Creating Your Own Kitchen Apothecary
An apothecary in your home can be so handy!
It means one who has taken the time to research and prepare different kinds of plant-based remedies. Having a home-based apothecary can afford you the following benefits:
for emergency situations, you have ready-made items at your fingertips,
herbal remedies are safe and effective (they are chemical-free), and
the choices you made have an impact on your general wellness and health.
Setting up a home apothecary doesn't take a lot. There are special tools of course that some #herbalists have acquired over the years, but for everyday people, setting up an #apothecary for your home, well, you've already got the equipment.
Let me walk you through some things that you might want to set aside for your herbal preparations. You'll need a pot, some bowls, a strainer, funnels, mason jars, some spoons, a measuring cup, fine cheesecloth, a spice grinder, and labels. Stainless steel or glass items are the best materials because they can be placed in a dishwasher, or in boiling water, and can be sanitized. They cut down on chemical reactions, and are food-grade safe. With this equipment, you're off to a good start in preparing your own home apothecary. I would also suggest a small journal where you can write down all the remedies you've created, when you used them and how you felt afterwards.
Decide what you would like to make. Is it putting up a syrup, will you make a tea, or how about an oxymel or vinegar? Or maybe a salve? I think this is the first decision you need to make. The next decision is whether or not you're going #foraging. And if you are and you're not really familiar with plant identification, then I think picking up a few resources will help you along the way. There are a number of books you can purchase or get from the library and there are loads and loads of youtube videos out there, and there are even some apps that can help you identify certain herbs, twigs, plants, etc. Or you can try contacting an herbalist you know and trust! I'm sure that they will relish spending time with you and the plants. If you're not going to venture into the fields, there are plenty of stores where you can find organic herbs.
Will you be going into the forest or to an open field to do your foraging? Always be mindful that wherever you intend to go and pick plants that you check out your surroundings and make sure you are away from the street, that you are away from electrical power lines, gas stations, or anything that might have polluted the air or the groundwater around the plants. Try not to pick everything you see. Leave some for next time.
And lastly, it's important to be mindful that you prepare a clean and safe environment in which to do your work. You don't want to spend time making something only to find out it has become moldy and has bacteria growing in it. Sanitize everything! Boil some water and place everything you're going to use in the water for 10 minutes or spray them down with 70% isopropyl alcohol and let them air dry. Keep animals out of the room and be mindful of open windows and insects. Be sure to sterilize the surface where you will be working too. Wear an apron, a headscarf, and sterile gloves. If you're thinking about gifting your preparations it might be a good idea to wear a mask as well.
In the next blog, I'd like to introduce you to an oxymel. What it is? How to make it? So simple! And why it can be so helpful to you this winter.
Did anyone try the fire cider or elderberry recipes? Would love to hear your comments and stories about the preparations you are taking for your immune system this winter. Hope you'll join me again.
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Peace and Herbal Blessings,
Gloria
Disclaimer:
The statements made on this website have not been evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration. The information provided by this website or this company is for informational purposes only, it is not meant to substitute for medical advice or diagnosis provided by your physician or other medical professionals, and is not a substitute for a face-to-face consultation with a health care provider, and should not be construed as individual medical advice. Always consult your physician or health care provider before using any herbal products.
