herbal alchemy

03/12/2025

• fresh grass fed tallow •

I’m very grateful that I get to live and work at a wildlife sanctuary, where a big chunk of my job to manage the 900,000 hectare property is feral herbivore control. This means we must continue to de-stock the feral cattle by either aerial shooting from the helicopter, or mustering them to manage the numbers in the sanctuary to reduce harm to the ecosystem.

No part of the animal goes to waste. We keep the meat to feed the staff and local communities in the area, and I’ve been playing around with making tallow from the fat… you can’t get any more fresh or grass fed than this!

This batch I made is for cooking with, and next I’ll be making some skin moisturisers. Tallow has a long history of use for both skin care and consumption.

Some benefits:
* Rich in fatty acids like palmitic, stearic, and oleic acids
* Helps restore the skin barrier and prevent water loss
* Contains fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, which support skin repair, elasticity, and overall health and internally important for bone health, immunity, and vision
* Its natural composition can calm irritated or inflamed skin
* Often used for eczema, psoriasis, or dry, cracked skin
* Fat is essential for hormone production and skin integrity
* High smoke point (215°C), making it excellent for frying or roasting without breaking down into harmful compounds

20/09/2025

• the kapok tree • Cochlospermum fraseribrighten

A true Australian bush tucker plant scattering the landscape where I live in the central Kimberley region, north Western Australia. Its flowers can be eaten raw or cooked, with a mild peppery flavour (delish topped on curries). Its young roots are dug up in the wet season, baked in ashes and hammered to soften before consumption, and its silky seed fluff is traditionally used for body decoration in ceremony by the indigenous peoples of this area.

Local traditional medicinal uses are for fevers, inflammation, and digestive issues.

Kapok is also a calendar tree. When its yellow flowers burst open, it signals that freshwater crocodiles are nesting and certain bush foods are ready - a vital seasonal marker for those living on Country. Its woody seed pods later split to release cotton-like fibres that float on the wind, reminding us of impermanence and the cycles of nature.

This tree teaches me that plants are not just food or fibre - they’re timekeepers, indicators, and part of the living memory of Country.

24/02/2025

• garden adventures of 2025, Australia edition •

1. guava berries
2. baby pumpkin
3. ginger harvest (I’m living with the biggest organic ginger supplier of my region, plus she’s a horticulturalist!)
4. little green tree snake came to visit
5. native finger lime!!
6. my big zucchini
7. gorgeous carpet python
8. guava berry harvest (have been overdosing on these)
9. white bat flower in all its glory

01/12/2024

• GIVEAWAY TIME •

In honour of a total brand re-vamp, and a new product launch on its way, I’d like to celebrate a new chapter on today’s new moon with a giveaway!

Go in the draw to win our newest eBook ‘To Be a Womban - Cyclical Wisdom for Women, & Herbs to Assist All Phases’.

In a world where women’s health is often misunderstood and overlooked, To Be a Womban is a powerful guide to reclaiming the wisdom of our bodies. What began as a personal bible has evolved into an essential resource for every woman navigating the complexities of womanhood.

Too many of us enter this journey unprepared—taught to suffer in silence, dismiss our symptoms, and accept pain as a normal part of life. This eBook shines a light on the lost ancestral knowledge of our cycles, challenging the outdated beliefs that keep us disconnected from our true selves.

With a focus on holistic healing, To Be a Womban empowers women to listen to their bodies, embrace their natural rhythms, and engage in the vital conversations that have been silenced for too long. It’s time to step into our feminine power, honour our cycles, and reclaim our health. This is the guide to begin that journey.

