Building an in-home apothecary might sound antiquated – after all, don’t we live in the age of modern medicine? It’s true that we have access to strong healthcare programs, but there is something about going back to basics that feels restorative to me. When I can support my family’s health with all natural remedies and ingredients, I am so grateful for the gift of these fantastic, organic fixes that have been used around the world for centuries.
If you are considering embarking on a journey to create and stock your own at-home apothecary, I cannot recommend it enough. But you are probably wondering where to begin. In this article, I am going to share exactly how I got started building my own tool box of apothecary essentials, including storage solutions like jars and cabinets as well as the herbal ingredients and supplements themselves.
Building your home apothecary begins with developing an understanding of the every day uses for herbs, oils, and more to promote your family’s health and wellbeing. I’m going to provide you with a complete apothecary shopping list so that you can kick off your journey in an effective and affordable way.
What Is a Home Apothecary?
Back in what some might call the “olden days,” before the onset of modern medicine, humans learned how to balance our systems and keep ourselves health through what is known as herbalism. The practices of herbalism, which involves mixing dried herbs and oils to create cures for hundreds of common ailments, have persisted through the years for skin care, body care, beauty, helpful nervous system support, and so much more.
A home apothecary is a setup that allows you to practice the tenets of herbalism year-round in your own home. You will begin cultivating a collection of herbs and oils that will allow you to craft all-natural remedies and get rid of the synthetic drugs and pills you may have been relying upon previously. There are herbal solutions known to help with migraine symptoms, contribute to better sleep, and more. I’ve been able to create my in-home apothecary in about one week, and with the tips in this article, I firmly believe that you can, too.
Attempting to create an apothecary in your home can overwhelm you if you are not careful – and that is why it is helpful to lean on someone who has experience in this area. Once you kick off this journey, however, you will be able to be confident and find peace in the knowledge that you can support your family through organic fixes every day.
Essential Apothecary Must-Haves
Setting up your home apothecary might seem like a daunting task, but it’s important to start slow. Over time, you will compile an entire collection of herbs, essential oils, and plants to meet your every need – but to begin, all it requires is a few glass jars and some simple blends to get you started. Join me as I walk you through all of the essential parts of your home drugstore accessories.
First, you will want to think about where you are going to store all of the creations and body care products you will handcraft. Many people create their apothecaries in a cabinet or bathroom storage space, but I have also seen friends use a cart to make their home medicine cabinets a bit more mobile! Once you have selected the location for your new project, it’s time to make a couple of key purchases. Let’s dive in.
Storage Solutions: Find a Good Place for Your Home Apothecary
Storing dried herbs is a little bit more complex than simply setting them out on the counter. Instead, you will want to use small containers or jars to house your infused oils, herbs, and other tinctures. This will keep them fresh for longer, and it will also keep their respective scents and smells contained within these airtight jars. For instance, I like these small glass containers with wood lids. They look great and come in a bundle of six, which makes them an affordable option!
Now, let’s talk labels. As a beginner, you might have a difficult time distinguishing between different herbs and teas – so using labels can be a good way to ensure you don’t mix up your primary ingredients! I use round stickers that are small and fit my miniature containers – plus, I appreciate the kraft paper finish on these that matches my medicine cabinet’s homey aesthetic.
Now that you have the storage solutions ready, you can start thinking about the extracts, herbs, and oils that you will want to keep stocked in your apothecary corner.
Your Starter Pack of Apothecary Essentials
First up, we will talk about herbs. When you begin this project, you will want to purchase a supply of standard herbs. Of course, it’s important to know what each herb does. I will give you a brief overview, but there are also plenty of incredible herbalist books out there that can help you further your knowledge.
Here are a few of the basic herbs you’ll want in your cabinet:
- Chamomile: Known for its ability to prevent and relieve inflammation, chamomile is widely accepted as a sleep aid and an aromatic treatment for ulcers, muscle spasms, and even menstrual disorders. When blended with lavender or peppermint, it can also offer calming properties for the digestive system. I get my chamomile from Nature Restore, an all-organic brand that you can even find on Amazon.
- Elderberry: Rich with antioxidants for immune support, elderberry is often used in tea and can be added to bath products or blended with ginger for anti-inflammatory functions. You will want to choose a brand that can certify the product is organic! (Elderberry can be expensive, so I usually try to buy it on sale.)
- Ashwagandha: Used for stress relief and lowering blood sugar, Ashwagandha is all the rage at spas and clinics alike. It is even more effective when blended with items like holy basil, Rhodiola, or licorice root. While you can find Ashwagandha capsules, you will want the powdered root extract for your collection.
- Turmeric: Yes, this is the same yellow spice you might have used in your kitchen cooking curries or other dishes. It is the ultimate anti-inflammatory herb with nearly countless medicinal possibilities. It is used as an antioxidant and can also reduce swelling. Turmeric powder is an essential for your collection.
You will also want some basic oils in your home:
- Calendula-infused oils: These are perfect to soften dry skin, combat irritation and minor burns, and fight mild inflammation. Calendula oil is a strong piece of your collection.
- Lavender-infused oils: Just like its herbal counterpart, lavender is used to drive sleep and relaxation. Its deeply soothing properties make it the perfect addition to your bedtime routine. You can even brush a few drops onto your pillow or diffuse it (using a product like this one) before you head to bed.
- Arnica-infused oils: Oils with Arnica are perfect for anti-inflammatory uses and can even relieve issues like muscle soreness, swelling, and bruising.
- Rosemary-infused oils: The opposite of lavender, rosemary-infused oils are meant to wake you up instead of putting you to sleep.
As you continue to build out your home apothecary, you will get the chance to learn more about making tinctures, salves, and balms – but herbs and oils are a great place to start. I typically restock my shelves on a monthly basis – and I have even added some healing stones and crystals to my collection.
Building Your Home Apothecary Shopping List
I hope this article helped you put together your starter shopping list to build an incredible apothecary in your own home. With chemical free solutions that do no harm to you and your family, you will be well-equipped to harness the wonders of ancient medicine and enjoy the deeply cleansing power of herbs and tinctures. If you want to discover more tips for making herbalism your go-to, check out some of my other posts on the topic. I can’t wait to hear your home apothecary success stories!
