What are the opening hours?

Thursday 10am - 4pm Friday 10am - 4pm Saturday 10am - 4pm

Borealis Backwoods Apothecary, Cooks, MI (2026)

03/16/2026

Borealis Backwoods Apothecary fans: some restocks have arrived!
Elderberry Aronia syrup
Fire Cider
Respiratory syrup dry kit

03/16/2026

In case you didn’t hear, the UP is closed. Snowed in, power outages, schools and hospitals are closed along with everywhere else. Roads are impassable with emergency orders to stay home. Shipping will resume Wednesday when things settle down and open up. Thanks all for the understanding! Stay safe, stay warm🤗🤗🤗

03/14/2026

Turns out, we just needed to look a little closer to the water for the swollen buds. This years balm of Gilead begins 🤍

03/14/2026

Thankful for my handsome guy for always keeping the path to the apothecary open for me 🤍🤍🤍 Here’s to 4 more feet 😂

Spring is on the way still, I think 😜

03/14/2026

Parasites have been on my mind in a figurative sense, so I think it’s time to talk about them in a literal sense 😆🤍

I made this blend to kill all 3 stages of parasites, including in the biofilm which they tend to hide. Crafted with black walnut hull, wormwood, yarrow, pau d'arco, papaya seeds and cloves extracted in non gmo vegetable glycerin- coconut derived.

My preferred binder is clay. Use whatever is most convenient but using a binder is important.

Everyone has parasites, but to the extent and severity they affect the individual varies. Parasites play a huge role in disease and are cause for so many misdiagnoses in chronic diseases. Their waste products build up inside the human body which is what triggers disease. When the body produces more waste than it can get rid of, when your waste disposal systems aren’t functioning properly (IE: lymphatic system, liver, colon, kidneys, skin, lungs ect), daily activity/movement is low, hydration isn’t up to par- these are all things that help parasites thrive.

Generally you want to start at the lowest dose to prevent/lessen any herxing and then working your way up.

Herbal parasitic protocols used to be common practice as traditional medicine in households. This isn’t new information, just a little more studied now.

03/13/2026

Maple season is on hold! But so far we got a decent amount of syrup and I put up some raw sap for body butters, so these are in stock!!

Also, I wanted to make some of the herbal marshmallows for the kids this weekend but ran out of honey, and if you’re local you know we had a mini blizzard this morning so I wasn’t going to go try and get some. So I made them with maple syrup -I may have to make them like this forever because the flavor is unreal!

Anyways, a little recap on the body butter! You can also find this at Westside in town 🤗

Maple & Tallow Body Butter

Maple syrup embodies Spring, the flavor and scent provide so much comfort.

Maple water (maple sap before its boiled down to syrup) is a super food you can find right in your own backyard 😍 Maples dominate the hardwoods up here, and the sap that runs in the spring is such a gift.

Maple water is the ultimate electrolyte drink. This water collects nutrients stored in the tree all winter. It's incredibly wholesome water. Because of the electrolytes and minerals, it hydrates our bodies quickly and helps fix depletion we experience in the winter, especially with manganese and calcium. Its ability to quickly hydrate us makes it great to have, especially for workouts or high intensity activities, like hiking. It's also been studied and found to have a high antioxidant content, as well as zinc (great immune support) and 46 bioactive compounds. Other studies have shown it helps improve VO2, which is the amount of oxygen you're able to consume. Maple water is full of prebiotics, which in turn support your gut and digestive processes. Think of it as coconut water, but it's better 😜

Now, what's even more interesting is that this Maple water has some huge topical benefits, too, as does maple syrup! This shouldn't have been a surprise, as the Maple tree has been used as a healing tree for centuries. But it was! And the more I dove in, the more excited I got. There's actually studies in the works right now showing promise for maple sap extracts used topically as an alternative to botox 😅 Maple sap, leaves, and bark have all been studied pretty extensively over the last 20 years. Researchers focus on the phenolic compound in Maple, which has shown promise in inhibiting elastase- therefore reducing wrinkles and lightening age spots. They've also found Maple to be a wonderful anti-inflammatory agent for the skin. This has shown promise in reducing a wide variety of skin ailments, from eczema to acne. Maple sap is incredibly soothing to the skin. It's rejuvenating and healing. All one could ask for in skin food 🥰

For this body butter, I've incorporated an incredible amount of maple sap, a touch of maple syrup lending a gentle sweet scent, skin friendly probiotics, a powerful antioxidant complex THD Ascorbate and a base of Tallow.

