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 preparations, 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.

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 wondrous arts of plant medicine and nature connectedness.

What's In A Name?

Disclaimer: The use of the term “apothecary” in our name and content is strictly metaphorical, intended to convey nature’s role in holistic wellness and does not imply professional medical or pharmaceutical services. We do not operate as a pharmacy, medical, or pharmaceutical provider. Our content is for informational, educational, and entertainment purposes only and should not be considered as medical advice or a substitute for professional healthcare. If you require medical advice, please consult a qualified healthcare provider.

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

Easy Small Batch Huckleberry Jam Recipe

July 25, 2022

Learn how to make this simple delicious small batch huckleberry jam recipe from your freshly picked wild huckleberries!

Identifying and Foraging for Wild Huckleberry

July 22, 2022

Learn how to forage and identify black huckleberry. So go pick some wild huckleberries and make that sweet summer treat.

Celebrating Harvest Season and the Festival of First Fruits

July 20, 2022

Lughnasadh honours the first grains of the harvest season and is a time of joy and gratitude for the crops.

How To Identify, Harvest, and Pick Wild Blueberries: The Ultimate Guide

July 18, 2022

Learn how to find, identify and pick wild blueberries! I will teach you the basics of foraging these sweet summer fruits and explain some of the best places to look as well as how to tell them apart from other berries. We will also discuss safety concerns, harvesting, and storage practices.