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Where to buy your herbs
The Ancient Herbalist & Healer asks you to start with twenty herbs, the Essential 20 it calls your Foundation Collection: the ones that come up most often through the chapters and stretch the furthest across immune, digestive, skin and everyday use. This page is where to buy those twenty, one at a time. If your copy is The Ancient Book of Remedies, start in the same place, because most of the twenty are in it too.
Then it keeps going. Underneath the twenty is every herb, tea and ingredient named across all four of our books, 176 of them, with a current price beside each one a supplier actually sells. Each row is tagged with the books it appears in, and you can search the whole list or narrow it to one book. And because any list of links goes stale the day a supplier changes hands, the last part of the page is how to judge a seller we have not listed, so you are never left waiting on us to update it.
We went looking so you do not have to. Every supplier here was compared on the same things: what they test and whether they will show you the results, what they charge per ounce rather than per packet, what they demand as a minimum order, and what delivery costs. Where one came out ahead it is listed as Best, with a second choice underneath if it is out of stock or you prefer to shop elsewhere.
Seventeen of the twenty come from a herb supplier. Three do not, and those are the ones that catch people out: honey belongs to a beekeeper, garlic to a market, and aloe is worth more as a living plant on a windowsill than as anything dried. Each entry says which.
The twenty
Ginger
Immune support, digestive aid, anti-inflammatory, nausea relief
Best Mountain Rose ginger root
Also Starwest ginger, or fresh from a grocer
Amazon Starwest organic ginger root, 1 lb 4.7 stars, 1,362 reviews, listed 13 years
Fresh is cheaper and stronger for teas and cooking. Buy dried only if you want it on the shelf all year.
Lemon and Lemon Balm
Vitamin C, digestive support, calming, skin care, cleansing
Also Starwest lemon balm (lemons from a grocer)
Amazon Starwest organic lemon balm leaves, 4 oz 4.6 stars, 1,061 reviews, listed 13 years
Two different things on one line. Lemon balm loses its scent fast, so buy a small bag; if it smells of hay rather than lemon, it is too old.
Raw Honey
Base for syrups, antibacterial, wound healing, cough suppressant
Best A local beekeeper, found through a county or state beekeeping association or a farmers market. Cheaper, fresher, and you can see the hives
Also Killer Bees Honey, which publishes lab reports for its honey down to a named batch, or Lineage Provisions, raw, organic, unfiltered and third-party tested
Honey is one of the most adulterated foods on the shelf. Look for a batch lab report you can see, single origin, moisture under 19%, HMF under 40 mg/kg and no C4 sugars. Never give honey to a child under one.
Peppermint
Digestive support, respiratory relief, headache relief, cooling
Best Mountain Rose peppermint leaf
Amazon Starwest organic peppermint leaves, 1 lb 4.7 stars, 574 reviews, listed 17 years
Cut leaf, not powder. Peppermint is mostly volatile oil and powder loses it quickly.
Chamomile
Sleep aid, stress relief, skin soother, children's remedies
Best Mountain Rose chamomile flowers
Also Starwest chamomile flower whole
Amazon Starwest organic chamomile flowers whole, 4 oz 4.7 stars, 1,161 reviews, listed 13 years
Whole flowers, not cut and sifted. If the bag is mostly dust and broken stems you are paying flower prices for sweepings.
Elderberry
Immune booster, cold and flu prevention, antiviral
Best Mountain Rose elder berries
Amazon Starwest whole elderberries, 1 lb 4.7 stars, 6,832 reviews, listed 21 years
Raw and unripe elderberries are toxic. The preparations cook them, which is what makes them safe. Do not eat them dried and raw.
Echinacea
Immune stimulant, infection fighter, cold prevention
Best Mountain Rose echinacea purpurea root
Also Starwest echinacea
Amazon Starwest organic echinacea purpurea herb, 1 lb 4.8 stars, 171 reviews, listed 17 years
Root and aerial parts are sold separately and are not interchangeable. Check which the recipe wants.
Turmeric
Anti-inflammatory, joint health, pain relief, antioxidant
Best Mountain Rose turmeric root
Also Starwest turmeric, or powder from a grocer
One of the herbs most often adulterated with colourings, so worth buying from a supplier that will show you testing.
Garlic
Antimicrobial, immune support, respiratory health
Best A farmers market, where you can buy named varieties and whole heads
Also Any supermarket. Fresh bulbs, not pre-peeled or jarred
The active compound forms when you crush fresh garlic. Dried powder does not do the same job.
Rosemary
Memory, circulation, hair care, preservation
Best Mountain Rose rosemary leaf
Also Starwest rosemary, or a plant
Amazon Starwest organic rosemary leaves whole, 1 lb 4.7 stars, 546 reviews, listed 17 years
Rosemary grows easily. One plant outlasts any bag you buy.
Sage
Hormonal balance, menopause support, digestive aid
Also Starwest sage leaf
Amazon Starwest sage leaf cut and sifted, 1 lb 4.7 stars, 169 reviews, listed 16 years
Common garden sage, Salvia officinalis. White sage sold for burning is a different plant and is under real conservation pressure.
