Earth Blessings Everyone!!
Starting a new venture in life always seems to come with the most ridiculous expenses. It's almost as if you need to shell out hundreds of dollars to even start learning about something.
This list will help navigate through all the capitalistic bull shit (oops) and start you on your herbal journey for cheap or free.
Jars
Jars of all kinds, shapes, sizes and colors! I have been fortunate enough to have been gifted a ridiculous amount of mason jars from a few of my friends. Although, it's really not hard to find them second hand, and honestly it's the best way to get them. Otherwise you're spending a lot of good mason jars. After you've cleaned and sterilized them, they are good as new! If you're having trouble finding jars on the cheap or free side, start saving any pasta jars, jam jars, baby food jars (which if you hop on any free site, Craigslist or Facebook Marketplace, Mom's are ALWAYS giving baby food jars away!)
Mortar and Pestle
This is a great tool to have in your Apothecary. Honestly, I'm waiting for the day I can get a bigger one than the one I have. If you don't have the means to acquire a mortar and pestle (mine was a gift from my awesome Momma) then a clean rock and a wooden bowl work legit just as well! You can pick up wooden bowls anywhere for really cheap, especially if you only need one!
Metal Sifter
I have seen these at every Dollar Store I've ever walked into. So a buck! (plus tax) I use these for so much! I use these for straining out herbs after they've infused in oils or alcohol.
Candle Warmer
Now this one is seemingly one of my own essentials for an Apothecary. When researching what other Herbalists use or consider a need in their own apothecaries a candle warmer is NEVER mentioned and honestly I don't know why. I use this for EVERY SINGLE OIL I MAKE! It is legit the easiest and steadiest way to infuse oils. No bothering with double boilers and worrying about getting water into your oil, or even infusing with the sun, which takes weeks and I have honestly forgotten oils on my window sills. You can pick these up for less than $5 bucks at any department store.
Cheesecloth
This isn't necessarily an essential, I've gotten away with not using cheesecloth, but it is so much easier with it when you need to strain out herbs from oils or alcohol. It's cheap enough where it won't break the bank to get them and you'll thank me in the end when you don't have oil all over your counter.
Carrier Oils
Okay, so this one on our list CANNNN get a little expensive depending on which oils you choose to use. Lucky for us though Olive Oil is a great starter oil and is available almost ANYWHERE! And it's generally not that expensive. When you start getting into oils like Almond Oil, Sunflower Seed Oil, or Jojoba Oils...then the price tag starts to go up. But for argument sake and in starting your home apothecary, Olive Oil works perfect for most infused oil recipes.
Bees Wax
This may be the most expensive item on our list that you can't really get a cheaper replacement for. Luckily Bees Wax it's not usually ridiculously priced and a little goes a long way. If you live in an area that has local farmers markets or you know a bee keeper, going that route may be a little cheaper. Plus local is always best. Otherwise, there are a lot of resources online for bees wax.
Vodka (or 80-100 proof alcohol/everclear)
I know there are a few states where Everclear isn't sold, so in this case Vodka works perfectly fine. Plus, Vodka is cheaper. Vodka is used in any Herbal tincture that you create. Tinctures are a great way to up your medicinal game with herbs!
Honey
Now good honey will cost a bit, especially if it's local. But and this is a big but, if you've been following my page for a while you'll notice that I don't use a lot of honey in my remedies. I make small batches for whatever I'm using it for. Usually in the smallest mason jar available or in a recycled baby food jar. So a jar of good honey will last you a good while. If you do decide or can buy local, try getting the bees wax and honey from the same vendor!
Vinegar
For all my remedies, I use Apple Cider Vinegar, especially for my Fire Ciders. You can make your own with water and apples or go the easier route and buy it at any grocery or department store.
Herbs
I felt like this one was a given, so I didn't count it in the 10 items list. But if you're like me, this part will be completely free. Since starting my herbal journey I have yet to buy any actual herbs. I pick and dry and create all my own remedies with what I have on hand to forage. If you're in a area where an abundance of herbs isn't available for you to forage responsibly. then there are plenty of resources online such as MountainRoseHerbs which is a very reputable site in which to purchase already dried herbs.
I hope this list helped you in some way on your herbal journey. If there's anything that wasn't on the list but you feel you needed in your apothecary, let me know in the comments!!
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