THD Ascorbate is an incredibly stable (no risk of oxidation) oil soluble form of vitamin C that is non irritating and so gentle. The fatty acid structure allows it to pe*****te the skin better. Having vitamin C in your skin care truly takes the product to the next level. Protecting your skin from free radicals, aiding in collagen production, and so much more. The added probiotics shield the skin from bad bacteria and parasites, allowing it to protect you from many common skin ailments

Having the Tallow base provides methods our ancestors used, The original skincare. Tallow pe*****tes deeply into the skin, providing incredible unmatched hydration. And almost equally as important, its lipid composition locks in moisture. Tallow is an abundance of fatty acids that fortify the skins natural barrier

Now, if you're new to the topical Tallow world, here's a little bit about the why. Tallow for the skin is nothing new it was the original skin care, and for good reason. This is what our ancestors used and is time-honored. It's so soft, light, and fluffy and smells fantastic. During our healing journey, we've experienced such tremendous healing from animal products. I could go into story after story with you, all backed by time-honored traditions. That's why we started making the herbal bone broth, the magic marshmallows, and incorporating tallow into our products. I decided to really dive deeper into this and pursue what excites my heart. Most natural products we use on our skin these days are filled with inflammatory PUFAs, which are unstable and can be toxic to the body. Tallow, on the other hand, is far more balanced and offers stability and slows oxidation. Tallow is also loaded with bioavailable nutrients, both for your skin and internally. Let's go down the rabbit hole of polyunsaturated fatty acids - aka PUFAs.

Most of our favorite skin care products are made with PUFAs, and they're touted to be anything and everything for our skin. I've certainly used plenty of them for myself, for my family, and in products. They have so many great qualities, and I'm not going to sit here and say they're all bad, but moderation is certainly key as with everything. Essentially, the issue with PUFAs is that they are incredibly unstable and this leads to oxidation (damage and deterioration) when they're exposed to light, heat or air (so, anytime they're on our skin). Their molecules have double bonds, rendering them weak and easily broken. So why does any of this matter? Well, when these oils on your skin oxidize, it creates a free radical cascade, which damages what may have been previously UNdamaged lipids in your skin. PUFAs have now been identified as the main culprit of cellular damage. In fact, there have actually been studies done of internal use of PUFAs vs not, and how quickly the individual consuming PUFAs skin starts to get damaged and deterioration sets in, because what you eat affects your skin too.

This is why I've made the transition (however, surprisingly we were already using relatively no PUFAs) to only using MUFAs (monounsaturated fatty acids) like Jojoba and SFAs (saturated fatty acids) aka Tallow!! SFAs have no molecular double bonds, which means there isn't any opportunity for oxygen to squeeze in and oxidation to occur. Some other SFAs you've been seeing us utilize are Lanolin, Cocoa Butter, and things like that.

Now, what about the Tallow and Ghee products to be used internally. Well, there's a whole laundry list of benefits, but also, the nutritional value is astounding. The amount of bioavailable vitamins and minerals that these time honored foods have is incredible. Did you know you don't get hydrated from water? You NEED minerals with it. Your body can't absorb your water intake without minerals. That's why I always go on and on about Nourishing Herbal Infusions. But, having a diet high in vitamins and minerals is so important in staying hydrated, which also results in hydrated skin.

I hope you love this UP spring time remedy 🤗🥰

03/13/2026

Friends in Manistique, be sure to stop in when you’re in town for some goodies! I dropped everything off today with informationals 🥰🥰

03/12/2026

Happy to have herbal sweet ghee back on my condiment/spice shelf 🤤

03/10/2026

Plants- perennials specifically- always just blow my mind at the end of winter with their resilience. This Motherwort patch was under several feet of snow a week ago, and still has a 4 foot snow bank a few feet away. But here we are, this years babies beautifully bright and well on their way

03/09/2026

Out to fetch poplar buds, we’re a few weeks to early yet though as they aren’t quite swollen yet. I still have some Balm of Gilead from last Spring but am definitely running low so I’m looking forward to this.

