Why The Apothecary?

Many may be wondering why the apothecary? What started it and does "natural" medicine actually work? Well, many would be surprised to know that they have been using "natural" medicine for years without knowing it. That cup of chamomile tea before bed, peppermint or green tea after a meal or upset stomach, essential oils topically or in a diffuser, even to the spices they add to their meals. We as a people have forgotten that these natural derived pleasures and the common methods of using them are actually medicine and can be used as such in many varying ways. Not just for enjoyment or relaxing in the evening or just a cup of flavored hot water in the cold of winter. To be able to use natural medicine found all around us that has no side effect and heals without leaving the side effects or damage that many modern day drugs do. Even better that if you have the time and interest you can make them yourself. Not saying that modern day medicine and practices don't have their place, but instead of running to the hospital every time you have a sniffle or cut, you can make a tea or syrup or use a salve or ointment for example.

For me it all started as a small, dark green book found on my dad's bookshelf and it was shortly "claimed" as mine (aka shoved it in my backpack and didn't tell anybody I took it) before I could even read. It was perfect, small and green and it fit in most of my "adventure" bags that were randomly found around the house. I planned to look at it and read it someday... fast forward almost ten years later I started going through my "stuff" and found this book The Peterson Field Guide to Medicinal Plants and Herbs. I remembered my intention for this book and laughed with myself as I opened it for the first time in many years. I recognized a few of the plants within the book and read about some of the uses, interested, I bundled up (middle of Missouri winter) and began a search of these plants, finding them in my family's yard and surrounding pastures of my family's ranch. Not having the greatest of luck. Only finding a few non dormant plants since it being the winter and all (for some reason this never crossed my mind). I tried to identify trees instead by their bark and branch patterns. I learned later that my family were having concerns for my sanity as it was rainy and below freezing and I HATE being cold and wet and I was outside in it not just for chores, but ALL day until the sun went down and I couldn't see anymore. I started with what I think are some of the most basic and most commonly found yard "weeds", common plantain, chickweed, yarrow and dandelion. I remember my family asking "Is that safe?" "Is that edible?"... as I "cooked" my first batch of chickweed ointment or started chewing on plantain leaves. At first all I could say was yes, the book says so and I have "looked it up" to make sure as I experimented with them "to make sure". As I studied this book and desperately tried to find more over the course of that winter (strange I know) I started wondering if I could "cure" myself from the various health issues I had growing up. As I made and tried a lot of different things I "discovered" I could make things out of God's beautiful creation that help heal the human and even animal bodies. From scrapes, small and large wounds, sprains, burns, breaks, inflammation in various parts of the body from stomach to joints and muscles to even "beauty products" like sprayable "fruity" or "herby" essences or for acne breakouts and dry skin. Other than myself as master guinea pig I had several siblings "willing" to try things out, later family and friends asked if they could use ointments, teas and such or had questions if I had "something for this or this?". From inflamed tendons and joints, dry and cracked skin, deep and minor cuts, severe rubs, bruising, scarring and burns to the common cold and flues, these natural medicines have helped many of my family and friends. (Which I may share stories in a later blog) I know there are many people who do take the time to study the world of plants around them and use them in their daily life, but there are many who could not even point out a dandelion if they were in a field of them much less know that it is an amazing herb that detoxes, is gut healing and helps an upset stomach.

As for why the apothecary, I truly enjoy researching and studying the plant life around us, what its benefits are and what it can be used for for both animals and people wether as feed, food or medicine. I love hearing and seeing the results of how these everyday plants have helped someone or how an improved pasture full of varying species has hastened the growth and fattening of livestock or even improved the health of the livestock. God's creation is truly fascinating and very diverse, to understand and just realize how much we have forgotten. Have yet to discover and not just plants but the world around us is humbling and exciting at the same time. When there is "extra" time I try to spend time studying these amazing plants and doing some classes here and there that will lead to an eventual certification, but for me, the why is, I want to help others. I want medicine to be affordable and I want it to actually help heal the affliction of who or whatever needs it. Not lead into more issues or just be the bandaid that keeps being ripped off and always a reoccurring problem as life goes on.

My husband and I use these "remedies" in our everyday life without thinking about it anymore, they have just become a part of life, self care and food. Anyone can make these medicines or grow these herbs, doesn't matter if you only have an apartment, you don't need to have a nursery. You can grow thyme, oregano or other common kitchen herbs in a pot and in most cases they don't need much sunlight. Yes, thyme is medicinal, most kitchen herbs are. Next time you are congested or have a reproductive cough have a bit of thyme in your tea or use a tea bag and drink the thyme as a tea by itself. It can really help in drying up the phlegm and help your body purge it from its system. Though I would strongly advise that you make sure you know what you are growing or are harvesting, how to use it properly and dosing ratios before attempting for most plants. Some require very particular dosing rates and should not be over used and certain preparations should not be given to little children, pregnant women or nursing mothers. Like alcoholic preparations such as tinctures or certain herbs that may induce labor which used at the right time and dose is helpful, or even caffeine for a child you intended to get to sleep which isn't that terrible but if you really wanted to go to sleep...

All that said, I think there is a lot that we can do for ourselves or do to help others that does not require a hospital visit, possibly just a little cup of tea or even a spoonful of syrup at the onset of a cold or flu season will do the trick. It is something that I think is worth studying and can be very beneficial for everyone, if you don't want to do it yourself, you can probably find certain remedies at a local health store or even online though be mindful of the source... sadly not everyone who sells herbal medicine knows what they are doing or used very clean ingredients.

Even though a bit biased I would recommend jumping over to our storefront as we sell many different remedies that may just be the remedy that you need.

-The Norseman's Wife