1What Is a Home Apothecary?
173Immune Boosters
2What Goes in a Home Apothecary?
174Lemon, Honey, and Ginger Drink
3The Benefits of Creating Your Apothecary
175Turmeric and Black Pepper Tea
4A Brief History of Herbal Medicine
176Garlic for Natural Defense
5Ancient Beginnings
177Elderberry Syrup
6Egyptian Contributions
178Probiotics for Gut Health
7Chinese Herbal Medicine
179Vitamin D from Sunlight and Food
8Ayurveda in India
180Hydration and Herbal Infusions
9Greek and Roman Innovations
181Regular Habits for Long-Term Immune Health
10The middle Ages in Europe
182Pain Relief and Inflammation
11Indigenous Knowledge
183Pain Relief and Inflammation Remedies
12The Renaissance and Scientific Advancements
184Ginger and Turmeric Anti-Inflammatory Drink
13The Decline and Revival of Herbal Medicine
185Warm Epsom Salt Bath
14Modern-Day Herbal Medicine
186Hot and Cold Compress
15Ethical and Safe Use of Natural Remedies
187Garlic Paste for Joint Pain
16Understanding Herbal Terminology
188Clove Oil for Toothache
17What is an herbal “category,” and is it the same thing as an herbal “action”?
189Willow Bark Tea for General Pain
18What is “energetics” in herbalism?
190Arnica for Bruises and Muscle Pain
19What is the difference between an herbal “action” and an herbal “property?”
191Omega-3 Fatty Acids for Chronic Inflammation
20Herbal Action
192Simple Lifestyle Adjustments
21Herbal Property
193Skin Care: Burns, Rashes, and Acne
22More Examples Using Herbal Actions and Herbal Properties
194Mushrooms & Herbs for Skin Health
23Bitters
195Women’s Health: Menstrual and Hormonal Support
24Energetic Terms
196Ginger Tea for Menstrual Cramps
25Finally
197Fenugreek Seeds for Hormonal Balance
26SETTING UP YOUR HOME APOTHECARY
198Warm Compress for Period Pain
27Choosing the Right Space
199Evening Primrose Oil for PMS Symptoms
28Essential Tools and Equipment
200Cinnamon for Irregular Cycles
29Organizing Your Apothecary
201Chasteberry (Vitex) for Hormonal Health
30SOURCING YOUR INGREDIENTS
202Magnesium for Cramps and Stress
31Wildcrafting: Harvesting Herbs from Nature
203Flaxseeds for Hormone Regulation
32Why Would Someone Want To Forage For Herbs
204Hydration and Herbal Teas for Bloating
33Before Wildcrafting
205Healthy Lifestyle Tips for Long-Term Support
34Plant Identification
206Children’s Remedies: Gentle and Safe Options
35Endangered Plants
207Safe Herbs for Kids
36Growing Area
208Nourishing Plants for Kids
37Know What and How Much You Need
209Gentle Nervines for Kids
38Ask Permission
210When Things Go Amiss
39Wildcrafting Tools
211Appropriate Dosing Of Herbs for Kids
40How to Wildcraft Herbs
212Clark’s Rule
41What to Do with Herbs after you’ve collected them
213Young’s Rule
42One option you have is hanging herbs out to dry
214What to Watch For
43Another option for drying herbs is to dry them in an oven
215The Scratch Test
44You can also use a dehydrator to dry herbs
216CREATING YOUR HERBAL FIRST AID KIT
45Growing Your Medicinal Plants
217Must-Have Herbs for First Aid
46The Inner Garden Journey
218Pot Marigold (Calendula officinalis)
47Herb Garden Layout
219Aloe (Aloe Vera)
48Visuals
220Common Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
49Soil
221Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
50Light and Height
222Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
51Companion Plants
223Quick Remedies for Cuts, Scrapes, and Bruises
52Harvesting Herbal Medicine
224Managing Fever and Infection
53Digging In: Planting Your Medicinal Herb Garden
225Understanding Fever and Infection
54In the Zone
226Herbal Remedies for Fever and Infection
55Herb Seeds or Transplants?