What’s included:
• A herb safety guide with different medicinal herbs to support the hormonal symptoms of being a woman - from puberty, pregnancy, peri-menopause and menopause
• A cycle tool kit including nutrients, vitamins and minerals for support
• A breakdown of the menstrual cycle and reasons to embrace this powerful time
• Food and nutritional support for each phase of your cycle and to keep hormones balanced
• Lifestyle practices for hormonal support of each phase, deeply rooted from ancestral wisdom
• Methods for tracking your ovulation plus much more

How to enter:
• Be following .alchemy.apothecary & .rose
• Like & save this post
• Individually tag at least three friends separately (the more tags, the more entries)
• An extra entry for sharing this post to stories & tagging both accounts

This giveaway ends 24th of December, 2024 with winners being announced on Christmas Day.

Open to entries worldwide.

17/09/2024

28/08/2024

• EBOOK COMING SOON •

Are you one of the 80% of women who have experienced a hormonal imbalance?
Were you ever ashamed when it came to your monthly bleed?
Were you ever given the ‘period talk’?

Let’s talk about it in the comments. My new eBook deep dives into various hormonal issues throughout a women’s lifetime and offers holistic solutions and lifestyle practices deeply rooted from ancestral wisdom to help you live in sync with your cycles, not against them. Plus a complete herbal guide and cycle tool kit for every phase - from puberty, pregnancy, peri-menopause and menopause.

It’s time to live cyclically, honour our cycles and the wisdom they bring.

Let me know in the comments if you or someone you know struggles with any hormonal issues? Together, let’s reclaim our health and power.

17/08/2024

I thought it was about time I introduced myself in my little self-run business accounts! .alchemy.apothecary .alchemy.co

I’m a self-taught Australian herbalist studying with , a dedicated conservationist, a dive instructor, a scientific diver, and an advocate for holistic living. I founded Herbal Alchemy in 2021. With a deep rooted love for nature, I strive to bring the wisdom of the natural world into every aspect of my life.��An accident at age 9 left me battling a permanent knee injury and I learned to live with chronic pain. I began to distrust the ‘system’ when the advice was to live a life on painkillers and antidepressants.

My fascination with nature led me to study Veterinary Science, and my awareness of the impacts of societal values and norms on nature grew. Always a bit of a rebel, my desire to live harmoniously within the natural world and the even stronger urge to make a difference saw me realising that I wasn’t going to find the practical, sustaining skills to support the life I wanted to live at University.��And so my journey with Sea Shepherd Global began, a direct action, marine conservation group whose members were the embodiment of their cause to defend, conserve and protect the worlds’ oceans. It was with that I learned of the brutality of human impact on our oceans.

My first two campaigns involved 115 days at sea, 18,000 nautical miles sailed, the capture of one illegal shark finning vessel and the rest of the fleet prosecuted. We also came across a fleet of six illegal drift net vessels who then abandoned their nets. My crew and I spent the next 48 hours non stop hauling in 5km of just one illegal drift net, along with 321 trapped marine animals who had been strangled and drowned.

Being a part of Sea Shepherd led me to question everything; the foods we eat from our supermarkets, to the products we put on our body - even down to the fabrics we use and wear. It also transformed my mindset from ‘small person unable to create change’ to ‘empowered conservationist that can make a real difference’.

My conservation work turned to reef restoration and managing marine research stations. This led me to discover the countries and islands of South East Asia where I learned to embrace and immerse myself into the vibrant cultures of the people.

Moving to South Africa only deepened my belief that having a connection to nature and country was to open yourself up to healing. I totally embraced holistic healing and my dedication to studying indigenous sustainability practices, regenerative agriculture, seasonal living, plant medicine and human rewilding strengthened.

For me, the practice of herbalism is a way to reconnect people, and myself, with the natural world and its healing abilities. This means not only using sustainable and locally sourced ingredients and growing most of my own plants to be used in the medicines, but also actively participating in conservation efforts to restore natural habitats and promote biodiversity.��Through this account, I hope to inspire others to embrace holistic living, sustainability and the beauty of nature’s cycles. I want to invite you to experience the transformative power of nature, honouring the earth’s wisdom and cycles and promoting a harmonious connection between people and the environment.

