Skip to content
The Northwest School of Aromatic Medicine
  • About
  • Courses
  • Resources
    • The Aromatic Medicine Blog
    • Video Library
  • Shop
  • Contact
  • Close Search Form     Open Search Form
  • facebook
  • instagram
  • youtube
Student Login
Tag

resins

Image of myrrh an aromatic resin
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Herbal Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Ritual
Topical Medicine
August 1, 20241Comments

Uncovering the Ancient Magic & Mystery of Myrrh

From the embalming rituals of ancient Egypt to the sacred altars of religious ceremonies, Myrrh has captivated the imagination and reverence of civilizations for millennia. This aromatic resin, derived from
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Ritual
Sustainability
Topical Medicine
June 20, 20241Comments

The Timeless Allure of Frankincense

For thousands of years, the fragrant swirls of Frankincense incense have woven their way through the entirety of human civilization, leaving an undeniable mark on our cultural, spiritual, and medicinal
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Incense as Medicine
Natural Perfumery
Plant Profiles
Ritual
Topical Medicine
May 1, 20241Comments

Labdanum (Cistus) Resin – The Champion of Perfume

If I were to name the top 3 most tantalizing and exotic-smelling aromatics in the world, Labanum would surely be on that list. The mystique of this rich, sweet, animalic,
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
Aromatic Recipes
Topical Medicine
January 5, 20240Comments

Preparing Winter Medicine with Tree Resins

Guest Article Written By Dan Riegler, founder of Apothecary's Garden As we enter another winter here in the Northern hemisphere, questions about chest rubs, cough and cold syrups, salves, and liniments for
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Aromatic History & Lore
Aromatic Recipes
Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
Incense as Medicine
Plant Profiles
Topical Medicine
December 21, 20229Comments

The Magic and Medicine of Douglas Fir

With autumn behind us, many plants have shed their leaves in preparation for winter and wild-harvesting opportunities can feel sparse. But there is one particular type of plant you can
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
March 10, 202011Comments

Copal Plant Profile – Ancient Incense & Mystical Medicine

Copal, it's one of the most well-known and oldest names in the world of incense. If you're into incense, surely you've heard of it and likely have burned some before.
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic Recipes
Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
Herbal Medicine
Plant Profiles
Topical Medicine
March 3, 20201Comments

Making Poplar Bud Medicine: Harvesting, Infusions, & Salves

As I write this, the snow in the foothills of the Pacific Northwest has vanished, signs of life begin to sprout from the earth, the first blossoms of the year
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Newer Articles »

