A Home Herbal Apothecary Gives You Independence

A simple but effective foundation

A home herbal apothecary does not need to be complicated. In fact, it can be quite simple. According to Angelika, about 8 to 10 carefully chosen plants can cover nearly 80 percent of everyday needs. These include chamomile, peppermint, linden blossom, yarrow, nettle, calendula, plantain, sage, and lemon balm. Each one plays a specific role, from easing inflammation and supporting digestion to calming the body and strengthening the immune system.

“For me, plants are not just a list, they are tools I use all the time,” Angelika says. She doesn’t use them randomly, but responds to the body’s needs, the season, and the natural rhythm of life. As these change, the role of each plant changes as well.

Nettle and fireweed supply the body with minerals and help support energy.

For the nervous system, she especially values lemon balm and peppermint. One brings deep calm, while the other keeps the mind clear.

For hormonal balance and women’s health, yarrow and lady’s mantle are essential.

When it comes to supporting the skin and mucous membranes, she always keeps calendula and plantain close at hand. “If there is irritation anywhere in the body, these two always come into play,” she explains.

This way of using plants makes them a natural part of everyday life rather than something separate.

Underrated Allies

Angelika uses several plants whose value has proven itself to her again and again over time.

Goosefoot

The first is, goosefoot, which, in her view, is one of the most underrated plants. It strongly supports digestion, helps relieve pain, and has antispasmodic effects, while also contributing to internal balance.

Horsetail

Horsetail supports tissues, joints, and skin on a deeper level and provides the body with essential building materials.

Sage & Echinacea

To support immunity, she uses sage and echinacea as needed and in cycles.

Marshmallow

Marshmallow is her go to plant for a “nervous stomach,” especially when the system is overwhelmed.

Chamomile

Beyond its practical benefits, chamomile also carries emotional meaning. “When I come home from a trip, chamomile tea feels like being welcomed home,” she says.

Hyssop

For her, hyssop is both energizing and clarifying, a natural alternative to coffee.

Dandelion

In her daily routine, she also turns to very common yet often overlooked plants such as dandelion and ground elder. Dandelion serves as an everyday plant from spring through fall, helping support the body’s cleansing processes and overall balance.

Ground Elder

Ground elder signals a spring reset. “In our home, we use ground elder in omelets and patties, because cleansing the body should reach the joints, not remain just a trendy detox idea,” she explains.

“There is nothing exotic here,” Angelika points out. “Everything grows around us. The only question is whether we choose to use it.”

“If there is even the slightest doubt, it is better to leave the plant where it is.” – Angelika Somelar

Proper harvesting makes a big difference

The value of a medicinal plant depends not only on the species, but also on when and where it’s harvested. If the timing is off, the plant may still look beautiful, but its effectiveness will be much weaker. Leaves are best collected before flowering or right as it begins, flowers at full bloom, and roots in early spring or in the fall.

The growing location matters just as much. Areas along roads, edges of chemically treated fields, and urban environments are not suitable for gathering medicinal plants. “If there is even the slightest doubt, it is better to leave the plant where it is,” says Angelika simply.

The most common mistakes beginners make usually come down to rushing and limited knowledge. Plants may be picked at the wrong time or from the wrong place, too much may be gathered, identification may be uncertain, or damp plants may be placed in a bag where they begin to spoil before they can dry.

Drying and storage

The effectiveness of a medicinal plant is preserved only if it is properly handled after harvesting. When drying, the key factors are a thin layer, shade, and good air circulation. Direct sunlight is not suitable. “If you dry too quickly or use heat, you lose the active compounds,” Angelika emphasizes.

Glass jars or paper bags are both suitable for storage, but they must be kept in a dry, dark place. Leaves and flowers retain their strongest properties for up to one year, while roots can last up to two. If the scent has faded or the color has become dull, the plant has lost its effectiveness as well.

Angelika recommends collecting with intention, not simply for the sake of gathering. A fresh harvest can always be made in the next season. “And if something is left over, it does not mean it is waste. Older plants can still be used in bath infusions, skincare, or returned to the soil, for example as fertilizer for garden plants.”