Lavender
Relaxation, sleep support, skin care, anxiety relief
Best Mountain Rose English lavender flowers
Also Starwest lavender, culinary grade
Amazon Starwest dried lavender flowers, 1 lb 4.7 stars, 1,938 reviews, listed 17 years
Culinary grade only. English lavender is the one for teas and food. Craft lavender sold for sachets and soap is often a different cultivar and is not grown to be eaten.
Nettle
Mineral rich tonic, immune support, allergy relief
Best Mountain Rose nettle leaf
Also Starwest nettle leaf
Amazon Starwest organic nettle leaf, 1 lb 4.7 stars, 542 reviews, listed 17 years
Leaf and root are different medicines sold under one name. These uses want leaf.
Marshmallow Root
Respiratory soother, digestive healer, throat comfort
Best Mountain Rose marshmallow root
Also Starwest marshmallow root
Amazon Starwest organic marshmallow root, 4 oz 4.6 stars, 1,123 reviews, listed 14 years
It works by being slimy, and that comes out in cold water rather than boiling.
Licorice Root
Hormone balance, respiratory support, adrenal health
Best Mountain Rose licorice root
Amazon Starwest organic licorice root, 4 oz 4.7 stars, 1,245 reviews, listed 15 years
Raises blood pressure and lowers potassium with regular use. Short courses only, and not at all with high blood pressure or heart trouble.
Calendula
Skin healing, wound care, children's remedies, anti-inflammatory
Also Starwest calendula flowers
Amazon Starwest organic calendula flowers whole, 4 oz 4.7 stars, 456 reviews, listed 15 years
Whole flower heads cost more than petals and are worth it for salves. Check it is Calendula officinalis, not ornamental marigold.
Aloe Vera
Burns, skin healing, digestive soother, hydration
Best A live plant, from a garden centre, hardware store or the plant shelf of a supermarket. Snap a leaf for burns and it keeps producing for years
Also For drinking, food grade inner leaf juice such as Lily of the Desert, sold in most health food shops
Whole leaf products contain aloin, a laxative. Inner leaf is the one to drink. A plant on the windowsill is cheaper than anything bottled and keeps producing.
Fennel
Digestive support, children's colic, gas relief
Best Mountain Rose fennel seed
Also Starwest fennel seed, or a grocer
Amazon Starwest organic fennel seed, 1 lb 4.5 stars, 656 reviews, listed 17 years
Whole seed, crushed when you use it. Ground fennel goes flat within months.
Ashwagandha
Stress adaptation, energy, hormonal balance, sleep
Best Mountain Rose ashwagandha root
Also Starwest ashwagandha root
Amazon Starwest organic ashwagandha root, 4 oz 4.7 stars, 1,123 reviews, listed 13 years
Banned or restricted in several European countries. Banned in Denmark, set to be banned in the Netherlands, under review in Sweden and Finland, root only in Poland. No restriction in the US or UK.
Green Tea
Antioxidant, energy, skin care, metabolism support
Best Mountain Rose green sencha tea
Also Starwest green tea
Amazon Starwest organic gunpowder green tea, 1 lb 4.6 stars, 503 reviews, listed 17 years
Buy within a year of harvest and prefer a seller that prints a harvest date rather than only a best before. Whole glossy leaves, not dust.
Every herb in the four books, A to Z
Between them our four books name 176 herbs, teas and ingredients. 131 are sold as dried botanicals and carry a price range below, every one re-checked in October 2026. The rest are foods, oils, supplements or things this supplier does not stock, and those link to a supplier search instead. Each price is a range because it changes with pack size, from a small bag up to bulk, which is why the per ounce rule above matters. Treat the figures as a guide and the supplier's own page as the truth.
Each row says which book the herb comes from: Herbalist & Healer is The Ancient Herbalist & Healer, Book of Remedies is The Ancient Book of Remedies, and Apothecary Atlas and Tea & Tonic Atlas are the two new Atlases. Many herbs appear in more than one, which is usually a sign they earn their shelf space.
Why one herb shows a price from $9 to $250
The low figure is the smallest bag a supplier sells, usually 1 oz or 4 oz. The high figure is the biggest, which can be a 1 lb bag, a 5 lb sack or a 25 lb case meant for a shop or a clinic. It is the same herb at the same quality. Only the amount changes.
That spread is the whole argument for comparing price per ounce. A 4 oz pouch of chamomile at $15.58 works out at $3.90 an ounce. The 1 lb bag at $46.74 is $2.92 an ounce. The big bag looks three times dearer and is actually a quarter cheaper per ounce.