aromatic_medicine

🌿 Follow us on Instagram for daily inspiration, plant knowledge, aromatic wisdom, and one-of-a-kind courses 🌿
🌿 INCENSE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BEAUTIFUL AROMA. 🌿 INCENSE IS SO MUCH MORE THAN A BEAUTIFUL AROMA. For thousands of years, aromatic plants have been burned as incense for healing, prayer, meditation, ceremony, and countless other purposes. And behind every fragrant wisp of smoke is a plant with its own story, traditions, and remarkable qualities. Tomorrow evening, I'd love to invite you to explore this world with me! Join me for a FREE webinar: 🔥 The Medicine & Art of Incense: Healing, Ritual, and the Wisdom of Smoke We'll explore the fascinating medicinal history of incense, the sacred traditions surrounding aromatic smoke, and the importance of understanding where our incense plants come from and how they're harvested. I'll also share more about the Traditional Incense Crafting Course, answer some common questions, and reveal a few special surprises for those who are ready to take their incense crafting journey further! Whether you're an herbalist, aromatherapist, incense enthusiast, or simply someone who loves working with aromatic plants, I hope you'll join me. 🗓 Thursday, October 22 🕓 4 PM Pacific 🌿 FREE to attend! Register here: https://pages.aromaticmedicineschool.com/launch/incense-webinar #IncenseCrafting #NaturalIncense #AromaticMedicine #Herbalism #Aromatherapy #IncenseMaking #SacredSmoke #BotanicalMedicine
🌿 FREE WEBINAR TOMORROW! The Medicine & Art of Inc 🌿 FREE WEBINAR TOMORROW! The Medicine & Art of Incense Healing, Ritual, and the Wisdom of Smoke For thousands of years, aromatic plants have been used in healing traditions, sacred ceremonies, and everyday rituals around the world. There's so much more to incense than simply burning something that smells good! This Thursday, I'm hosting a special FREE webinar where we'll explore some of my favorite aspects of this ancient aromatic art. Here's what we'll dive into: 🌿 The Plants & Their Stories — Discover the remarkable aromatic plants used in incense, including fragrant treasures growing close to home. 🌎 Conscious Sourcing — Learn how to recognize quality materials, avoid questionable sources, and make choices that help protect vulnerable plants. 🌸 The Healing Traditions of Incense — Explore the fascinating ways incense has been used in traditional medicine throughout history. ✨ The Sacred Art of Incense Making — Discover how prayer, song, intention, and ritual have been woven into the crafting of incense across different traditions. I'll also be spending time answering some of the most frequently asked questions about my Traditional Incense Crafting Course, including what you'll learn, the different types of incense you can make, and how the program works. 🎁 And I've got a special surprise to reveal, too! Something I've never given away before! Whether you're an herbalist, aromatherapist, incense enthusiast, or simply someone who loves aromatic plants, I'd love to have you join me! 📅 Thursday, October 22nd 🕓 4 PM Pacific 🎟️ FREE to attend! 👉 Register through the link in our bio! Hope to see you there! ~ Evan #FreeIncenseWebinar #IncenseMaking #NaturalIncense #IncenseCrafting #AromaticMedicine #Herbalism #Aromatherapy #SacredSmoke #BotanicalMedicine #PlantWisdom #IncenseRitual #TraditionalIncense #MedicinalPlants #NaturalAromatics #HerbalEducation
What if the most meaningful part of incense wasn't What if the most meaningful part of incense wasn't the moment you lit it, but everything that went into making it? 🌿 There's something I find deeply beautiful about the old traditions of incense crafting. In Tibetan Buddhist traditions, incense making can be accompanied by prayers and mantras throughout the process. In ancient Egypt, the preparation of sacred incense was intertwined with temple rituals, fragrant plants, and ceremonial practices. Just think about that for a moment... The care given to selecting each plant. The grinding and blending of fragrant ingredients. The songs, prayers, and intentions that accompany the work. The making of the incense becomes a practice in itself. And that's something I've always been really inspired by. Of course, you don't have to approach incense from a spiritual perspective to appreciate this craft. You might simply love working with your hands, discovering extraordinary fragrances, exploring the medicinal traditions of aromatic plants, or creating something beautiful to share with others. But something special happens when we begin to see incense as more than a finished product... We start paying closer attention to the plants, where they came from, how they smell, how they behave, and what they can become when brought together. And of course, there's an enormous world to explore! That's one of the reasons I've loved teaching the Traditional Incense Crafting Course for the past 11 years. It's an opportunity for people to learn the practical skills of making incense cones, sticks, and loose blends, while discovering the remarkable plants, history, and traditions that make this art so rich. 🌿 Enrollment is officially open, and I'd love to welcome you into this beautiful craft. Find the course details in our bio link! ~ Evan #IncenseCrafting #TraditionalIncense #NaturalIncense #SacredSmoke #IncenseMaking #AromaticPlants #BotanicalIncense #IncenseTraditions #SacredPlants #Herbalism #AromaticMedicine #HandmadeIncense #PlantWisdom #IncenseRitual #ArtisanIncense
🔥 THE DOORS ARE OPEN! 🌿 Enrollment for the Tradit 🔥 THE DOORS ARE OPEN! 🌿 Enrollment for the Traditional Incense Crafting Course is officially open! There's something incredibly satisfying about taking a handful of fragrant woods, resins, herbs, and flowers and transforming them into incense you've made with your own two hands. But there's a whole world of knowledge hiding inside that seemingly simple process. Why does one incense cone burn beautifully while another keeps going out? How do you balance ingredients so their aromas complement one another? What makes a good incense binder? And how do you create something entirely your own instead of relying on someone else's recipe? These are the things I love teaching. And after over a decade of sharing this craft with students around the world, I'm thrilled to open the doors for another group of incense makers! Inside the course, you'll learn to: 🌿 Create your own incense formulas using aromatic woods, resins, herbs, flowers, hyrdosols and essential oils. 🔥 Craft beautiful incense cones and sticks that hold together, burn reliably, and release wonderful aromas. 