancient times, it's been used for fevers, nausea, emotional balance, uterine support, and more. The Ancient Egyptians used dried Chamomile powder as a mild pain reliever. In Ancient Greece, Hippocrates used it to bring down fevers, while Dioscorides and Galen turned to it for reproductive health and uterine support. Chamomile was also dedicated to the sun god Ra in Ancient Egypt, a fitting allegiance given its traditional association with the solar plexus, the network of nerves in the stomach that radiate outward like rays of the sun. ☀️ The solar plexus governs both digestion and the fight-or-flight stress response, which may explain why Chamomile's calming effect so often shows up as a soothing digestive aid as well. These traditional uses hold up today, too. The British Herbal Pharmacopoeia lists German and Roman Chamomile as carminative, antispasmodic, anti-emetic, anti-inflammatory, and a mild sedative/nervine. 🔍 Swipe through for more on Chamomile's role in aromatic medicine. ______________ #chamomile #chamomileoil #chamomilebenefits #aromatherapy #herbalism #aromatherapyeducation
When you see a dandelion, do you think of it as a When you see a dandelion, do you think of it as a weed or a wild plant? As you might already know, many plants that are thought of as weeds are actually wild plant medicine. Dandelion greens and roots are a great plant ally for liver support. They’re also highly nutritious and loaded with vitamins, minerals, and fiber. But it can be hard to find Dandelions that haven't been sprayed with chemicals. Growing up in urban spaces, we’re often taught to think that plants growing in our manicured landscapes and lawns are unwelcome weeds and insignificant invaders that we must get rid of! However, (with the exception of invasive species) these plants are not intruders taking over our artificial spaces, but rather, WE are the trespassers who’ve haphazardly taken over their home. The wild lands of forests, lakes, marshes, and meadows are their homes that we’ve built upon. The definition of a weed is a plant considered undesirable in a particular location, “a plant in the wrong place”. It’s interesting to note that many therapeutic herbs contain the word “weed” in their common name, including (but not limited to): Milkweed, Pokeweed, Ragweed, Knotweed, Fireweed, Horseweed, Jewelweed, and Chickweed. Surely these medicinal herbs are not undesirable? Unfortunately, many people spray the land with chemicals and herbicides to eradicate “weeds”, and local governments spray along highways, roads, and bridges, poisoning our ecosystems. What if we all started treating all wild plants as medicine, instead of weeds? What if that Dandelion that keeps growing in your backyard isn’t a menacing headache, but rather a gift from the Earth? 🌿✨ ___________ #dandelion #weeds #weedsaremedicine #weedsareflowerstoo #weedsarebeautiful #herbalism #herbalist
Why are Turmeric and Black Pepper seemingly always Why are Turmeric and Black Pepper seemingly always paired together? Curcumin, the main compound Turmeric is known for, is notoriously hard for your body to absorb. Most of it passes right through you before it ever gets used. But add a little bit of Black Pepper to the mix, and the active compound in Pepper (piperine) slows down how quickly your liver breaks curcumin apart, giving your body more time to actually absorb it. Studies have shown this pairing can boost curcumin absorption dramatically! This isn't some new hack, either. Ayurvedic medicine has combined Turmeric and Black Pepper for centuries, long before anyone understood the biochemistry behind it. So next time you’re reaching for a Turmeric latte, Golden Milk, or supplement, be sure to include a touch of Black Pepper to maximize the benefits of that Turmeric. 📌 Save this post for your next spice cabinet audit! __________ #turmeric #turmericblackpepper #synergy #herbalsynergy #Curcumin #tumerictea #tumericlatte #tumericpowder #tumericbenefits
Frankincense has been burning in sacred spaces for Frankincense has been burning in sacred spaces for over 5,000 years. 🔥 Egyptians burned it in their temples and used it in embalming rituals. It was one of the key ingredients in Ketoret, the sacred incense of the Temple in ancient Israel. Arabian traders built entire fortunes moving it along trade routes where its value rivaled gold. Light a piece, and the smoke rises bright and resinous, almost citrusy, like sunlight distilled into scent. Perhaps that's why so much of Frankincense's ancient symbolism is connected to the sun. ☀️ Frankincense was offered as sacred smoke to solar deities across cultures, burned in honor of the sun god Ra in ancient Egypt and Apollo in Greece, its rising smoke thought to carry prayers and offerings upward, linking earth to sky. Today, Frankincense is still burned in many spiritual traditions to symbolize prayers ascending to heaven and to purify sacred spaces. There's a reason people have turned to this resin in ritual and meditation for thousands of years; some traditions describe it as a key to unlocking deeper insight and connection to the divine. ✨ Light a piece and experience this sacred resin for yourself. Link in bio. ___________ #frankincense #frankincenseresin #incense #incenseresin #pureincense #sacredincense #naturalincense
Last call! 🚨 Today is the final day to get our Fou Last call! 🚨 Today is the final day to get our Foundational Mini-Course Bundle for 40% OFF! After midnight tonight, the price goes back up. You already know which herbs are "supposed" to help with what. But you've probably also noticed: sometimes they just don't work. That's because most people learn plant medicine as a list (herb A treats symptom B) without ever learning the deeper system of plant energetics, and more importantly, whether it's right for the person in front of you. That's the missing piece these mini-courses teach. Inside the bundle: 🌿 The Elements in Aromatic Medicine: Discover how plants express elemental energetics through taste, aroma, sensation, and form, plus how these patterns can be addressed to find balance. 🌿 Personal Constitution & Energetics: Learn how to read the constitutional patterns of yourself and others, so you can match the right plants to the right people for deeper, more personalized healing. 🌟 Bonus: Includes your own Personal Constitution Quiz so you can begin applying this work immediately. The 40% discount disappears tonight at midnight PST. Enroll today, and you'll have lifetime access to visit these teachings whenever you're ready. 🌼 Learn more + join at the link in bio. --- #personalconstitution #herbalenergetics #herbalmatchmaking #herbalfoundations #herbaleducation #elementalmedicine #aromatherapyeducation
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