So you want to create a home apothecary that doesn’t look like a cluttered mess? I feel you.
Here’s the truth: most of us start with good intentions. We buy a few herbs, some jars, maybe a mortar and pestle. Fast forward three months, and our “apothecary” looks like a hoarder’s pantry had a baby with a thrift store. Not cute.
But what if I told you that building a gorgeous, functional home apothecary isn’t that hard? You just need the right essentials. Let me walk you through exactly what you need—no fluff, no unnecessary junk, just the good stuff that actually works.
Storage Solutions That Don’t Suck
Glass Jars in Various Sizes
Let’s start with the obvious: amber glass jars. And no, plastic containers won’t cut it here.
Herbs are deteriorated by light more quickly than you can say “oxidation.” Amber or cobalt blue glass looks stunning on your shelves and shields your ingredients from UV rays. After keeping my chamomile in clear glass and seeing it turn brown in a matter of weeks, I had to learn this the hard way. I learned my lesson.
Get a variety of sizes:
- 2 oz jars for expensive or rarely-used herbs
- 4 oz jars for everyday staples
- 8 oz jars for bulk ingredients
- 16 oz jars for frequently-used items
Pro tip? Buy in bulk. They’re way cheaper that way, and you’ll need more than you think. Trust me.
Dropper Bottles for Tinctures
If you’re making tinctures (and you should be), dropper bottles are non-negotiable. The 1 oz and 2 oz sizes work best for most home apothecaries.
Glass droppers consistently outperform plastic. They last forever, don’t leak chemicals, and, to be honest, they just look more polished. It feels different when you pull out a sleek glass bottle rather than some dubious plastic one when someone asks what you’re taking.
Labels That Actually Stick
Can we talk about labels for a second? Because this matters more than you’d think.
You need waterproof, oil-resistant labels that won’t fall off when things get messy. And trust me, things will get messy. I’ve had labels peel off mid-project more times than I care to admit, leaving me playing the guessing game with mystery powders. Not fun.
Chalkboard labels are cute but impractical. Go for proper adhesive labels and invest in a label maker if you’re serious about this.
Essential Tools and Equipment
Mortar and Pestle (The Good Kind)
Here’s where people usually cheap out, and here’s where I’m telling you: don’t.
A quality marble or granite mortar and pestle will change your apothecary game. Those tiny ceramic ones? They’re decoration. You need something with actual weight and substance—at least 2 cups capacity.
I use mine almost daily for crushing seeds, grinding dried herbs, and making fresh spice blends. The granite version I splurged on five years ago still looks brand new. Meanwhile, my friend’s cheap ceramic one cracked within months. You do the math.
Digital Scale (Precision Matters)
Want to know the difference between a helpful remedy and a waste of ingredients? Accurate measurements.
Invest in a digital scale that weighs between 0.1g and at least 500g and measures in grams. This is particularly important when working with strong herbs or creating formulations that need to be precise.
IMO, trying to eyeball measurements is amateur hour. Your results will be inconsistent, and you’ll have no idea what worked or didn’t. Plus, if you’re following recipes, you need to measure correctly.
Strainers and Cheesecloth
You’ll need multiple straining options for different projects. Here’s what actually works:
- Fine mesh strainer for teas and infusions
- Nut milk bag for pressing oil infusions
- Cheesecloth for general straining
- Coffee filters for super fine filtering
Each one serves a different purpose, and trying to substitute one for another usually ends in frustration. Been there, done that, got the stained t-shirt.
Double Boiler or Slow Cooker
Making salves, balms, and infused oils requires gentle, consistent heat. A double boiler is traditional, but honestly? A small slow cooker wins for convenience.
I only do apothecary projects in my 2-quart slow cooker. Put it on low, go, and return to the oil that is perfectly infused. No burnt batches, no babysitting. It has more than paid for itself.
The Ingredient Essentials
Carrier Oils (The Workhorses)
You need at least three carrier oils in your arsenal. Not negotiable.
My desert island oil is the jojoba oil. It does not go stale easily, takes in color, and can apply to almost anything. Sweet almond oil is very nice with body products and is less expensive. The basic is completed with coconut oil (the liquid fractionated version).
| Oil Type | Best For | Shelf Life |
|---|---|---|
| Jojoba | Face care, hair | 2-3 years |
| Sweet Almond | Body products | 6-12 months |
| Fractionated Coconut | General use | 1-2 years |
Store them in a cool, dark place. Light and heat are the enemies here.
Beeswax or Plant Wax
Want to make salves, balms, or lip products? You need beeswax.
I buy it in pastille form because melting a solid block is annoying. The pastilles melt evenly and you can measure them easily. If you’re vegan, candelilla wax works, but you’ll need less of it—it’s firmer than beeswax.
Unless you’re producing goods for the entire neighborhood, a pound of beeswax will last you a very long time. which you most likely will be after people try your stuff, let’s face it.
Witch Hazel (The Multitasker)
Alcohol-free witch hazel deserves a permanent spot on your shelf. This stuff is incredibly versatile.
Use it as a base for facial toners, room sprays, and after-sun treatments. It’s anti-inflammatory, gentle enough for sensitive skin, and relatively inexpensive. I go through a bottle every few months because I use it in so many different formulations.
Vegetable Glycerin
Vegetable glycerin is one of those ingredients you don’t think you need until you start using it. Then you wonder how you lived without it.
Being a humectant, it draws moisture to the skin. Perfect for making herbal syrups, glycerites (non-alcoholic tinctures), or adding to lotions. It’s a fantastic option for kid-friendly remedies because it’s naturally sweet.
