A few years ago (in 2014, actually) I wrote a post about setting herbal New Year’s resolutions. It ended up becoming a sort of botanical bucket list. I just updated it for this January, and I thought it would also […]
My 2021 Botanical Bucket List
How to create an herbal materia medica
One of my favorite tools is my herbal materia medica. It’s a personalized journal and herbal reference that makes it easy to look up herbs that I have studied. Essentially, it holds a lot of detailed information in one place. […]
How to Tell the Quality of Dried Herbs
Learning to judge the quality of dried herbs can be tricky. It’s a skill that’s built with experience. Growing your own herbs and drying them at home are the best ways to ensure they are of high quality. Even when […]
Alcohol Free Herbs for the Home Apothecary
Steeping herbs in alcohol is a quick and simple way to extract and preserve their benefits. Alcohol-based herbal extracts are potent and have a good shelf-life, so it’s no wonder that the little brown bottles of extract have become ubiquitous. […]
Making Herbal Smoking Blends from Scratch
Throughout history, dried herbs have been used to make incense, smudges, and herbal smoking blends. After all, there’s something fascinating about the alchemy of herbs and smoke. Part of it is visual. We can see the plants undergo a violent […]
A Review of The Modern Herbal Dispensatory
The Modern Herbal Dispensatory by Thomas Easley and Steven Horne is a valuable addition to any herbal home library. It’s especially useful for home herbalists interested in taking their DIY home apothecary skills to the next level. What’s Inside The […]
How Many Herbs to Choose for an Herbal Formula
How many herbs to choose for an herbal formula is a common question for home herbalists. Read on for some things to consider as you create your next herbal blend. Probably the biggest problem with creating herbal formulations is the […]
What’s in My Everyday Carry Herbal First Aid Kit
Have you ever thought about building an herbal first aid kit, but weren’t sure where to begin? An everyday carry herbal first aid kit can be a great place to start! My perspective on preparedness comes from living in rural […]
Complete Home Apothecary Start Up Guide
So You Want to Start a Home Apothecary . . . Perhaps you’ve seen dreamy pictures of home apothecaries come up on your Instagram or Pinterest accounts. Charming glass jars full of gorgeous petals, roots, and leaves; handsome mortars and […]
The Herbal Tools I Use the Most in My Home Apothecary
Although you don’t need a lot of tools to start making herbal extracts and teas, it does help to have a few quality things like glass canning jars, a good kettle, and a sturdy coffee grinder. I’ve been studying herbalism […]