Start at the small size for a herb you have never used. Move up to the pound once you know you will finish it inside a year, which is about as long as leaf and flower stay good.
| Herb | Botanical name | Which book | Price range | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A | ||||
| Acai Berry | Euterpe oleracea | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Acai Berry at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Activated Charcoal | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Activated Charcoal at starwest-botanicals.com | |
| Alfalfa | Medicago sativa | Tea & Tonic Atlas | $10.75 – $23.00 | Alfalfa |
| Almond Oil | Herbalist & Healer | varies | Search Almond Oil at starwest-botanicals.com | |
| Aloe Vera | Aloe barbadensis | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $17.00 – $43.50 | Aloe Vera Leaf Organic |
| Amla | Phyllanthus emblica | Apothecary Atlas | $7.25 – $11.50 | Amla |
| Andrographis | Andrographis paniculata | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Andrographis at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Angelica | Angelica archangelica | Apothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $15.25 – $38.00 | Angelica Root |
| Anise | Pimpinella anisum | Herbalist & HealerApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $9.50 – $20.75 | Anise Seed Organic |
| Apple Cider Vinegar | Herbalist & Healer | $15.50 – $50.25 | Apple Cider Vinegar Organic | |
| Arnica | Arnica montana | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $39.00 – $359.25 | Arnica Flowers Organic |
| Artichoke Leaf | Cynara scolymus | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $10.25 – $21.00 | Artichoke Leaf Organic |
| Ashwagandha | Withania somnifera | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $11.75 – $26.50 | Ashwagandha Root Organic |
| Astragalus | Astragalus membranaceus | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $12.00 – $257.50 | Astragalus Root Organic |
| B | ||||
| Bacopa | Bacopa monnieri | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | varies | Search Bacopa at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Baobab | Adansonia digitata | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Baobab at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Barberry | Berberis vulgaris | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $18.00 – $47.00 | Barberry Root Organic |
| Basil/Holy Basil | Ocimum basilicum & Ocimum sanctum | Herbalist & HealerApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $8.50 – $147.50 | Holy Basil, Krishna Organic |
| Bay Leaf | Herbalist & HealerApothecary Atlas | $20.25 – $55.00 | Bay Leaf Organic | |
| Bee Pollen | Book of Remedies | $17.25 – $45.00 | Bee Pollen Organic | |
| Beetroot | Herbalist & Healer | $12.00 – $27.00 | Beet Root Organic | |
| Black Cohosh | Actaea racemosa | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $20.75 – $56.00 | Black Cohosh Root Organic |
| Black Walnut Hull | Juglans nigra | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $14.25 – $34.50 | Black Walnut Hull Powder |
| Bone Broth | Animal-based | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Bone Broth at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Borage | Borago officinalis | Apothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $20.75 – $56.50 | Borage |
| Boswellia | Boswellia serrata | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Boswellia at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Burdock Root | Arctium lappa | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $12.00 – $262.50 | Burdock Root Organic |
| C | ||||
| Cacao | Theobroma cacao | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Cacao at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Calendula | Calendula officinalis | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $16.25 – $395.00 | Calendula Flowers Organic |
| California Poppy | Eschscholzia californica | Tea & Tonic Atlas | $22.25 – $61.50 | California Poppy |
| Camu Camu | Myrciaria dubia | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Camu Camu at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Caraway | Carum carvi | Tea & Tonic Atlas | $7.50 – $12.00 | Caraway Seeds |
| Cardamom | Herbalist & HealerApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $28.50 – $82.00 | Cardamom Hulled Organic | |
| Castor Oil | Ricinus communis | Herbalist & Healer | $18.00 – $364.75 | Castor Oil Organic |
| Catnip | Herbalist & HealerTea & Tonic Atlas | $14.00 – $320.00 | Catnip Organic | |
| Cat’s Claw | Uncaria tomentosa | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $8.50 – $15.50 | Cat's Claw |
| Cayenne Pepper | Capsicum annuum | Book of Remedies | $11.00 – $29.00 | Cayenne Powder |
| Chaga Mushroom | Inonotus obliquus | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $29.75 – $86.50 | Chaga Mushroom Organic |
| Chamomile | Matricaria recutita | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $8.75 – $42.00 | Chamomile Flowers Organic |
| Chaparral | Larrea tridentata | Book of Remedies | $8.75 – $16.00 | Chaparral Leaf |
| Chaste Tree Berry/Vitex | Vitex agnus-castus | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Chaste Tree Berry at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Chia Seeds | Salvia hispanica | Book of Remedies | $8.00 – $13.50 | Chia Seed Organic |
| Chlorella | Chlorella vulgaris | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Chlorella at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Cinnamon | Cinnamomum verum | Apothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $18.00 – $47.00 | Sweet Cinnamon Sticks |
| Clove | Syzygium aromaticum | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $10.00 – $30.00 | Cloves Whole Organic |
| Coconut Oil | Herbalist & Healer | varies | Search Coconut Oil at starwest-botanicals.com | |
