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Herbalism: What You Need to Start Your Home Apothecary

BySerra Blaine RN, BSN, Certified Herbalist Hours Posted on Hours Updated on

Start Your Home Apothecary: The Essential Beginner’s Guide

A simple, step-by-step guide to help you start your home apothecary, and gather the right tools, ingredients, and confidence to begin herbalism at home.

herbalist kitchen must haves checklist mason jars with tincture and herbal oil

As a mom of five and a registered nurse, I’ve tried a lot of natural remedies—and learned the hard way that you don’t need to buy out an herb store to get started. That’s why I put this guide together—to help you confidently start your home apothecary using what you probably already have.

Whether you’re preparing to make your first herbal salve, tincture, or tea blend, this post (and the video below) will walk you through the tools and ingredients you need. I’ll also share a few favorite extras that make things easier as you grow your skills.

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herbalism home apothecary supply herb list must haves pins (3)

🎥 Watch the Video: Herbalism: How to Start Your Home Apothecary

Must-Have Tools to Start Your Home Apothecary

Mason Jars in All Sizes

Mason jars are your go-to containers for infusions, tinctures, salves, and storing dried herbs. I use mine daily. My favorite sizes range from 4 oz to half-gallon (64 oz). You can often find them at thrift shops or estate sales, or even reuse food jars as long as the lid seals tightly and can be sanitized well.

Herbalist must haves mason jars in varying sizes

Cheesecloth

This reusable cheesecloth is perfect for straining herbs when making oils or tinctures. Layering it over your mesh strainer helps remove even more plant matter, which can extend your product’s shelf life.

Herbalist must haves checklist cheesecloth

Mesh Strainers

I like to have a few sizes of mesh strainers on hand—smaller ones for tea, larger ones for decoctions and oils. They make cleanup easier and reduce waste.

herbalist kitchen must haves checklist mesh strainers in varying sizes

Funnels

Funnels keep your herbal kitchen mess-free. I use narrow ones for liquids and wider ones for transferring dried herbs into jars.

Herbalist must haves checklist stainless steel funnels

Glass Measuring Cups

Glass measuring cups are a staple for measuring oils, vinegar, and decoctions. I prefer glass because it’s heat-safe, non-reactive, and easy to clean.

Herbalist must haves checklist glass measuring cups

Labels

You must label every jar. I used to use sticky chalkboard labels, but after seeing another herbalist use hanging tags, I switched—and never looked back. They’re easier to reuse and less frustrating to remove.

Herbalist must haves checklist labels

Stainless Steel Stock Pot

Stainless steel stock pots are ideal for making decoctions, broths, and herbal syrups. These is durable, nontoxic, and a worthy investment for your home apothecary.

Herbalist must haves checklist stainless steel pot

Mixing Bowls

For mixing bowls, opt for glass or stainless steel to prevent plastic from leaching into your herbs. These materials also won’t hold onto strong herbal scents.

  • Herbalist must haves checklist 3qt stainless steel bowl
  • Herbalist must haves checklist large stainless steel bowl
  • Herbalist must haves checklist glass. bowls

Double Boiler (or DIY One)

If you don’t own a double boiler, you can place a heat-safe glass bowl over a pot of simmering water. You’ll need this for salves, balms, and infusions that shouldn’t be overheated.

Herbalist must haves checklist double boiler

Natural Wax Paper

If you make herbal vinegars like fire cider, natural wax paper is a must to protect your lids from corrosion. It’s also great for lining surfaces or wrapping herbal creations. Older lids may contain BPA, so this adds a layer of safety.

Herbalist must haves checklist natural wax paper

Mixing Spoons

Wooden or stainless steel spoons are ideal. I avoid plastic, especially when working with essential oils or alcohol.

herbalist kitchen must haves checklist wooden spoons

Kitchen Scale

A digital scale brings accuracy to your herbal creations, especially for formulas like tinctures, teas, and soap-making. My new favorite is this scale with a bowl. It makes creating tea blends and more so much easier!

Herbalist must haves kitchen scales

Notebook and Pen

Keep a dedicated herbal notebook where you track your recipes, results, tweaks, and what worked well (or didn’t). You’ll be so glad you did.

Herbalist must haves checklist notebooks and pen

Helpful Extras I’ve Grown to Love

Coffee or Nut Grinder

A coffee grinder or nut grinder is perfect for turning dried herbs into fine powders for salves or capsules. If you’re harvesting your own herbs like I do, this tool is a lifesaver for roots, seeds, and tough leaves.

herbalist kitchen must haves checklist coffee grinder

Crockpot

A set-it-and-forget-it way to make slow-infused herbal oils, my crockpot carries its load in my apothecary. I also use mine to make herbal soap. Keep it on the “warm” setting for best results.

Herbalist must haves checklist crockpot

Mortar and Pestle

My mortar and pestle is great for bruising herbs before infusing. I especially love using it with seeds like fennel, which benefit from crushing to release their mucilaginous properties.

Herbalist must haves checklist mortar and pestle

Measuring Cylinders

When you’re making small batches of tinctures or precise formulations, these help you stay consistent. It’s not necessary at first, but they’re nice to have.

herbalist kitchen must haves checklist glass measuring cylinders

Amber Jars in Different Sizes

These protect your remedies from light and extend shelf life. I started with just mason jars, but amber jars pour easier and feel more “finished” when gifting or storing long-term. Having tincture bottles to use when you start creating your own is essential.

  • herbalist kitchen must haves checklist amber colored glass jar
  • herbalist kitchen must haves checklist tinctures

Foundational Ingredients for Your Herbal Pantry

High-Quality Oils

Start with organic oils like olive, avocado, coconut, jojoba, sweet almond, or grapeseed oil. These are your base for almost every skin remedy you’ll make.

  • organic castor oil in bottle on white counter
  • olive oil in weck jar

Alcohol for Tinctures

Look for vodka or grain alcohol at 80 proof minimum. If you can find 95% alcohol (190 proof), it’s excellent for harder-to-extract herbs—just make sure you learn how to adjust your alcohol-to-water ratio.

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar

A gentle, alcohol-free option for making tinctures and oxymels—especially great for kids or anyone avoiding alcohol. Bonus: raw vinegar is also fantastic for gut health!

Beeswax

Beeswax transforms infused oils into salves and balms. I recommend sourcing clean, local wax if you can. Pellets are the easiest to work with and melt evenly.

beeswax pellets in glass jar

A Few Go-To Herbs

Start with what’s growing around you if possible! Otherwise, I recommend starting with calendula, lavender, chamomile, comfrey, and peppermint. These herbs are gentle, versatile, and used in so many beginner recipes.

Raw Honey

Raw honey is a beautiful addition to herbal medicine—antibacterial, soothing, and tasty! I use it in skin remedies, cough syrups, and teas.

raw honey in a glass bowl and raw honey comb on wood cutting board

A Note from My Home Apothecary to Yours

If you’re feeling overwhelmed, please know this: you don’t need to have everything figured out before you begin. I started small—with a jar, a few herbs, and a desire to care for my family more naturally.

Your apothecary doesn’t have to be perfect to be powerful. Let it grow with you. Allow your mistakes teach you. Let your kitchen become your classroom.

And remember, I’m cheering you on every step of the way.

herbalism home apothecary supply herb list must haves pins

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