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spikenard

Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
Sustainability
October 27, 20219Comments

Saving Spikenard: The Sustainability Struggle

Some might say that the words sustainable and essential oil can never be in the same sentence. Essential oils have dynamic health benefits, however, they’re also resource-intensive products. Hundreds to
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine

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Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has a long and storied his Thyme (Thymus vulgaris) has a long and storied history, believed to have been used by the ancient Sumerians over 3,500 years ago, likely burned as an aromatic fumigant. 🌿 The ancient Egyptians, who called it “tham,” employed Thyme in their sacred embalming rituals. The Greeks used it not only to flavor their food and preserve meat but also to purify the air and help prevent the spread of disease. It’s thought that the Latin name, Thymus, traces back to the Greek word “thymon,” meaning “to fumigate,” “to make a burnt offering,” or “to sacrifice,” indicating its long history of use as incense and aromatic medicine. Others believe that the name Thymus comes from the Greek verb meaning “soul” or “spirit.” Some scholars suggest an alternative origin, linking the name to the Greek word thymos, translating to "strength," or thumon, meaning "courage" – qualities the plant came to symbolize. Roman soldiers reportedly bathed in Thyme before going into battle to instill bravery, and during the Middle Ages, sprigs of Thyme were often woven into the scarves of knights setting out on Crusades, a fragrant emblem of valor. Interestingly, the word Thymus also refers to the thymus gland, an organ in the human body essential to the development of T cells and the immune system, particularly during childhood when we're most vulnerable. While the thymus gland plays a less active role in adulthood, this connection offers a poetic nod to Thyme’s traditional role as an immunity herb. As early as 500 AD, the renowned Greek physician Dioscorides recommended Thyme tea for illness, asthma, chest congestion, persistent coughs, and to stimulate circulation. 🌿➡️ Swipe through to learn more about the health benefits of this powerful plant. ________ #thyme #aromaticherbs #aromaticspices #culinaryherbs #aromaticmedicine #aromatherapy
🌈✨ Have you ever seen a Rainbow Eucalyptus tree?! 🌈✨ Have you ever seen a Rainbow Eucalyptus tree?! There are over 700 types of Eucalyptus trees, but the Rainbow tree is by far the most colorful. Eucalyptus deglupta, also known as Mindanao gum or rainbow gum, is the only Eucalyptus that lives in the rainforest and is one of only four species that are not native to Australia. It grows in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Papua New Guinea, where it can rise up to 250 feet tall! The tree trunk takes on different colors as the bark sheds and the inner bark is exposed to the air. As it sheds, it first reveals a bright green color, which changes over time, aging into different colors of blue, purple, orange, and maroon. The varied, colorful striations are a reflection of the tree bark shedding at different times throughout the year. The result is a stunning display that is in perpetual metamorphosis, a beautiful representation that the only constant in life is change. ________ #rainboweucalyptus #rainboweucalyptustree #eucalyptus #eucalyptustree #natureismagic #aromatics
As spring brings new life all around us, you might As spring brings new life all around us, you might be wondering what wild-harvesting opportunities lie outside your doorstep… Just as the outside world affects us, the energies within plants also ebb and flow along with external influences. The changing seasons, elements, the sun, moon, stars, and planetary positions all affect how and when plants move their life force within their bodies. Learning how to read these rhythms can help you understand when certain plants and their plant parts are the most potent, and when is the best time to harvest them. Observing nature can teach us many things – you can actually oftentimes see where plants put their energy and how they move it. For example, in the spring, a dead-looking, bare branch will suddenly burst to life with a vibrant shoot or bud, eventually turning into a leaf or flower. In the summer, that flower might bloom and die, with a fruit ripening in its place. In the fall and winter, the plants move their energy into their bark, wood, and roots, preparing to hibernate as their leaves wither and fall. When a plant is putting its energy into a particular plant part, it is usually most potent during that time, and likely at its peak potential for harvesting. For example, the spring is the most ideal time to harvest fresh shoots, leaves, buds, and early flowers; in the summer, foliage and flowers; in the fall, fruiting bodies, seeds, resins, gums; and in the winter, woods and roots. Of course, this is a general rule of thumb. Many plant parts can also be harvested year-round if you can’t get to them at the most ideal time. Also, not all plants are on the same schedule. Remember, whenever wild-harvesting, to always harvest sustainably! To learn more about this topic, check out our vlog: Harvesting Your Own Aromatic Plants Along With the Seasons. 🌿 Link in bio. _____________ #wildharvesting #wildharvested #wildcrafting #sustainableharvest #sustainability #aromaticplants
