Understanding Apothecaries and Storage
The Apothecary Tradition
Historically, the term "apothecary" referred to both the person who manufactured and dispensed medicines (lowercase "a" for our purposes), and the shop in which those medicines were sold (capitalized "A"). The word ‘apothecary’ is derived from apotheca, meaning a place where wine, spices and herbs were stored. Apothecary cabinets were originally designed to store medicines and can be handy for the same purpose. The small drawers are ideal for holding pill bottles, bandages, makeup, soaps, and other necessary items for the bathroom.
Storing Apothecary Herbs
Apothecary herbs can be stored in a number of ways. The most important factor is to ensure that the herbs are kept dry, as moisture can cause them to spoil. For hardy herbs:
- Arrange them in a single layer on a slightly damp paper towel.
- Roll them up like a roll.
- Transfer the bundle to a plastic bag or plastic wrap.
- Store in the fridge.
Alternatively, they can be stored:
- In a cool, dark place, such as a cupboard or pantry.
- In an airtight container in the fridge.
- In an airtight black colored or dark container.
- Keep these jars away from sunlight, in a dark and dry place.
Essential Tools Every Herbalist Needs:
- Scissors & Baskets: To carry and harvest herbs.
- Fine Mesh Sieve: In all different sizes.
- Potato Ricer.
Creating a Home Apothecary
A home apothecary is an excellent way to help heal your body naturally. Starting one isn’t as difficult as you might think! You can make your teas, syrups, and tinctures out of herbs from your own garden, or you can purchase bulk herbs for your apothecary.
Staying organized can be a challenge as your home apothecary grows. Designate a space, choose the right containers, get organized, and keep track of what you have on hand. This will go a long way to keep things running smoothly.
Best Practices for Herb Storage
After harvesting herbs, it’s key to preserve them properly. For drying:
- Create small bundles of herbs and hold them together with a rubber band at the end of the stems.
- Hang them upside down on a string in a well-ventilated, shaded area until completely dried.
For tender herbs:
- Clip off the bottoms of their stems.
- Remove any wilted or brown leaves.
- Place them in a water-filled container like flowers.
Ensure herbs are correctly collected, properly dried, and properly stored for efficacy.
Storing Dried Herbs
The best containers for dried herbs are airtight glass jars or containers with tight-sealing lids like mason jars. Keep them:
- Out of sunlight to prevent potency loss.
- In a dark, dry place.
- In an amber glass jar to deflect UV rays, if available.
- Dry before storing to prevent bacterial growth.
- Away from moisture, even when measuring.
Make sure containers are supportive of the specific herb being stored to maintain quality and potency.