Apothecary At Home Review: February 2021

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

It has been a couple months since I wrote a review of the Apothecary At Home box, and a couple of things have changed since November that I'd like to cover so no one is surprised. February's box is Herbs for Heart Health, which is so fitting for the month of love.

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 affordable and educational, monthly subscription box.

Again February's theme is Heart Health. As always, there is a complete, sourced informational booklet, that explains heart 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, hawthorn berry and linden, with a bonus herb yarrow. There are 2 ounces of both the yarrow and hawthorn berry and 1 ounce of the linden, 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! This month, I was pleasantly surprised to find linden. It's an often-overlooked herb and now I feel compelled to write a detailed herbarium post about this lovely herb.

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 cardiotonic syrup and yarrow-infused oil, with a number of bonus recipes included for recipes such as high blood pressure tea, linden lozenges, and yarrow-infused witch hazel. 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 yarrow seeds from the Southern Seed Exchange so you can continue your herbalist adventure by expanding your garden. This is a switch from Bentley Seeds Co, a small family-owned business in upstate New York. I've reached out to Shannon, the creator and founder of Apothecary At Home, to see if this is something for all subscription boxes or just for those in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic. If it is just for those in the SE and Mid-Atlantic then I am super excited to have a variety of seeds that do well growing in Georgia clay. As must as I would love to grow all the things, some plants just do not do well here, like peonies and hollyhocks. Either way, I love that each month Shannon 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 feature hawthorn and linden.

Finally, the surprise, bonus items this month are Blood Pressure Tea from The Loose Leaf, Pink Sea Salt Chocolate by Raaka Chocolate, and a Heart vinyl sticker by Pergamo Paper Goods. The chocolate is so smooth and delightful. The tea tastes of lemongrass (my favorite) and hibiscus with hints of ginger, ginkgo, and a light sweetness from hawthorn berries. This is one of the best teas I have tried from The Loose Leaf and I look forward to ordering some more in the future, maybe even some for my mom who struggles with high blood pressure from time to time.

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.

***

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, and for a while, they switched to paper, but the last several boxes have contained packing peanuts to protect the glassware.
• 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 Raaka Chocolate. 
• 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... it's 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.
• Lately, the packaging has not been as eco-friendly as in the past. The boxes have contained packing peanuts, which may or may not be biodegradable. I understand this is to ensure the integrity of the glass containers, but it is disappointing to see the switch.

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!

If you liked this post and would like to support future content, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

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.

***

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!

If you liked this post and would like to support future content, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Apothecary At Home Box Review: September 2020

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase.

So I missed writing an actual review for August'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. Over the weekend I finally got my mail sorted out and behold, my Apothecary At Home box arrived Saturday afternoon. It was sitting lovingly by my front door and I was so excited to see what this month held. Before I jump into the box though, I wanted to give you guys some more information about 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.

September's theme is Breath Easy, which is super timely considering the COVID-19 pandemic, cold and flu season on its way, the fall allergy season (at least here in the South). Needless to say, this month's box is extremely useful longterm. As always, there is a complete, sourced informational pamphlet, this time in booklet form, that explains lung health and disease, each of the herbs 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. This month focuses on two herbs, catnip and thyme, with a bonus herb mullein. There are 2 ounces of each herb, 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. Instead, we are making an oxymel and a chest rub, just like Vick's Vapor Rub. 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. Currently, I have two tinctures and two oils infusing in my spare bedroom. I finally picked up the oils and alcohol needed to create these lovely concoctions and I cannot wait to show you guys the finished results!

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 created two lovely botanical prints this month of catnip and thyme that you can frame, glue into your Book of Shadows, or place in your materia medica. Starting last month, the prints are printed on much sturdier paper which I greatly appreciate. They are absolutely stunning and I am looking forward to adding more to my collection.

Finally, the surprise bonus item this month is eucalyptus essential oil. Really this is needed in one of the recipes (the chest rub), but a bonus nonetheless. It smells absolutely glorious and I am looking forward to not only using it in the chest rub but in baths as well. Eucalyptus is a great stress reliever and a muscle relaxer, so it's perfect when you have had a long day at work or a difficult workout.

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.

***

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.

