Apothecary

Distilling dirty water, and even seawater, into drinkable water is one of the oldest methods of water purification. By heating a contaminated source of water, capturing and then condensing the...

Extracting oils from plant material can be done in several ways. Two popular methods, tincturing and hot infusion, result in a medicinal oil to be taken orally in hot tea or straight onto the...

Comfrey has been used for centuries to promote the healing of wounds, either in a salve form or by simply chewing up the leaves and applying it to the wounded area. Although simple to make,...

The liquid commonly known as gentian violet is a preparation of hexamethyl pararosaniline chloride and water in solution. It is the primary colorant used in the common laboratory process of the...

There are many different versions of the story of Thieves oil, and several different recipes as well. Essentially, what the stories have in common is a period of plague (in either the 15th or 17th...

Colloidal silver, also known as liquid silver, is a suspension of silver particles in distilled water. Traditionally, people have used this remedy to prevent or treat many illnesses, including...

Hydrocodone and oxycodone have been used for decades by doctors to treat severe pain and coughing. The two drugs can relieve pain and suppress coughing, but they can be habit-forming and could...

Ointments are semi-solid preparations rubbed over the skin to aid in healing, to relieve symptoms like itching and to soothe aches and pains. There is evidence that ointments, creams and balms...

Mortars and pestles (MPs) go together as a set. A pestle is an implement used for crushing larger particles into fine particles or for mixing them together. A mortar is the bowl in which the...

The heart pounding, the breathing faster, the feeling of passing out, the dizziness. These are sings of a panic attack caused by stress, worry and anxiety. Here are a few ways to get a handle on it.

Oil of oregano is obtained from the oregano plant, Origanum Vulgare, which according to oiloforegano.org is a member of the mint family. While some forms of the plant are used as a popular...

Millions of people worldwide consume alcoholic beverages occasionally or on a daily basis. These beverages contain the compound ethanol, or alcohol, which is known to have psychoactive...

Camphor spirit has a long tradition of use, both topically and via steam or direct inhalation. Though some traditions also advocate the use of camphor internally, the risks are serious and far...

Bee products are widely studied and believed to help with disease prevention and healing in humans. Honey, royal jelly and bee pollen are great sources of nutrients from nature. Bee pollen is...

The Black Walnut tree is also known as Juglans Nigra. It is found mostly in the Eastern part of the United States. The hard wood of the tree is a popular medium for furniture. The leaves, bark...

MSM, methylsulfonylmethane, is a compound that is promoted as a natural source of sulfur for a dietary supplement. While some doctors such as naturopathic physicians and chiropractors purport its...

Yin and Yang energy have been used in ancient Chinese philosophy and traditional Chinese medicine for centuries—in order to heal the body and the spirit. Yin and Yang are seen as complementary...

Coughing is a natural healthy way for your body to heal itself, but there are times when coughing can keep you up at night or just seem to never stop. Making your own cough syrup with natural...

Wrinkles occur naturally with aging due to sun exposure, loss of elasticity in the skin and factors such as excessive weight gain and loss. Poor diet may also contribute to early aging, as proper...

Black, brown, blond, red. Long, short, curly, straight. Hair comes in many colors, lengths and styles. There are approximately 100,000 hairs on your head, and losing between 50 and 100 hairs a day...

Decorative soaps are time-honored gifts for housewarmings, wedding showers and other special occasions. Fairy soaps are very popular, especially for use as ritual soaps. These fairy soap molds can...

Pretty soaps shaped in baby soap molds make ideal favors for a baby shower. It's easy to make baby soap molds when you have the latest materials and the easy instructions below to make baby shower...

Before you hit the drug store, be sure to read this article on what you can do to cut your cold or virus time in half with these natural remedies.

You wont believe how easy is to make your own natural toothpaste! These instructions are especially useful if you are trying to minimize exposure to fluoride

More than two million people a year are injured or die as a result of poisoning. A large portion of these reported deaths generally occur in the home. People can ingest poisons by eating,...

Making an oil infusion is simply pouring boiling water over herbs to extract the essential oils. This can work for leaves and flowers. The infusions can be used for massage, creams, ointments or...

Ointments, or salves, contain oils and/or fats, but no water added. An ointment is used for a protective layer over the skin. Depending on the oils you choose, the ointment can be healing or...

By making your own cream, you have total control over the ingredients. Therefore, you can control the fragrance, oils and the quality of the ingredients. Making cream is simple and healthy for...

A poultice is usually made of herbs and placed on the skin to treat a variety of conditions. Either fresh or dried herbs may be used for the poultice; however, you must research the particular...

Most people only know the word "apothecary" as an outdated term for "pharmacist" (or "chemist" in the United Kingdom). However, apothecaries in history had a much more active role in medical...

An apothecary was traditionally a person who prescribed and sold herbal medical treatments. From the middle ages to the middle of the 20th century, people relied on apothecary shops for treatments...

Nearly every civilization has used herbs and plants as medicines to treat everything from infertility to pain to infection. Throughout the majority of the last millennium, apothecaries acted as...