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traditional incense

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
Aromatherapy
Herbal Medicine
Sustainability
Topical Medicine
November 25, 20250Comments

Herbal Holiday Gift Guide

As the holiday season approaches, it's the perfect moment to celebrate the magic of small businesses. Beyond the glittering lights and busy crowds, these herbal businesses offer handcrafted remedies and
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
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
bundle of fresh mugwort herbs for dreamwork
Aromatherapy
Human/Plant Connection
Incense as Medicine
Ritual
June 10, 20250Comments

Aromatic Plants and Dreams: Scents for Deep Sleep and Inner Wisdom

Have you ever woken from a dream so vivid it blurred the line between memory and imagination? Dreams can be fun, strange, symbolic, emotional, or eerily real. They arise most often
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatherapy
Bio-Regional Aromatic Medicine
Herbal Medicine
Human/Plant Connection
Incense Crafting
Natural Perfumery
Ritual
May 22, 20250Comments

The Energy You Bring to the Craft: Intention as an Ingredient

Have you ever followed a recipe exactly, only to have it fall flat, while someone else makes the same thing and it comes alive? Or crafted an herbal or aromatic
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
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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. ____________ #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? _________ #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. _________ #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. ___________ #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. ____________ #antiaging #antiagingtips #antiagingroutine #antiagingskincare #antiagingoil #naturalskincaretips #diyfaceoil
A friend said something to me recently that I have A friend said something to me recently that I haven't been able to stop thinking about. We were sitting in the park, talking about aging (the new gray hairs, the fine lines), and I admitted I felt a small pang of discouragement. Then she said: "I cherish my wrinkles and laugh lines. They tell the stories of my years of joy and laughter." Just like that, something in me shifted. It was a gentle reminder that aging isn't a problem to be solved, but a natural, dynamic process unfolding in us, as it has in every human who has ever lived a full and meaningful life. Many of us are taught to believe that aging is the enemy… But what if aging skin isn't a problem to fix, but something to support? Aromatic plants have been doing exactly that for centuries. In my latest blog post, I dive into 8 powerful herbs and essential oils that nourish, strengthen, and bring radiance to the skin, plus a simple DIY facial oil recipe you can make at home. ✨ Read the full blog at the link in our bio. Enjoy the article, Melissa ___________ #antiaging #antiagingtips #antiagingroutine #antiagingskincare #naturalskincaretips #naturalskincareroutine #diyskincarerecipes
Outside of the world of aromatics, it’s a little-k Outside of the world of aromatics, it’s a little-known fact that aromatic plants have a direct effect on our emotions and mental state. There's a magical, mystical association with scent and how it interacts with our being and consciousness. This exists across all ancient teachings of aromatherapy and incense. Maybe you’ve felt it before… a deep, undeniable, and indescribable feeling inside of you when you smell a certain aroma, like Rose, Frankincense, or Pine. Aroma reaches every part of our being, mind, body, and soul, and its gift opens something sacred within us, connecting our spirit to the divinity of life. ___________ #aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine #aroma #aromatics #aromatherapymagic #sacred
Happy Earth Day! 🌍 For us, it's never just about Happy Earth Day! 🌍 For us, it's never just about one day... it's about the small, daily moments of connection. It's all about reciprocity. Giving thanks, showing gratitude, and taking care of the Earth that takes care of us in so many ways. Every single day. Drop the names of your favorite aromatic plants that the Earth has gifted us.👇 I know, it's impossible to pick just one... but right now, our favorite is Tulsi 🌱 __________ #earthday #earthdayeveryday #happyearthday #natureheals #naturehealsmysoul
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