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 ecofriendly. 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!
• 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 ecofriendly.
• 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!
• 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.
• There is some packaging that is not eco-friendly. The paper and cardboard box can be recycled, but the bubble wrap can not. I believe having eco-friendly packaging as much as possible is extremely important. I need to make a note here that the past two months have NOT contained bubble wrap. Instead, the containers were lovingly wrapped in tissue paper and nestled between herbs to prevent them from breaking. I REALLY appreciate this! August's box contained plastic containers to prevent breakage, so no bubble wrap was needed.

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!

If you liked this post and would like to support future content, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Apothecary At Home Box Review: July 2020

USE CODE WILLOW15 TO GET 15% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER!

A couple of months ago I told you guys about a new subscription box that was coming out called Apothecary At Home. Well, their first box shipped July 1st, and I am so thrilled with it. I cannot believe how many amazing goodies they packed into this awesome box. If you missed my unboxing video on Instagram, you can check it out now. This is one of the coolest boxes I've ever received and totally up my ally. 

The first box came with information (not pictured) on what to expect from the subscription box as a whole as well as a detailed pamphlet discussing each of the herbs, including their folklore, medicinal, and magical uses, much like my Herbarium posts, and a number of herbal remedy recipes to make with the herbs in the box. Furthermore, there is general information on making herbal remedies and how different herbs interact. This box is truly designed to help you learn how to make herbal remedies, not just give you random recipes to follow with context. The box comes with all the supplies to make your remedies and includes a number of bonus recipes for herbs you have leftover, which I absolutely loved. If you missed their first box or are interested in the reading material, you can purchase the study guide and welcome packet as digital downloads for $4.99 each on their website.

This month's box was all about mental health, fitting considering the current pandemic has taken a toll on most people's mental health, mine included. As such, it contains chamomile, lemon balm, and passionflower, all of which are known to help ease depression and anxiety, while promoting calmness and joy. The box came with 4 ounces of both chamomile and lemon balm and about 1 ounce of passionflower. I couldn't believe how much of each herb they fit into the box. I still can't figure out how they got the box to close! With these herbs, you have all the ingredients to make a salve and a tincture, but there are a number of bonus recipes you can do with the leftover herbs. But that's not all.

The box also comes with both lemon balm and chamomile seeds, along with growing instructions, and two beautiful art prints of said herbs created by the creator's mother. They are absolutely beautiful and would be perfect for your BOS or Grimoire, whether you cut them out and paste them or hole-punch them. This month they are printed on glossy paper, but next month I was informed that they would be printed on higher quality, matte paper. Furthermore, these prints and all future prints will be available for standalone purchase in a variety of sizes in the future. I love that they include not only a hefty amount of herbs, but seeds as well so you can continue to grow your practice. I am looking forward to starting my seeds soon and allowing them to take over in my garden. I love the overgrown look and lemon balm grows rapidly. 

This month's box also came with a wonderful surprise: Stress Relief Tea from The Loose Leaf! I freaking love me some tea and was so excited to see tea in this box. This particular tea contains oatstraw, skullcap, kava kava root, ginkgo, ashwagandha, and cloves. It has an earthy, spicy taste that will warm your soul. It reminds me of Yule to be honest. Its warming and calming and leaves you feeling completely relaxed by the end of the cup. It's sure to delight your taste buds and enliven your spirits.

***

Overall, I was super impressed with this box. It exceeded my expectations by far. 

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 ecofriendly. 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!
• 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!
• 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 at $39.99 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.
• There is some packaging that is not eco-friendly. The paper and cardboard box can be recycled, but the bubble wrap can not. I believe having eco-friendly packaging as much as possible is extremely important.

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!

If you liked this post and would like to support future content, please consider leaving a small tip in the jar. 

Apothecary At Home: A New Subscription Box for the Budding Herbalist

I am super excited to share a new subscription box that will be launching later this year with all of you. Apothecary At Home is an upcoming month-to-month subscription box that will introduce aspiring healers to Western Herbalism. Each box will contain 1-3 herbal allies, seeds, growing materials, medicine-making projects, and study resources designed to teach you herbalism from the comfort of your own home. I am a huge supporter of hands-on-learning and strongly believe in teaching someone how to fish rather than simply handing them a fish. Many herbal subscription boxes on the market send you a box full of already made remedies in the hope that you'll come back to buy more of their products when you run out. Apothecary At Home takes this idea and turns it on its head by teaching you how to become the herbalist. Better yet, it's a small business, created and founded by witches just like you and me.

