The change of season is a good reminder to freshen up your home apothecary. Go through the kitchen pantry, look through your herbs and spices – and organize what you need for the coming season. Fall is all about creating warmth and coziness, protecting your skin from the dry and cold weather and boosting your immune system for cold & flu time. This gives us a good idea of the kind of herbs that we can stock up on and integrate into our everyday life. 

It’s such a great feeling to have on hand the herbs and ingredients that support you throughout the season. You’ll be able to make remedies that you need, and fill your home with warm, cozy fall-time herbal magic. 

Here below is my Fall Apothecary shopping list. As an herbalist, these are the herbs that I recommend to my clients, and use in my own home! 

If you want to have more personalized support, I’d be happy to provide that for you too. Book a session with me here to discuss the herbs and protocols that will support you: skin, body and mind! 

Happy Fall planning! 

I recommend stocking up on loose single herbs, that you can blend as you need, in different ways. 

  • Lemon balm (to fight off viruses)
  • Rosehips (Vitamin C)
  • Hibiscus (Vitamin C) 
  • Oatstraw (Deep nourishment)
  • Elderberry (support immune system) 
  • Turmeric (support immune system) 
  • Marshmallow (for dry tissues, coughs)
  • Mullein (for sore throats)
  • Cayenne (add a dash to your herbal blends – to boost the herbal actions, to warm the body and open up sinuses)
  • Cardamon (wards off mental fatigue)
  • Cinnamon chips (circulatory stimulant, antioxidant
  • Orange Peels (Vitamin C, bitters digestive support
Keep the loose herbs in sealed jars (repurposed jam jars or mason jars) 
Make sure to label them!
Store your jars in the pantry or on a shelf (this is your apothecary) 
Drink daily herbal tonics: 4 tbsp herb to 4 cups hot water. Steep 20 minutes.

Source herbs: 

When the weather changes and you feel that you need a little more moisture for your skin, nourishment and protection, use:

Avocado Oil, Almond Oil, Olive Oil, Hazelnut, Macadamia Nut

You can find all of these oils in your supermarket, look for virgin, unrefined. 

These oils are higher in Oleic Fatty Acids, and help to protect your skin from becoming dry. 

To use: Add to body scrubs, add to body butter blends. I also recommend that you start daily body oiling before your shower, rub 1-2 tbsps of oil all over your body. You can add a few drops of essential oils too. When you use these oils consistently, your skin becomes reinforced, and more resilient to the change in weather. 

You can also use them for facial care – but note that they are slightly more rich. If you have questions, I help my clients to find the right oils and ratios for their facial care needs. You can book a consultation here

As the weather gets cooler, the air gets drier and the showers get hotter – protect your skin with more nourishing, rich butters. 

  • Shea Butter (very moisturising, soaks in well) 
  • Cocoa Butter (deeply moisturising, creates barrier that locks in hydration)
  • Mango Butter (full of Vitamin C, has a “dry” finish on the skin. Add in a little to your body butter blend for a less oily feel) 

Source butters: 

Better Shea Co
From Nature With Love 

Diffuse oils in the air that purify the air and support lungs. Really good for steam treatments too. Make a shower spray to mist in the steamy air for  “shower aromatherapy” Add to your body care recipes  (bath salts, scrub, body butter, balms)

  • Camphor (clear lungs, boost circulation, good for sore muscles rub)
  • Cedar wood (healhty respiratory system)
  • Blood Orange (mood uplift, reduce stress)
  • Clove Bud (diffuse in air support immune system)
  • Eucalyptus (clear sniffles and congestion, stimulate the mind)

Dehydrator: A dehydrator is so good for making your own dried ginger root for teas and blends. Dried orange peels… I use it so much. 

If you’re considering purchasing a dehydrator and have questions – read my guide to help you choose the right one for you. 

Read Dehydrator Buying Guide

Botanical Extractor: I recently purchased the Magical Butter, to make tinctures and oil infusions.

You do not need special equipment to make herbal recipes!! For years I’ve been making herbal preparations with just a mason jar and time… infusing slowly for 6 weeks.

But, when you want to invest in your herbal kitchen, a Magical Butter is a great tool to have. It gives you the ability to make a tincture or infusion in hours!

This is the model I purchased.

2 responses to “Fall Apothecary List”

  1. Hello! Thank you for sharing your wisdom I’m glad I found your website. I became obsessed with herbs 5 years ago. I took a class from an herbalist, outside of Austin, TX, and have never been the same since. It leads me to a large love of gardening and spreading information with friends and family. I have one question, what do you do with the leftover plant material you have after infusion? I’m just interested

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