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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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Do you like making herbal tea? 🚧 Make sure you don Do you like making herbal tea? 🚧 Make sure you don’t forget this important step… Cover your mug! This helps keep all the valuable volatile oils (aka aromatic compounds) in your tea. Volatile oils are extracted from plants to produce essential oils and have many therapeutic benefits. They evaporate very easily, so if you don’t cover your container while your tea is brewing, some of the medicinal benefits of the herbs could vaporize with the rising steam! There are two common ways of making herbal tea: herbal infusions and decoctions. In an herbal infusion, to get the most therapeutic compounds out of your herbs, steep 1 TBSP of herb per 8 oz. of hot water in a cup or teapot for at least 15 minutes, covered. You can make an herbal decoction by placing dried herbs in a pot on your stovetop and heating the water to a gentle simmer for 20-45 minutes while covered. A decoction is ideal for more hardy herbs, like roots, berries, barks, seeds, and mushrooms, with a few exceptions. Delicate herbs like leaves and flowers should be prepared with a hot water infusion. Then strain and enjoy! Cheers ☕🌿 __________ #herbaltea #aromatictea #aromaticherbs #aromaticmedicine #herbalinfusion #decoction #brewingtea
Have you ever used herbal tinctures? Tinctures, a Have you ever used herbal tinctures? Tinctures, an important form of herbal alcohol extraction, have existed for thousands of years. Many believe that they’ve been around since the discovery of alcoholic beverages. A recent discovery suggests that the earliest alcoholic drink in the world was a type of fermented grape wine, including rice, honey, and Hawthorn berry. The remnants of this beverage were found on pottery from Jiahu, an ancient village in China, that dates back to 7000–6600 BCE. Many medicinal and aromatic plants can be infused into alcohol to make tinctures for internal or topical use. Many resins can also be extracted with alcohol. Oleo-gum-resins like Frankincense and Myrrh can also, though more careful calculations are required for them to be a success. Resin tinctures end up being very potent and strong-tasting, and often require a lower dosage or are added to water to take the edge off. What’s your favorite botanical tincture? 👇 ____________ #herbaltincture #herbalism #herbalist #naturalremedy #tinctures #herbalremedy
☀️ If I could only keep one thing with me all summ ☀️ If I could only keep one thing with me all summer, it wouldn't be a portable fan, or even a popsicle. It would be a homemade cooling aromatic body spray. 🌿💦 A few spritzes of cooling botanicals like Peppermint, Eucalyptus, or Rose can cool the skin on contact, perfect after long summer days gardening, hiking, hanging by the river, or just trying to get through a heat wave. And it's fast and easy to make. In our new blog, we share our favorite Cooling Body Spray recipe along with a guide to the best cooling herbs for summer. 🌸 ✨Link in bio. ____________ #coolingspray #essentialoilspray #aromatherapyspray #DIYrecipe #DIYherbalism #coolingbodyspray #naturalremedy #herbalremedy
☀️ Comment DIY to get the full recipe guide! 🌿💦 S ☀️ Comment DIY to get the full recipe guide! 🌿💦 Summer is officially heating up! At the start of the season, there's nothing better than getting outside and soaking up every bit of sunshine. It's usually right about now though… once the season's worn in a little, that I (and everyone I know) start hunting for ways to keep cool. There’s something about the hot weather that can leave you feeling sluggish and sun-tired, stuck in that overheated, can't-quite-shake-it-off fog…making it a little harder to stay energized (or patient 😅). One of my favorite ways to cut through that feeling is with an uplifting, cooling aromatic body spray. Just a few spritzes of cooling botanicals like Peppermint, Lemon Balm, Lavender, and Rose, and your body (and mind) feel refreshed again. In our newest blog post, we're sharing: 🌿 Our favorite cooling aromatic herbs ❄️ How these plants naturally help you beat the heat 🧴 A simple DIY Cooling Body Spray recipe you can make at home Comment DIY below, and we'll send the complete recipe guide straight to your inbox! _____________ #coolingspray #DIYherbalism #DIYrecipe #herbalrecipe #herbalremedy #naturalremedy #essentialoilrecipe
Did you know some plants can trick your body into Did you know some plants can trick your body into feeling cooler? ❄️ Peppermint doesn't actually lower your body temperature, but thanks to its natural compound menthol, it activates cold receptors in your skin, creating an instant cooling sensation. Pair it with other naturally cooling and soothing botanicals like Lavender and Rose, and they create one incredibly refreshing summer body spray. In our new blog, we explore our favorite cooling aromatic herbs and how they work, plus a DIY Cooling Body Spray recipe you can make in minutes. ☀️ Link in bio. _______________ #peppermint #menthol #coolingherbs #coolingspray #diyherbalism #diyrecipe #essentialoils #beattheheat🔥
Not all incense is created equal 🌿🔥 Many mass-pro Not all incense is created equal 🌿🔥 Many mass-produced incense brands cut corners by using synthetic ingredients to reduce costs and increase profits. With no regulations in the U.S. incense market and limited studies, transparency is rare, and few companies disclose their full list of ingredients or processing methods. Did you know that some incense papers are soaked in saltpeter (potassium nitrate), a chemical also used in gunpowder, fireworks, and fertilizers? When burned, these chemicals can outweigh any potential benefits of the natural aromatics. The incense you burn affects the air you breathe. That's why it's crucial to research the brands you support. Smaller, artisan companies tend to prioritize quality and purity over quantity, using natural, sustainably sourced ingredients that are safer for both you and the environment. Making incense is a craft rooted in tradition and heart, not in mass production. _____________ #incense #incensecrafting #incensemaking #naturalincense #artisanincense #incensestıcks
A friendly reminder to always read the label… Thr A friendly reminder to always read the label… Throughout history, until about 100 years ago, all of the materials used in incense, perfumery, and aromatic medicine were of natural botanical origin. Today, synthetic chemical fragrances have replaced many of these products, and our connection to nature is disintegrating as a whole. Reconnecting with natural aromatic plant medicine helps grow our roots deeper into the Earth. Do you know where your incense is coming from? _____________ #incense #perfumery #naturalincense #naturalperfumery #aromaticmedicine #aromaticplants
Is Palo Santo endangered? 🌿 The answer is a little Is Palo Santo endangered? 🌿 The answer is a little more nuanced than a simple yes or no. Palo Santo, also called Holy Wood, has been used throughout Central America and many northern territories of South America for thousands of years. It’s considered sacred and has been commonly used in ceremonial prayer, shamanic rituals, and healing practices. It’s also used for purification and cleansing of the physical, energetic, and spiritual realms. The aroma is warm, sweet, dreamy, and majestic. There are actually two trees that share the name Palo Santo, and only one species, Bulnesia sarmientoi, is endangered. The other, more common species, Bursera graveolens, is not. If you choose to work with Palo Santo, please take the time to learn where it comes from. Seek out ethically and sustainably harvested Bursera graveolens from reputable suppliers who support responsible stewardship of the trees and the communities connected to them. 🌎 ______________________ #palosanto #palosantowood #palosantosticks #palosantoincense #endangeredplants #bursera #sustainablesourcing
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