You can sign up to receive updates about the box and possibly win a lifetime subscription on their landing page now. You can save 15% on your first box using code WILLOW15. I'm so excited about this box, and can't wait to review the first box!

Magickal Folk Box Review: December

Before I start this review I would like to make a point to say that subscribing to a subscription box isn't required to perform magic. Furthermore, having witchy stuff doesn't necessarily make you a witch, nor do you have to have a bunch of stuff to be a witch or perform magic. Magic isn't about the stuff you use, but about you. The magic comes from you, not the crystal or tea or candle or whatever object you are using. With that being said, December was my last Magickal Folk box, at least for a little bit, so this review will include my overall thoughts on the subscription as a whole, as well as a review of this month's content. This month's Small Combo Box from Magickal Folk focused on the Crone aspect which is representative of this time of year.

The first item I removed from the December small combo box was the Meditation Kit. This particular kit contained a couple of items, including a black and red candle, and a golden sheen obsidian bracelet. According to the information card, this kit centers around "crone mysteries" and the knowledge and wisdom the crone provides. The purpose of this small ritual meditation is to reflect and grow as an individual. The red candle is to ground, incite, and betow personal power while the black candle is meant to connect with our ancestors and banish any unwanted energy. The bracelet, containing both light and dark, represents refined wisdom in that both light and dark exist together, not alone.

Also pictured is some Winter Solstice tea, which contains earl grey tea, coneflower, cinnamon, peppermint, lemon peel, and natural bergamot flavoring. This tea came as an extra little gift, a Yule present if you will. I decided to pair it with the Meditation Kit because the flavors match well with this time of year, which also happens to be the time of the Crone. Furthermore, they are relaxing, helping to reach that meditative state easier. The tea is delightful and pairs well with a little bit of milk or cream.

The next item I removed was the Tea Ritual Kit. This tea, which contains Irish black tea, elderberry, elderflower, dandelion root, and ginger root, is all about connecting, belonging, authenticity, wisdom, and truth. I love how the tea has some pretty awesome healing abilities as well, especially this time of year with cold and flu season upon us. Elderberry and flowers, ginger, and dandelion are all known to help prevent or shorten illness. This ritual tea is designed not only to keep you healthy but also connect with yourself and your ancestral roots. While Samhain sees the veil at its thinnest, the Winter Solstice is another time the veil is very thin, making contact with the spirits, including our ancestors, easy. This ritual tea will help you get there with ease. The tea has a strong flavor, but the elderberry and flower bring about a slight sweetness.

Finally, I removed the Crystal Ritual Kit, which contained several beautiful crystals this time. Called "Keeping of the Cauldron," this kit contained several pieces of Picture Jasper and Dumortierite, for creativity, wisdom, patience, and self-mastery, again characteristics of the Crone aspect.

This kit also contained a Cerridwen Anointing Oil of sunflower and almond oil mixed with Silver Fir and Magnolia essential soils, dried Gotu Kola, Ginko, and Corn Silk. The oil has a sweet aroma and is used to anoint the crystals to invoke the Goddess Cerridwen, keeper of the cauldron Amem, the cauldron of divine knowledge, wisdom, rebirth, and transformation. If you don't know the story of Cerridwen, I strongly suggest you read it. It is a beautiful tale.

I loved how cohesive this month's box was and how they can easily be combined into one beautiful ritual for the Winter Solstice or for any New/Dark Moon.

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Since it has been three months, I would like to give you a complete break down of my overall thoughts on this box.

Pros:

• The box is consistent. It always comes with a tea kit, meditation kit, and a crystal kit.
• 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 card is informative and explains how to use the items for each kit. All of the items, except crystals, are made by Magickal Folk, so you are supporting a small pagan business.
• This box is affordable. For a month's subscription, you are looking at spending just $24!
• You get a little of everything with the small combo kit. I love how the small combo kits give me a variety of rituals and items each month, especially the tea!
• You get to join a responsive community. When you subscribe, you are given the option to join their private Facebook groups and join in discussions with other witches who subscribe, as well as the curators behind the boxes!
• There are different tiers. They offer a variety of subscription box options, all of them budget friendly.
• This box is available! There is no waiting list, although they do sell out quickly, especially if it's a theme people want to be a part of!
  

