Adobe Stock | Photo by chamillew
These Hudson Valley boutiques, naturalist pharmacies, and online apothecary shops provide herbal remedies and organic skincare.
By Sabrina Sucato and Anthony Minda
There’s something slightly otherworldly about apothecary shops in the modern day. Once go-to locales for curatives that eased everything from bug bites to gout, the pharmacies of old have found a way to redefine themselves for the present generation. No longer destinations for remedy-seekers with a myriad of illnesses, the shops are now akin to natural wellness centers. In the Hudson Valley, where farm-to-table living thrives, apothecaries take root in communities that crave naturopathic wellness solutions and eco-friendly beauty and skincare brands. Part makeup counter, part health store, the spaces are beautiful in their design and simplicity.
While apothecary shops remain relatively few and far between in the Hudson Valley, there are a fair few that cater to local wellness needs. Here are a handful we’re loving right now.
P.S. Are we missing a spot? Email us at edit@hvmag.com so we can add it.
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Beacon Mercantile
Beacon
This lovely shop located in the heart of Beacon offers quality, handcrafted products made from natural and premium materials. Each product made for Beacon Mercantile is created in small batches to ensure quality. The shop’s hand-poured candles are a fan favorite, made from US-grown soy wax with eco-friendly wicks. Rose glow natural facial cleanser starts days off right, while the sea clay mask is perfect after a long week. Body scrubs, beard oils, nail cuticle treatments, and arnica muscle salves round out the impressive bath and body selection.
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Cold Spring Apothecary
Cold Spring
Since 2010, Cold Spring Apothecary has delivered healing botanicals and herb-based products to the Hudson Valley community at large. The shop crafts its own wares in small batches and only uses the highest quality ingredients to ensure that everything it stocks is free of sulfates, harsh parabens, and harmful fragrances.
In addition to selling everything from sea salt and aloe deodorant to sweet orange and rosemary hand soap, the ivy-covered storefront also offers facials, eye treatments, and scrubs that often include product and regimen recommendations as well.
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Dear Botanics
Livingston Manor
Dear Botanics makes a name for itself as a destination shop in Livingston Manor. Not just an apothecary shop, it also stocks fashion bits from alternative brands and pioneering designers.
The brand sells a plethora of different products, ranging from body oils and face serums to salt scrubs and face polish. For instance, the Lavender Haze body oil uses ingredients like organic lavender flowers and virgin sweet almond oil to create a calming sensation. In addition, Dear supplies herbal remedies for relief from insomnia (Night Scape), PMS and menopause (Moon Dance), and stress (Spirit Dance.) These powder blends can be added to teas, coffee, or warm water.
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Fat of the Land Apothecary
Online
Although Fat of the Land doesn’t have a dedicated storefront, the brainchild brand of Hudson Valley herbalist and farmer Anja Rothe can be found at a number of local shops, including The Ritualist in New Paltz, Field Trip in Newburgh, Abigail Rose and Lily Too in Nyack, and Understory Market in Cold Spring. Anyone who is a fan of plant-based skincare will love the cedar and seaweed soaking salts and the Rose Geranium Hydrosol facial mist for hydrating and toning.
Looking for elixirs, too? Fat of the Land’s Slumber elixir is a must for sweet dreams, while La Résistance come in handy for immunity boosting during cold and flu season. In addition, sign up for seasonal wellness boxes for curated assortments of all that this Hudson Valley business has to offer.
Field Apothecary & Herb Farm
Germantown
This two-in-one apothecary shop sits right on top of a farm where all its natural, pesticide-free herbs are grown and harvested. Situated across three acres in Germantown, the farm grows its herbs ecologically with the best interests of mother nature kept in mind. This apothecary shop hosts a wide variety of products spanning from skincare essentials like toners and lip balms to achy muscle salves. In addition, it stocks a plethora of herbal remedies in the form of tinctures and sprays. Plus, it even makes artisanal bitters for cocktails and other uses.
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Flora Beauty
Kingston
This skincare and beauty company sells its aromatic herbal remedies and treatments by the bottle. This shop focuses on “green beauty,” giving its customers the power to heal and elevate their lives with nature’s bounty. Flora Beauty also sells a variety of perfumes, healing balms, body mists, and more. Bestsellers from their beauty line include the orange blossom hair and body oil, anti-inflammatory revive eye serum, and Unity Spirit Blend, an aromatherapy mix of chamomile, cardamom, frankincense, and marjoram.
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Found Herbal Apothecary
Bronxville
Nestled right in the heart of Bronxville, this apothecary shop carries everything from classic CBD products (salves, creams, and tinctures) to essential herbs like Motherwort and peppermint. The apothecary defines itself as a clinical herbal practice that produces its own natural, organic products to promote holistic healing. Found Herbal’s products are proven to support wellness that include mind, body, and spirit healing.
Good Fight Herb Co.
Online
This eclectic online shop is a dream for plant-based remedies that ease headaches, promote digestive health, and balance hormones. Once a Hudson brick and mortar, Good Fight Herb Co. stocks aromatherapy items, elixirs to support good gut health, homegrown tea, and so much more. Plus, many ingredients (like reishi or maitake mushrooms) are sourced from the Catskills and greater Hudson Valley.
In addition, Good Fight serves as an education resource for locals who want to learn more about wellness practices and resources. It regularly offers themed workshops on topics ranging from medicinal mushrooms to herbs for mental health.
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The Quiet Botanist
Hudson
The Quiet Botanist is a beautifully decorated shop that offers more than your average apothecary. This space doubles as a spectacle in itself, adorned in dried flowers from the ceiling to the floor. Apart from typical herbs, the shop sells linens, perfumes, gardening tools, and many flowers. Handmade soaps, organic body scrubs, and soothing Ayurvedic body oils round out the skincare line. In addition, edible wellness items include infused honey, spice blends, herbal teas, probiotic elixirs, and more.
The Ritualist
New Paltz
Though new to the New Paltz community, The Ritualist has already become a hallmark in the community for all things witch-related. Walk in and you’ll be confronted with the store’s selection of plants. Look further, and you’ll see a whole spread of tarot cards and witch books. Of course, herbal elixirs are a major draw. Immune-boosting and de-stressing tinctures join tonics and powder blends made from prebiotic roots and invigorating herbs. On the lookout for small presents and knick-knacks to gift? The store offers a variety of pins, candles, stickers, crystals, and paper goods worthy of gifting.
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Tweefontein Herb Farm
New Paltz
The Tweefontein Farm is a staple in the New Paltz community, home to a wide selection of apothecary goods. This nine-acre farm offers everything from amethyst spheres and homemade lip balms to herbal tinctures and tea blends. Looking to get a present for a friend but unsure what to get? Tweefontein also curates gift sets like The Forest Bathing Gift Set, which includes an herbal soak, salve, tea infuser, smudge bundle, and more.
Village Apothecary
Woodstock
More of a pharmacy than the other shops on this list, Village Apothecary offers supplements, free consultations, and refills to the Woodstock community. Yes, it does fulfill standard prescription services. However, it also works with individuals to create simplified, more naturalistic routines that streamline vitamin and supplement use.
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Witchey Handmade
Mountaindale
Witchey Handmade specializes in beauty products for the modern witch (or just the average customer). Facial cleansers, serums, oils, and hair treatment round out the skincare line. However, the shop also sells aromatherapy candles. For instance, the Secret Garden candle is scented with rose, lilac, and violet. In addition, the shop offers health coaching to people looking to work on weight loss, skin health, and digestive issues. Of course, Witchey Handmade products are made from organic, locally grown ingredients.