Balm of Gilead is an incredibly old and time honored remedy dating back to biblical times. This herbal oil is often made into a salve to utilize as an ointment to aid with pain relief and reduce inflammation in joints and muscles (it’s rich in salicylates) as well as bruises, strains and sprains. It’s a great first aid remedy for minor wounds. Balm of Gilead is also used to relieve discomfort from bug bites and is even used for skin issues like eczema and other rashes. Balm of Gilead is also a time honored respiratory supportive herb and can be used as a steam, or as a chest rub when made into a salve.

Biblical mentions used balm of Gilead that was derived from trees found in the Middle East, however now it’s often made from poplar trees found in North America. The balm is made from resin extracted from the buds of several poplar species, some more potent than others.

After an herbal oil is created with these resinous buds, a salve is made with beeswax so it’s easier to apply topically.

03/09/2026

The most beautiful dreams are dreamt in March 🤍🌱

03/08/2026

It’s been nearly a year since I’ve done an intro post and there’s been 1,000 or so new folks to this page since then, so I figured it was time to reintroduce myself for those that don’t know me, and reintroduce what this page is all about! 45% of what you see on your feed these days is AI and fake- so it’s important to me to put a face to the page!

A summary of what this page is all about-

The "about" section had me stuck for a while but eventually finally put what's in my heart into words. So for anyone not familiar with my apothecary, this about sums it up 🥰

ABOUT
"What is your apothecary" is such a loaded question, and its certainly changed over the years as life tends to do. But, as plants also do, the roots always remain all the while growing, intertwining and transplanting, finding soil to truly thrive.

One day if I ever have the privilege of becoming old and grey, I hope to write a book. A memoir of sorts, full of remedies, experiences and adventure. This apothecary means SO much. Born from the ground up out of pure fiery passion over 15 years ago. Every year it changes and evolves, the harder years on a personal level end up providing the most lessons and clarity. Dreams and goals come to fruition, sometimes through failures or family health struggles. Sometimes through joy, hard work and perseverance.

Back in 2021 I had what felt like a devastating diagnosis with my youngest boy. This diagnosis ended up leading me to the north woods. That feeling of Hiraeth that I felt so deeply in my soul for so long, was gone. The borealis forest called me home and now forever and always will be my home. I didn't know it at the time, but what was to come was going to be an incredibly difficult and transformative sequence of experiences that would lead me to really dig inward and re-find myself. Through divorce, and a series of moves, navigating co-parenting, a medically fragile child and sooo many other trials and tribulations. I found myself by losing myself. Losing myself in the back woods, where not a soul could find me or reach me (and coming to love the lack of cell service😜), exploring the shorelines, waterfalls, rivers and coves. I found myself by heading into the darkness by myself on clear nights to chase the northern lights. I found myself in the fires I would make on the beach when not a soul was around and the only sounds were the crashing waves on the shoreline. I found myself when I was in the middle of nowhere, looking up at the night sky full of more stars I had ever seen since I was a kid on Big Island. I found myself in my hunting blind, countless hours of sitting and taking everything in. Sorting and sitting with your thoughts. It's all an indescribable feeling, to feel so safe and at home in a place that is physically foreign to you.

My passion has always laid with growing and foraging medicine. The blocks and frustrations that have presented themselves over the years all were guidance to this present moment. Years of schooling, certifications and hands on work. I am so incredibly thankful everything happened as it did because it led me to the now. I'm thankful for the people in my life that led me to the present in both good and bad experiences, and I'm most thankful for those in my life now. The borealis forest is so rich and full of life. It has always been loved and cherished and we will continue to respect and cherish it through daily life, foraging, harvesting and growing practices. My hopes for the future are to create a permaculture style small farm for medicinal herbs as well as cold climate permaculture forest farming and log mushroom farming. Reintroducing beekeeping and several other aspects I enjoyed from my prior apothecary.

I'm not aiming for widescale production and distribution. I want to keep the biodiversity up, focusing on medicinal natives, and of course always giving back to the land. This apothecarys goal, both present moment and future is to bridge the gap between traditional and modern approaches to wellness, both in children and adults. Even just from working with dried herbs to fresh as the season allows. Working with nature and not against it to bring sustainably grown healing plants and animal derived remedies to our community and beyond. Using regenerative methods to reduce pests and disease. The passion here is to grow, forage and harvest clean medicine and food. Grown and raised in pristine soil, air and water. The passion is to provide you with nature how the earth intended it to be. As medicine, not poison.

