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
An Easy Wassail Recipe For Yuletide
Try this easy traditional recipe for wassail and share it with friends while celebrating Twelfth Night or all 12 Day of Yule.
How To Wrap Gifts 6 Ways With Sustainable, Handmade, and Natural Elements
I’ll teach you how to wrap gifts in an eco-friendly and creative way this holiday season using handmade and wild, foraged adornments. This is a fun and sustainable way to create beautifully wrapped gifts. Replace the traditional red and green with a bit of handmade charm.
Honoring the 4 Sacred Evergreens of the Winter Solstice
The plants of the winter solstice play an integral role in this seasonal celebration that marks the turning of the Wheel of the Year. Evergreens such as conifers, holly and ivy, and mistletoe have their own folklore associated with them. These plants can be used to honor the season, celebrate its wisdom, and return home.
How to Make a Wreath in 6 Easy Steps: A Wild, Winter Solstice Symbol
If you’ve been wondering how to make a wreath step by step, look no further. A wild, foraged, evergreen wreath is far simpler than you can imagine—and it only takes a little creativity to stretch a basic wreath into a masterpiece.
Sit Spot: A Sacred Place To Observe the Rhythms of Nature
Learn how a Sit Spot can help you deepen your connection with the natural world. By making a commitment to visit your sit spot regularly, you can begin to feel at home in the universe and strengthen your bond with the earth and all life.
Recipe for Cinnamon Ornaments: The Perfect Addition to an Old-Fashioned Holiday
Creating an old-fashioned Christmas has never been easier, especially with this recipe for cinnamon ornaments! These cinnamon ornaments are so simple to make and are the perfect item to add to your holiday decor collection.
Dried Orange Slices for Natural Homemade Ornaments
This easy, step-by-step tutorial on how to make dried orange slices for ornaments will help you create beautiful homemade Christmas decorations that are sure to bring charm and beauty to your Christmas decor.
Celebrate the Shortest Day of the Year with 7 Rituals to Welcome the Light
The winter solstice is a time to tap into your ancestral memory, connect with the earth, and celebrate the light that is returning to our world. Here are seven illuminating rituals to help you celebrate the shortest day of the year.
Best Holiday Gifts for Herbalists, Nature Lovers, and Wildcrafters
There’s still time to pick up the perfect holiday gifts for herbalists, nature lovers, and wildcrafters in your life! This list is packed with goodies that will appeal to anyone who enjoys spending time outdoors. From books on herbalism and foraging to herb grinders and binoculars, there’s something for everyone on your list.
Root Cellar: Preserving a Bountiful Harvest
Using a root cellar is a great way to preserve your garden’s bounties. A root cellar makes it easy to keep your food on hand for as long as possible, making it possible to preserve home-grown goodness long term, even through the winter.
Brew this Amazing Immune Boosting Tea for Winter Wellness
Don’t wait until you’re sick to try to build up your immunity! This immune boosting tea is made with homegrown and foraged herbs, which are known to aid in the body’s natural defenses. It’s perfect for cold and flu season, but can also be enjoyed year-round.
DIY Fire Starters: Perfect for Gift Giving Plus FREE Printable Gift Tags
Today, I’m excited to show you how to make these simple DIY fire starters for a unique, woodsy look. They’re great for warming up your hearth and keeping you cozy this winter, and they’re great for gift giving!
Making Herbal Bath Melts: A Magical Bath Additive for Winter Days.
Taking a relaxing bath is more fun when it comes with a little luxury. Homemade bath melts are easy to make, and they smell so good, too. They’re the perfect indulgent treat for your skin in winter.
Easy Homemade Gifts Ideas and Recipes for Everyone on Your List
Here are some homemade gifts ideas that are easy enough for just about anyone to make and are sure to please everyone on your list.
Easy Bath Melt Recipe With Soothing Chamomile and Oat
This chamomile and oat bath melt recipe is a dream come true for those with sensitive skin, or anyone who appreciates a soothing bath. The infusion of chamomile flowers will soothe the skin, while the oats are calming and soothing. These bath melts make a great gift that will leave the recipient begging for more.
The Amazing Power of the Sun to Infuse Herbs
Harness the power of the sun when infusing herbs in oil using the simpler’s method.
Uses for Rose Hips: Nature’s Seasonal Offerings + 4 Easy Recipes
There are many uses for rose hips. Rose hips are an excellent example of nature’s seasonal offerings and can be beneficial in beauty products as well as in nourishing culinary recipes. Check out these 4 easy recipes!
What Is An Elixir? Plus 3 Easy Recipes
So what is an elixir, anyway? This article explains all, including how to make a herbal elixir and three easy elixir recipes.
Winter Tea Spice Blend: Perfect For Gift Giving
Need a homemade Christmas gift? Nourishing Herbal Teas are the best! This Winter Tea Spice Blend is perfect for the winter seasons and would make a lovely homemade gift to give.
Drying Ginger Made Easy: Never Buy Ginger Powder Again
Drying ginger is easy and can be used in many ways. Here’s how to do it so that you never buy another bottle of ginger powder, EVER! Learn how to dry ginger and make your own ginger powder.
The Amateur Botanist: how the growth of a science is built through citizen participation
Discover the ways that the science of botany has relied on input from the amateur botanist and citizen scientists like you and me, who share their observations and experiences with a community over time.
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