08/28/2026
Since opening the farm stand, I haven’t shared much about the apothecary side of things, but this is one of the busiest times of year for it.
This year I expanded my garden so I could grow more of the plants I use in Empress Apothecary products. I’m growing more than 30 different medicinal and culinary plants now, and I try to choose things that both I can use and the bees can use.
I’m not going to lie - it’s a monster of a job. Harvesting in the mornings, drying herbs, working all day, and heading back into the garden at night.
But this year I got to do something I’ve never been able to do before: make my own St. John’s wort oil. This is the oil I use in The Magician and Melissa’s Magician.
Good St. John’s wort oil is made with fresh flowers, so I’ve always had to source it. This year I grew my own, harvested it, and watched the oil turn that beautiful deep red.
It’s a small thing, but it feels like a big milestone.
So when you pick up an Empress Apothecary product, just know there’s a lot of growing, harvesting, infusing, and care behind that little bottle (and probably a lot of sweat, swearing, and sunburns).
And I’m so grateful you support it ♥️
