How to Build a Home Apothecary:
A Beginner’s Guide to Crafting an Herbal Medicine Chest
Written by Juliet Blankespoor
Photographs as credited
A peek inside the well-stocked apothecary of Tea Elek, who studied with us in the Herbal Medicine Making and Foraging Courses.
Want to learn how to build your very own home apothecary?
Whether you’re dreaming of stocking your first DIY apothecary or looking to expand your own herbal medicine chest, this guide will walk you through the essentials. From organizing jars and labels to choosing the most versatile herbs, you’ll discover how to create an herbal apothecary that’s both practical and deeply personal.
As a fledgling herbalist, I labeled each jar in my first apothecary with an extra-large label. I created a veritable materia medica on that single piece of paper, written in the tiniest script to accommodate my elaborate notes. Along with the typical information you’d expect on an apothecary jar—the plant’s common and scientific names, part used, and harvest date—I also inscribed the energetics and medicinal actions of each herb, along with their uses, and even adorned each label with illustrations of the herb(s) at hand.
Every afternoon, I would sit next to my herbal medicine chest and pore over the labels, taking in the aroma and sight of each homegrown or wildcrafted remedy while reciting their uses. In this tangible way, the medicine came alive for me, and I was learning how to create and organize my own home apothecary.
Thirty years later, as the founder of the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, my herbal apothecary has evolved, reshaped by both time and circumstance. Sadly, I lost my entire collection of herbal medicine in 2024 when Hurricane Helene hit Asheville, NC. One month to the day later, the stress culminated in a heartbreak heart attack. Through the generosity of the herbal community, I’ve begun rebuilding my apothecary, including the herbs I am using to help my heart recover.
An apothecary is no mere medicine cabinet; it holds the stories and healing signatures of herbs lovingly tended in the earth or reverently harvested from backyards.
The medicine in its bottles is much more than roots, leaves, and bark. It’s the essence of field and forest, birdsong and butterfly kisses, babbling streams and fertile dirt, sunshine, and cool afternoon breezes.
Table of Contents
Clear, detailed labels make it easy to connect with and remember the properties of the herbs in your apothecary. Photo courtesy of Chestnut Herbal Medicine Making and Foraging Course student Farrar Cusomato.
Why you need a home apothecary
- A small-scale herbal apothecary is cost-effective and empowering. It puts natural remedies within reach, easing the ever-rising costs of herbs, supplements, and over-the-counter medications. While drugstore remedies can be helpful in certain situations, they often come packaged with a side of unpronounceable additives, synthetic dyes, stabilizers, and fillers. When you stock your shelves with your own organically grown (or carefully sourced) herbs, every jar holds nothing but pure, natural ingredients.
- Beyond convenience, tending an herbal medicine chest deepens your relationship with the plants themselves. You’ll come to recognize their colors in different seasons, know their scent before you open the lid, and recall the texture as they slip through your fingers. Most importantly, you’ll gain familiarity with how each remedy can support your health—or when it should be avoided—making you more self-sufficient in addressing everyday ailments and first-aid needs. A home apothecary is one of the best ways to learn how to use herbs and weave them into your daily life.
- Having herbal medicine at hand—whether dried herbs or handcrafted preparations—means you can respond quickly to health challenges. You’ll save money by avoiding store-bought tinctures and teas, and you’ll save time by not having to run to the store when relief is needed most.
“My neighbor came by with her 4 year old daughter. The daughter is usually always in motion, chattering away about something, but she came in the front door and stopped dead in her tracks. She spent a good long time looking over my whole apothecary, then turned to me and said, “are you a witch!?” It was super cute because she seemed really excited about it, not scared at all. Her mom and I started laughing. I told her yes.”
— Herbalist L. Leland of Blossomwood Botanicals
Photo courtesy of Chestnut student L. Leland.
A well-stocked herbal medicine chest can both help to keep you healthy and provide ease when you aren’t feeling your best.
Many herbs serve as tonic remedies, which are taken frequently to support the digestive, nervous, or immune systems. Others shine in acute, short-lived situations. And then there are the versatile ones that do both!
While learning the nuances of each plant may feel overwhelming at first, starting with a small group of herbs and getting to know them deeply is the best way to begin. For trusted guidance, check out The Best Herbal Medicine Books for Beginning Herbalists.
10 Everyday Ailments Your Home Apothecary Can Help With
- Soothing a sore throat
- Calming an upset stomach
- Supporting the immune system during seasonal illnesses
- Cooling a mild burn
- Relieving post-exercise muscle aches
- Comforting menstrual cramps
- Supporting sleep and relaxation
- Calming insect bites or stings
- Easing tension headaches
- Helping minor cuts and scrapes heal
Keep in mind that even low-risk herbs require respect and care. Download our free Ten Essentials of Herbal Safety Guide or consider taking our Herbal Safety Course for more in-depth knowledge on using herbs safely at home.
