A recent publication reveals the natural sustainability of two types of Frankincense growing in Northern Kenya. This information is especially relevant in the light of the steady decline of other Frankincense species. Rapid loss of our Frankincense trees. We are...
A question I get a lot in the shop is ,”I’m new at this and I don’t know which Frankincense type to start with. Can you help me?” Well, since you asked, in my opinion, the best way to get acquainted with the Boswellia, AKA Frankincense family...
Leave a Comment / Apothecary / By Dan Riegler Suhul Myrrh, Somalia. A aggregate of tiny fragrant tears. A gift from the tree. Every once in a while I receive a shipment of a very special kind of Myrrh resin called “Suhul Myrrh”-I ooh and ahh, croon and swoon over it...
Frankincense tea, also known as a Frankincense infusion, is a time-honoured remedy in many cultures and medical systems. Some of its traditional medicinal uses have been researched in recent years and I am surprised to see that many of the classic therapeutic...
Visiting the collectors of Frankincense and Myrrh in the Somali Region of Ethiopia February 2019 February 2019 brought a visit with the Camel and Goat herders of the Somali region of Ethiopia. What was once called the “Ogaden”. They are the collectors of...
Another home-made still Continuing with the theme of DIY and home distillation, this is my latest easy-to-make distillation unit showcasing today’s distillation of Frankincense Dalzielii from Nigeria. A gorgeous looking resin that yielded a superb essential oil....
I know I said I didn’t often post shop listings here on the blog. Though still true, I may have to take that back soon…After over 2 months in Africa and the Mediterranean, I am still trying to catch up on correspondence and workshops, making new products,...
Botany for the distiller. A workshop series at the Bozarth Mansion in Spokane WA 12-14 June 2017 Distilling essential oils is a simple process that echoes the evaporation and condensation of water in Nature. We load the still with aromatic material and collect...
I usually don’t post shop listings on the blog and make an effort to keep the sales pitch to a bare minimum here. However, there is a lot of important information in this particular shop listing and I don’t want to write it all again for the blog. Not so...
Civet paste is a rare, ancient and highly esteemed perfume ingredient as well as a traditional medicine in the East. Collected bi-monthly from the perineal gland of the adult Ethiopian Civet, it is still used in mainstream perfumery but mostly via black market back...
One of the highlights of my recent trip to Madagascar and its Vanilla capital Sambava, was witnessing the hand pollination of (Vanilla planifolia-Bourbon Vanilla flowers. Originally from Mexico and central America, their natural pollinator, a species of Melipona bee,...
With only a day left in Africa, I feel I need to offer a brief overview of my latest aromatic trip just to keep everyone abreast. Once back in Canada I will write in detail about this last trip to Madagascar and Kenya. So much has happened during these past three...