| Collagen | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Collagen at starwest-botanicals.com | |
| Colloidal Silver | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Colloidal Silver at starwest-botanicals.com | |
| Coltsfoot | Tussilago farfara | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $12.25 – $28.00 | Coltsfoot Organic |
| Comfrey | Symphytum officinale | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $13.50 – $31.75 | Comfrey Leaf Organic |
| Cordyceps Mushroom | Cordyceps sinensis | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $33.50 – $98.50 | Cordyceps Mushroom Powder Organic |
| Cranberry | Vaccinium macrocarpon | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $26.25 – $74.50 | Cranberry Powder |
| Cryptolepis | Cryptolepis sanguinolenta | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Cryptolepis at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Cucumber | Cucumis sativus | Herbalist & Healer | varies | Search Cucumber at starwest-botanicals.com |
| D | ||||
| Damiana | Turnera diffusa | Book of RemediesTea & Tonic Atlas | $10.75 – $23.00 | Damiana Leaf Organic |
| Dandelion | Taraxacum officinale | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $12.00 – $27.50 | Dandelion Leaf Organic |
| Devil’s Claw | Harpagophytum procumbens | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $15.00 – $37.50 | Devil's Claw Root Organic |
| Dill | Anethum graveolens | Apothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $7.50 – $12.00 | Dill Seed |
| Dong Quai | Angelica sinensis | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $23.75 – $66.50 | Dong Quai Root Organic |
| E | ||||
| Echinacea | Echinacea purpurea | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $18.25 – $48.00 | Echinacea purpurea Root |
| Elderberry | Sambucus nigra | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | varies | Search Elderberry at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Elderflower | Sambucus nigra | Apothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $16.50 – $42.00 | Elder Flowers |
| Elecampane | Inula helenium | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $15.00 – $37.00 | Elecampane Root Organic |
| Eleuthero | Eleutherococcus senticosus | Apothecary Atlas | $12.50 – $29.00 | Eleuthero Root |
| Eucalyptus | Eucalyptus globulus | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $10.00 – $20.50 | Eucalyptus Leaf Organic |
| Evening Primrose | Oenothera biennis | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $26.25 – $1708.00 | Evening Primrose Oil Organic |
| F | ||||
| Fennel | Foeniculum vulgare | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $9.00 – $19.00 | Fennel Seed Organic |
| Fenugreek | Trigonella foenum-graecum | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $9.00 – $17.50 | Fenugreek Seed Organic |
| Fermented Foods | Sauerkraut, Kimchi, Kefir, Kombucha | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Fermented Foods at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Feverfew | Tanacetum parthenium | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $17.75 – $46.50 | Feverfew Organic |
| Fo-Ti/He Shou Wu | Polygonum multiflorum | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $12.50 – $28.50 | Fo-Ti Root Organic |
| G | ||||
| Garlic | Allium sativum | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $10.25 – $23.00 | Garlic Granules Organic |
| Gentian | Gentiana lutea | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $17.75 – $46.50 | Gentian Root Organic |
| Ginger | Zingiber officinale | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $13.75 – $33.00 | Ginger Root Organic |
| Ginkgo Biloba | Ginkgo biloba | Book of RemediesTea & Tonic Atlas | $14.00 – $34.00 | Ginkgo Leaf Organic |
| Ginseng | Panax ginseng | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $27.25 – $247.50 | Ginseng Root Whole, American Organic |
| Goji Berry | Lycium barbarum | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Goji Berry at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Goldenrod | Solidago spp. | Apothecary Atlas | $13.75 – $33.00 | Goldenrod |
| Goldenseal | Hydrastis canadensis | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $26.50 – $75.75 | Goldenseal Root Organic |
| Gotu Kola | Centella asiatica | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $13.75 – $33.00 | Gotu Kola Organic |
| Grapefruit Seed Extract | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Grapefruit Seed Extract at starwest-botanicals.com | |
| Green Tea | Camellia sinensis | Herbalist & HealerTea & Tonic Atlas | $21.50 – $51.00 | Green Sencha Tea |
| Grindelia | Grindelia spp. | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Grindelia at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Guggul | Commiphora mukul | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Guggul at starwest-botanicals.com |
| H | ||||
| Hawthorn | Crataegus spp. | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $10.50 – $22.50 | Hawthorn Berries Organic |
| Hemp Seeds | Cannabis sativa | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Hemp Seeds at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Hibiscus | Hibiscus sabdariffa | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $11.50 – $25.50 | Hibiscus Flowers Organic |
| Honey | Herbalist & Healer | varies | raw honey, above | |
| Hops | Humulus lupulus | Tea & Tonic Atlas | $15.50 – $46.75 | Hops Flowers |
| Horehound | Marrubium vulgare | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $13.00 – $30.50 | Horehound Organic |
| Horseradish | Armoracia rusticana | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Horseradish at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Horsetail | Equisetum arvense | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $11.75 – $26.50 | Horsetail Organic |
