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traditional incense

Aromatic History & Lore
Incense Crafting
September 28, 20180Comments

The Art of Traditional Incense Crafting

Since time immemorial, people have burned aromatic plants in the form of incense for aesthetic, medicinal, spiritual, and practical purposes in nearly every culture on Earth. To put it simply,
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
Aromatic History & Lore
Plant Profiles
May 13, 20170Comments

The Aromatic Smoke of Juniper: Resilience, Protection, and Hardiness

Juniper: the desert elder, the minimalistic and resilient tree of the Sun. When I think of the Juniper tree, I often think of its hardened and gnarly trunk, standing strong
by NW School of Aromatic Medicine
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Did you know that essential oils should always be Did you know that essential oils should always be diluted before applying to your skin? 💧 Many people skip this step, which can lead to irritation, rashes, or even sensitization – a delayed allergic reaction that develops after repeated exposure. Not sure how to dilute safely? We’ve got you covered! Our free Dilution Chart & Reference Guide breaks down exact ratios for everything from face and body care to herbal baths and first-aid use. ✨ Comment “DILUTION” below, and we’ll send the guide straight to your DMs! Here’s to safe, happy, and effective essential oil use! 🌿 ___________ #essentialoil #essentialoilsafety #essentialoildilution #essentialoiltips #essentialoiltipsandtricks #essentialoiluses #aromatherapy
Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a tropical perenni Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is a tropical perennial from the same botanical family as Turmeric and Cardamom. And here’s a fun fact: what we all know as Ginger root isn’t actually a root at all – it’s a rhizome (a horizontal underground stem that sends up new shoots and spreads the plant outward). 🌱 Even more fascinating? Culinary Ginger is considered a cultigen, meaning it exists only through its thousands of years of human cultivation. This species doesn’t grow wild anywhere in the world, though its cousin, Wild Ginger, does. The plant reaches about 3-4 feet tall with glossy, lance-shaped leaves, and its rhizomes are harvested once the foliage yellows and dies back (about 8-10 months after planting). From there, Ginger can be used fresh or is transformed into dried slices, powder, preserves, or essential oil. This classic aromatic spice has been used for thousands of years across cultures – there’s evidence of it being used in China and India over 2,000 years ago! Ginger is one of the only herbal remedies seen in the main 4 ancient traditional medicine systems: Chinese, Ayurvedic, Unani Tibb, and Greek. All 4 systems recognize Ginger as a warming herb traditionally used to support cold conditions in the body. That kind of universal consensus is rare in herbal history. 🔥 Swipe through to explore the aromatic medicine of this fiery, fragrant spice.
In nature, energy moves downward in winter. Plants In nature, energy moves downward in winter. Plants instinctively know this isn't the time to grow outward – it's time to ground inward. Sap withdraws from branches and leaves and sinks into the roots. Plants release their leaves, cease their blooming, and focus entirely on conserving energy deep beneath the soil. Life concentrates itself underground, where warmth is steadier, nourishment is stored, and strength is sustained. The root becomes the plant's anchor and its storehouse through the cold months. Animals follow this same wisdom: bears curl into dens, insects burrow into bark and soil, amphibians sink into mud, and countless species enter states of dormancy or hibernation, conserving their life force until the light returns. As animals of Earth, we humans mirror this cycle too, whether we realize it or not. Winter invites us inward, into our homes, into our bodies, into our inner landscapes. It asks us to slow down, to root ourselves, and to nourish what sustains us beneath the surface. We are called to tend our inner fire and honor the ancient winter wisdom of rest and regeneration. And just as plants draw strength from their roots, we too can draw upon the medicine of aromatic roots to support us through winter’s depths. Aromatic roots are uniquely suited for winter support: anchoring us when we feel scattered, strengthening us when we grow weary, and protecting us when our defenses run thin. They carry the plant's deepest intelligence – the part that knows not just how to survive, but how to thrive. In our new article, we explore how specific aromatic roots can help you build warmth, resilience, and grounding through the winter months… You’ll discover: ❄️ How to work with winter’s energetics instead of pushing against them 🌱 The top 5 aromatic roots for winter wellness and grounding 🔥 How to support your body and nervous system through the darkest months of the year ✨ Read “Aromatic Roots for Winter” by clicking the link in our bio. ___________ #herbalroots #plantroots #herbalwisdom #aromatherapy #energeticherbalism #energetics #aromaticmedicine
What aromatics do you call on for love? 💞🌸 We coul What aromatics do you call on for love? 💞🌸 We couldn’t choose just one, so here are 4 of our favorite heart-opening botanicals. 🌹 Rose is the timeless emblem of love. In folklore, it has been used to attract and protect true love, opening the heart and softening emotional walls. Its aroma nurtures both romantic devotion and deep self-compassion. 💜 Lavender carries a calming magic. Traditionally associated with peace and reconciliation, its soothing scent relieves tension and restores harmony in relationships – including the one you have with yourself. 🌿 Jasmine is a popular aphrodisiac, long revered for awakening sensuality, intimacy, and joy. It can promote passion, creativity, and confidence in all parts of your life. 🕯️ Vanilla is a warm, grounding aromatic that has commonly been used to promote feelings of love and friendship. Whether you’re cultivating deeper self-love or inviting more passion and connection into your life, these plants have long been allies in matters of the heart. ✨ Which one resonates with you today? ___________ #valentinesdayscents #heartopening #selfloveisthebestlove #selfcare #aromaticmedicine #rose #lavender #jasmine #vanilla
