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natural incense

Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
October 22, 20200Comments

What’s Missing in Most Modern Aromatic & Herbal Practices

Somehow, humanity has gotten stuck in a downward spiral of surrounding ourselves more and more with chemicals. They're in our food system, beauty products, healthcare, and just about everything else.
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine

aromatic_medicine

🌿 Follow us on Instagram for daily inspiration, plant knowledge, aromatic wisdom, and one-of-a-kind courses 🌿

Sometimes, less really is more. ✨🌿 Aromatic molec Sometimes, less really is more. ✨🌿

Aromatic molecules are incredibly potent, working almost instantly to support our mental and emotional well-being.

In this clip, our instructor Erika Galentin breaks down the science behind scent and why small amounts can have such powerful effects.

Erika is a clinical herbalist and aromatherapist with 2 decades of experience (and the newly appointed Executive Director of the American Herbalists Guild!).

You can find more of her teachings in our Aromatic Medicine Garden membership & online education hub (link in bio).
Plants aren’t here to “fix” us. That’s not their r Plants aren’t here to “fix” us. That’s not their role. 🌿 

What they do is offer gentle guidance…They support our bodies, soothe our emotional landscape, and create the conditions for healing to unfold. 

We do the work: the plants simply become the tools, our allies, helpers along the way.

Herbalism and aromatherapy are based on the philosophy of holistic health; it’s all about tending to the whole person, not chasing symptoms. The key is digging down to the root of our issues, with plants by our side.

When we shift from treating problems to supporting people, everything changes. 

This is why herbal practice feels so different from conventional approaches. Instead of forcing the body into a specific outcome, we work with the body’s wisdom: nudging, nourishing, and creating space for change to happen naturally. 

And when we invite plants to support us on both the physical and emotional levels, we tap into something deeper: partnership. 

Healing becomes a conversation rather than a prescription, a slow, steady return to balance with the help of our botanical allies. 🌱✨

*This is an excerpt from our Aromatic Medicine Garden membership. You can learn more about our online education hub at the link in our bio.

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#herbalism #aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine  #herbalist #herbalmedicine #herbalremedies #holistichealth
Have you ever felt that nature was trying to commu Have you ever felt that nature was trying to communicate to you beyond words?

Plants are intelligent beings.

Many traditional peoples around the world have known this all along. Our ancestors at one point in time were united in this belief, as they lived close to the Earth in small communities, married to the land and nature. 

On a daily basis, they witnessed the precious interconnectedness of species, both plant and animal, and lived each day interacting with plants and the elements around them in intimate ways.

Such connections kept them healthy, wise, and in tune with themselves and the natural and spiritual worlds.

As humans began migrating out of the forests and fields and into towns and cities, our deep connection to nature began to slowly shift. 

What would our lives look like if we rekindled our relationship to plants and the Earth? 

Could we be better stewards of the Earth? Could we help save our beloved plants and animals from extinction? Could we pass on a better world to our younger generations?

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#nature #plantintelligence #natureisamazing #natureismagic #reciprocity #earthstewardship #earthstewards
Have you ever burned Bay leaves? 🍃 While they are Have you ever burned Bay leaves? 🍃

While they are now commonly used as seasoning in dishes, Bay leaves were traditionally burned as incense for a variety of reasons.

The aroma of Bay, also called “Sweet Laurel”, has been known to offer inspiration, insight, and help boost self-esteem.

In fact, in ancient times, the leaves were commonly burnt by temple priestesses of Delphi, Greece, as visionary herbs for the oracle. The Ancient Greeks would also place leaves under their pillows at night to call in dreams of divination.

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#bayleaf #bayleaves #bayleavesburning #naturalincense #aromaticmedicine #ancientgreece #sweetlaurel
Cottonwood and Poplar buds are among my favorite a Cottonwood and Poplar buds are among my favorite aromatics this time of year, when they’re abundant and full of life. The next time you’re walking along a river, stream, or floodplain, take a look around, and you’ll likely spot the tall, towering Cottonwood trees, their buds just beginning to emerge at the tips of the branches.

After a windy storm, you might get lucky and find fallen branches scattered on the ground. Gently pop off a bud, roll it between your fingers, and breathe in its sweet, resinous, woodsy aroma.

This fragrant resin has a long tradition of topical use as an anti-inflammatory, helping to ease aches and strains. It’s especially beautiful infused into an herbal oil or crafted into a soothing salve.

Have you ever worked with Poplar buds before? 

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#poplar  #poplarbuds  #cottonwood #cottonwoodtrees  #herbalinfusedoil #herbaloil #herbalsalve
Can plants change the way we age, or the way we fe Can plants change the way we age, or the way we feel about aging? 🌼

We explore this topic in our new blog post, Anti-Aging Aromatics: Herbs & Essential Oils for Radiant Skin.

Inside, we cover 8 aromatics that support aging skin (& the science behind why they work):

▪️Rose: antioxidant protection + cooling anti-inflammatory
▪️Helichrysum: nicknamed "Immortelle" for a reason
▪️Frankincense: collagen support + skin regeneration
▪️Lavender: calming, restorative, and endlessly versatile
▪️Calendula: the star of skin repair
▪️Geranium: tones, balances, and brightens
▪️Rosemary: stimulates circulation for a lit-from-within glow
▪️Sandalwood: deeply moisturizing and protective

Our latest blog post breaks down how each one works, what preparations to use them in, and includes a simple DIY anti-aging facial oil recipe you can make with just a few ingredients.

✨ Read the full blog at the link in our bio. 

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 #antiagingtips #antiagingskincare #antiagingskincareroutine #naturalskincaretips #naturalskincareroutine #skincareherbal #radiantskincare
“How do you define nature? If we define it as that “How do you define nature? If we define it as that which is untouched by humans, then we won't have any nature left for our children when they’re adults.” 

-  Emma Marris, environmental writer

Nature is everywhere… we just need to learn to see it that way. 

Let’s consider a new definition of nature, one that includes not only pristine wilderness but also anywhere that life thrives, like the untended patches of plants growing in urban spaces. 

Let’s encourage each other, and our children, to connect with all types of nature, so that we feel called to love and protect it.

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#nature #emmamarris #natureiseverywhere #natureiseverything #natureismagic
What if the skincare industry has it backwards? W What if the skincare industry has it backwards?

We've been sold the idea that aging skin is the enemy… something to fight, reverse, and erase. Advertisements for expensive skincare products and Botox reinforce that narrative. 

But aging isn’t a problem to fix; it's a natural part of being alive, something to support rather than fight.

In the world of aromatic medicine, this similar mantra is something we return to again and again: plants don't "treat problems," they support bodies. 

And when it comes to aging skin, aromatic plants have so much to offer in that spirit; not to reverse the clock or erase the evidence of a life well-lived, but to nourish, strengthen, and bring radiance to skin that is constantly, beautifully renewing itself.

Our latest blog post explores 8 herbs and essential oils—including Helichrysum (pictured), Frankincense, Rosemary, and Rose—that work with your skin's natural rhythms to support elasticity, radiance, and regeneration from the inside out.

Plus: a beautiful DIY facial oil recipe that's become a daily ritual for us. 

🌿 Read Anti-Aging Aromatics: Herbs & Essential Oils for Radiant Skin at the link in bio.

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 #antiaging #antiagingtips #antiagingroutine #antiagingskincare  #antiagingoil #naturalskincaretips  #diyfaceoil
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