People come to the apothecary side of the shop expecting something complicated. In practice, five herbs do most of the work, and you can buy them all for less than the price of a couple of takeaway coffees.
Chamomile
The evening herb. Whole flowers, always, because the powdered version in supermarket bags is mostly dust and tastes like hay. Steep it far longer than feels reasonable and it turns honey sweet.
Peppermint
The after dinner herb. Clean, sharp and settling. It is also the most useful thing to have on hand for blending, since a pinch of mint rescues almost any infusion that has come out flat.
Lemon balm
The afternoon herb. Bright and citrusy with no caffeine at all, which makes it the right answer at three in the afternoon when coffee would ruin your evening.
Rosehip
The tart one. Rich in vitamin C, brews a beautiful deep red, and pairs naturally with hibiscus and orange peel. Excellent iced through summer.
Lavender
Use with restraint. A little lavender is floral and calming, and slightly too much tastes like soap. Start with a few buds and work up, never the other way around.
A good cupboard is not a large one. It is five jars you actually reach for.
None of these are medicine and none of them replace your doctor. They are simply good, honest plants that make a warm drink better, and that has been enough for a very long time.