🌸 Explore loose incense making, one of the oldest and most versatile ways of working with fragrant plants. ⚖️ Understand the art and science of formulation, including ingredient ratios, binders, bases, and troubleshooting. ✨ Discover the rich traditions of incense and its connections to aromatic medicine, meditation, and ritual. Whether you're completely new to incense making or already have experience and want to refine your skills, I'd love to help you take your craft further. This is a chance to get your hands into the materials, develop your senses, experiment, make mistakes, discover what works, and create incense that you're genuinely proud of. And you won't be learning alone! You'll be joining a community of more than 1,200 fellow students and incense enthusiasts and alumni. 🌿 Enrollment is open for a limited time, and I'd love to welcome you! Visit the link in our bio to explore the course and enroll. ~ Evan #TraditionalIncenseCrafting #IncenseMaking #NaturalIncense #HandmadeIncense #IncenseCrafting #BotanicalIncense #ArtisanIncense #Herbalism #Aromatherapy #AromaticPlants
There's a big difference between loving incense an There's a big difference between loving incense and knowing how to make it. Most people have spent years burning incense without ever thinking much about what goes into putting it together. They find a fragrance they love, light a stick, and enjoy the experience. But behind it, someone thought about which plants to use, how finely to grind them, how much binder to add, how to bring everything together so it holds its shape, burns properly, and releases the beautiful fragrance they were hoping for. And the exciting part about all of this... Those are things you can learn to do yourself. You don't need to be a professional incense maker, have a workshop full of expensive equipment, or spend years experimenting before you can make something wonderful. You can do it right in your own kitchen, this week! You just need to understand the materials a bit, learn the techniques, and get your hands into the craft. After nearly two decades of working with incense, I still find it incredibly rewarding to watch a handful of raw botanical ingredients become something that can be enjoyed for weeks, months, or even years. Tomorrow, I'm opening enrollment for the Traditional Incense Crafting Course. And I'm excited to help another group of people discover what's possible when they stop being only incense lovers and become incense makers, too. ~ Evan 🌿 If you've yet to join my FREE Hand-Crafted Incense Workshop Series that shows you the ropes, the link is in our bio. Enjoy! #IncenseMaking #NaturalIncense #HandmadeIncense #IncenseCrafting #TraditionalIncense #BotanicalIncense #IncenseLovers #AromaticPlants #HerbalCrafting #ArtisanIncense #IncenseMaker #AromaticMedicine #PlantBasedCrafts #IncenseWorkshop #NorthwestSchoolOfAromaticMedicine
Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that Have you ever stopped to think about the fact that plants don't make their fragrances for us? 🌿 That beautiful resin flowing from a Frankincense tree? The tree produces it to protect and repair itself. The aromatic compounds in Cedarwood? They help protect the tree. The fragrant oils in flowers? Many play a role in attracting pollinators and communicating with the living world. These aromatic substances serve purposes in the lives of plants that have nothing to do with us. And yet, isn't it extraordinary that we're able to experience them in such profound ways? Think about it... Plants produce an incredible diversity of aromatic molecules, and we're equipped with hundreds of types of olfactory receptors that allow us to detect them. Two entirely different forms of life, connected through the invisible world of fragrance. And when those molecules reach our noses, something remarkable happens. A fragrance can awaken a memory from decades ago. Stir emotions we can't quite explain. Influence our mood, our nervous system, and even aspects of our physiology. One breath can bring us back to childhood, remind us of someone we've lost, or completely change how we feel in a moment. Is all of this just a coincidence? I don't think so. To me, there's something deeply spiritual about the relationship between plants and people. Something that reaches far beyond the chemistry of aromatic molecules and the receptors that receive them. For thousands of years, people have recognized something extraordinary in fragrant plants, bringing them into prayer, ceremony, healing traditions, and daily life. And perhaps they understood something that we've become a little too distracted to notice. That our sense of smell isn't simply a way of identifying what's around us. It's a way of experiencing the world that reaches into our memories, our emotions, our bodies, and perhaps even something much deeper within us. Maybe the real wonder isn't simply that plants are fragrant. It's that we were given the ability to experience their fragrances so deeply. 🌿🔥 #AromaticMedicine #AromaticPlants #PlantWisdom #BotanicalAromatics #Herbalism #Aromatherapy #SacredPlants
🌿🔥 Looking for a little inspiration this weekend? 🌿🔥 Looking for a little inspiration this weekend? All 3 lessons of our free Hand-Crafted Incense Series are now available to watch! If you've ever wanted to learn how to make your own natural incense from fragrant woods, resins, herbs, and other aromatic plants, this is a wonderful place to begin. Here's what we'll explore together: 🌿 Lesson 1: The foundations of traditional incense crafting. 🌿 Lesson 2: The aromatic ingredients and building blocks that make incense work. 🌿 Lesson 3: Come into the workshop with me as I demonstrate how to make natural incense cones from scratch! Whether you're completely new to incense making or have already experimented with a few recipes, I think you'll find plenty of inspiration here. Set aside a little time this weekend, make yourself a cup of tea, and come explore this beautiful aromatic art with me. Watch all 3 workshops at the link in our bio! 🌿
Instagram post 18152436181545357 Instagram post 18152436181545357
Follow on Instagram

OFFERINGS

  • Aromatic Medicine Garden Monthly Membership
  • Incense Crafting Course
  • Botanical Resins & Gums Course
  • Materia Aromatica Ebook

QUICK LINKS

  • About
  • Courses
  • The Aromatic Medicine Blog
  • The School
  • Evan Sylliaasen
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

FOLLOW US

  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Youtube

OUR NEWSLETTER

Stay in the know on new releases and special offers

Loading

support@aromaticmedicineschool.com

© 2026 The Northwest School of Aromatic Medicine, All rights reserved.