Not more, but more consciously

When using medicinal plants, it is often assumed that the more plants you combine, the stronger the effect will be. In reality, the opposite is true. Angelika emphasizes that one to three plants are entirely sufficient. What matters is not quantity, but a clear understanding of what you are using and why. In most cases, a blend should include one main plant and one or two supporting ones.

The rhythm of use is just as important. The same plant should not be used continuously for months at a time. A course of two to four weeks is usually appropriate, followed by a break of at least one to two weeks. The body adapts, and over time the effect may diminish. In some cases, long term use can even place an unnecessary burden on the body.

“Simple self awareness goes a long way here. If you find yourself using the same plant every day, it is worth asking why. If the original reason is no longer there, there is no need to continue. And if you do want to continue, it is better to switch to a different plant,” says Angelika.

“A herbal apothecary should serve your life, not just sit on a shelf.” – Angelika Somelar

First steps for a beginner plant gatherer

Creating a herbal apothecary does not begin with shopping, but with noticing. According to Angelika, the process is far more intuitive than it may seem at first. “Often, the plants you need are already growing in your yard or appearing along your path. And if you do not have your own yard, notice which plant keeps catching your attention,” she says. It is not random, but more like a feeling that a plant is “following you” and inviting you to get to know it. “That is where it truly begins.”

While this approach may sound a bit esoteric, learning about plants today is also very practical. There are many apps that help quickly identify plants. This gives beginners a sense of confidence and reassurance.

From there, it helps to keep things simple. In the beginning, a few plants are enough. “Learn them well. Understand how they look, where they grow, and what they do. Then begin to bring them into your daily life step by step,” Angelika suggests. “Often, you will realize that the plant you noticed did not appear by chance, but matches your body’s or life’s current needs very closely.”

Only after gaining real experience and understanding does it make sense to expand your selection. “A herbal apothecary should serve your life, not just sit on a shelf,” Angelika says.

Plants do not always have to be in tea

Using plants does not only mean drinking them or taking them in capsules. That is just one part of the picture. Angelika emphasizes that plants also have an effect through their presence, and this is often overlooked.

Plants can be observed with intention, kept close, or simply shared in the same space. A fresh or dried plant on the table, under a pillow, in the kitchen, a small pouch in your pocket, steam, or a bath can all be ways of engaging with them.

“Sometimes it’s enough to simply sit and look at a plant, not with a phone in your hand, but fully present,” Angelika says. This kind of slowing down and focused attention creates a connection that is not only emotional, but also has a physical effect on the body.

A good example of how plants influence us through the environment is time spent in a pine forest. This is supported by research and by the Japanese practice of shinrin yoku, also known as forest bathing. Spending time in coniferous forests has been shown to lower blood pressure, reduce stress hormones, calm the nervous system, and support immunity.

“There is nothing mystical about it,” Angelika notes. “Trees, especially pines, release volatile compounds called phytoncides that we breathe in. The body responds directly, while breathing slows and the nervous system shifts into a calmer state.”

The invisible dimension of plants

In folklore, nature based therapies, and holistic approaches, plants are also seen as energetic supporters. This does not replace scientific knowledge about active compounds, but adds another layer to how people can relate to plants.

People often describe similar experiences when they are around plants, such as a sense of calm, clarity, well being, and presence. These are not just imagined. They are recurring human experiences that much of our ancestral knowledge is built on. “Our ancestors did not develop this understanding out of nothing. It grew from lived experience and practical solutions in everyday life,” Angelika explains.

Today, this is complemented by a more scientific perspective that views plants as living systems. Plants have bioelectrical signals, they respond to their environment, and these responses can be measured. Devices such as PlantWave have been created to translate these bioelectrical signals into sound.

“Today we have the opportunity to experience the remarkable concert of plants,” Angelika adds with a smile. “It offers a completely new way to connect with them, as if you were listening to their story.”

BIO: As Head of Product Development at Ecosh, Angelika leads formulation strategy and the R&D team bringing their vision to life. Her work blends plant pharmacology, functional bioactives, and holistic wellness to create clean formulas rooted in care, awareness, and good energy.