227Additional Natural Strategies for Managing Fever and Infection
56Annual Herbs vs. Perennial Herbs: Best Medicinal Herbs to Grow for Beginners
228Natural Antiseptics
57Shopping for Quality Herbs and Ingredients
229What are Natural Antiseptics?
58Organic vs. Non-Organic: What Matters?
230Why Use Natural Antiseptics?
59Why Organic Matters
231Examples of Natural Antiseptics
60When to Choose Organic
232Lemon
61When Non-Organic Can Be Okay
233Honey
62Cost Considerations
234Manuka honey
63Certification and Trust
235Pineapple
64Storing Herbs and Ingredients Properly
236Various essential oils
65Know the type of herb you’re working with
237Moringa oleifera
66Why do herbs go bad?
238Garlic
67Should you wash herbs before storing them?
239Health Benefits of Natural Antiseptics
68How to store soft herbs in the fridge
240Natural antibiotic
69How about putting basil away?
241Antimicrobial properties
70Storing hardy herbs
242Anti-inflammatory properties
71How long will fresh herbs last in the fridge?
243Antioxidants
72Can you freeze herbs?
244Antifungal properties
73UNDERSTANDING MEDICINAL HERBS
245Conditions Natural Antiseptics Can Help With
74Top Medicinal Herbs for Beginners
246Staph infection (staphylococcus aureus)
75How to Identify Herbs
247Strep throat (streptococcus pyogenes)
76Herbal Properties and Uses
248Urinary tract infection
77Tips for Using Herbs
249Gingivitis
78HERBAL PREPARATIONS AND REMEDIES
250Scientific Evidence and Studies for Natural Antiseptics
79Infusions and Teas
251Natural vs. Synthetic Antiseptics
80Uses for Herbal Infusions
252How to Use
81Herbal Infusions for Medicinal Purposes
253Honey
82Herbs for Great Tasting Infusions
254Manuka honey
83Consult your physician or herbalist before drinking infusions.
255Pineapple
84How to Make a Herbal Infusion
256Lavender oil
85A Decoction: A Stronger Infusion
257Tea tree oil
86Decoctions: Extracting Harder Parts of Plants
258Calendula oil
87What is a Decoction?
259Witch Hazel
88When to Use Decoctions
260Eucalyptus oil
89How to Make a Decoction
261Oregano oil
90Practical Tips for Making Decoctions
262Moringa oleifera
91Examples of Common Decoctions
263Grapefruit seed
92When to Avoid Decoctions
264Garlic
93Combining with Other Preparations
265Calming Allergic Reactions
94Why Decoctions Are Important in a Home Apothecary
266ADVANCED APOTHECARY PRACTICES
95Tinctures: Alcohol-Based Extracts
267Fermentation in Herbal Remedies (Kombucha, Vinegars, and More): The Science of Fermentation
96Herbal Tinctures and Their Uses
268Benefits of Fermentation in Herbal Remedies
97Echinacea
269Common Methods of Fermenting Herbs
98Lemon Balm
270Popular Fermented Herbal Remedies
99Ashwagandha
271Making Herbal Wines
100Tulsi (Holy Basil)
272Ingredients
101Chamomile
273Preparation
102CBD/THC (Cannabis)
274Sterilization
103Tincture Formulations with Alcohol
275Clean Your Herbs
104Alcohol-Free Tinctures
276Day Two
105How to Make Homemade Tinctures
277After One Month…
106Side Effects from Tinctures
278The Final Wait…
107Tincture Dosing
279Crafting Herbal Cosmetics (Lotions, Creams, and Lip Balms)
108Glycerites: Non-Alcoholic Tinctures
280Tools of the Trade
109How to Make a Glycerite
281Gentle Herbal Shampoo
110Powders and Capsules
282Herbal Hair Rinse
111What Are Herbal Powders?
283Herbal Skin Care
112What Are Herbal Capsules?
284Facial Steam
113Why Choose Powders or Capsules?
