• Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore

  • By: Alyssa Severeid
  • Podcast

Incense Explorer: A Deep Dive into Incense History, Culture, Ritual and Lore

By: Alyssa Severeid
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  • Summary

  • Burning incense is a practice embraced by nearly every single culture throughout history. It is both spiritual and medicinal as well as one of life's most profoundly simple pleasures. Grounded in ritual, yet unpretentious and accessible to everyone. Journey with us as we explore the history, culture, plants, medicine and everything in between this sacred yet simplistic pastime.
    2023
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Art Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • The World Makes Scents with Dave and Smey Schultz

    The World Makes Scents with Dave and Smey Schultz
    Sep 11 2024
    59 mins
  • Frankincense and the Importance of Traceability in the Supply Chain with Stephen Johnson

    Frankincense and the Importance of Traceability in the Supply Chain with Stephen Johnson
    Aug 28 2024
    Stephen Johnson, founder of Fair Source Botanicals, shares his journey into working with aromatics and his focus on frankincense and myrrh. He emphasizes the importance of transparency in the supply chain and the need to respect the communities involved. Johnson discusses the challenges and opportunities in the frankincense and myrrh trade, as well as the need for conservation efforts. He also mentions other botanicals, such as rosewood and palm, and the importance of sustainable practices in the industry as a whole. In this conversation, Stephen Johnson and Alyssa discuss the importance of ethical sourcing and transparency in the botanical industry. They highlight the need for consumers to have access to information about the sustainability and ethical practices of the products they purchase. They specifically discuss the case of Palo Santo, a tree that is wild harvested in Peru and Ecuador. While the species as a whole is not threatened, the harvesting practices in certain regions can be problematic. They emphasize the importance of traceability and accountability in the supply chain to ensure the ethical sourcing of botanicals. They also discuss the role of collaboration and pre-competitive collaboration in driving systemic change in the industry. keywordsaromatics, frankincense, myrrh, transparency, supply chain, conservation, sustainability, ethical sourcing, transparency, botanical industry, Palo Santo, sustainability, traceability, accountability, collaboration, systemic change takeaways Transparency is crucial in the aromatics supply chain to drive accountability and address challenges. Conservation efforts are needed to protect frankincense and myrrh trees and ensure their sustainable harvesting. The myrrh trade often receives less attention, but it faces similar pressures as frankincense. Different botanicals require unique approaches to sustainability and conservation. Supporting ethical and sustainable sources is key to promoting positive change in the industry. Consumers should have access to information about the sustainability and ethical practices of the products they purchase. Traceability and accountability are crucial in ensuring the ethical sourcing of botanicals. Collaboration and pre-competitive collaboration can drive systemic change in the industry. The professional aromatherapy community has the potential to be leaders in promoting sustainability and ethical practices in the essential oil industry. Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 03:23The Importance of Transparency in the Aromatics Supply Chain 06:29Conservation Efforts for Frankincense and Myrrh 11:05The Overlooked Myrrh Trade 17:02Sustainability Challenges and Opportunities in the Botanical Industry 25:45Supporting Ethical and Sustainable Sources in the Aromatics Industry 30:56Ethical Sourcing and Transparency 36:40Due Diligence in Sourcing 41:40Creating Awareness and Demand for Better Sourcing 49:51The Role of the Professional Aromatherapy Community Links https://www.fairsourcebotanicals.com/ instagram.com/floboincense https://www.instagram.com/incenseexplorer/
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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Exploring the Fragrant Forest with Bonnie Kerr

    Exploring the Fragrant Forest with Bonnie Kerr
    Jul 17 2024
    Summary Bonnie shares her background and journey with aromatics, from her childhood experiences in nature to living in different environments like New York City, the Caribbean, and Hawaii. She discusses how these experiences shaped her connection with nature and her approach to creating incense. Bonnie emphasizes the importance of using whole botanicals in her incense-making process and the unique scentscapes she creates. She also explores the history and uses of aromatic plants like myrrh and frankincense in ancient cultures. In this conversation, Alyssa and Bonnie discuss the power of aromatics and the importance of connecting with nature through scent. They explore the significance of burning incense and how it can connect us with our ancestors and the non-physical world. They also discuss the difference between natural aromatics and synthetic fragrances, highlighting the depth and meaning that comes from working with natural plants. Bonnie shares her love for working with resins, mushrooms, and lichens, and how they contribute to her incense blends. They also touch on the importance of understanding the energy and properties of plants when working with them. Takeaways Bonnie's journey with aromatics began in her childhood, where she developed a deep connection with nature. She creates incense that is heated rather than burned, using whole botanicals to capture the full aromatic profile of the plants. Bonnie's incense-making process is inspired by her experiences in different environments, such as the forests of Hawaii and the boreal forest in Canada. She explores the history and uses of aromatic plants like myrrh and frankincense in ancient cultures, highlighting their significance in women's medicine and spiritual practices. Burning incense can connect us with our ancestors and the non-physical world. Working with natural aromatics provides a deeper and more meaningful experience than synthetic fragrances. Resins, mushrooms, and lichens are unique and powerful ingredients for incense blends. Understanding the energy and properties of plants enhances the experience of working with them. Sound Bites "I was living in the rainforest off grid. You didn't really need one there, just like a screened-in room." "I view the fragrance as the voices of plants." "I specialize in incense that you heat, as opposed to burning it. So there's no smoke." "Burning incense connects you with the non-physical world." "Working with natural aromatics is so much more than just a smell." "Mushrooms are a big part of the forest sensecape." Links https://espritdelanature.ca/ instagram.com/espritdelanature instagram.com/incenseexplorer instagram.com/floboincense incenseexplorer.com Chapters 00:00Introduction and Background 02:31Living in Different Environments 10:06Creating Scentscapes with Whole Botanicals 13:08Heating Incense and Avoiding Smoke 21:19Exploring Myrrh and Frankincense in Ancient Cultures 32:03The Power of Aromatics and Connecting with Nature 33:11Natural Aromatics vs. Synthetic Fragrances 36:25Exploring Resins, Mushrooms, and Lichens in Incense 48:23Understanding the Energy and Properties of Plants Keywords aromatics, incense, nature, fragrance, plants, Hawaii, forest, essential oils, myrrh, frankincense, aromatics, incense, nature, ancestors, synthetic fragrances, resins, mushrooms, lichens, energy, properties
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    50 mins

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