by Dan Riegler | Oct 6, 2016 | Apothecary, Distillation, Essential Oils, Ethics & Sustainability, Fair Trade, Frankincense, Resins & Saps, Wildcrafting
Well, I have my tickets to Madagascar. Now I deal with the anxiety of Oh My God what have I done, what am I forgetting to pack, and make sure you buy new underwear in case the plane goes down in a ball of flame. A huge, warm thank you to everyone who contributed to...
by Dan Riegler | Sep 12, 2016 | Apothecary, Ethics & Sustainability, Fair Trade, Natural Perfume, Resins & Saps, Wildcrafting
I have been offered the opportunity to spend two weeks working in Madagascar this October. Short notice and an unexpected expense, but full of potential. I will stay with Vanilla farmers, distil an unusual Elemi, and look at creating value-added products and...
by Dan Riegler | Jul 4, 2016 | Distillation, Essential Oils, Ethics & Sustainability, Wildcrafting
The past few decades we have seen a burgeoning market in herbal health related products. Natural/botanical perfumes and cosmetics, aromatherapy and massage therapy have all contributed to a booming Western market and a consistent growth in our use of essential...
by Dan Riegler | May 26, 2016 | Apothecary, Boswellic acids, Ethics & Sustainability, Frankincense, Frankincense Cancer, Resins & Saps
Let me open by saying there is no special “medicinal’ type of Frankincense. Don’t be fooled by marketing catch words like “Medicinal” or “Therapeutic”. All Frankincense is medicinal, in fact, everything nature produces...
by Dan Riegler | May 21, 2016 | Apothecary, Astrodynamics, Astrology, Astrology, Ethics & Sustainability, Plant Alchemy, Plant Alchemy, Wildcrafting, workshops
The Viridis Genii Symposium Plant Magic, Mysticism, and Medicine June 3rd — June 6th 2016 As some of you know, I will be presenting the keynote speech and conducting a workshop at the Viridis Genii symposium beginning of June in Portland Oregon. The premise of this...
by Dan Riegler | Apr 1, 2016 | Apothecary, Civet, Essential Oils, Ethics & Sustainability, Fair Trade, Frankincense, Natural Perfume, Resins & Saps, Wildcrafting
Since returning from Africa 2 weeks ago, it feels like I landed running, and I don’t yet see a respite in the near future. My keynote speech at the Viridis Genii Symposium is coming up fast which means I had better get travel arrangements to Oregon made ASAP,...
by Dan Riegler | Mar 7, 2016 | Apothecary, Ethics & Sustainability, Fair Trade, Frankincense, Natural Perfume, Resins & Saps
A short update before I return to the Kenyan bush and comunication silence. Though I’ll focus on the more current events in Kenya with the Samburu women since they are fresh, I will return in the next few weeks to expand on the equally important landmarks of my...
by Dan Riegler | Feb 25, 2016 | Civet, Distillation, Essential Oils, Ethics & Sustainability, Fair Trade, Frankincense, Natural Perfume
As some of you know, I am sourcing fair trade, sustainable and unique fragrance materials, resins and essential oils during my trip through Africa. At the moment I am in Ethiopia purchasing local aromatics and speaking with Civet farmers and exporters. My friend and...
by Dan Riegler | Feb 20, 2016 | Apothecary, Distillation, Essential Oils, Ethics & Sustainability, Fair Trade, Frankincense, Resins & Saps
First night in Addis Ababa Ethiopia, reclining in a hammock, chewing on some Chaat and gazing at the moon at 2,355 meters above sea level. She feels closer somehow. Supporting a huge halo, I’m comforted by her unchanging presence no matter where in the world i...
by Dan Riegler | Jan 26, 2016 | Apothecary, Ethics & Sustainability, Fair Trade, Frankincense, Natural Perfume, Resins & Saps, Wildcrafting
I have just been invited to Northern Kenya to work with the women of the semi-nomadic Pastoralist Samburu tribe with their wildcrafting business and help set up a fair trade platform that will make their lives a little easier, especially through the unpredictable...
by Dan Riegler | Feb 27, 2015 | Civet, Ethics & Sustainability, Fair Trade
It’s been almost a year since my last visit to Ethiopia, after which I wrote the post, “Ethical civet a glimpse from the mountaintop”. I must admit, when I returned home I felt overwhelmed, as it seemed the only way a model ethical Civet farm could...
by Dan Riegler | Dec 10, 2014 | Apothecary, Civet, Ethics & Sustainability, Fair Trade, Resins & Saps
Well. Looks like I’m moving, and leaving Canada. I say “looks like” because at this point I can’t see exactly how I’m going to get there. I’m just putting one foot in front of the other, one packed box on top of the other, filling...