| Hyssop | Hyssopus officinalis | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $20.50 – $55.50 | Hyssop Organic |
| I | ||||
| Isatis Root | Isatis tinctoria | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Isatis Root at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Ivy Leaf | Hedera helix | Apothecary Atlas | varies | Search Ivy Leaf at starwest-botanicals.com |
| J | ||||
| Jamaican Dogwood | Piscidia piscipula | Book of Remedies | $11.50 – $25.50 | Dogwood Bark, Jamaican |
| Jojoba Oil | Simmondsia chinensis | Herbalist & Healer | $20.00 – $1045.25 | Jojoba Oil Organic |
| Juniper Berry | Juniperus communis | Apothecary Atlas | $11.00 – $230.00 | Juniper Berries |
| K | ||||
| Kale | Brassica oleracea | Book of Remedies | $11.25 – $24.50 | Kale Flakes Organic |
| Khella | Ammi visnaga | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Khella at starwest-botanicals.com |
| L | ||||
| Lady’s Mantle | Alchemilla vulgaris | Book of Remedies | $14.25 – $35.00 | Lady's Mantle Organic |
| Lavender | Lavandula angustifolia | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $9.25 – $46.50 | Lavender Flowers, English Organic |
| Lemon Balm | Melissa officinalis | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $16.50 – $42.00 | Lemon Balm Organic |
| Lemongrass | Cymbopogon citratus | Tea & Tonic Atlas | $12.00 – $27.50 | Lemongrass |
| L-Glutamine | Book of Remedies | varies | Search L-Glutamine at starwest-botanicals.com | |
| Licorice Root | Glycyrrhiza glabra | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesTea & Tonic Atlas | $11.00 – $24.00 | Licorice Root Organic |
| Linden Blossom | Tilia spp. | Apothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $19.25 – $51.50 | Linden Leaf and Flower |
| Lucuma | Pouteria lucuma | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Lucuma at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Lungwort | Pulmonaria officinalis | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $15.50 – $39.00 | Lungwort Organic |
| M | ||||
| Maca Root | Lepidium meyenii | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Maca Root at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Marshmallow Root | Althaea officinalis | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $16.25 – $390.00 | Marshmallow Root |
| Matcha | Camellia sinensis | Book of Remedies | $31.75 – $98.50 | Matcha Tea Organic |
| Meadowsweet | Filipendula ulmaria | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $16.75 – $42.75 | Meadowsweet Flowers Organic |
| Mesquite | Prosopis spp. | Book of Remedies | $8.25 – $14.50 | Mesquite Powder |
| Milk Thistle | Silybum marianum | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $11.25 – $25.00 | Milk Thistle Seed Organic |
| Moringa | Moringa oleifera | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $12.00 – $27.50 | Moringa Leaf Organic |
| Motherwort | Leonurus cardiaca | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $15.50 – $39.00 | Motherwort Organic |
| Mucuna | Mucuna pruriens | Apothecary Atlas | $8.00 – $14.00 | Mucuna Powder |
| Mulberry Leaf | Morus alba | Apothecary Atlas | varies | Search Mulberry Leaf at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Mullein | Verbascum thapsus | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $7.00 – $220.00 | Mullein Leaf Organic |
| N | ||||
| Nettle | Urtica dioica | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $12.00 – $257.50 | Nettle Leaf Organic |
| O | ||||
| Oatstraw | Avena sativa | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $13.25 – $31.00 | Oatstraw Organic |
| Olive Leaf | Olea europaea | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $9.75 – $20.00 | Olive Leaf Organic |
| Onion | Allium cepa | Book of Remedies | $8.75 – $16.50 | Onion Granules Organic |
| Oregano | Origanum vulgare | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $9.25 – $26.00 | Oregano Leaf Organic |
| Osha Root | Ligusticum porteri | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $35.25 – $105.00 | Osha Root Whole |
| P | ||||
| Partridge Berry | Mitchella repens | Book of Remedies | $30.50 – $88.50 | Partridgeberry |
| Passionflower | Passiflora incarnata | Book of RemediesTea & Tonic Atlas | $13.25 – $295.00 | Passionflower Organic |
| Pau D’Arco | Tabebuia impetiginosa | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Pau D’Arco at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Peppermint | Mentha piperita | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $7.25 – $237.50 | Peppermint Leaf Organic |
| Pine | Pinus spp. | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Pine at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Plantain | Plantago major/lanceolata | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $16.75 – $43.00 | Plantain Leaf Organic |
| Pleurisy Root | Asclepias tuberosa | Book of Remedies | $35.00 – $104.00 | Pleurisy Root |
| Propolis | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Propolis at starwest-botanicals.com | |
| Psyllium Husk | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $9.75 – $20.00 | Psyllium Husk Organic | |
| Q | ||||
| Quinoa | Chenopodium quinoa | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Quinoa at starwest-botanicals.com |
| R | ||||
| Raspberry Leaf | Rubus idaeus | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $12.00 – $27.25 | Raspberry Leaf Organic |
| Red Clover | Trifolium pratense | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $15.75 – $40.00 | Red Clover Herb Organic |
| Rehmannia | Rehmannia glutinosa | Apothecary Atlas | $10.50 – $22.50 | Rehmannia Root |
| Reishi Mushroom | Ganoderma lucidum | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $19.75 – $53.00 | Reishi Mushroom Whole Organic |
| Rhodiola | Rhodiola rosea | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $49.50 – $152.50 | Rhodiola Root Organic |
