Apothecaries - Then & Now

Once upon a time in a public health era far, far away, there was a world where a CVS or Walgreens didn’t exist on every city street corner. This was the time of the apothecaries – those fascinating druggists who meticulously mixed herbs and spices with the intent of curing the ailments of their fellow man. While the term apothecary may conjure fairytale images, apothecaries were not mystical beings or peddlers of expensive, useless oils, but highly valued and esteemed medical professionals. They studied plants for years. They had to know what each plant looked like, which part of the plant to harvest, the appropriate time to harvest it, etc., etc.

Historically, the term “apothecary” referred to both the person who prepared and sold medicines and the shop in which they sold their products. Besides medicines and spices, you could find cosmetics, perfumes, shampoos, soaps, cleaning agents, and dyes for clothing in their shops. 

Walgreens and CVS are currently the de facto “apothecary” shops, but that may be changing - or rather, it may be changing back. With the resurgence of interest in holistic health and natural healthcare options, the age-old practice of using herbs and other natural ingredients in health and skincare remedies is becoming more mainstream, and apothecaries and apothecary shops once again have an important place in society. 

There's something quite special about apothecaries. They are more than just a place to buy medicine - they are a link to our past and a reminder of how traditional remedies can still be incredibly effective. Apothecaries have been around for centuries, and their purpose has always been to preserve traditional medicine. However, their role has evolved. Originally, apothecaries were responsible for preparing and dispensing medicines. Unlike conventional pharmacies, apothecaries today typically do not carry pharmaceuticals or over-the-counter medications. Instead, they focus on providing herbal remedies and other natural products.

High Thyme FARMacy will soon be expanding our product offerings to include herbs, herbal preparations, loose tea, and other natural remedies. However, we chose to begin our journey with natural skincare products. “Apothecary skincare” is on the rise because society at large is becoming more aware of the harsh and unnecessary chemicals that are used in their traditional skincare products. Although, “apothecary skincare” is nothing new. The art of creating beauty products from natural ingredients reaches back at least to the Egyptian period when women anointed themselves with perfumes made by steeping herbs and flowers in oils such as sesame, safflower, almond, and olive oils - the same oils we use in our skincare products here at High Thyme. 

High Thyme FARMacy aims to help our customers by using the age-old practice of combining herbs and other natural ingredients in the creation of our health and skincare products. We take pride in using only the finest ingredients to create our products. Our goal is to provide our customers with the best possible experience, while also helping to create a society where using herbs and natural products are normal again. We want to increase the role herbs and natural products play in everyday life. 

So what does this mean for you and your skin? It means that, rather than relying on harsh chemicals and artificial ingredients, you can count on high Thyme FARMacy to be your go-to Apothecary Shoppe for all of your natural skincare needs. We specialize in using herbs and other natural ingredients that have been used for centuries to create products that are gentle on your skin and help you look and feel your best. 

Perhaps there’ll be a time in the not-so-distant future when there will no longer be a need to have a CVS or a Walgreens on every city street corner. Instead, apothecaries will once again become the go-to places for natural remedies and holistic health. We at High Thyme FARMacy are doing our part to help make that a reality.

Some of the most effective ingredients for your health and your skin start in the dirt. 

Perfect ingredients created perfectly by nature. 

Visit our website today to learn more about apothecary skincare, and to experience it for yourself!