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A Beginner's Guide to Herbal Remedies & Building a Home Apothecary
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items As a beginner in the field of holistic healing and using natural herbs in my wellness lifestyle, I figured I'd use this as a list to help others who are being guided by the Most High to turn away from Big Pharma and poor diets to build an herbal medi...
Sections
7
Must Reads for Herbal Knowledge
Best Places to Buy Herbs & Spices
Must Have Herbs & Spices for a Beginner Apothecary
Where to Buy Seeds to Grow Your Herbal Apothecary
The Best Balms, Butters, & Oils on the Market
Natural Wellness Supply Guide
Must Reads for Herbal Knowledge
Here's some recommended reading that I own or that has been put in my shopping cart to own 😂 Because an herbal apothecary is useless if you don't know how to build one or what you PERSONALLY need in yours.
Listen: and listen good: I mean this with my WHOLE HEART when I say that this is the beginning. This is where you start. I'm so serious. I literally had to wait months last year to get my hands on this gem when it was completely sold out and the wait...
The Lost Book of Herbal Remedies
Dear Americans, Canadians, and Mexicans: this is my love letter to you. I promise you, this is the second gem that I trullllyyyy recommend to you if you are on a natural wellness journey and building a home apothecary. This book was recommended to me...
A Handbook of Native American Herbs
I absolutely adore this book for the pictures! I'm a visual person and like watching people and writing down what I'm seeing to learn. This book is just so lovely because I get to have a visual on what these herbs look like in the wild, in their natu...
Essential Herbs: Natural Remedies Guide
Now this one was recommended to me by an herbalist I trust as a great reference guide. I might not remember everything off the top of my head when it comes to holistic wellness tinctures, balms, or teas, but this is what will help me build my own tea...
Encyclopedia of Herbal Medicine: 560 Herbs
Now for the advanced learner, this is a go to. A licensed herbalist recommended this one and though it's hefty, it's like an encyclopedia that you can flip through with amazing details and thorough examination of each and every herb listed in the boo...
Herb Syllabus (First Printing)
Best Places to Buy Herbs & Spices
Now not everyone has like a local apothecary nearby that's reputable or just… nearby. 😅 Here's some gems that you can order from that are running favourites for places to stock up my shelves.
You're gonna wanna get on their mailing list (I meannnn… who doesn't love 20% off?! 👀) and their packaging is just the darn cutest!! But more than that, seriously, you're gonna wanna check this place out for bulk herbs. 👌🏾
The Herbal Scoop
Now this is another great resource for some herbs, but their teas are also spectacular! 🤩
Regenerative Farming | Organic Medicinal Herbal Tea | Green Heffa Farms
Now this one is completely new to me and I'm not mad about this one either! I've just been seeing recommendation over recommendation to shop for herbs from this site and well, I'm gonna be checking it out!
Mountain Rose Herbs
Now while the first two recommendations on this list are small businesses built by accredited herbalists, this is the big boss, this is like… you can find it all here. This is definitely a place that I'd recommend if you're going to also get into bui...
Online Herbal Store | Starwest Botanicals
If you are getting into Chinese medicine and do not have an asian grocery store near you… you're welcome.
Weee! | America’s largest online Asian supermarket
Nowwwww as far as spices go? 👀 Look. This is the top tier of the top tier for me. Whenever I buy their spices (like their sumac is 🤌🏾) I'm never mad about it. But also like… you can get milk thistle seeds here, lavender, nettle leaf and peppermint...
Frontier Co-op: Sustainably Sourced Herbs, Spices, and Seasonings | Frontier Co-op
Must Have Herbs & Spices for a Beginner Apothecary
Sooooo you're just starting out and you're wanting to build your stash. Here you go.
Manuka honey is something that my mum put me on before I really started seeing it start to trend on Pinterest. Someone coming over means that I'm usually going to be making tea from them, and this is one honey that I like to hoard to myself, it's jus...
Manukora Raw Manuka Honey MGO 50+ 250g
This is something that I just came across this year and WHERE HAS THIS BEEN?! 😭 Laaadddieeeesssss (and no shade to men, but this list willlll have a lot of herbs that are specific to the daughters of Zion… if you know what I mean 😅😘) this is like ...
