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resins

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
Aromatic History & Lore
Incense as Medicine
Sustainability
March 22, 20260Comments

The Magic & Medicine of Botanical Resins, Part I

The first time I burned Frankincense, something unexpected happened. Within a few breaths, my awareness sharpened, my thoughts grew quieter, and a deep sense of calm washed over me. There
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
glass cork bottle of benzoin oil next to benzoin resin on a counter
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Incense as Medicine
Incense Crafting
Natural Perfumery
Plant Profiles
Ritual
August 13, 20250Comments

Why Benzoin Resin Belongs in Your Apothecary: Benefits & Ritual Uses

Imagine something that looks like a beautiful golden rock, but upon closer inspection, you're greeted with sweet, balsamic, resinous notes, with hints of vanilla that feel like a warm embrace.
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Ritual
Topical Medicine
January 16, 20250Comments

Tree Resins: Unlock the Power of this Underappreciated Natural Remedy

There’s something very magical about tree resins. These golden, aromatic droplets are born from a tree’s natural healing process – a protective substance that seals wounds, guards against infection, and
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Sustainability
Topical Medicine
January 9, 20250Comments

The Benefits of Pine Resin & How to Harvest It

I will never forget meeting my friend Sam (name changed to spare them any embarrassment), a budding herbalist radiating excitement and curiosity about the wonders of the natural world. One
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Herbal Medicine
Human/Plant Connection
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Ritual
Sustainability
Topical Medicine
December 19, 20240Comments

The Power of Frankincense: Boosting Immunity and Overall Well-Being

Thousands of years ago, in ancient kingdoms, the air was thick with the rich, aromatic smoke of Frankincense. This sacred resin, harvested from Boswellia trees, played a central role 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
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Have you ever noticed you're always reaching for L Have you ever noticed you're always reaching for Lavender, while someone else can't get enough Rosemary? Why does one person love warming spices like Ginger and Cardamom, while another craves the cooling freshness of Peppermint or Lemon Balm? What if those preferences aren't just random? For thousands of years, traditional healing systems observed that plants and people both express unique energetics. They believed the herbs and aromas we're naturally drawn to can sometimes offer subtle clues about our constitution, our current state of balance, and what our bodies and minds need most. The more we begin paying attention to these patterns, the more we learn how to observe ourselves with greater awareness. Rather than asking only, "What herb is good for this symptom?" we begin asking a different question: Why am I drawn to this particular plant right now? And when we start to tune into that information, it can tell us so much about not only who we are, but where we might be out of balance, and what types of herbs and aromatics might best suit our personality and energy in this moment. In our latest blog, we're exploring: 🌱 Why certain herbs seem to "call" to us 🌱 How ancient healing traditions understood plant energetics 🌱 Why aromatic medicine goes far beyond matching herbs to symptoms 🌱 What your favorite plants might reveal about you ✨ Comment HERBS to get the full article sent straight to your inbox! ______________ #herbalenergetics #plantenergetics #energetics #energeticalignment #herbalism #aromatherapy #herbalist
What if your favorite herb is trying to tell you s What if your favorite herb is trying to tell you something? 🌿 Why are some people naturally drawn to warming herbs like Ginger and Cardamom, while others can't get enough Lavender, Rose, or Peppermint? Is it just personal preference...or could there be something deeper? For thousands of years, traditional healing systems observed that both plants and people express unique energetics. They suggest that, at times, we naturally gravitate toward the qualities our bodies and minds need most. While this isn't always the case, many herbalists, aromatherapists, and holistic practitioners have observed that the plants we're repeatedly drawn to can sometimes offer clues about what we're experiencing physically, emotionally, or energetically. In our latest blog, we explore: ✨ Why we're naturally drawn to certain herbs or aromas ✨ How plants + people express their own unique energetics ✨ The wisdom shared across ancient healing traditions ✨ Why understanding these patterns can deepen the way you work with herbs Read the full article at the link in our bio. 👇 We'd love to know: Which herb or aroma do you find yourself returning to again and again? ________________ #energetics #herbalenergetics #herbalism #aromatherapy #herbalist #aromatherapist #plantwisdom
Have you heard of the Doctrine of Signatures? Thi Have you heard of the Doctrine of Signatures? This traditional herbal concept suggests that a plant's appearance (like its shape, color, aroma, growth habit, or even where it grows) can offer clues to its medicinal actions. Take Wild Celery, for example. It thrives in environments where water meets salt: salt marshes, estuaries, riverbanks, damp coastal meadows. These mineral-rich, ever-changing landscapes can reflect something essential about the plant itself. Wild Celery's preference for moist, fertile ground mirrors its traditional use as a remedy for the body's fluid systems, supporting circulation, cleansing, and elimination the same way water constantly moves through the wetlands it calls home. Its connection to salt hints at its sodium-rich stalks and its traditional role in supporting the kidneys and fluid balance in the body. When we study a plant's native habitat, we learn not only where it grows, but how it lives and thrives. And sometimes, that story offers profound insight into how the plant may support us. That's why studying a plant’s botany, ecology, and history is every bit as important as learning a plant's therapeutic actions. A plant's greatest teachings aren't just found in a benefits list…they're found in its story. ✨ 🎥 This clip is an excerpt from our in-depth Wild Celery Plant Talk inside the Aromatic Medicine Garden. 🌱 Learn more about our online educational hub at the link in our bio. _____________ #herbalism #herbalist #aromatherapy #doctrineofsignatures #herbaleducation #learningaboutplants
Did you know there are actually several distinct t Did you know there are actually several distinct types of Frankincense trees that are popularly harvested for resin? Each species offers its own aromatic fingerprint, with subtle shifts in brightness and depth. Some varieties have more golden hues and piney, citrusy notes, while others display a darker, woody appearance, releasing deep, earthy aromas with undertones of balsamic spice. Each resin offers a different, unique experience to connect with this sacred aromatic plant. But these trees aren't an endless resource. Several species of Boswellia are now considered endangered, threatened by climate stress, over-harvesting, and grazing pressure. This is why sustainable and ethical sourcing matters more than ever. Higher Mind Incense offers Frankincense that is sustainably and ethically harvested through tribal co-ops in Somalia and from responsible harvesters in India, who are trained to care for the trees and ensure the long-term preservation and regeneration of native populations. 🌿 Experience the unique character of each Frankincense variety through the link in our bio. ___________ #frankincense #frankincenseresin #incense #incenseresin #sustainablesourcing #endangeredspecies #boswellia #sacredritual
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
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