Terpenes from trees are nature’s aromatic medicine Terpenes from trees are nature’s aromatic medicine. Recent studies have shown that exposure to the natural environment is beneficial to human health, and “forest bathing” has many beneficial health effects. Forest bathing, or forest therapy, generally means taking in the forest atmosphere using all of your senses. This is more than simply a walk in the woods, but also the conscious and contemplative practice of being immersed in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest. Forest air is full of terpenes, which are aerosols emitted by various plants and trees, particularly conifers. Terpenes aid in the defense mechanism of the plant against herbivores and the environment, as well as their developmental physiology. Some observed benefits of terpenes on human health include: 🌲 ​​mood boosting qualities 🌲 therapeutic effects in children with asthma and atopic dermatitis 🌲 strong anti-inflammatory properties 🌲 anti-tumorigenic effects 🌲 neuroprotective effects Just a few more reasons to spend some time in forests! Here’s a link to a scientific study if you’re curious: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5402865/ ______________ #terepenes #forestbathing #foresttherapy #benefitsofnature #natureistherapy #natureismedicine
Do you know the many benefits of bitters? Bitter Do you know the many benefits of bitters? Bitters are not only used to effectively support digestion and ease digestive upset, but they may also help deliver a gentle liver detox to your body. Supporting the liver is a great thing to do at the start of Spring, when our bodies are beginning to wake up from Winter hibernation and move more. Common herbs used in bitters include Dandelion Root and Burdock Root, but there are also a lot of aromatic plants traditionally used as well, like Angelica Root, Mugwort, Grapefruit Peel, Orange Peel, Tangerine Peel, Fennel Seed, Ginger Root, Yellow Dock, Gentian, and even Juniper Berries. Traditionally, bitters are taken before a meal, but often folks like to add them to drinks or cocktails, too. Do you take bitters? What’s your favorite way to consume them? ___________ #bitters #aromaticroots #herbaltinctures #herbaltips #spring #dandelionroot #ginger
Aromatic smoke has always occupied a special place Aromatic smoke has always occupied a special place in human experience — a bridge between the physical and the invisible, the seen and the unseen. Scent is the sense most deeply tied to memory and emotion, which means aromatic smoke can reach places deep within us. It can soften grief, lift mental fog, signal a transition, or simply tell the body: something is different now. It's okay to let go. Perhaps this is why aromatic plants have been considered sacred across cultures for centuries. They stir something within us that's hard to describe. For thousands of years, people around the world have turned to aromatic plants, incense, and smoke cleansing rituals to mark new beginnings, clear stagnation, and refresh both their homes and their minds. As we move into spring, it's the perfect time to reconnect with these ancient traditions and with the plants growing all around you. Local plants carry a special resonance because they grow in the same ecosystem you inhabit and move through the same seasons you experience. They feel like home because, in a very real sense, they are. In our new article, you'll discover: 🌿 The history of smoke cleansing across cultures 🌿 Sustainable alternatives to White Sage 🌿 Aromatic herbs that refresh your space and uplift your spirit 🌿 How to make your own dried herb bundles using plants growing around you Read the full guide at the link in our bio. ✨ ____________ #smokecleansing #herbbundle #smokeritual #naturalincense #whitesage #aromaticherbs #smokecleansingherbs
“Plants are our food, oxygen, and medicine. Some e “Plants are our food, oxygen, and medicine. Some even say they are one of the most pleasurable experiences on Earth! From the flowers to the trees and the seas filled with coral dreams, the earth’s natural flora has inspired and enhanced humans for as long as time can tell. That’s why the power of plants is the key to unlocking our enjoyment of life.” ― Natasha Potter
What are you ready to leave behind this spring? 🌿 What are you ready to leave behind this spring? 🌿 Spring cleaning isn’t just about clearing out the closet… That urge to throw open the windows and start fresh is your inner world responding to the season. Spring calls us toward new growth, but leaving the energy of winter behind isn't always easy. Some years it clings like a fog in the mind, a sluggishness in the body, or a staleness in the home that's hard to name but impossible to ignore. Aromatic plants have long been used to move exactly this kind of feeling: breaking up stagnation, lifting the spirit, and signaling to the body that it's time to begin again. For centuries, cultures around the world have used aromatic herbs, smoke, and incense in seasonal cleansing rituals and energetic resets. Aromatic plants have a unique ability to awaken the senses and shift the feeling of a space (or our headspace). In our new article, you'll discover: ✨ The history of smoke cleansing across cultures ✨ Aromatic herbs traditionally used to clear stagnant energy ✨ Sustainable alternatives to White Sage ✨ How scent affects mood, memory, and emotional well-being ✨ Step-by-step instructions for making your own herb bundles using plants from your local landscape 🌱 Comment SPRING to get the full guide sent straight to your inbox! ____________ #smokecleansing #herbbundle #naturalincense #DIYherbalism #whitesage #smokeritual #aromaticherbs
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