How to Select the Best Apothecary Basics and Herbalist Tools

A home apothecary is an excellent way to help heal your body naturally. Fortunately, starting one isn’t as difficult as you might think! These apothecary basics will show you how simple it is to begin your own home apothecary for you and your family.

Apothecary Basics: Why Have a Home Apothecary?

A home apothecary gives you the ability to use plants and herbs to heal and support your body. Your apothecary storehouse can be large or small. You can make your teas, syrups, and tinctures out of herbs from your own garden, or you can purchase bulk herbs for your apothecary.

The Best Herbalist Tools to Include in Your Home Apothecary

3 Apothecary jars with lids full of dried flowers - glass bowl with dried flowers in foreground

Jars with Airtight Lids: Jars are perfect for storing loose, dried herbs. They preserve the freshness of the herbs and are easy to store, stack, and organize. Clear jars also allow you to see the contents easily.
Labels: Don’t risk letting your herbs waste by forgetting what is in your jars! You can also use a black or silver sharpie to write on your jars. When it’s time to re-label, simply wipe the marker with rubbing alcohol and let it dry before relabeling.

cheesecloth on a wooden plank background

Cheese cloth You can use disposable or reusable cheesecloth for straining your herbs
Funnels: Keep a few different sizes of funnels on hand to fit the different bottles and jars you use. You won’t want to lose one single drop of your tinctures or tonics!

5 wooden spoons filled with herbs on a brown background with spices around them.

Wooden Spoons: Wooden spoons work best for preparing your herbs. Avoid metal spoons, as the metal can interact negatively with your herbs.
A saucepan that is just for herbal creations. Having a special saucepan just for your herbal concoctions will save you from worrying about contamination from other foods.

Brown glass jars with lids for tinctures with a white mortar and pestel on a white table cloth.

Mortar and Pestel and/or a food processor: You just need some way to crush, grind, and mix your medicinal herbs.
Amber or dark colored bottles with droppers: Amber-tinted bottles are primarily used for tinctures or essential oils. The dark bottles protect your mixtures from being denatured by the sunlight.

Funnel into glass jar with elderberry syrup and flowers on table

Glass or wooden measuring cups: Remember that some herbs interact with metal, so a glass or wooden measuring cups is best when working with your herbs.
Kitchen scale: Lastly, you’ll need a scale. You can use a digital or analog scale for measuring your herbs and dosages. A digital scale tends to be a bit more precise, but you can make either option work.

Where to Buy Your At-Home Apothecary Tools

Mountain Rose Herbs and Starwest Botanicals are both great options for purchasing the apothecary tools that you will need for your home apothecary. In addition, you can also purchase your herbs on both of these sites.

Where to Keep and Store Your Apothecary

The best place to store your home apothecary is somewhere that is protected from heat and direct light. A cupboard or an enclosed china cabinet will work wonderfully. Ensure the area is dry with a low-moisture level (a basement is probably not the best choice). If you have the option, storing your apothecary near the kitchen gives you easy access to grab your healing herbs right when you need them.

When starting your at-home apothecary, you don’t need an extensive collection of herbs, tinctures, and teas. Don’t get overwhelmed! First, just start with a few herbs that fit your family’s needs. For example, if you tend to get sick in the winter, stock up on immunity-supporting herbs. If you struggle with anxiety and sleeplessness, choose calming herbs. Begin with a few herbs that support you and your family best, and build up from there.

Caucasian woman's hand mixing herbs in a kitchen.

Do herbs go bad?

Yes, herbs can turn and lose their potency. Dried herbs will lose potency in about 1-2 years. Glycerin tinctures stay at their best for 1-3 years. Lastly, alcohol tinctures are good for about 3-5 years. Therefore, you should stock lots of herbs that you use often, but don’t fill your cupboard with herbs that you won’t be able to use on time.

I hope these apothecary basics help you!

In conclusion, starting your own at-home apothecary isn’t as difficult as you might think! In fact, a basic home apothecary can be created with just a few herbalist tools and ingredients.

If you’ve already started on your own apothecary, what herbs do you find that you use most?