Red Raspberry Leaf (Organic & Kosher)
Small business owned, the source of this great chamomile is actually the University of Georgia's UGArden's organic student-led community farm! This is great at night to make tea that will have you soothed as you fall to sleep.
Chamomile
Loose leaf (or you can even buy peppermint tea packets, not gonna hold you) peppermint tea is great. Especially for headaches and digestive health (remember when I said I believe that holistic medicine starts in the gut? I meant that 😂). I know that...
Peppermint
I've got a great shampoo recipe that uses rosemary and a few other herbs and like, I don't seem to use it a lot in my cooking, but topical? 👌🏾
Rosemary Leaf Whole Organic
Now there are three types of holy basil (krishna, rama, and vana). All three are members of the mint family and either give off this peppermint, clove, licorice or lemon smell. Vana, the type I'm recommending here, is on the clove spectrum, and is gr...
Holy Basil Leaf Cut and Sifted (Vana) Organic
Soooo nettle leaf is gonna help you downstairs 😂 Prostate, urinary tract, your immune system, that whole thing. You've gotta be careful if you're on some medications taking this, but it's great in teas and will help you with a whole PLETHORA of ailm...here.
Nettle Leaf
If there was an herb that was the queen of slow living, this is it. 😅👌🏾 Seriously tho, linden leaf and flowers are kinda like chamomile in a way, helping with getting you relaxed and stuff, but it's also a powerhouse when it comes to lowering your...
Linden Leaf and Flower Cut and Sifted Organic
🗣️ CAN YOU BELIEVE THEY TOLD US THIS WAS A WEED?! 🤦🏾♀️ Seriously tho! The whole plant is just wonderful (we'll get to the flowers in a minute) but the roots can be used in a detox tea (your liver will thank you later) and the leaves are great in ...
Dandelion Leaves/Roots
Now dandelion flowers are where it's aaattttt. 😍 From dandelion wine, to its topical use in soaps and stuff, dandelion flowers are great in teas and topical products because not only is it a friend to your liver, it's also an aid in reducing inflamm...
Dandelion Flower
Soooooo here is such a versatile herb, I myself can't wait to get into the multiple ways to use it (beyond tea, which is how I've been consuming most of my herbs until now.) This one is heart health friendly and really helps with promoting healthy sk...
Lemon Balm Organic
Hibiscus is another immune boosting lovely, and honestly? I just love its flavour 🙈 Seriously, it's one of my fave additives to my teas because it's just deliciousssss! But more than that, it aids in digestive health and cardiovascular health. ♥️
Hibiscus
Now listen, you can get milk thistle like loose leaf. I'm all down for that. But for those who are busting their butts trying to get their livers in order, using these supplements is also great. Milk thistle is something that I was just put on this y...
NOW Foods, Milk Thistle Extract, Double Strength, 300 mg, 200 Veg Capsules
Hello ladies 💁🏾♀️ This is going to become one of your best friends. I wish that I had known about this years ago, but the Chinese have utilizing these red dates in their teas for years. Add it to your roster for that time when Mother Nature visits...goji berries and you'll thank me later.
OCM Organic Ningxia Jujube 454 g
What's wonderful about these power packed berries is that if you have heavy periods ladies? Or if you cramp enough to cause tremors on a richter scale? Yeah. Mix these with some jujubee to make tea and you'll have an easier time. Swear.
GongHe Organic NingXia Goji Berry 227 g
🗣️ ARTHRITIS IS NOT YOUR PORTION, DO YOU HEAR ME?! 🙂↔️ No, not here not now. This is greatttt for joint health, and I mean it. My mum put me on this and my grandmother also uses it daily. I've started adding it to my tea with a little pepper to ac...
California Gold Nutrition, Superfoods, Organic Turmeric Powder, 4 oz (114 g)
Where to Buy Seeds to Grow Your Herbal Apothecary
Heirloom seeds, heirloom seeds, heirloom seeds. I'm a seed saver for real and it's where I started when it came to my homesteading journey. I've got a few tips for this mentioned on another list (which you can find here) but for building your natural medicine cabinet? This is where I personally go.
