The Apothecary & Shop
In the Middle Ages, an “Apothecary” referred to a person having the experience or ability to craft medicines from herbs and other natural substances. At that time, the role of medicine-making in Europe was traditionally filled by men.
About 300 years later, the term Apothecary came to represent the place, rather than the person. So, ironically its meaning went back to the ancient Greek concept of a storehouse of medicines, mostly herbs. Located outside of a medical establishment, it offered therefore an occupation open to women.
In The Apothecary
A formal title for this page might be: “The Apothecary of Aromatic Plant Essences”.
Such a long title seems a fitting way to share what stand out to me from the vast world of plants as healers and as medicines. Mostly, I’m looking at the aromatic significance of these beautiful beings on our planet.
The Apothecary of Aromatic Plant Essences is your introductory gateway to aromatic herbs, spices and essential oils …
for more on the types of scent, see below beginning with the floral aromas.
In The Shop you can purchase scented botanical treasures
The Shop is coming soon! Until then, the Shop is always open for questions! Seasonal offerings will be posted here first. Stay tuned.
Read Aromatic Inspiration below
for a glance at masterful writers and doyens on the intentional olfaction of natural essences.
Roses, the Floral Scent of Unconditional Love
Looking for the scent of a flower and want to know more about it? Floral aromas have many qualities to offer us, and one of these is creativity.
Read more about the floral scent of roses in “About the Rose”, here.
Aromatic Inspiration from the Masters of Olfaction & Natural Essences
Advice for Listening to Scent
A brilliant phrase, “Listening to Scent” is borrowed in part from Jennifer Peace Rhind’s book by the same title. The concept comes from a Japanese custom which incorporates the perfume of incense with the memories or instincts that burning a stick of Pine Tree resin (for example) might have for us.
How I view the idea of Listening to Scent, is simple. You need to have, to hold onto, to sniff, a small sample or an aromatic herb, spice, or essential oil. I think of smelling scent as a way into the senses, but besides the aromas we choose, it’s a way to discover the self. What do aromas tell us? Smelling sweet, pungent, green, fruity, rooty, or resinous, and more is to source or obtain the richness of nature. Intentionally smelling a single essential oil, or blend of several, allows us the freedom to explore.
Explore by “listening”. Or by inhalation and then reflect on your experience. When a fragrance tells you, “this smells delicious”, or beautiful, or calming, or exciting, you sense you’re on a path of discovery. Make time to intentionally smell find the aromas you love. Choose from Aromatic Plant Essences such as Flowers. More essences of a wide variety of types come from Leaves, Seeds, Roots, Resins, Fruits, or Woods.
Resources: Listening to Scent by Jennifer Peace Rhind. Published by Singing Dragon, Philadelphia, London.
Copyright, LotusLadyAromatica, 2025, c2024.