“Sharing my washing / processing / drying steps with my friends and family and getting their help always opens their eyes and I love how much they tend to enjoy it! When life gets crazy, I find solace and peace in the simple pleasures at home—like doing anything in my apothecary.”
— Chestnut Herbal Medicine Making Course student KayLeigh Glebe of Northern Spirit Apothecary
Photo courtesy of KayLeigh Glebe.
The Top Ten Herbs for Starting Your Apothecary
After decades of herbal practice, I’ve found these ten herbs to be among the safest, most versatile, and easiest to source. In other words, they cover a wide range of common health needs and are generally considered gentle and beginner-friendly. Think of them as the perfect companions for starting your own home apothecary—plants that will give you both confidence and plenty of options as you learn.
- Calendula, whole flower head (Calendula officinalis)
- Chamomile, flowers (Matricaria recutita)
- Elderberry, berry (Sambucus nigra, S. nigra var. canadensis)
- Hibiscus, flowers (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
- Holy Basil / Tulsi, flowers and leaf (Ocimum tenuiflorum)
- Lemon Balm, leaf (Melissa officinalis)
- Rose, flowers and buds (Rosa spp.)
- Stinging Nettles, leaf (Urtica dioica)
- Valerian, root (Valeriana officinalis)
- Yarrow, leaf and flower (Achillea millefolium)
Want to know how to use these herbs? Visit our full article on the 10 Best Herbs to Start Your Home Apothecary for detailed medicinal profiles, preparation methods, dosage suggestions, and safety notes.
And if you’re ready to dive even deeper into crafting your dream herbal medicine chest, don’t miss our curated list of The Best Home Apothecary Books.
For an even deeper dive, check out my bestselling book The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies. It’s brimming with tips, recipes, and inspiration for creating your very own herbal medicine chest—and it’s available wherever books are sold.
Recycling jars = smart, sustainable, and thrifty herb storage. A colorful example from Chestnut student Cabrielle Rudisill’s apothecary.
Home Apothecary Supplies:
What You Need to Get Started
Before you dive into making remedies, you’ll want to gather a few key supplies. Don’t worry—you don’t need a fancy setup to get started. In fact, many of the most useful tools for a DIY apothecary are probably already in your kitchen cupboards or recycling bin. This section will cover both the essentials and creative budget-friendly alternatives, so you can begin your herbal journey with confidence (and without breaking the bank).
My First Apothecary Hacks
When I was just starting out, I improvised nearly everything. I saved every small food jar (think artichokes, garlic, baby food, and jam) so I had a ready stash of salve containers. I repurposed an old apple press for straining herbs and discovered that a potato ricer—gifted to me by my brother one holiday—worked wonders as a small-batch press.
The truth is: you don’t need perfection to begin, you just need a little creativity.
Essential Apothecary Supplies
- Glass jars with tight-fitting metal lids (for storing dried herbs and preparations)
- Labels, a fine-tip permanent marker, and clear packing tape (for recording herbs, ingredients, and dates)
- Fine cheesecloth/nut milk straining cloth (for separating liquid from herbs, e.g., straining tinctures)
- Measuring spoons and cups (for recipe consistency)
- Various stainless steel strainers (for bulk teas and holding straining cloths)
- Assorted stainless steel funnels (for transferring liquids and herbs without spills)
- A press, such as a potato ricer (for squeezing liquids from herbal mixtures)
- Assorted sizes of dropper bottles (for tinctures and liquid extracts)
- Amber brown dispensing bottles with polyseal caps (for storing tinctures and vinegars long-term). Here is one version, provided simply as an example, with no kickbacks involved.
- Salve tins or small jars (for balms, creams, body butters, and ointments)
- A storebought or improvised double boiler (for making infused oils, facial creams, syrups, or salves at a low temperature)
- A clean cutting board and sharp knife (for preparing fresh herbs)
- An electronic scale with metric options and a tare function (for measuring herbal ingredients by weight, which is more exact than by volume)
Seeking sources for these herbal accouterments? We’ve compiled a list of suppliers of bulk herbs, bottles, solvents, and essential oils.
“I rescued this old cabinet from Facebook marketplace. I cleaned it up and sanded it down to get rid of the ugly orange stain that was originally on it. We stained it with a darker espresso color with a sheen and replaced the original knobs. Unfortunately, the top two cabinet doors were not salvageable, so I turned those into open shelves. Now I’m steadily filling it with glass jars of herbs, teas, essential oils, and everything else. And the beeswax in the picture is actually wax from my beehives in my yard!”
— Chestnut student Apricot
Photo courtesy of Herbal Medicine Making and Herbal Immersion student Apricot.
