Return To Our Roots
Welcome to the outdoor Apothecary
The Outdoor Apothecary inspires naturally minded people to live with the seasons, become self-reliant, connect with nature, and protect their health through herbal living. We love celebrating “the old ways” of living to bring blessings to ourselves, our families, communities and to Mother Earth. We offer articles, tips, recipes and ideas on practical self-reliance, simple herbal remedies, foraging, gardening and reconnecting ourselves to our natural world and sacred ancestral traditions.
About Me: Barbi
I’m a bookish “earth mother” who loves to read and walk in the woods. I’m a wildcrafter & herbalist, avid gardener, collector of nature specimens, and field guide enthusiast.
I spent most of my childhood exploring our natural world and I’m now devoted to reviving the ancestral wisdom of plants as medicine and healers. I love spending hours outside tending to my gardens, gathering plants and herbs, being in nature,and learning skills of self-reliance like homemade soapmaking.
I give deep thanks and gratitude to my Chaubunagungamaug Nipmuck family for inspiring me to honor our Mother Earth by dedicating myself to studying and sharing ancient lifeways and reviving the wonderous arts of plant medicine and nature connectedness. I sincerely hope you’ll join me on this journey.
Rewild Your Life
Connecting with nature is more than a walk through the woods. It’s about being conscious of seasonal changes, becoming attuned with the plants around us, and relearning the nature-language we’ve forgotten through our modern lives. We believe that incorporating the “old ways” of doing things, growing and harvesting our own food, and having a do-it-yourself spirit, promotes self-sufficiency and is an important part of leading a healthier lifestyle, closer to nature.
We hope to provide you with a foundation to rewild yourself through aligning with the cycles of the seasons and to help you in discovering the energies of the seasonal cycles.
Nourish Yourself with Nature
Free 29-page Guidebook to Celebrating the Seasons
A Guided Workbook to help you celebrate nature’s seasonal cycles with mindfulness and meaningful intentions – our gift to you! Learn how to live a mindful nature-connected life.
Recent Posts
Foraging Burdock: How to Find, Harvest, and Identify this Amazing Plant
Join me as I discuss foraging burdock plants, unveil the optimal times to harvest their roots, leaves, stalks, and flowers, and unlock the secrets of accurately identifying this remarkable plant. Together, let’s delve into the enchanting realm of burdock and deepen our connection with the earth’s bountiful offerings.
Crafting Yarrow Salve: Honoring the Medicinal Gift of Achillea millefolium
Discover the art of wildcrafting yarrow salve with our comprehensive guide. Immerse yourself in the world of plant medicine as we delve into identifying, harvesting, and creating this potent herbal remedy. Learn to harness the healing power of yarrow, honoring nature’s wisdom while crafting a nourishing salve for your herbal first aid kit.
Burdock: Exploring Its Magical and Medicinal Properties
Discover the enchanting world of burdock, a plant with a rich history of medicinal and magical properties. Our blog article explores the fascinating benefits of burdock, including its potential as a natural remedy for skin ailments, digestive issues, and more. Immerse yourself in the captivating lore of this plant, and learn how to incorporate it into your daily routine to enhance your well-being. Uncover the secrets of burdock and let its magic heal and nourish you.
My Love Affair with Herbal Oxymels: Unlocking Nature’s Healing Potential
Discover the magic of herbal oxymels! In this article, we explore the benefits of these enchanting tonics and guide you on how to make your own blend. Embrace the wisdom of nature and infuse your wellness routine with these transformative tonics.
Creeping Jenny: An Unexpected Ally for Health with a Nourishing Tea Recipe
Unveiling the Secrets of Creeping Jenny: Explore the wild and invasive nature of this medicinal plant. Discover its remarkable healing properties, learn about its impact on ecosystems, and find out how to harness its potential for natural remedies.
Discovering the Wonders of Evening Primrose: A Guide to Identifying and Using this Wild Plant
Discover the beauty and benefits of evening primrose with our comprehensive guide. Learn how to easily identify this biennial herbaceous plant and unlock its potential uses for health and wellness. From recognizing its distinctive leaves and flowers to harnessing its therapeutic properties, this article is your go-to resource for all things evening primrose.
Strawberry Moon Magic: Exploring the Folklore and Significance of June’s Full Moon
Discover the enchanting folklore and spiritual significance of June’s full moon, the Strawberry Moon, in our latest blog article. Learn about the ancient traditions and beliefs associated with this celestial event, and explore various ways to honor its significance in your own life. From rituals and ceremonies to connecting with nature, dive into the mystical world of the Strawberry Moon.
Dandelion Root Tea: A Nutritious Gift From Mother Nature
Discover the health benefits of dandelion root tea and learn how to prepare a delicious cup from scratch! Our step-by-step guide will show you how to harvest, clean, dry, and brew dandelion root tea, a natural remedy that supports liver and digestive health, reduces inflammation, and boosts the immune system.
How to Make Infused Herbal Oils the Easy Way
Looking to take your skincare routine to the next level? Check out our guide to making infused herbal oils for use in skin care or as the base for homemade salves and balms. Learn about the benefits of different herbs and how to infuse them into carrier oils, so you can create personalized blends that meet your skin’s unique needs. With our easy-to-follow instructions, you’ll be well on your way to crafting all-natural, nourishing products that will leave your skin feeling soft, supple, and glowing.
