A.S Apothecary

31/03/2026

I have been waiting (im)patiently first for our ceremonial Cacao and then for our special blend of functional mushrooms to arrive - the first lot went astray and so we had to wait for a second lot to brave the waves and get to our island home. It arrived today and I’m very very happy to tell you that it is back in stock online and all ready for you. https://asapoth.com/products/serene-sleep-ritual-cacao

31/03/2026

28/03/2026

It’s all happening in the greenhouse - the moment the first scented plants come into flower I’m so happy. The Magnolia stellata is dreamy and its scent carries as I walk the length of the greenhouse . All the seeds are popping up and the Tulips and Daffodils are filling every space. 🌿

27/03/2026

I learnt to distil when I lived in Cyprus under the advice and guiding hand of my good friend Mariam Khan. I remember the moment I first smelled Orange Blossom Hydrosol, it was at Mariam’s house and she had recently distilled it, It was in a pink bottle with a spray top and she squished it in my direction. I had never smelt anything like it. It made every other Orange Blossom Water I had smelled over the years seem like a pale imitation.

That moment changed my working life, opening up endless new possibilities for scent, taste, therapeutics and plant work and I have never looked back.

We now have 3 mists at the apothecary the Hydrating Isle Mist, Harris Geranium & Witchazel and the Harris Rose

26/03/2026

I’ve been writing about the Sea Effect on raised blood pressure, it’s absolutely fascinating

Being near the sea improves mood, calms the nervous system, reduces fight or flight. It can balance the mind in grief and slow a racing heart, lower blood pressure and offer the peace to heal mentally and emotionally.

22/03/2026

Winters in Harris feel really long, especially when all my work is with plants and everything is so much later here, so when everything springs back into life it feels so uplifting. We’ve still got the sneaky ‘sneachd beag nan uan’ or lamb’s snow to come so no outdoor planting for a while but the greenhouse is a toasty little haven.

21/03/2026

Caroline made a fresh batch of Sleep Cream last week - it makes us so sleepy when we mix it that we have to go outside for a blast of fresh air - not an issue I anticipated when I created it. 😴💤🥱

19/03/2026

I've been writing about how important it is to do the hard graft of learning to become really accomplished at your chosen work, it makes all the difference and creates trust

Training, Learning, Education and then practice and consolidation of skills is the hallmark of a good maker and a good product. Social media can make everything appear easy but often the information is flawed or even harmful. We should celebrate the graft of learning over decades.

18/03/2026

It’s early in the year for plants but it’s time to get all the Stills cleaned and ready for the season ahead - as the first leaves appear on the Roses and Blackcurrants and the seeds are sown in the greenhouse, I always feel excited for the distilling and plant work to come. In a few short weeks the Gorse will be in full flower and that marks the start of our year.

15/03/2026

Being a mother to these gorgeous kids and Casimir who died many years ago has been the very best part of my life. I’m immensely proud of all of them, they have grown up to be the most remarkable people. I’m so aware that Mother’s Day can raise a lot of pain as well as celebration for so many women, my mother died a few years ago and I miss her so much, today especially, so on this bittersweet day, whatever your life has given you I wish you well ♥️