DIY Herbal Medicine Making on a Budget
Building a home apothecary doesn’t have to cost much. Start with what you already have:
- Recycle jars and tins. Give glass containers a second life (just be sure lids are nick-free and everything is squeaky clean and dry).
- Buy in bulk. Bulk herbs are significantly more affordable than small tea bags and are typically of higher quality as well.
- Source creatively. No garden or place to gather herbs? Try farmers’ markets, generous neighbors, or trusted suppliers. Some remedies—like garlic, ginger, onions, thyme, rosemary, parsley, sage, lemongrass, and turmeric—can be found in the produce section (many are SNAP/EBT eligible).
- Repurpose textiles. A clean 100% cotton T-shirt makes a fine straining cloth.
- Shop secondhand. Facebook Marketplace and thrift stores often have kitchen staples, such as funnels, strainers, and double boilers.
✨ The most crucial thing: begin where you are, with what you have. Over time, your herbal apothecary will grow into a unique and well-loved collection.
Looking for recipe inspiration? Check out Mountain Rose Herb’s 20 DIY Herbal Recipes You Can Make for Under $10
A clever and beautiful herb-drying solution in Chestnut student Tea Elek’s kitchen.
Storage Tips for Your Home Apothecary:
How to Keep Herbal Remedies Fresh & Potent
- Mark your calendars. Don’t leave herbs infusing in alcohol or vinegar for too long—the liquid can corrode the metal lid. Most canning jar lids are coated with plastic compounds and metals that may leach into your medicine. To avoid this, press out your herbal preparations within six weeks and transfer them to proper storage containers (more on this below).
- Start with an intact lid. From the very beginning, make sure your lids are in good condition. A compromised lid can allow toxins to seep into your precious remedies.
- Choose the right storage container. Once strained, transfer your medicine into jars or bottles with lids that won’t corrode. Tinctures should be stored in dropper bottles for no more than one to two years—after that, the alcohol begins to leach plastic compounds from the dropper, which you’ll notice when the rubber softens. Never store infused vinegars or oils in dropper bottles for longer than a few weeks, as vinegar and oils break down the droppers even faster than alcohol.
- Use amber dispensing bottles with polyseal caps for long-term storage. Unlike mason jar lids, polyseal caps are resistant to solvents and won’t leach endocrine-disrupting chemicals into your tinctures. These amber bottles are reusable, protect your medicine from light, and make pouring easy—making them the gold standard for long-term tincture storage.
A well-organized apothecary ensures that the right remedy is at hand when you need it. Photo courtesy of L. Leland of Blossomwood Botanicals.
Organize Your Home Apothecary:
Smart Herb Storage Tips
To keep your remedies easy to find and as fresh as possible, storage matters. Think of dark and cool as your medicine’s best friends—light and heat quickly deteriorate dried herbs and homemade preparations. A cupboard, pantry, or hutch works beautifully to keep your remedies safe from sunlight. If you have extra space in the refrigerator, you can extend the shelf life of salves, infused oils, and vinegars. An orderly apothecary doesn’t just keep your plants potent and reduce waste—it transforms every visit to your shelves into a cheerful reunion with old friends.
How to Organize Your Apothecary
- Alphabetize thoughtfully. I organize dried herbs alphabetically by common name so my household can easily find them. But for tinctures, I go by scientific name—since many plants have multiple common names but only one Latin name.
- Keep favorites handy. Just like a bar’s “top-shelf” liquors, I keep my most-used herbs and remedies front and center in the kitchen. Less common ones are tucked into an out-of-the-way hutch (my pie safe does the job, with plenty of antique charm).
- Label clearly. Even the most gorgeous calendula blossoms won’t remind you when they were harvested. Label each jar or bottle with:
- Each herb(s) common and scientific name
- Part used (root, leaf, flower, or seed)
- Ingredients (if applicable)
- Date prepared or harvested
- Source (homegrown, wildcrafted, supplier)
- Rotate stock. Move older remedies to the front so they don’t languish in the back row. A simple inventory helps you know when to replenish and keeps your herbal apothecary humming.
- *SAFETY FIRST!* If you share your home with curious kids or peckish pets, store your remedies safely out of reach. Even gentle herbs can cause harm if taken in the wrong dosage. A locked cabinet, high shelf, or secure pantry works well.
- Take yearly stock. Set aside time once a year to go through your dried herbs and preparations. Compost anything that’s lost its potency, looks off, or is past its prime. Not sure how long remedies last? Check out my guide on Storing Dried Herbs and Herbal Preparations for Freshness and Longevity for detailed tips on keeping your medicine safe, potent, and ready when you need it.
If you’re looking for an excellent resource for creating a mobile first aid kit, I highly recommend my teacher 7Song’s The Vehicle First Aid Kit.