| Rooibos | Aspalathus linearis | Tea & Tonic Atlas | $11.75 – $182.50 | Red Rooibos Tea |
| Rosehip | Rosa canina | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $10.75 – $217.50 | Rosehips Organic |
| Rosemary | Rosmarinus officinalis | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $8.50 – $20.50 | Rosemary Leaf Organic |
| Rose Petal | Rosa spp. | Apothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $8.00 – $59.00 | Red Rose Petals |
| S | ||||
| Sage | Salvia officinalis | Herbalist & HealerApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $9.75 – $19.50 | Sage Leaf Organic |
| Saw Palmetto | Serenoa repens | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $17.75 – $46.50 | Saw Palmetto Berries Organic |
| Schisandra Berry | Schisandra chinensis | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $20.25 – $77.00 | Chinese Schisandra Berries Organic |
| Shatavari | Asparagus racemosus | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $12.25 – $28.00 | Shatavari Root Organic |
| Shepherd’s Purse | Capsella bursa-pastoris | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $12.25 – $28.00 | Shepherd's Purse Organic |
| Sida Cordifolia | Sida cordifolia | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Sida Cordifolia at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Skullcap | Scutellaria lateriflora | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $18.50 – $48.50 | Skullcap Organic |
| Slippery Elm | Ulmus rubra | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $18.00 – $47.00 | Slippery Elm Bark Organic |
| Spearmint | Mentha spicata | Apothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $13.25 – $31.00 | Spearmint Leaf |
| Spirulina | Arthrospira platensis | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Spirulina at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Stinging Nettle Root | Urtica dioica | Book of Remedies | $15.75 – $39.50 | Nettle Root |
| St. John's Wort | Hypericum perforatum | Apothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $10.00 – $20.50 | St. John's Wort |
| T | ||||
| Thuja | Thuja occidentalis | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Thuja at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Thyme | Thymus vulgaris | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $8.50 – $23.50 | Thyme Leaf Organic |
| Tribulus | Tribulus terrestris | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Tribulus at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Triphala | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Triphala at starwest-botanicals.com | |
| Turkey Tail Mushroom | Trametes versicolor | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $32.25 – $94.50 | Turkey Tail |
| Turmeric | Curcuma longa | Herbalist & HealerBook of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $10.50 – $210.00 | Turmeric Root Organic |
| U | ||||
| Usnea | Usnea spp. | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | varies | Search Usnea at starwest-botanicals.com |
| V | ||||
| Valerian | Valeriana officinalis | Book of RemediesTea & Tonic Atlas | $18.00 – $47.00 | Valerian Root Organic |
| Vervain | Verbena officinalis | Apothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $17.25 – $42.75 | Blue Vervain |
| W | ||||
| Wheatgrass | Triticum aestivum | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Wheatgrass at starwest-botanicals.com |
| Wild Cherry Bark | Prunus serotina | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $11.25 – $24.50 | Wild Cherry Bark Organic |
| Wild Yam | Dioscorea villosa | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $23.25 – $64.50 | Wild Yam Root |
| Willow Bark | Salix alba | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $9.50 – $19.00 | White Willow Bark Organic |
| Witch Hazel | Hamamelis virginiana | Apothecary Atlas | $17.75 – $46.00 | Witch Hazel Bark |
| Wood Betony | Stachys officinalis | Tea & Tonic Atlas | $12.00 – $27.50 | Wood Betony |
| Y | ||||
| Yarrow | Achillea millefolium | Book of RemediesApothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $11.00 – $24.00 | Yarrow Organic |
| Yellow Dock | Rumex crispus | Book of RemediesApothecary Atlas | $11.25 – $25.00 | Yellow Dock Root Organic |
| Yerba Maté | Ilex paraguariensis | Apothecary AtlasTea & Tonic Atlas | $10.75 – $16.00 | Yerba Maté |
| Yucca | Yucca spp. | Book of Remedies | varies | Search Yucca at starwest-botanicals.com |
Tea
Added for the Herbal Tea & Tonic Atlas.
Most of what gets called herbal tea is an infusion of the herbs already listed above, and you buy it the same way: by the leaf, by the ounce, from someone who will tell you what is in it. Real tea is one plant, Camellia sinensis. White, green, oolong, black and pu'erh are all the same leaf, separated only by how far it was allowed to oxidise before drying. It is bought on different signals from a dried herb, and four of them matter.
The four things that decide a good tea
- Loose leaf, not bags. Two reasons, and the second one surprises people. The first is grade: most bags are filled with fannings and dust, the broken remains left once the whole leaf has been sorted out, which is why bagged tea brews fast and tastes flat. The second is the bag itself. Researchers at McGill University brewed plastic and silken pyramid bags and counted what came out. A single bag at brewing temperature shed about 11.6 billion microplastic and 3.1 billion nanoplastic particles into the cup, thousands of times more than had been measured in any other food (Environmental Science and Technology, 2019). A strainer costs a few dollars, once.
- A harvest date, not an adjective. A seller worth buying from prints the year and the season. Premium, finest and reserve mean nothing and nobody checks them. Greens and whites are at their best within about a year of picking. Roasted oolongs keep longer, and pu'erh is the one tea meant to age.
