The Apothecary

12/11/2025

We’re open right through Canterbury Anniversary weekend - the perfect time to wander in, talk to us about your health concerns, and tick off your Christmas list with thoughtful, locally made gifts.

12/11/2025

Bright, beautiful, and bursting with flavour, Sangria really is the drink of summer. I thought I had better share this one before the long weekend!

These days I’m more likely to make this alcohol-free version - naturally sweet with the full flavour of aromatic spices and no headache the day after. Our sangria mix adds beautiful depth and flavour. Here's the recipe

You’ll need:
1 lemon (sliced, peel left on)
1 orange (sliced, peel left on)
1 cored apple (sliced, peel left on)
1 packet of The Apothecary’s Sangria Mix
2 cups boiling water
3 cups grape juice
1 cup apple juice
1 cup orange juice
1½ Tbsp lemon juice
2–3 cups sparkling mineral water (to taste)

To make:
1. Steep 1 packet of Sangria Mix steeped in 2 cups of boiling water at least 2 hours (or overnight).
2. Slice all your fruit and add to a large jug.
3. Strain the steeped mix and keep the liquid.
4. Combine everything except the sparkling water and chill for at least 2 hours.
5. Add the bubbles just before serving.

ENJOY!

10/11/2025

We’re always on the hunt for the perfect lavender oil, and we may just have finally found it. Grown and distilled on a local Canterbury farm, NZ Lavender cultivates 'Lavandula angustifolia' — one of the rarest varieties in the world. Highly sought after for its exceptional purity and low allergen profile, it’s a little bit magic.

I use this at night, before bed - one drop on either my bedsheets or PJ's gives the perfect aroma to fall asleep to.

Come into store and give it a whiff!

07/11/2025

This is us - a team of dedicated Medical Herbalists and friends

What exactly is a Medical Herbalist?

A Medical Herbalist is a practitioner who is highly trained in the philosophies, principles and practice of Western Herbal Medicine and medical science.

They take a holistic view towards health, wellbeing and illness. They prescribe and dispense plant medicine (phytomedicine) safely and effectively and may also provide dietary and lifestyle advice. They seek to treat the underlying cause of a health challenge whilst acknowledging your body's innate ability to heal itself.

Interested in finding out more about Western Herbal Medicine? Visit https://nzamh.org.nz/about-us/what-is-herbal-medicine/

06/11/2025

We’ve just added these stunning Pantheon Apothecary serums and face masks to our clearance table ✨

They are the most luxurious, natural face products — now available at a beautiful price. In-store only. Treat yourself to a little self-care steal while stock lasts.

05/11/2025

I get asked about practitioner-grade supplements a lot. These are therapeutic-grade products that can only be accessed via a clinic appointment. While many people assume herbal remedies are always gentle, the truth is they are powerful and need to be prescribed with care. That’s why a full medical history and professional guidance are essential.

It’s also why we have trained herbalists and naturopaths in-store, to ensure you’re getting the safest, most suitable advice when choosing products. Sometimes all you need is an off-the-shelf remedy, but when you need something more targeted, a clinic appointment and custom herbal prescription is the way to go.

You can book an appointment with us online — consultations are available via Zoom or in person. https://the-apothecary.co.nz/book-now/

02/11/2025

Starting the day right, double parked and deep in planning mode for the week, because planning = peace.

01. Lyttelton Coffee Co. coffee brew boosted with our collagen powder for calm skin and joints.
02. A spoonful of our prebiotic blend in water every morning - my secret to a happy gut!
All available at The Apothecary now.

29/10/2025

I put a lot of time into researching the healthiest, most effective options in every category we stock at The Apothecary, and sunscreen is one that takes extra care.

It’s an industry full of big claims and not always much evidence, so I start with the basics: no parabens, silicones, mineral oils, or synthetic fragrances. From there, I dive into the research and then test every one myself for texture, finish, and feel.

I’m proud to say we now have a beautifully curated range of sunscreens at The Apothecary - tried, researched, and tested so you don’t have to. We have all the testers in-store, so pop in and give them a go. I’m sure you’ll find your perfect match.

Simone x ☀️

Trilogy Natural Skincare
Smidge Suncare
Earth's Kitchen Sunscreen
Sol Goods

27/10/2025

🌿 Meet Leigh 🌿

Leigh’s path into herbal medicine began in the garden — growing and making her own remedies, guided by curiosity and a deep connection with nature. What started as a self-taught practice has blossomed into a rich and grounded career in healing.

After completing a Bachelor of Health Science in Western Herbal Medicine at Torrens University in Australia, Leigh now weaves together traditional herbal wisdom with modern, evidence-based practice - bridging science and spirit in her work with clients.

Clinically, Leigh has a special interest in sexual health, substance use, and post-infection syndromes such as long COVID and chronic fatigue (CFS) - bringing care, understanding and balance to complex health journeys.

We’re so delighted to have Leigh as part of our Apothecary team, sharing her warmth, wisdom and heart-led approach.

Leigh is available for clinic bookings now - book online via the 'book now' tab on our website: https://the-apothecary.co.nz/book-now/

24/10/2025

❤🌷🌺 Pop in and say hello!

24/10/2025

We’re brewing up something pretty exciting here at The Apothecary, admittedly not our usual herbal brew but just as exciting — a long-awaited redesign that's going to be a beauty!

21/10/2025

Vanilla beans & Vodka are all you need to make natural, fragrant vanilla essence. It's definitely a long game with a brew time of 6-12 months but the wait is worth it. 12 month+ vanilla essence is incredible - way better than store bought.

INGREDIENTS:
— 5 vanilla beans
— 1 cup of Vodka

Slice the vanilla pods in half and place them in a glass bottle and fully submerge them in the vodka.

Store at room temperature out of direct sunlight. Shake once every couple weeks. You can use it in 6 months, but 12+ months is even better. It will last up to 2 years once opened.