Now I believe that holistic health starts in the gut. I really do. And so this is where I buy all the seeds to building my vegetable garden. You're welcome. 😘
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Bring Your Garden to Life
This is where I go for my flowers. Like literally, I don't need to go anywhere else really. I've gotten some vegetables and herb seeds on my list here, but flowers (especially those with medicinal properties)? Yeah. My go to hands dowwnnnn. 🫶🏾
Heirloom Seeds | 860+ Varieties | Eden Brothers
When I can't find something at the first two sources (meaning veggies, herbs, flowers, etc) then this is who I dance with. And I really adore these guys (not to make them seem like the last resort) because they go above and beyond in giving you infor...
Johnny’s Selected Seeds | Supporting Farms & Gardens Since 1973
The Best Balms, Butters, & Oils on the Market
If you're like me and moving away from mass produced lotions and salves (nothing wrong with them, besides some of crap they put in as “preservatives” that so many of us just get sick from) to create your own natural creams and holistic soaps and stuf...
Noted by the Chicago Tribune as the best of the best of aloe vera gel you can buy (if you're not getting the gel fresh from the plant) I'm switching all the aloe vera gel that I have in the house to this brand. And the reviews on Amazon are why.
Seven Minerals Organic Aloe Vera Gel 12oz
Sky Organics makes the best shea butter, I don't care I don't care I don't care 🙃
Sky Organics Organic Shea Butter 15 oz
Now listen: I used to use Palmer's for years. And nothing against them, but for some reason (I don't know if they switched something up or what) it just doesn't react to my skin the same way. I started lotion hopping after this happened with both the...
Sky Organics 100% Raw Cocoa Butter, 16 Oz
I've gotta killer recipe for a night moisturizer cream that will replace the moisturizer I use in my korean skin care regimen when removing my makeup (🥹) and jojoba oil (which I already love) is in it so I'm obsessed! I noticed, when I was given the...
Organic Jojoba Oil
I've been buying the Nutiva brand of coconut oil for years because of my mother, and it's just the best. It's so versatile. This is the stuff you can cook with, that you can use on your hair, that you can put on your skin. It doesn't have stuff added...
Nutiva, Organic Virgin Coconut Oil, 54 fl oz (1.6 l)
About a decade ago, I found out about the benefits of castor oil on Instagram and I tested it with a friend at the time for a good week. Listennnn… what happened to our lashes in a week (and these might not be your results but for us it was REALLLYYY...
Kate Blanc Organic Castor Oil 4oz - Pure & Cold Pressed
Now this is not medical advice but uhhh… castor oil and frankincense are really great for their anti-aging properties when used together. 👀
Frankincense Essential Oil 4 Fl Oz - Pure
Natural Wellness Supply Guide
You're going to need places or items to store your goodies in. I got you.
You're gonna need a place to store your loose leaf teas and herbs and honestly? Glass. Go with glass. You can do like the LocknLock or like airtight tupperware but I'm telling you: glass glass glass all day. Wide mouth as well (because it's great for...
Ball®Wide Mouth Quart 32oz. Glass Mason Jars with Lids and Bands, 12 Count
They're 1oz and come with a funnel. If you're making your own essential oils, tinctures, or oils where you need a dropper, I'm telling you, the amber glasses are the way to go. ☺️
30ml Dark Amber Glass Tincture Bottle
Inspiration for Aspiring Herbalists
It wouldn't be one of my lists if I didn't recommend some people and places to go to to get some inspiration for recipe ideas or just knowledge to know what the heck you're doing in your home apothecary. ✨
Now this is my personal pinterest page with all of the things that I'm starting to save online for others to know what I'm looking at, what I'm storing, ideas that I'm getting for my own home apothecary. So you'll definitely find some gems in here 💎
Herbal Remedies | Thyme & Vine on Pinterest
Basically, this is the best spot that you can get some online courses that will give you a certificate, if that's what you're looking for. It's self paced, so anyone wishing to become a clinical or registered herbalist would realllyyyy benefit from s...Clinical Herbalist Course Package.
Herbal Academy
Thank me later. 😘
How to Make Your Own Herbal Tea Recipes