- Three minutes, not fifteen. A 2013 study in the Journal of Toxicology brewed thirty teas, all of them in bags, and measured what came out of the leaf over time. Going from a three minute steep to fifteen raised contaminant levels by 10 to 50 per cent, and the share of teas over the guideline for aluminium went from 7 per cent to 20 per cent. A long steep pulls more of everything out of the leaf, and everything includes what you did not want. Brew it short, and brew the same leaves again if you want more.
- Organic is not a clean bill of health. The same study found organic teas no lower in toxic elements than ordinary ones, and higher in lead when left to steep past fifteen minutes. Organic certification covers what was sprayed on the plant, not what was already in the soil. Treat it as one good sign among several, exactly the way this guide treats True Source on honey.
True tea, least oxidised first
| Tea | What it is | Price range | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| White Silver Needle | Buds only, barely processed. The lightest, and the dearest. | $27.25 – $182.00 | buy |
| White Peony | Bud and first leaves. White tea at a sane price. | $12.25 – $38.00 | buy |
| Green Sencha | The everyday Japanese green, steamed rather than pan fired. | $21.50 – $51.00 | buy |
| Gunpowder Green | Chinese green rolled into pellets that open as they brew. | $15.50 – $29.50 | buy |
| Jasmine Green | Green tea scented with real jasmine blossom. | $20.25 – $45.00 | buy |
| Genmaicha | Green tea with toasted rice. Savoury, and less caffeine per cup. | $16.25 – $32.00 | buy |
| Houjicha | Green tea roasted until brown. Almost no bitterness. | $11.50 – $18.00 | buy |
| Matcha | Stone ground leaf, whisked into the water rather than strained out. | $31.75 – $98.50 | buy |
| Oolong | Partly oxidised, sitting between green and black. | $13.00 – $23.50 | buy |
| Darjeeling | Indian black, light and floral. | $18.75 – $44.50 | buy |
| Assam | Indian black, malty and strong. The usual base for chai. | $16.75 – $34.50 | buy |
| Ceylon | Sri Lankan black, brisk and a little citrusy. | $12.75 – $31.00 | buy |
| English Breakfast | A blend of black teas, built to take milk. | $17.50 – $38.50 | buy |
| Earl Grey | Black tea scented with bergamot. | $17.75 – $40.00 | buy |
| Lapsang Souchong | Chinese black, smoked over pine. People love it or they do not. | $17.50 – $46.00 | buy |
| Pu'erh | Aged and fermented. The one tea that is meant to improve with keeping. | $12.75 – $34.00 | buy |
Not tea, but brewed the same way
| Name | What it is | Price range | Buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Red Rooibos | A South African bush, not tea. No caffeine, naturally sweet. | $11.75 – $182.50 | buy |
| Honeybush | Rooibos's cousin, softer and honeyed. No caffeine. | $13.25 – $19.00 | buy |
| Yerba Maté | A South American holly. Caffeinated, and closer to coffee in effect. | $10.75 – $16.00 | buy |
| Guayusa | An Amazonian holly. Caffeinated, gentler than maté. | $16.25 – $31.00 | buy |
| Classic Chai | Black tea already blended with the warming spices. | $20.00 – $34.50 | buy |
Matcha is the exception to the three minute rule. You whisk the ground leaf into the water and swallow it, so nothing stays behind in a strainer. Whatever the leaf carries, you get all of it. It is the one tea where a supplier who tests, and will show you, is worth paying for.
Tulsi is sold under its other name, holy basil, and is already in the list above. So are chamomile, peppermint, hibiscus, nettle and the rest of the herbs you would infuse on their own. This chapter is only for the things that are bought on different signals.
Buying them in one order
Every link above goes to the same supplier so the whole list arrives in one parcel with one delivery charge. These are the four US suppliers worth knowing and how their shipping works.
| Supplier | Minimum order | Free shipping | Why you would choose it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mountain Rose Herbs | None | None, ever | The only one that will give a retail buyer a certificate of analysis on what they bought |
| Starwest Botanicals | None | $49 | Cheapest to get delivered. Will not give retail buyers a certificate |
| Monterey Bay Herb Co | None | $250 | No minimum at all, sells to the public, SQF certified facility |
| San Francisco Herb Co | $30 | $50 | Lowest threshold, so a $50 order arrives with no delivery charge |
Free shipping is a threshold, not a gift. At Starwest, going from $40 to $49 costs you nine dollars and saves the delivery charge, so you are usually better adding a herb than paying freight. At Mountain Rose no amount of extra buying makes delivery free, so order rarely and in quantity. Thresholds apply to the mainland: Starwest's $49 becomes $150 for Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Canada.