How to Make Powerful Herbal Glycerites: Alcohol-Free Tincture Alternatives
Learn how to make herbal glycerites, an alcohol-free alternative to traditional tinctures. Our step-by-step guide will show you how to create potent and shelf-stable herbal remedies using glycerin, herbs, and a few simple kitchen tools. Discover the benefits of this gentle extraction method and how to incorporate herbal glycerites into your natural wellness routine.
The Power of Stinging Nettle Tea: A Natural Brew for Health and Wellness
This article delves into the wonders of stinging nettle tea – from its brewing process to its numerous health benefits. Discover how to make the perfect cup of stinging nettle tea, who should avoid drinking it, and the many ways it can improve your wellbeing.
Removing the Sting: How to Blanch Nettles for Safe Consumption
Learn how to safely prepare and enjoy the highly nutritious and versatile wild edible, nettles. This article offers step-by-step instructions for how to blanch nettles to remove their sting and highlights their many health benefits. Perfect for nature lovers and foragers looking to expand their culinary horizons.
The Ultimate Ramp Foraging Recipe Roundup: 20 Delicious Dishes
Looking for some new recipes to try with your wild ramp foraging haul? Check out our list of 20 delicious ramp recipes that will have you cooking up a storm in the kitchen! From classic sautés to creative takes on pesto and pasta, these recipes are sure to satisfy your cravings for this tasty and versatile ingredient. Whether you’re a seasoned ramp forager or just getting started, our recipe roundup has something for everyone.
33 Best Mother’s Day Gift Ideas For The Mom Who Loves Nature And Gardening
Mother’s Day is just around the corner, so we put together a list of 30 mother’s day gift ideas for moms who love nature and gardening.
3 Easy Rituals for Beltane that Honor the Earth
Celebrate the sacred time of Beltane with rituals that honor the earth and the cycles of growth and transformation. In this blog article, explore powerful rituals for Beltane that connect you with the natural world, from planting seeds and creating an earth-focused altar to having a ceremonial fire. Discover how you can deepen your connection to the natural world and cultivate gratitude for the abundance and generosity of the earth. Join us on a journey of spiritual reflection and reverence for the beauty and power of the natural world with Rituals for Beltane.
Make Your Own Japanese Knotweed Tincture in 6 Easy Steps
Discover the incredible health benefits of Japanese knotweed tincture and learn how to make it at home with our step-by-step guide. From boosting your immune system to reducing inflammation, Japanese knotweed has numerous medicinal properties that make it a valuable addition to any wellness routine. Don’t miss out on this powerful plant extract – read our blog article now!
May’s Full Moon: Celebrating A Springtime Flower Moon
Unlock the secrets of May’s full moon, the Flower Moon, with our informative blog article. Discover the meaning, folklore, and rich history behind this celestial event and deepen your spiritual connection with the universe. Don’t miss out on the chance to expand your knowledge and enhance your spiritual practice with the Flower Moon as your guide.
Propagating Elderberry in 10 Easy Steps
In this blog post, we’ll explore the benefits of propagating elderberry by cuttings, the tools you’ll need, the best times to take cuttings, and the step-by-step process for propagating elderberry by cuttings. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or just starting out, propagating elderberry by cuttings is a simple and rewarding way to grow this wonderful plant.
Japanese Knotweed: A Delicious and Medicinal Invasive
Despite being known as an invasive plant species that poses a threat to native biodiversity and causes damage to infrastructure, Japanese Knotweed has several edible and medicinal properties that are often overlooked. This article will focus on exploring the nutritional and medicinal benefits of Japanese Knotweed and its diverse range of uses.
70 Wild Plants You Didn’t Know You Could Eat
Discover a whole new world of edible plants with our blog article on 70 wild plants you didn’t know you could eat! From common backyard weeds to edible wildflowers, we’ve compiled a comprehensive list of plants that are not only safe to eat but also delicious and packed with nutrients. Expand your culinary horizons and learn about the various parts of each plant that are edible, as well as tips on foraging and preparation. Get ready to explore the wild side of your pantry with this ultimate guide to edible wild plants.
The 22 Best Herbal Medicine Books for Self-Study
These 22 herbal medicine books are the perfect starting point for any beginner herbalist looking to expand their knowledge and skills. From identifying herbs to making remedies, these books offer a wealth of information and guidance.
Shop Seasonal Guides & Workbooks
Digital DownloadsLitha Celebration Guide: 50 Pages to Connect You With the Energy of the Season.
$8.99 Add to cartThis lovely and functional Litha Celebration Guide bundle is perfect for planning your days throughout the Summer Solstice season. Includes 50 pages to connect you with the energy of the season of Litha. Reflections. Rituals. Magical Correspondences.
- Beltane
Beltane Celebration Guide: 50 Pages to Connect You With the Energy of the Season.
$8.99 Add to cartThis lovely and functional Beltane Celebration Guide bundle is perfect for planning your days throughout the Beltane season. Includes 50 pages to connect you with the energy of the season of Beltane. Reflections. Rituals. Magical Correspondences.
- Digital Downloads
Ostara Celebration Guide: 49 Pages to Connect You With the Energy of the Season.
$8.99 Add to cartThis lovely and functional Ostara celebration guide bundle is perfect for planning your days throughout the Ostara season. Includes 49 pages to connect you with the energy of the season of Ostara. Reflections. Rituals. Magical Correspondences.
- Digital Downloads
Imbolc Celebration Guide: 47 Pages to Connect You With the Energy of the Season.
$8.99 Add to cartThis lovely and functional Imbolc celebration guide bundle is perfect for planning your days throughout the Imbolc season. Includes 47 pages to connect you with the energy of the season of Imbolc. Reflections. Rituals. Magical Correspondences.
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