Cons:

• The information card is incomplete. Unfortunately, there is no mention of the cost of the items nor where the crystals are sourced from, but overall the information cards are nicely done.
• Sometimes the information cards are hard to read. Depending on their choice of cardstock for the month, sometimes the information cards can be difficult to read.
• There is some packaging that is not eco-friendly. The paper and cardboard box can be recycled, but the bubble wrap can not. I believe having eco-friendly packaging as much as possible is extremely important.

OVERALL: 5 out of 5 stars 

Interested in purchasing this box? Check out Cratejoy. They have a large selection of subscription boxes that cover just about everything.

Magickal Folk Box Review: November

November's Magickal Folk Small Combo box focused on the feminine. As mentioned previously, the small combo box comes with a tea ritual, meditation kit, and crystal alchemy kit, essentially a little bit of everything they curate for the month in one box for just $24.

The first item from the box is the Tea Ritual Kit, which contained a tea called Feminae. According to the packaging, the tea is a blend of white tea, red rose, hibiscus, skullcap, vitex berry, rose hips, and pomegranate flavoring. Not going to lie, this tea is a beautiful rose color, smells like heaven, and tastes like a flower garden. I'm so in love with it. When I read the ingredients after removing it from the box, I knew in an instant I would enjoy this tea. I am a sucker for rose, rose hips, and hibiscus. To add to it, the base is a white tea, which is milder and sweeter in flavor as it comes from young tea leaves. The ritual suggests imbibing this tea with your fellow lady witches to inspire conversation, especially during our "moon cycle" or consumed ritually in tribute to the Morrigan. Honestly, I would pair this tea with Dulsky's Holy Wild. The book is all about taking back our Goddess powers and the message pairs amazingly with this tea!

The next item is the Meditation Kit, which focused on the sacred Wolf. The purpose of this meditation is to connect with the wolf in your life as well as honor the spirit guides in your life. As a hedgewitch, I absolutely love that this month's kit included ways to honor and connect with your spirit guides. They are so crucial to our development as witches and the meditation outlined by Candice at Magickal Folk is beautifully written and easy to follow, even for a beginner witch. The kit included a cauldron recipe card to record the ingredients included in the kit as well as any other items you add to the ritual to connect with your guide. There are two beautiful Lapiz Lazuli crystals and an herbal incense mixture that contains cedar and juniper tips for protection, star anise to carry your messages, wood betony for removing doubt and opening communication, and elderflowers to bring ancient wisdom. I love how well thought out this mixture is and that is can be used during hedge riding or a normal ritual to communicate with spirits.

The final kit, the Crystal Alchemy Kit, contains a large piece of peacock ore and a witchcraft oil both of which are designed to increase magical intentions. The oil contains jojoba, olive oil, and sunflower oil infused with dragon blood resin, honeysuckle flowers, and vervain herb. Candice suggests using it as a base spell oil during rituals or to banish, heal, and enchant. There are no essential oils in this product, which I think it great because many people are allergic to essential oils. This also allows the oil to be more versatile so it can be placed on the skin, the third eye, or used to anoint candles and other objects used in spell work. The oil has a sweet, subtle scent; nothing overpowering here!

Overall, I love the diversity in this month's box. I'm not going to lie, the tea is my favorite part! Once this subscription is complete, I may purchase the monthly tea ritual for just $5. Considering how many cups I tea I get per bag, $5 is a steal! On average, I get 7-10 cups of tea. Remember, you don't have to throw the tea out after one use. Using freshly dried herbs means you can get at least 2 cups out of most teas, so don't throw it away after one cup! Besides, the tea leaves can be used in later rituals as an offering or just to enhance your spell work!

Have you subscribed to any witchy or pagan subscription boxes lately? Have something you would like me to review before you commit to a purchase? I am on the lookout for something new to try next year and would love to hear from you in the comments below!