You've likely heard yoga teachers or wellness prac You've likely heard yoga teachers or wellness practitioners speak of "grounding" – but what does this word truly mean? Energetically, grounding means bringing awareness, energy, and presence back into the body, into the moment, and into relationship with the Earth. It’s the opposite of dissociation, fragmentation, anxiety, or excessive mental activity. To understand grounding, let’s look to the roots of plants. Roots anchor plants into the earth, holding them steady against wind, rain, and the changing seasons. Without roots, a plant would topple or drift. Roots provide stability, connection, and a literal link to nourishment. Similarly, aromatic roots anchor us into our bodies and into the present moment. When we feel scattered, anxious, overwhelmed, or disconnected from ourselves, we become ungrounded – like a plant without roots, vulnerable to every passing storm. Grounding brings us back into balance, and working with aromatic roots helps restore this sense of rootedness. They remind us that we belong to the earth, we have a place here, and we can draw strength from the ground beneath our feet. In our new blog article, we’ll: 🌿 Uncover why roots carry the deepest wisdom and resilience for winter ❄️ Journey into the energetics of winter through aromatic medicine 🔥 Learn about the top 5 aromatic roots that can help us stay warm, grounded, and vital all winter long ✨ Read “Aromatic Roots for Winter” by clicking the link in our bio. _____________ #aromaticroots #herbalroots #winterherbs #herbalist #aromatherapist #energetics #angelicaroot
Winter is the season of rooting. 🌱 When the light Winter is the season of rooting. 🌱 When the light fades and the world grows cold and quiet, life doesn’t disappear – it moves underground. Into roots. Into reserves. Into what will carry us through. In our newest blog, we explore why roots are winter’s most powerful plant allies, and how aromatic roots like Ginger, Vetiver, Angelica, and more support warmth, grounding, resilience, and emotional balance through the cold months. If you’ve been feeling tired, scattered, heavy, or simply called inward… this one is for you. ❄️ Read “Aromatic Roots for Winter” by clicking the link in our bio. _______________ #winteraromas #winterherbs #aromatherapy #herbalism #herbalroots #ginger #vetiver #angelica
How long do essential oils last? The answer depen How long do essential oils last? The answer depends on how it’s made. Essential oils are produced in mainly 3 different ways: steam distillation, solvent extraction, and cold press distillation. Most essential oils are made using steam distillation, with an exception of Citrus oils which are primarily created using cold press distillation (also known as expression). In this process, mechanical pressure is used to rupture the volatile oil-containing glands in the plant material, then the resulting mixture is filtered to obtain just the essential oil. Absolutes are made using solvent extraction, where plant materials are submerged in a solvent such as ethanol, hexane, or carbon dioxide, to release their aroma, and then the solvent is removed, leaving behind the volatile oils. Most steam-distilled essential oils generally have a shelf life of 3 years. Citrus oils have the shortest shelf-life, about 2 years. And absolutes have a shelf-life of around 5 years. There are a few plants that are an exception to this rule and actually get better with age – like a fine wine – such as Patchouli and Vetiver. The older these plant oils get, the more the aroma shifts and expands over time. To get the most out of your essential oils, always store them in amber-colored bottles and away from direct sunlight. The standard recommendation is to store the bottles in a cool, dark place like a cabinet or closet. Always keep the lids on to reduce oxidation. ____________ #essentialoils #aromatherapy #essentialoils101 #essentialoileducation #absolutes #co2extract #naturalperfumery
Chamomile has an energetic influence on our solar Chamomile has an energetic influence on our solar plexus – the complex network of nerves located in your stomach area. Lying halfway between the area where we get our “gut instinct” and the empathetic heart, the solar plexus represents the center of our psychological needs and wants. It’s an important part of your sympathetic nervous system, which controls your body’s “fight or flight” response to danger or stress. Chamomile has an affinity for soothing nervous tension and anxiety felt in the solar plexus, particularly in times when our emotional needs and wants feel intensified or unmet. This can come out in many ways, such as actions of overbearing, over-controlling, self-criticism, irritability, frustration, depression, or resentment. Chamomile is the plant of calm composure and easy embrace. Chamomile can help us let go of fixed expectations, calmly see and acknowledge our limitations, and open up to receive the support that others have to give. Just as the flower resembles the sun, it inspires a more sunny disposition inside our emotional and mental realms. ______________ #chamomile #chamomileoil #chamomilebenefits #chamomiletea #ChamomileCalm #aromatherapy #aromaticmedicine
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