285Facial Masks
114How to Make Herbal Powders
286Cucumber & Sage Mask
115How to Make Herbal Capsules
287Chamomile & Oatmeal Mask
116Common Herbs for Powders and Capsules
288Astringents
117Tips for Using Powders and Capsules
289Lavender Facial Astringent
118Precautions
290Massage
119Benefits of Powders and Capsules in a Home Apothecary
291Creating Herbal Smoking Blends
120Syrups and Honeys
292The Anatomy of a Herbal Smoking Blend
121What Are Herbal Syrups?
293The Base
122How to Make a Herbal Syrup
294Herbs with a Supportive Role
123Examples of Herbal Syrups
295Flavoring Herbs
124What Is Herbal Honey?
296Adding Body
125How to Make Herbal Honey
297How to Formulate a Herbal Smoking Blend
126Examples of Herbal Honeys
298Winter Mullein Blend
127Benefits of Syrups and Honeys
299Ingredients
128Precautions
300Putting it All Together: Crafting Your Herbal Smoking Blend
129Tips for Success
301Using Herbal Smoking Blends
130Salves, Balms, and Ointments: Supplies Needed to Make Salve or Balms
302SEASONAL APOTHECARY
131Understanding Salve and Balm Wax-to-Oil Ratios
303Spring: Cleansing and Renewal Herbs
132Basic Homemade Salve Recipe
304Why Spring is Ideal for Herbal Cleansing
133Oil of choice
305Key Herbs for Spring Cleansing and Renewal
134Beeswax
306Spring Cleansing and Renewal Herbal Blends
135Alternative (vegan) wax alternatives for salves or balms
307Summer: Cooling and Hydrating Remedies
136Optional Ingredients: Herb-infused oil
308Fall: Immune Support and Warming Blends
137Butter: Shea Butter, Cocoa Butter, and Mango Butter
309Winter: Respiratory and Comforting Remedies
138Vitamin E Oil
310ESSENTIAL OILS IN THE APOTHECARY
139Essential Oils
311Basics of Essential Oils: Uses
140Essential oil precautions
312How to use essential oils
141Which essential oils are best for salve and balm?
313Top Essential Oils for Healing
142Instructions to Make a Homemade Salve or Balm
314How to Safely Use Essential Oils
143Clean Up Tips
315Blending Oils for Specific Needs
144Poultices and Compresses
316Tips for Blending Oils Safely
145Compresses
317PRESERVING AND STORING YOUR CREATIONS
146Poultices
318How Long Do Herbal Remedies Last?
147Herbal Steams and Baths
319Final Tips
148Herbal Steams
320Freezing and Drying Herbs
149Benefits of Herbal Steams
321Harvest, sort, and wash herbs
150How to Make a Herbal Steam
322Freezing herbs
151Herbal Baths
323Options for freezing herbs
152Benefits of Herbal Baths
324Drying herbs
153How to Make a Herbal Bath
325Using a food dehydrator
154Herbs to Use in Steams and Baths
326Using a microwave
155Additional Tips
327Oven drying
156EVERYDAY REMEDIES FOR COMMON AILMENTS
328Indoor air-drying
157Colds, Flu, and Respiratory Support
329Vine Drying
158Herbal Teas
330Testing for doneness
159Steam Inhalation
331Store in airtight containers
160Syrups
332BUILDING YOUR HERBAL KNOWLEDGE: Joining Herbalist Communities
161Natural Tonics
333TROUBLESHOOTING AND FAQS
162Warm Baths
334Why Isn’t My Tincture Working?
163Chest Rubs
335Common Mistakes to Avoid
164Simple Remedies
336Quality Matters—A Lot!
165Stay Hydrated and Rest
337Measure, Measure, Measure!
166Digestive Health and Stomach Troubles
338Don't Ignore Contraindications
167Ginger Tea for Indigestion and Nausea
339Storage Wars: Herbal Edition
168Peppermint for Gas and Bloating
340Get Creative but Be Smart About It
169Apple Cider Vinegar for Acid Reflux: Chamomile Tea for Stomach Cramps
341Final Thoughts: Keep Making Herbalism Spread like Wildflowers: What to Do with Leftover Herbs
170Simple Lifestyle Tips for Everyday Digestive Health
342Conclusion
171Sleep and Relaxation Aids
343INDEX
172What are the Best Natural Sleep Aids?