Outside the United States
Buy at home. Dried plant material crossing a border is where orders are delayed, inspected or destroyed, and Australia and New Zealand run some of the strictest plant biosecurity anywhere.
| Country | Where to buy |
|---|---|
| Canada | Apotheka Herbal, Sunrise Botanics, Rebel Roots Herb Farm |
| United Kingdom | Organic Herb Trading, Joseph Flach & Sons, Real Foods |
| Australia | Mudbrick Herb Cottage (from 50 g), Herb Nation, The Herbal Connection |
| New Zealand | Herb Nerd, Premium Spices, Cottage Hill Herb Farm (from 50 g), KoruKai Herb Farm |
Ireland
Buying this list from a British supplier is the most expensive way to do it. Goods from Great Britain carry Irish import VAT, usually 23%, and from 1 July 2026 a minimum three euro customs charge per line item, not per parcel, plus €6.95 to An Post. Twenty herbs is twenty line items, so sixty euro of duty before VAT starts.
Buy Irish where you can, otherwise from inside the EU rather than Great Britain. Parcels from Northern Ireland are not subject to those charges, which makes a Northern supplier the cheapest option on the island.
The equipment
Half the apothecary equipment sold online is a kitchen item with a markup. This is what you actually need, in the order you will need it.
Wide mouth mason jars
Steeping teas, macerating tinctures, infusing oils
Buy Ball mason jars or Fresh Preserving, or any supermarket
Wide mouth, quart and pint. You have to get a wet mass of herb back out again. Decorative apothecary jars cost several times as much for the same glass.
Fine mesh strainer
Separating leaf from liquid, every time
Buy Any kitchen shop. Stainless steel, about 6 inches
Fine mesh, not a colander. Chamomile goes straight through anything coarser.
Muslin or a nut milk bag
The second straining, and poultices
Buy A fabric shop, or Mountain Rose
A nut milk bag is stronger than cheesecloth and washes out, so it is cheaper over a year. Cheesecloth tears exactly when you squeeze hardest.
A press
Getting the last third of a tincture out of the soaked herb
Buy A potato ricer from a kitchen shop
Proper tincture presses are for people making litres. The herb holds a surprising amount, so some press is worth having; it does not need to be one sold for the purpose.
Amber dropper bottles
Storing and dosing finished tinctures
Buy Specialty Bottle or SKS Bottle
Amber, never clear. 1 oz and 2 oz. Buy a dozen at once, the per-bottle price falls steeply.
Vegetable glycerine
For glycerites, the alcohol free tincture, and the gentlest on children
Best Mountain Rose vegetable glycerine
Also Bulk Apothecary, cheaper by volume
Food grade, and usually cut with water rather than used neat. Keeps for a year or two in a sealed bottle away from heat.
Raw apple cider vinegar
For herbal vinegars, and for an oxymel when you add honey
Best Mountain Rose apple cider vinegar
Also Any supermarket. Raw and unfiltered, with the sediment in it
Vinegar pulls minerals out of leaf and root particularly well, which is why nettle and oat straw are so often made this way.
A carrier oil
The base for infused oils and salves
Buy Olive oil from a supermarket. Sweet almond or jojoba from Mountain Rose or Bulk Apothecary
Jojoba is technically a wax and keeps far longer than nut oils, which go rancid.
Beeswax
What turns an infused oil into a salve
Buy Mountain Rose beeswax, or your beekeeper
Pastilles rather than a block, so they melt evenly and you can weigh them. Buy from someone who says where it came from.
Tins for salve
What the finished salve lives in
Buy Specialty Bottle, SKS or Bulk Apothecary
2 oz screw top. Tins are lighter and cheaper than glass and do not shatter in a bag.
A double boiler
Melting wax without burning it
Buy Nothing. A heatproof bowl in a pan of simmering water is one
If you make salves often, keep one bowl and spoon for wax. It never fully washes off.
A digital scale
Every recipe scales by weight, not by spoons
Buy Any kitchen or hardware shop. It must read to 0.1 g
The one piece worth spending on. Dried herb varies enormously in density, so a spoon of one leaf and a spoon of another are not the same dose.
Labels and a marker
Knowing in eight months what is in the jar
Buy A stationery shop. Waterproof labels, oil-proof pen
Write the herb, the form, the solvent and the date. Unlabelled jars are how a home apothecary turns into waste.
If you only buy three things
Amber glass for anything that will sit in light, a scale that reads to a tenth of a gram, and beeswax from a supplier that says where it came from. Everything else is either already in your kitchen or can wait.
Keeping them
Badly stored herbs waste more money than buying badly. Air, light, heat and damp are what destroy them, in that order. Keep herbs whole rather than powdered until you use them, in sealed jars, out of sunlight, away from the stove. Most leaf and flower is good for about a year, roots and barks longer. If it has lost its smell, it has lost its worth.
Judging a supplier we have not listed
Six questions. One that answers all six plainly is a good supplier in any country.
- Can a retail customer get a certificate of analysis for the lot they bought?
- What is tested on every lot, and what only when you judge a herb risky?
- Who certifies your organic claim, by name?
- What country did this lot come from?
- What does it cost per ounce, not per package?
- What is the minimum order, and where is the free shipping threshold?
The second question matters most. Identity testing, which confirms the bag holds the plant on the label, is usually run on every lot. Heavy metals often are not, so a certificate can arrive with no heavy metal result on it. Getting a certificate is not the same as getting the test you care about.