Home Apothecary Archives

Best places to buy dried herbs online

Agatha NoveilleJune 17, 2021June 23, 2021

There are many places to buy dried herbs online, but which ones are the best? Although I am a big proponent of shopping locally whenever possible, sometimes the only way...

Herbal DIY Home Apothecary Home Herbalists

How to tell the quality of dried herbs

Agatha NoveilleOctober 8, 2020January 4, 2022

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...

Herbal DIY Home Apothecary Home Herbalists

Alcohol free herbs for the home apothecary

Agatha NoveilleJuly 1, 2020April 11, 2022

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...

Herbal DIY Home Apothecary Learn Herbalism

Making herbal smoking blends from scratch

Agatha NoveilleOctober 8, 2019April 14, 2022

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...

Home Apothecary Home Herbalists Natural Wellness

My guide to the best herbal supplement brands

Agatha NoveilleJuly 11, 2019May 20, 2022

Did you know I used to work in health food stores? It's true! I managed a Peachtree Natural Foods store many years ago, and I've also worked for Mother Nature's...

Herbal DIY Home Apothecary Learn Herbalism

Complete Home Apothecary Start Up Guide

Agatha NoveilleJune 6, 2019August 14, 2020

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...

Bee Balm Home Apothecary Home Herbalists Learn Herbalism

Ways to Use Dried Bee Balm on the Homestead

Agatha NoveilleMay 30, 2019May 30, 2019

Bee balm is an herb and ornamental garden plant. Other names for bee balm include bergamot, monarda, and sweet leaf. It is one of my must-have garden herbs for health...

Home Apothecary Home Herbalists Learn Herbalism

Why Use Herbal Formulas?

Agatha NoveilleMay 23, 2019May 27, 2019

Herbal formulas are mixtures of multiple herbs designed with a focused goal. Herbalists create them for convenience, synergy, and flexibility. Sometimes herbal formulas are also known as herbal blends or...

Herbal DIY Home Apothecary Home Herbalists

The herbal tools I use the most in my home apothecary

Agatha NoveilleJanuary 22, 2019November 11, 2022

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...

Herbal DIY Home Apothecary

How to make tea in a French press

Agatha NoveilleAugust 20, 2018April 4, 2022

Using loose-leaf herbs is an economical way to make healthy herbal teas. It's also great for the environment because buying in bulk cuts packaging waste. Once you have collected a...