“It’s always interesting when I have friends or family over and they see the apothecary. I’m actually surprised how many people LOVE it and are fascinated…and then there’s my brother who said it looks like a mad scientist is having way too much fun!” Photo courtesy of Chestnut student Anna Steinle.
Medicinal recipes to stock your apothecary
Creating a herbal apothecary is more rewarding when you start making your own remedies. To get you started, we’ve included some instructional recipes below:
Prepare a tea for fever, coughs, and colds:
The Medicine of Pine: Mighty Pine Tea Recipe
Craft a tincture for sinus and allergy relief:
Goldenrod Tincture: A Sinus Formula for Allergies, Colds, and Flu
Make a poultice to relieve pain, infection, and swelling:
Topical Benefits of Calendula: How to Make A Poultice with Fresh or Dried Herbs
Blend a topical solution for skin irritations:
Witch Hazel Wonders: Cultivation and Herbal Uses
Create an herbal salve for wound healing and soothing minor scrapes:
Calendula’s Benefits for the Skin: How to Make Calendula Oil and Salve
If you’re just starting, you can even buy a few pre-made herbal products from your local farmer’s market and gradually replace them with your own creations.
An herbal apothecary can be filled in many ways. For some, pre-made tinctures and remedies are a practical option—especially when starting out, when fresh herbs aren’t available, or when time is short. Photo courtesy of Heather of Wit’s End Apothecary, California.
Let the healing begin!
You’re now equipped with the know-how to stock your very own herbal haven. May your jars always stay full, your remedies serve you well, and your health be as abundant as a calendula patch in midsummer. Here’s to the joy of tending plants and the comfort of meeting life’s minor ailments without leaving your doorstep.
If you are feeling inspired and ready to explore herbal medicine more deeply, the Herbal Medicine Making Course offers step-by-step guidance that will help you create the preparations you will one day store in your medicine cabinet.
More DIY herbal resources:
- 10 Best Herbs to Start Your Home Herbal Apothecary
- The Best Home Herbal Apothecary Books
- 5 Antimicrobial Herbs for Your Medicine Chest
- Growing Medicinal Herbs in Pots: 10 Healing Plants for Your Container Garden
- Medicinal Herb Gardening for Beginners
- Harvest Medicinal Trees in Your Backyard
- Herbal Seed Suppliers and Nurseries: Ethical Sources for Medicinal Seeds & Plants
- Herbal Infusions and Decoctions: Preparing Medicinal Teas
Every apothecary is unique—what herbs or remedies do you keep on hand? We’d love to hear your favorites and tips in the comments below!
Meet Our Contributor:
JULIET BLANKESPOOR is the founder, primary instructor, and Creative Director of the Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine, an online school serving thousands of students from around the globe. She's a professional plant-human matchmaker and bonafide plant geek, with a degree in botany and over 30 years of experience teaching and writing about herbalism, medicine making, and organic herb cultivation. Juliet’s lifelong captivation with medicinal weeds and herb gardening has birthed many botanical enterprises over the decades, including an herbal nursery and a farm-to-apothecary herbal products business.
These days, she channels her botanical obsession through her writing and photography in her online programs, on her personal blog Castanea, and in her new book, The Healing Garden: Cultivating and Handcrafting Herbal Remedies. Juliet and her family reside in a home overrun with houseplants and books in Asheville, North Carolina.
Interested in becoming a contributor?
© Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine and chestnutherbs.com, 2011-2025. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this site’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine and chestnutherbs.com with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.
Want to take a deeper dive into medicinal herbs and their uses?
Our 1,200-hour Herbal Immersion Program is the most comprehensive handcrafted online herbal course available, covering botany, foraging, herb cultivation, medicine making, and therapeutics.
Pursue Your Dreams!
Get 100 pages of herbal resources with our Budding Herbalist Guide!
Monique says:
Thank you for writing this. I feel inspired to get my herbs set up and on display. Now to finding a good cabinet to put them in.
Christine Borosh says:
Great, you’re welcome! Sounds like some thrift store shopping might be in order 😉
Holly Million says:
You are so generous in sharing knowledge, and your writing is always so engaging and entertaining. I’m going to print this one out! 🙌😍🤩
Christine Borosh says:
Awesome, that’s really sweet to hear. So glad you’re enjoying our content!
Val says:
I’m already halfway through all of these steps. In fact my significant other has often complained about all the jars that I keep… I would argue however that if I got rid of them, I would need them, and most of them are full of medicines and decoctions made from nature…. I have to go process an echinacea tincture and some oregano Rosemary and thyme oils that I’ve had steeping. I kept several of the pictures in this blog to show my girlfriend the goal #apothecarygoals
Christine Borosh says:
You definitely need those jars! Sounds like you’re off to an excellent start with your apothecary already. Great work!