📷 .journey at

21/07/2024

• understanding your health through ayurvedic face examination •

in ayurveda, the ancient healing system from India, the face is a mirror reflecting the body’s internal state. by analysing facial lines & features, we can gain deeper insights into our health. here’s a guide to what these lines might mean:

• forehead lines •
mind & digestive health
horizontal lines: stress & worry
vertical line between eyebrows: liver & gallbladder issues, anger, & frustration

• the eyes •
windows to the inner body
under eye darkness: kidney imbalance, adrenal fatigue, dehydration
puffy eyes: water retention, poor lymphatic drainage

• cheeks •
respiratory & digestive system
red cheeks: inflammation, respiratory or digestive system issues
sunken cheeks: poor nutrition or nutrient absorption

• the nose •
heart & circulatory system
red tipped nose: heart health, high blood pressure
horizontal line across the bridge: digestive issues

• mouth & lips •
digestive & hormonal health
cracks at the corners: vitamin B deficiency, digestive problems
pale lips: anaemia, poor blood circulation, weak digestive fire.

• the chin •
hormonal balance & reproductive health
acne on the Chin: hormonal imbalances, reproductive health
dimpled or wrinkled chin: stagnation in reproductive organs, hormonal issues

your face is a map; learn to read it and gain insights into your health. consulting with a qualified ayurvedic practitioner can provide a more comprehensive understanding of these signs and how to address underlying issues through diet, lifestyle changes, & herbal remedies.

by observing & understanding the lines & features of the face, we can gain a deeper awareness of our overall health, allowing for proactive & holistic approaches to wellbeing.

17/07/2024

some hair growth tips from ancient cultures:
• hair oiling weekly; warm oil before applying
• sleep in a loose braid, & avoid tight hair styles
• egg yolk hair masks
• coffee or black tea hair rinse
• brush with neem comb, & don’t brush when wet

hair oiling feels like returning to a place within myself that I’ve abandoned. it’s an act of self care for me, & connects me back to nature through working with particular botanical oils I handcraft over a complete moon cycle.

in south Asian culture, the art of hair oiling is rooted in deep tradition & family bonding. it is an ancient Ayurvedic practice dating thousands of years back. “sneha”, the Sanskrit word for ‘to oil’, also translates to ‘to love’.

botanical oils are worked into the scalp by a loved one in an act of ritual & connection. the oils lock in moisture, provide nourishment to the scalp, & massages the scalp to stimulate the brain.

by living a long time throughout different Asian cultures, I was inspired to create • hair nectar • to be used in your own act of self love & ritual. a connection to self, or a loved one.

17/07/2024

from Di Dao in China's Zhejiang & Heilongjiang regions, the lions mane mushroom (Hericium erinaceus) has been used for thousands of years by traditional herbalists to support the brain & nervous system, improve cognitive function & boost digestive health. lion's mane has become known for its nootropic effects, aiding the brain’s plasticity & capacity to function, as well as supporting nervous system regulation. the fungus grows on decaying coniferous trees & is found mostly in Asian continents (although does also feature in North America & some areas of Europe).

being Yin in nature, lion's mane supports the creation of a healthy gut lining & can support those with gastrointestinal upset. it’s also a tonic for the immune system, supporting a healthy immune response.

have you tried lion’s mane mushroom before, & if so in what form?

17/07/2024

• matricaria chamomilla •

chamomile is held in such sacred regard, that in some cultures they bow to the plant when passing by. with its deep yin energy, it is particularly suited to women & children (though plants don’t care about gender). it is an aid to the nervous system, specifically anxiety, restlessness & irritability, & helping those with sleep disorders. it soothes & calms the digestive tract, alleviating indigestion, bloating, spasms, ulcers, diarrhoea & IBS symptoms. topically it heals wounds & skin irritations, dermatitis, eczema & psoriasis.

grow in full sun & well drained soil. it does well in low nutrient soils. harvest flowers early in the morning at first light, & drink an herbal infusion after your last meal of the day, & before sleep.