On the apothecary side of things, I still craft all of the Blessing Moon Herbs remedies (my prior apothecary before moving). Though, the focus of the apothecary is to create a rhythm with the seasons. Harvesting food and medicine with the plants the season is giving us to support the body.

On the technology side, I'd like to continue to use technology for the good it can provide. To get folks involved in herbalism from seeing where and how these wonderful plants grow to crafting remedies for your family. You can tell a lot about a plants medicinal properties by how it grows. Does it love wet soil? Is it mucilaginous? I'll have video foraging classes on the patreon along with recipes and tips. This is to strive in getting the communities hands in the soil and creating something bigger than ourselves. That may not always be possible in person (though seasonal in person workshops will be held in Manistique and surrounding areas) which is where utilizing the tech we have access to today comes in. I also will still be offering the 1:1 consultations, zoom or in person for the folks that are up here or can make it up.

As you can see, "What is the Borealis Backwoods Apothecary" is a loaded question. It represents life, love, healing, second chances and joy. The borealis forest is a place for children's squeals of delight when they smell fresh wintergreen, or learn how to make a plantain poultice. A place to watch the awe in their eyes as you cruise through the giant pines. A place to feel okay about dragging your kiddos out of bed on a school night to watch the northern lights dance. A place to harvest your food and medicine in a traditional way. A place that our adult worries can be released and our sense of wonder and awe restored. Its a place that balances the give and take. This apothecary represents hope, the rainbow after a heavy rain. It represents forgiveness in your heart and all of the lessons learned through storms. It represents healing and reconnecting with the earth. Both in the physical body and the soul.

Despite all of the above, I definitely don't fall into the "category" of a person many of you think of when you think about an Herbalist. I'm incredibly passionate about what I do and what I love, and though overall I am pretty introverted, I will talk your ear off about plants and the outdoors. Foraging, hunting, fishing, surfing, diving, anything to do with the woods or water and you'll be hard pressed to get me to stop talking 😆 However, I'm very rough around the edges, humble enough to know I'm far from perfect and have plenty of faults, a darker sense of humor and have a mouth of a sailor 😆 which I think catches people off guard 😂

Wild food, herbal medicine and all of the above have been my entire world for over 15 years. Through various schooling- herbalism, clinical herbalism, wilderness first aid, and at one point after my first was born I became a doula with the focus on herbal support. Though quickly learned I enjoy sleep too much for that kind if schedule 😆 I have a deep interest and appreciation for first responders, and am a volunteer fire fighter with my township as well as recently getting my certs to finally join the sheriff departments search and rescue dive team which had been a goal for some time. I also recently finished EMT school and work part time in our county. I have a fire in my heart to help, and no matter life's circumstances, the flame doesn't seem to ever go out. I am a mom above all else, and between my fantastic fiancé and I, we have 7 incredible little humans in our lives, several of whom have just as much passion as me about all this 🥰

Thank you for being a part of this journey, for your support, patience and understanding over the years. Through the good and the bad. It means the world to me and my family.

“We've swapped animal fats for seed oils
Swapped real food for ultra processed
Swapped cooking for convenience
Swapped outdoors for indoors
Swapped play for video games
Swapped intuition for ego, judgement and fear
Swapped the phases of the moon for dates in the calender
Swapped sustainability and seasonality for instant gratification
Swapped animal based for plant based
Swapped protein for refined carbohydrates
Swapped full fat for low fat
Swapped raw for ultra pasteurized
Swapped wild food and home grown for big agriculture
Swapped presence for distraction
Swapped our minds for technology
Swapped self reliance for dependency
Swapped the human relationship with food and medicine and we've swapped ancestrial wisdom for modern advice

All of these swaps are normalized to us and multi faceted, we are living products of the industrial revolution. However, they are radical changes from how man lived and nourished himself for thousands of years. It's time to get excited and encourage an era of getting back to our roots through responsible and practical implications. Returning to our natural state as one of balance, wholeness and vitality”

Borealis Backwoods Apothecary

03/16/2026

03/16/2026

03/14/2026

03/14/2026

03/14/2026

03/13/2026

03/13/2026

03/12/2026

03/10/2026

03/09/2026

03/09/2026

03/08/2026

Address

Opening Hours

Telephone

Website

Alerts

Contact The Practice

Shortcuts

Share

Category