Northern Allure-How to make a high quality tincture of Castoreum

by Dan Riegler on October 25, 2015October 25, 2015

Castoreum, tincture of Castor, dried granules on the right, ground and preserved in alcohol on the left.

Since I field questions about the products I sell in the shop, including Beaver Castor with increasing frequency, here are a few thoughts on the subject, and how to best make your own high-quality perfume tincture with it. Beavers are a familiar animal especially here in Canada. They not only symbolize productivity and industriousness, as […]

Tincture of Civet, Spruce essential oil, a fire in the lab

by Dan Riegler on October 13, 2014October 14, 2014

Though I hate to open on a negative note. I’m going to anyway :-). I’m still shaken up by the small fire in my lab the other day. Small being a relative term. It is a small space and could have been much worse given all the high-proof alcohol tinctures and essential oils crowded in […]

Wild Ginger, Flavorful, Fragrant Northern Treasure

by Dan Riegler on April 3, 2013April 5, 2013

Wild-Ginger-Ontario- Hidden medicine and gourmet spice14-06-2013-

Wild Ginger- Asarum Canadense Not many people are familiar with Wild Ginger. It is one of those unique, well hidden treasures of the deep woods that some Canadians or Northeastern Americans might come across, but most would not recognize. This may be a good thing. I believe it is on the protected list in Maine as […]

Magical Mythical Marvelous Myrrh

by Dan Riegler on January 26, 2013January 26, 2013

MYRRH Natures perfect gift for Oral care & first aid Heartache or toothache, which is the worst? I still don’t have an answer for that one. At least for a toothache there is an obvious and effective way to address the source of the pain. Winter is […]

Yang to Yin, the Shift

by Dan Riegler on October 13, 2012October 13, 2012

October 13 dawn, Fall is still falling, and notably I feel an internal shift unfolding. From planting, working outdoors, harvesting, to indoor, laboratory work, insight and intuition, subtle processes and study. Perfume is on my mind again. All the raw materials I collected, purchased, researched during the year are now ready to use. Tinctures of […]