Apothecary At Home Box Review: November 2020

So I missed writing an actual review for October's Apothecary At Home box, but I did do an unboxing video on my IG so if you missed the last box, head on over to Instagram and check out my live video. October's box was Romance + Ritual and was the first box to include obvious witchcraft. Last week I did an unboxing of this month's Apothecary At Home box on IG which is all about digestive health. What a great time to have a box on Digestive Health with the holiday season and all. If you are anything like me, you'll likely overeat like crazy the next few weeks then hibernate until Spring. 

Before I jump into the box though, I wanted to give you witches a rundown of the company. First, Apothecary At Home is a small, witchy woman-owned business in Berkley, California. Their mission is to inspire, empower, and equip the next generation of herbalists by supplying an affordable monthly subscription box that brings the herbal classroom directly to you, no matter your herbal background. Each month brings a new theme and wellness topic complete with herbs and step-by-step instructions to create your own natural remedies. In my opinion, this is one of the best boxes of its kind on the market, fantastically pairing herbalism and witchcraft into one educational, monthly subscription box.

Again November's theme is Digestive Health, just in time for the holidays! As always, there is a complete, sourced informational booklet, that explains digestive health and diseases, each of the herb's medicinal profiles, folklore, and magical uses, and recipes that feature the herbs. I love the time, care, and research put into the booklet and the fact that they suggest future reading, continued study resources, and cite their sources. I am slowly creating a materia medica using this information and the botanical prints, although I am tempted to frame all these lovely prints and decorate an entire wall with them in the spare bedroom. This month focuses on two herbs, fennel and peppermint, with a bonus herb dandelion root. There are 2 ounces of each herb, except the dandelion root which is one ounce, which is WAY more than I will likely use in the near future, meaning I have plenty not only to restock my herbal cabinet but to use in my magical workings as well. I still can't believe they are able to pack so much into a single box every month for the price point!

The one thing I absolutely love about this box is that it comes fully stocked with everything you need minus an ingredient or two, to make the herbal remedies. In previous months, this included salve tins, jars, brown dropper bottles, mullein bags, and beeswax or soy wax. This month is no different, except neither recipe is a salve so there is no beeswax or soy wax this month. This month is a dandelion root bitter and bloat-be-gone tincture, with a number of bonus recipes included for recipes such as dandelion bitter soda, fennel milk, and an IBS relief tincture. Having all the supplies on hand makes creating these remedies extremely easy and gives you no excuse not to get started right away. This is a major selling point for me and many others as the easier it is to create the remedies, the more likely we are to do it. To keep everything properly labeled, which is extremely important, they have included several beautiful labels so you can record the contents and date of the remedy or infusion.

Apart from the supplies to make the remedies, the box also comes with seeds (catnip and thyme) so you can continue your herbalist adventure by expanding your garden. All of their seeds are sourced from Bentley Seeds Co, a small family-owned business in upstate New York. I love that each month Shannon, the creator and founder of Apothecary At Home, continues to support small businesses around the country. This is a major plus in my book and I am glad my money is going to help small businesses. Shannon's mother, Virgi, also creates the two lovely botanical prints found in each month's box that you can frame, glue into your Book of Shadows, or place in your materia medica. The prints are printed on sturdy paper which I greatly appreciate. They are absolutely stunning and I am looking forward to adding more to my collection. This month's prints include both fennel and peppermint.

Finally, the surprise, bonus items this month are Happy Intestine tea from The Loose Leaf and Aletheia: Ginger dark chocolate from Antidote. The chocolate is AMAZING and this is coming from someone who is not a fan of ginger. I was actually incredibly thankful this month's box did not come laden with ginger. I know it works for others, but it does absolutely nothing for my stomach but make it angry. However, the ginger in this chocolate is subtle and the richness of the dark chocolate blends well with the dried ginger. Plus, it's vegan! The tea tastes of peppermint and chamomile with a hint of marshmallow root and calendula. It's a wonderful mixture, whether you are drinking it to soothe your stomach or just to enjoy.

Overall I LOVE this box. I continue to be awed and delighted by this amazing box and strongly encourage my readers to pick up a subscription now. You can save 15% on your first box using code WILLOW15. It's a great way to support a small, witchy business and learn an amazing skill at the same time for a fraction of the cost of an herbalist course.

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I know that I included a pros and cons list in my original post, but I wanted to expand on some new features and new information I have received since the last box. I will likely keep this list going for as long as I am posting about it.

Pros:

• The box is designed to teach, instead of just providing you with goodies. It includes everything you need to learn how to make herbal remedies and gets you started on the herbalist path.
• The item quality is great. Every item is worth more than I paid and sometimes you even get some bonus items thrown in!
• The information packet is informative and explains how to use each of the items in the box. The herb profiles are clearly outlines and recipes are easy to follow.
• There are vegan and non-vegan options. They offer both beeswax and soy wax for salves, so if you are vegan there is an option available for you.
• They survey you for allergies. When you sign up for the box, you begin with a survey where you can let them know if you are allergic to anything. I thought this is great because I am allergic to opiates and gogi berries, and while I don't think opiates will end up in the box, gogi berries have a strong possibility of showing up. I'm glad that they take this into account and won't put anything in my box that I am allergic to.
• They are eco-friendly. The box is recyclable and you have the option to receive the information packets printed or digital. I love how much you can customize this box! The original box came with bubble wrap, but all boxes since have not contained it. The glass has been either lovingly wrapped in tissue paper, sandwiched between the herds, or wrapped in the muslin bags to prevent breakage. The only plastic wrap in the box is around the art prints, which is understandable. Eco-friendly packaging is SUPER important to me, so I appreciate the step to reduce plastic.
• They support the BIPOC community. Right now, they are offering boxes to BIPOC who are interested in learning herbalism for free or heavily discounted. If you or someone you know is interested in the details, check out their website. You can also sponsor a box to help provide more boxes!
• They support other small businesses such as The Loose Leaf and Bentley Seeds Co. 
• All their seeds are non-GMO. While this isn't necessarily important to me, I know many people find non-GMO a plus, so I stuck it on the list. 
• They have an online study group specifically designed to answer questions, share ideas, and have support, whether it's from other subscribers or Shannon herself!
• A monthly/bi-monthly newsletter is sent out detailing important information, updates, savings, and more to help you use the remedies in your box and learn more about the herbs. I really appreciate the contact and support!
• All of the supplies are reusable. The glass containers can be used over and over again, making it very eco-friendly.
• There are more than enough herbs to create the remedies and restock your apothecary in the future. I know 2 ounces doesn't sound like a lot, but trust me...its a lot!
• There are multiple options including a mystery box and an ala carte option (supplies, herbs, and study guides). 
• This box is available! They still have some spots available for next month's box, but you best hurry!

Cons:

• The box is somewhat expensive. It's currently priced between $25 (not bad at all) and $40 plus $8 shipping within the US. However, if you were to compare this to an online course, this box is significantly cheaper and provides all the supplies needed for a fraction of the price.

OVERALL: 5 out of 5 stars 

Interested in purchasing this box? Check out Apothecary At Home online. Use code WILLOW15 to get 15% off your first order!

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