Home Apothecary Setup
Create your own herbal medicine cabinet
Welcome to the ancient art of home herbalism. Creating your own apothecary connects you to generations of wise women who knew that the best medicine often grows right outside our doors.
What is a Home Apothecary?
A home apothecary is your personal collection of herbs, preparations, and tools for supporting your family's wellness naturally. It's both practical medicine cabinet and sacred space where plant wisdom lives.
"An herbalist's kitchen is her pharmacy, her garden is her medicine chest."
Essential Equipment
Basic Tools (Start Here)
- Glass jars with lids: Various sizes for storing herbs
- Fine mesh strainer: For straining teas and tinctures
- Measuring cups & spoons: For consistent preparations
- Labels & markers: Always label everything!
- Mortar & pestle: For grinding herbs
- Tea kettle: Dedicated to herbal use
- Cutting board & knife: For fresh herbs only
Intermediate Tools (Build Up)
- Tincture bottles: Amber glass with droppers
- Cheesecloth or nut milk bags: For fine straining
- Double boiler: For making salves and oils
- Scale: For precise measurements
- French press: Great for infusions
- Herb grinder: For larger quantities
Advanced Tools (Eventually)
- Herb press: For tincture making
- Dehydrator: For drying fresh herbs
- Distiller: For hydrosols
- Percolation cone: Advanced tincturing
Your Core Herbal Pharmacy
Start with these versatile herbs that address common concerns:
Nervines (Nervous System Support)
Chamomile: Gentle calm, digestive support, children-safe
Lemon Balm: Uplifting calm, antiviral, heart support
Passionflower: Deep relaxation, sleep support
Skullcap: Nervous tension, anxiety relief
Digestive Herbs
Ginger: Warming, nausea relief, circulation
Peppermint: Cooling, digestive ease, headaches
Fennel: Gas relief, nursing support
Dandelion: Liver support, gentle detox
Immune Support
Elderberry: Antiviral, immune boosting
Echinacea: Acute immune support
Astragalus: Deep immune building
Garlic: Antimicrobial powerhouse
Women's Herbs
Red Raspberry Leaf: Uterine tonic, mineral-rich
Nettle: Iron-rich, deeply nourishing
Vitex: Hormone balancing
Rose: Heart opening, gentle astringent
First Aid Herbs
Calendula: Wound healing, skin soothing
Comfrey: External healing (not internal)
Arnica: Bruises, sprains (external only)
Lavender: Burns, calming, antiseptic
Basic Preparations to Master
1. Herbal Infusions (Teas)
Standard: 1-2 tsp per cup, steep 5-10 minutes
Nourishing: 1 oz per quart, steep 4-8 hours
2. Tinctures (Alcohol Extracts)
Folk method: Fill jar with herb, cover with alcohol, steep 4-6 weeks
Dosage: Usually 1-3 droppers, 2-3 times daily
3. Herbal Oils
Solar: Herbs + oil in sunny window, 2-4 weeks
Quick: Gentle heat for 2-4 hours
Uses: Base for salves, massage oils
4. Herbal Honey
Method: Fill jar with herbs, cover with raw honey
Uses: Sore throats, daily wellness, children
5. Herbal Vinegars
Method: Like tinctures but with apple cider vinegar
Uses: Mineral extraction, culinary medicine
Storage & Organization
Storage Guidelines
- Dried herbs: Cool, dark, dry place in airtight containers
- Tinctures: Dark bottles, cool place (shelf-stable for years)
- Oils/salves: Cool, dark place (refrigerate for longer life)
- Teas: Away from light and strong odors
Organization Systems
- Alphabetical: Easy to find specific herbs
- By use: Digestive, immune, nervines, etc.
- By preparation: Teas, tinctures, topicals
- By family member: Kids, women's, general
Labeling Must-Haves:
- Herb name (common and Latin)
- Date made/purchased
- Preparation method
- Dosage instructions
- Any cautions
Safety First
Important Guidelines
- Research herbs thoroughly before use
- Start with small doses
- One new herb at a time
- Know contraindications with medications
- Label everything clearly
- Keep out of reach of children
When NOT to Self-Treat
- Serious or worsening conditions
- Symptoms lasting over 2 weeks
- High fever or severe pain
- Suspected serious illness
- Pregnancy (without guidance)
Building Your Practice
Year One: Foundation
- Master 5-10 herbs deeply
- Perfect tea and tincture making
- Create go-to blends for your needs
- Start a simple herbal journal
Year Two: Expansion
- Add 10-15 new herbs
- Learn salve and oil making
- Experiment with combinations
- Share with friends and family
Year Three & Beyond: Deepening
- Study herbal energetics
- Grow your own herbs
- Advanced preparations
- Develop your unique style
Sacred Space Creation
Your apothecary is more than storage—it's sacred space:
Resources for Learning
Recommended Books
- "The Herbal Medicine-Maker's Handbook" - James Green
- "Body into Balance" - Maria Noel Groves
- "Herbal Healing for Women" - Rosemary Gladstar
- "The Modern Herbal Dispensatory" - Easley & Horne
Online Learning
- Wild Weeds blog and resources
- Reputable herbalism schools
- Traditional herbalists on social media
- Local plant walks and classes
Your Apothecary Shopping List:
From Wild Weeds:
- Starter herb collection
- Pre-made tinctures to study
- Seasonal tea blends
From Kitchen/Store:
- Mason jars (various sizes)
- Labels and markers
- Strainer and cheesecloth
- Dedicated herb journal
Building an apothecary is building a relationship—with plants, with tradition, and with your own healing wisdom. Start small, grow with intention, and let your apothecary evolve as you do. The plants are patient teachers, waiting to share their medicine.