The Village Apothecary and Homestead

The Village Apothecary and Homestead I’m Community Herbalist, Lindsey Costa! I share about herbalism, growing a cottage flower garden, history, homesteading, homeschooling and more!

06/13/2026

Summer is around the corner and most of my cool loving flowers are gone but these mostly drought tolerant flowers are growing well in this drought and heat. I haven’t watered the cottage garden so I’m thankful for these hardy plants!

We have been getting rain occasionally and the forecast is still calling for more rain next week, hallelujah! I did sprinkle some older packets of flower seeds out this week to see what happens. Hopefully, more variety will pop up with this rain. I’ll keep you posted. ☺️

Currently growing:

~Pink and white echinacea.
~white daisies
~hollyhocks
~dark pink and light pink yarrow
~foxgloves are blooming again
~orange and burgundy lilies

So thankful for the rain we have been getting! 🌧️ 
06/11/2026

So thankful for the rain we have been getting! 🌧️



06/09/2026

Our Amelia graduated Saturday at the annual HEAV homeschool convention! This opportunity for homeschool graduates is so special and well done. It was a beautiful ceremony. We are so proud of Amelia and still can’t believe her homeschool journey has come to a close.

I still remember starting her homeschooling with preschool and all the fun activities with other homeschool families so long ago. It flew by. Homeschooling has always been such a joy to me.

We love the annual HEAV homeschool convention. This was our 4th year going. I wish I hadn’t waited so long to start going to the convention but I was too intimidated before. I shouldn’t have been intimidated. It’s always a fun time together with the whole family. We enjoy the fellowship with other homeschool families and the variety of resources and opportunities offered.

This year we listened to Joel Salatin and Nick Freitas and his wife speak. There were many others we wanted to hear speak but Saturday was a full day of rehearsal and graduation.

05/27/2026

Nourishing Herbal Tea/Tisane

My Nourishing herbal tea blend was one of my very first tea blends in my functional herbal tea collection. It’s a wonderful herbal tea blend for the whole family! Young and old. I especially love it for pregnancy (32+ weeks) as well as for the breastfeeding mother.

Stinging Nettles is praised for its tonic effect on the body. It is dense in nutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron, and potassium as well as vitamins A, C, K and many B vitamins. It has natural antihistamines, antioxidants, and is anti-inflammatory and a mild diuretic.

Raspberry leaf is one of my most favorite herbs! It’s a nutrient dense herb, also. It supports digestion and the female reproductive system. From youth to elderly, it’s “God’s gift to women” as the nickname holds true. It supports the body during menstruation and can slow heavy bleeding and bring relief from period symptoms. Many midwives recommend it starting around 32 weeks pregnancy to "tone" the uterus, which may make contractions more effective and potentially reduce the need for medical interventions during childbirth. It can support postpartum recovery and milk supply. It can support the body during perimenopause and menopause. I love that it tastes similar to a black tea because of the tannins it contains.

Oatstraw is full of vitamins and minerals and as a nervine, it nourishes the nervous system, making it great for daily use to combat stress. Its high concentration of silica and calcium makes it an excellent support for the health of bones, teeth, hair, and nails.

This blend can be brewed for 10 minutes for a nice daily tea or up to 12 hours for a strong herbal infusion for the maximum nutritional benefits.

💛Caffeine-free
💛Small-batch blended
💛Made with organic herbs

Find this blend plus more at Books & Beans
_______________________________________
Disclaimer:

THIS INFORMATION HAS NOT BEEN EVALUATED BY THE FOOD AND DRUG ADMINISTRATION. THIS PRODUCT IS NOT INTENDED TO DIAGNOSE, TREAT, CURE, OR PREVENT ANY DISEASE.

We recommend that you consult with a qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbal products, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, have a medical condition or are on any medications.

05/23/2026

We have wild black raspberry brambles all throughout the hedgerows on our property. I was surprised to see them starting to ripen. They typically ripen mid to late June in Virginia, but we have had some hot days this May.

Many confuse wild black raspberries for blackberries. One of the main differences to look for is whether the fruit has a core or not. Raspberries have a hollow center. Like a thimble. They come off easily when ripe. Blackberries have a core in the center of the berry and are more elongated. Another identification tip is to look at the leaves. Raspberry leaves have a silvery white underside and blackberries are green on the top and bottom of the leaves.

The fruit is delicious and densely nutritious. Amazing studies can be found on the benefits of the black raspberry as well has their amazing leaves. Medicinally, the raspberry leaves have so many health benefits and is generally considered safe for most. The leaves are high in vitamins and minerals, they support digestion, the female reproductive system, pregnancy and postpartum, and much more!. It’s one of my favorite herbs and I use it almost daily.

Fun fact, during the American Revolution tea boycott, the American patriots would use raspberry leaves for their daily tea instead of black tea. It is high in tannins similar to black tea. Delicious!

05/23/2026

I love fog! 🖤 We get fog here quite often. Especially when the cool air hits the warm air in the bottom field near the creek. It rolls in and falls down from the top of the trees. I can just sit and watch it for hours.

Happy International Tea Day! 🫖 ☕️ ☕️ The majority of the tv shows or movies I watch are British murder mysteries and so ...
05/21/2026

Happy International Tea Day! 🫖 ☕️

☕️ The majority of the tv shows or movies I watch are British murder mysteries and so many times a cup of strong tea with lots of sugar is offered to the witness to help with the shock. 😂 They truly believe a cup of tea could right wrongs. Or at least help you get through it. ☺️

🍃 International Tea Day is an opportunity to celebrate the cultural heritage, health benefits and economic importance of tea (specifically, Camellia sinensis), while working to make its production sustainable “from field to cup” ensuring its benefits for people, cultures and the environment continue for generations.

I source my organic black and green teas for my Literary Tea Blends from a company that has it’s own comprehensive sustainable sourcing program and purchases Fair Trade Certified products. They help growers develop certified organic, sustainable production methods and improve social conditions for workers and their families and communities.

I also source most of my organic herbs for my herbal tea blends from this same amazing company. 🍃

05/21/2026

Rhubarb is a classic British food. It reminds me of English cottage gardens and tea time cakes. Most people who know me know how much I love all things British. I’m a self proclaimed Anglophile. I love British history, food, culture, scenery, architecture, tea time, all of it! It’s in my blood! 🇬🇧

I found fresh rhubarb and rhubarb plants from Azure Standard last month. I hope to harvest my own rhubarb next year!

Here is a classic English treat. Rhubarb upside down cake. So quick and easy and everyone loved it.

Recipe in the comments. 💕

05/20/2026

We are in a major drought right now in Virginia. The drought is another added challenge on top of the high gas and fertilizer prices. Pray for the farmers!

I’m thankful we will be able to have our fields cut and baled for hay this year. I’m praying this forecasted week of rain ahead will help these fields before they are cut and baled. 🙏🏼

We are also fencing in another pasture for rotational grazing.

I agree Henry James! ☺️ Sometimes we enjoy an afternoon coffee but there is something so special about afternoon tea. Wa...
05/19/2026

I agree Henry James! ☺️ Sometimes we enjoy an afternoon coffee but there is something so special about afternoon tea. Warming the tea pot, steeping the tea leaves, picking out our tea cups and pouring that first cup. 🥰 The kids enjoy it, as well!

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Amelia Court
House, VA

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+14087263166

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