FYI, a little goes a long way. Don’t overdo it or your products will feel sticky.
Organization and Display
Open Shelving or Cabinet
How you store everything matters. Open shelving looks gorgeous and keeps everything accessible, but it exposes your herbs to light.
Jojoba oil is my desert island oil. It can be applied to nearly anything, takes on color, and does not quickly become stale. Sweet almond oil is less expensive and works well with body products. Coconut oil (the liquid fractionated version) completes the basic.
If you go the open shelf route, make sure it’s not near your stove or in direct sunlight. Heat and light will destroy your ingredients faster than you can replace them.
Small Baskets or Containers
Group similar items in small baskets or trays. This keeps everything organized and makes it easy to pull out what you need.
I keep tincture bottles in one basket, measuring tools in another, and supplies for making salve in a third. Instead of searching for specific items, I grab the entire basket when I need to make something. It may seem straightforward, but it revolutionizes workflow.
Recipe Binder or Digital System
You will forget what you made and how you made it. I guarantee it.
Keep a recipe binder or digital notebook with every formulation you create. Include ingredients, measurements, results, and notes about what you’d change next time. I use a simple Google Doc that I can access from my phone while I’m working.
Future you will be incredibly grateful when you’re trying to recreate that amazing sleep salve you made six months ago. Past me learned this the hard way—repeatedly. :/
Workspace Essentials
Dedicated Work Surface
You need a clean, dedicated workspace for making your remedies. Your kitchen counter works, but having a designated area is better.
I set up a small folding table in my spare room. It’s not fancy, but it keeps my apothecary supplies separate from my cooking stuff. No one wants chamomile contamination in their pasta sauce.
The surface should be easy to clean and sanitize. Sealed wood, stainless steel, or even a large cutting board dedicated to this purpose all work great.
Thermometer
Temperature matters when you’re making infused oils, melting waxes, or creating salves. A basic candy thermometer or instant-read thermometer keeps you from burning expensive ingredients.
Overheating destroys the beneficial properties of many herbs. I learned this by ruining an entire batch of calendula oil. The cost of a thermometer is way less than the cost of wasted materials.
Measuring Spoons and Cups
Get a separate set of measuring tools just for your apothecary. You don’t want your cooking measurements contaminated with herbal residues, and vice versa.
Here, stainless steel is superior to plastic. They last forever, don’t retain smells, and are simpler to clean. Even after years of ownership, the same set still looks like new.
Finishing Touches for Function and Beauty
Essential Oil Collection (Start Small)
Don’t go crazy buying every essential oil ever made. Start with 5-7 versatile oils and expand from there.
My starter kit recommendations:
- Lavender (relaxation and skin care)
- Tea tree (antimicrobial powerhouse)
- Peppermint (headaches and digestion)
- Eucalyptus (respiratory support)
- Lemon (cleaning and mood)
- Frankincense (skin and meditation)
Here, quality is crucial. Frequently, inexpensive essential oils are artificial or tainted. Even if it costs more, purchase from reliable vendors. Your lungs and skin will appreciate it.
Herb and Spice Selection
Build your dried herb collection based on what you’ll actually use. Don’t buy 20 different herbs that’ll sit there collecting dust.
Start with these workhorses:
- Chamomile (calming, anti-inflammatory)
- Calendula (skin healing)
- Peppermint (digestive, headache relief)
- Ginger (nausea, inflammation)
- Lavender (relaxation, skin care)
Buy in smaller quantities and replace them annually. Dried herbs lose potency over time, and bulk buying just means you’ll throw out more when it goes stale.
Mixing Bowls (Glass or Stainless)
You need heat-safe mixing bowls in various sizes. Glass and stainless steel are your best options.
Glass is my preferred material because it allows me to see what I’m doing, particularly when blending colors or ensuring consistency. Pyrex measuring cups with pour spouts are incredibly convenient for transferring liquids and can also be used as mixing bowls.
Pipettes and Droppers
Disposable pipettes are ridiculously useful for transferring small amounts of liquids without contaminating your stock bottles.
Buy them in bulk online—they’re cheap and you’ll use more than you expect. I keep a stash of both 1ml and 3ml sizes. They’re perfect for sampling essential oils, adding drops of tincture to formulations, or filling small bottles.
Apothecary Labels and Printer
Pretty labels make everything better. There, I said it.
Purchase a simple label printer or place an online order for personalized labels. Add the name of the ingredient, the manufacturing date, and any significant usage instructions. It keeps you organized, gives you a polished appearance, and avoids the “what is this mystery jar?” scenario that we have all encountered.
I use a simple Brother label maker, and it’s worth every penny. The labels are waterproof, oil-resistant, and actually stay put.
Putting It All Together
Creating a beautiful, functional home apothecary isn’t about having the most stuff. It’s about having the right stuff and organizing it intelligently.
Start with the essentials I’ve outlined here. Don’t try to buy everything at once—that’s overwhelming and expensive. Build gradually, buy quality over quantity, and actually use what you purchase.
Instead of intimidating you with clutter, your pharmacy should encourage you to create. Each piece should be worthy of its position by being either elegant or useful, or ideally both.Instead of intimidating you with clutter, your pharmacy should encourage you to create. Every object should merit its position by being either aesthetically pleasing, useful, or ideally both.
Now stop reading and start building. Your gorgeous, organized home apothecary is waiting. And honestly? Once you get started, you’ll wonder why you waited so long.