Frequently Asked Questions
What is herbalism, and how can it benefit me?
Herbalism is the art of taking fresh or dried plant materials and making a natural form of medicine. This medicine is the medicine of all our ancestors who relied on plants to heal. We can find immense benefits in herbalism. Bodily autonomy is the biggest in my mind, when we are more informed, we can make better decisions for ourselves personally. In the modern day, I see herbalism as a tool for preventative wellness, and an ally to modern medicine, reducing reliance on hospital systems for things like minor colds, chronic pain, and ailments that don't require intensive prescription medications. Many over the counter drugs could easily be replaced with herbal remedies, and many of these drugs began as compounds found in herbs.
How does the At Home Apothecary course help beginners get started with herbalism? How does it compare to an AHG accredited school?
The At Home Apothecary is the place for herbalists at any point in their education, who are interested in focusing on the herbal modalities of Southern Folk Medicine, or what many call 'granny medicine'. This form of herbalism fifinds its roots in European botany, and includes the undeniable influence of Indigenous Americans and the African peoples brought to America. These two groups laid pivotal ground in American herbalism educating colonizers on herbs native to the Americas, and in African medicine making born from a confluence of African traditions and their time of wrongful enslavement. These two groups are crucial to this modality, and while this course does not directly teach Indigenous or African medicine making techniques, they are interwoven in the culture in a way we can not separate, and instead acknowledge with gratitude. White settlers simply may not have survived without them.
While the course can be influential for all education levels, we primarily focus on beginners, laying the foundations of safe practices and basic medicine making. To read more about the difference in our course, and an AHG certified school, read here.
What topics are covered in the At Home Apothecary course?
View the full course description here!
How many herbs are discussed in the course, and how are they selected?
The course currently discusses 28 different herbs, but will be expanded by the end of 2024 to encompass 56 herbs. These herbs are selected and placed into three categories; Herbs to Grow, Herbs to Outsource, and Herbs to Forage. We chose and separated the herbs into these three categories to help beginners have a firm grasp on what is going to be the easiest to start growing if you have little to no experience, what herbs are hard to process/ grow and are easier outsourced, and what herbs evade cultivation and are best found while foraging. Some of the herbs included in the foraging section are also considered invasive and harmful to the location they're in, and you do a service to the land by foraging.
What types of remedies will I learn to make in the course?
Here's a current complete list of remedies you will learn to make in the course, we are constantly adding more, and it's important to note that these are Base Recipes. A base recipe can be modulated with different herbs to have a desired effect. For example; a basic salve recipe can be geared towards soothing dry skin when using herbs like lavender, rose, and marshmallow, or formulated for pain relief when using arnica and frankincense. We teach a variety of herbs AND base recipes so you have all the knowledge you need to choose what herbs work best for your desired remedy.
Infused oils, Teas, Salves, Tinctures, Oxymels, Essential Oil Blends, Herbal Syrups, Mocktails, Pesto, Smoking Blends, Cooking Oils, Infused Honey, Herbal Tea Jelly, Oxymel Vinaigrettes, Aromatherapy Balms, Face Teas, Mud Masks, Natural Insect Repellent, Steam Pots, and more!
What resources are recommended for purchasing ethically sourced herbs and other materials?
We greatly value continued education, and see The At Home Apothecary as your springboard for learning. We provide a list of our favorite books on herbalism and remedy making, links for places to buy herbs, bottles, and all other items you need to get started in your own kitchen.
Are there any required materials or tools for the course?
There are no required materials necessary to take the online workshop. However we do provide a list of recommended apothecary tools that will need to be acquired before your able to make remedies of your own. You won't need to purchase the entire list outright, as it's intended to be something you build up towards in a way that's sustainable for your practice.
The course does have a variety of materials to be printed, and a printed version is available for purchase. All printed materials are covered in the course, so some can go without being printed, however the Recipe Book and Essential Oil Dilution Guide must be downloaded to view this part of the course contents.
How will the course help me incorporate herbalism into my daily routine and diet?
In addition to the basic herbal remedies you'll learn throughout the course (salves, tinctures, oxymels, infused oils, etc.), The At Home Apothecary recipe booklet provided encompasses a variety of remedies from mud masks to infused cooking oils, making herbalism an accessible part of your everyday life.
Can I preview any sample lessons or content from the course before enrolling?
Check out our Seasons of Wellness booklet for free! This booklet gives a sneak peek into the course, while acting as a stand alone resource for navigating seasonal wellness.