Psychophysics and scent. What’s that all about? You’re reading this text, taking in visual information while simultaneously breathing in hundreds of scent molecules. How much of your attention is on those various aromatic molecules? How would you describe those scent molecules? Could those scents be considered art? Meet NYC-based academic and gallerist Andreas Keller who lives, breathes and contemplates these olfactory-based topics on a daily basis! With PhDs in neuroscience and philosophy and specializing in olfactory perception and psychophysics, Andreas revels in the messiness of scent so m ..read more

When you hear the word “goo,” do you think of skincare, sustainability, and psychoneuroimmunology? If you don’t you may think differently after spending time with Jodi Scott, co-founder of Green Goo and Good Goo! In this episode, Jodi shares insights into herbalism and a need in the OTC market for plant-based first aid care for our family medicine cabinets. She shares how important the foundational-herbalist process of creating macerations is to the company’s philosophy and how we can and should trust plants. I learned a lot about B-Corporations (Green Goo is one!), fostering a sustainability ..read more

Join Renèe Hughes and me in a lively conversation that spans her journey into wellness, what drove her to start the Aromaspecialists, psycho-aromatherapy, her “mood makeover method” and an overall roadmap for starting business ventures. “Begin with the end in mind and highlight your unique gift.” Starting a wellness-based business promises to entail excitement and challenges. How do you get your unique voice and offering heard through myriad marketing clutter and vie for the attention of potential clients? This is where someone, such as Renèe, who focuses on specialization through a wellness a ..read more

Frankincense. It's more than a word, it's about a plant, several plant species called "Boswellia" that create a healing resin humankind has had a special relationship and worked with beyond biblical times. Meet Robin Kessler, CCA, MIFPA, a certified clinical aromatherapist specializing in hospice care and the therapeutic application of Frankincense resin and its many extracts. She's definitely called the Queen of Frankincense for a good reason--tune in to find out! Get your favorite pen and pad of paper out to take notes! We get into the nuances between the different species and their resins a ..read more

This episode's title could also be "how to smell an oil", but that doesn't read as good in my opinion. This episode topic has been on my mind for years, but recent correspondence with an aromatherapist and physiotherapist based in Switzerland (thank you, Katrin!) prompted me to take thought to spoken word and make a Venn diagram (I love diagrams, charts and tables!). In a nutshell: Pondering "scientific"/clinical + "empirical" aromatherapy. Spike Lavender--a special guest appearance. Liking and disliking. Being an observer. Scent detection and reception. Embodiment (reception). Intersection ..read more

This Spotlight on Aromatherapy episode features my friend and co-host of the former Irreverent Aromatherapy podcast: Bekki Fishelson Kuber, founder of Blue Marble Botanicals. Get ready for a lot of laughter, irreverence and getting into hot- topics such as "this is good for that" and aromatherapy shower discs (bombs). Look forward delving into the following topics during our conversation: Tornado chasing (yes, for real!) How "Wellness from the Earth" is more than a tagline. Cures, ailments and how holistic aromatherapy may fit in. Stepping back from making therapeutic claims. Blending se ..read more

Greetings, friends of Luna Aroma! A place and space where aromatherapy meet the moon! This 12th & final Luna Aroma session still finds us in the throes of Little Spirit time, thrust into Cold moon time for many of us in the Northern Hemisphere. This is often a time of personal darkness, confronted with being with oneself during colder, darker weeks and months of the year. Distractions are possible, but are they worth it? Surrender, connection, respect, reflection and expansion are qualities we may cultivate to nurture our mental and spiritual strength. These qualities and themes of this mo ..read more

This eleventh episode of the Luna Aroma series finds us in Little Spirit moontime. A time still near the “thin veil” and for giving thanks and focusing on spiritual growth. I feel that Eastern Red Cedar and its essential oil support us this time of year, with its personality of quiet, protection, pausing, seeming immortality and the wisdom of being ok with not knowing. Episode Highlights: 7:04 Highlighting Eastern Red Cedar Essential Oil 15:10 Recommended Yoga Pose 16:07 Guided Aromatic Encounter with Eastern Red Cedar 22:40 Poem: 'The Orchid Flower' by Sam Hamill 23:57 Poem: ‘Autumn’ by Hen ..read more

This eleventh episode of the Luna Aroma series finds us in Little Spirit moontime. Look forward to my upcoming Plant Talk write up on Eastern Red Cedar. In the meantime, check out the "Plant Talk" on Juniper Berry @ nycaromatica.com! Ciao for now ..read more

Settle in and descend. Welcome to the realm of liminal spaces, darkness and crossroads. Places and spaces where Persephone and Hecate among other archetypes may guide us. This Luna Aroma episode revels in the marked transition from late summer's end to the bittersweet falling leaves of full-blown Autumn. Which brings us to root season, a time to harvest root medicine such as Ashwagandha, Valerian, Angelica and Cohosh. And get grounded with all of the root essential oils, notably Vetiver. Come along and be my guest! I'll take you through seasonal themes, a guided aromatic meditative encounter a ..read more