Tools and Other Supplies
Many of the tools and utensils one uses for making herbal and flower preparations are undoubtedly things we already have in our kitchens or bathrooms, but here are some ideas for items that are useful to have. I suggest, however, that any utensils and tools you use for herbal concoctions be kept expressly for that purpose and not also used for food preparation. This prevents cross-contamination and spoilage. It’s also important to keep all the equipment you use as clean as possible, dust-free, and dry. When you have finished using anything, wash it in very hot, soapy water and leave it to dry on a sterilized surface.
Suggestions for useful tools for the herbal apothecary include:
- Bowls—lots of bowls, from small to large. Heatproof glass or stainless steel bowls are best, while china or ceramic bowls also can work if heat is not being used. Please never use plastic or aluminium bowls, as they absorb odors or can leach into the product. The same applies to any saucepans you use, which should preferably be only glass or stainless steel.
- A mortar and pestle for grinding herbs and spices. (A spice mill also is helpful and quicker to use.)
- A stick-type blender, small blender, or food processor is handy for making herb pastes and the like.
- Secateurs and good kitchen scissors for harvesting herbs. I also have a wonderful pair of little herb scissors which can be used to strip off small leaves from the stems.
- A good cutting board, either wood or plastic; remember to clean it thoroughly after use, and don’t use it for food preparation.
- A slow cooker (especially the miniature version) can be used to make oil infusions and so on.
- Double boiler—nice if you have one, but it’s not essential. I simply use a small heatproof bowl that fits snugly in the top of a saucepan, and it works well. Just ensure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the simmering water.
- I mainly use disposable wooden spoons, popsicle sticks, or chopsticks for stirring mixtures. Particularly if you are using essential oils, they tend to leach into the wood so it’s best to discard the stirrers after use.
- Essential oil bottles generally have dropper tops, but a few glass eyedroppers are always useful; just be sure to rinse them in really hot water after use and dry thoroughly.
- A few funnels (stainless steel preferably) for pouring your creations into bottles or jars.
- Fine mesh strainers for straining out infusions and the like; they can be lined with coffee filters, too.
- Glass jars in various sizes with strong lids. It’s preferable to use dark glass jars—brown or blue—as this helps keep herbal products fresh longer, but if you can only find clear glass jars, simply wrap them in dark paper tied on with twine. Sometimes plastic jars may be preferable for safety considerations, particularly in bathrooms or around children. If you want to reuse jars, always ensure they are thoroughly cleaned and dried first.
- Little plastic pots are nice for lip balms, scented balms, and the like, and they can be safely carried in a purse.