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
Staghorn Sumac: How To Identify, Harvest, And Use This Wild Plant
Learn How To Identify, Harvest, And Use Staghorn Sumac – Plus 2 recipes.
Bare Root Fruit Trees—The Cheap Way to Grow Your Own Fruit
Bare root fruit trees are cheaper than container-grown trees, easier to plant and the first-year survival rate is much higher. In this article, we explain what bare root trees are, how to plant them, and how to care for them after planting.
Quick And Easy DIY Disinfectant Spray Using 3 Common Kitchen Ingredients
Make your own all-natural DIY disinfectant spray. It’s cost-effective, smells great, and is better for your health.
How to Make a Ginger Bug for Healthy Homemade Sodas
Skip store-bought sodas and make your own with a ginger bug. This easy-to-catch culture lets you enjoy homemade probiotic sodas all year round!
12 Easy Herbal Bath Tea Recipes to Elevate Your Bath to Therapeutic Heights
Elevate your bath by taking a relaxing soak with these 12 simple herbal bath tea recipes.
30+ Best Field Guides & Plant Identification Books
Today I want to share a list of my favorite field guides on plant identification as well as some useful tips on using field guides and other resources to identify different species.
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