Meeting Mabel's and why I do what I do.

The Apothecary’s Study of Poison, Power, and the Sacred Threshold There are plants that heal, plants that nourish, and then there are plants that stand at the threshold between life and death. Atropa belladonna, known as Deadly Nightshade, is one of the most infamous of these threshold guardians. In the apothecary tradition, it is not merely an herb; it is a teacher of boundaries and respect. To work with Belladonna, even in study, is to confront an ancient truth: the differe

Discover the gentle wisdom of Gotu Kola, a centuries-old herb cherished for its restorative leaves, cognitive support, and subtle spiritual benefits. Explore its medicinal uses, folklore, and role in traditional healing practices.

Wild Prickly Lettuce ( Lactuca serriola ), often overshadowed by its domesticated cousin, garden lettuce, carries a surprising legacy of healing, myth, and spirit. Though commonly seen waving along roadways and field edges, this plant is much more than a humble weed; it’s a wild botanical kin to our leafy salads with a history of medicinal use, cultural symbolism, and transformative energy. In this post, we’ll explore how this prickly little plant has earned its place in herb

Bee Balm (Monarda spp.) is far more than a beautiful splash of color in the garden. It is a plant of heart, history, and healing—one that carries the wisdom of the land and the people who have tended it for generations. Also known as wild bergamot, Oswego tea, or horsemint, this North American native has long been cherished for its medicinal gifts, aromatic leaves, and vibrant blossoms that hum with life. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds flock to it instinctively, as if th

Yule, the gentle turning of the year and the quiet return of light, is a season richly woven with the gifts of plants, herbs, and nourishing foods. The evergreens and fragrant herbs we still bring into our homes carry stories that span centuries, offering not only practical gifts of sustenance, medicine, and preservation, but also quiet wisdom: symbols of perseverance, protection, and the promise of renewal. In these plants, we find companions for ritual and reflection, from

Few herbal preparations carry the cross-cultural respect that garlic-infused honey does. Found in ancestral kitchens, apothecary jars, and healing traditions across continents, this simple combination has served as a cornerstone for immunity, purification, and spiritual protection for thousands of years. Today, as herbalists and scientists alike continue to validate its potency, garlic honey stands as one of the most reliable and multifunctional remedies for supporting the re

As winter settles in and everyone seems to be coughing their way through the season, mullein steps into the spotlight like the reliable, fuzzy-leafed guardian it has always been. At Mabel’s Herbal Apothecary, mullein is one of our most trusted respiratory allies, featured in both our Breathe Easy Tea Blend and our Mullein Tincture. Its medicine is timely, deeply supportive, and remarkably gentle. This plant is basically the herbal embodiment of “light in the lungs.”

Samhain is a profound and sacred holiday, inviting us to honor the dead and reflect on the cycles of life and death. Rooted in ancient Celtic traditions, this festival carries deep cultural and spiritual significance, serving as a bridge between the past and present. Celebrated during the final days of October, Samhain reaches its peak on the night of October 31st—what many today recognize as Halloween. Traditionally, Samhain begins at sunset on October 31st and continues unt

Goldenrod is a perennial herb belonging to the Asteraceae family, which is commonly known as the daisy family. This fascinating plant is...

An Herb of Remembrance, Protection, and Light Rosemary (Salvia rosmarinus, formerly Rosmarinus officinalis) Family: Lamiaceae (Mint...

The history and symbolism of Mabon, The Fall Equinox

Also Known As: Actaea racemosa (syn. Cimicifuga racemosa) Family: Ranunculaceae Other Names: Black Snakeroot, Bugbane, Rattle Root, Fairy...

Plantago major & P. lanceolata — The People’s Plant Also Known As: White Man’s Footstep, Ribwort, King of the Road, Fleawort, Wegerich...

Welcome the warmth of summer with one of nature's sweetest healers - Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis). With its sunny citrus scent and...

Litha, also known as Midsummer, is a vibrant and joyous celebration that marks the longest day of the year. This year it will occur on...

AKA: Cymbopogon spp., L. Family: Poaceae; Barbed Wire Grass, Serai, Fever Grass, Propagation/Description: Native to a diverse range...

History & Significance: The festive holiday of Beltane marks the vibrant beginning of summer, a time filled with joy, fertility, and the...

AKA: Clitoria ternatea L. Family: Fabaceae ; Aparajita, Asian pigeon wings, blue clitoria, blue bell vine, blue pea vine, blue pea,...

Western Juniper Juniperus Occidentalis California is a photograph by Dave Welling AKA: Juniperus spp. L. Family: Cupressaceae;...