Here’s a rundown of the main types of final products you can make as a home apothecary to harness herbal goodness. These are the delivery methods, not the plants themselves, sorted by how they’re typically used or made:

Liquid-Based Preparations

1. Tinctures
   • What: Herbs extracted into a liquid solvent (alcohol, vinegar, or glycerin) over weeks.
   • Use: Potent, long-lasting; taken in drops under the tongue or in water.
   • Example: Echinacea tincture for immunity.
2. Teas (Infusions and Decoctions)
   • What: Herbs steeped in hot water. Infusions use leaves/flowers (short steep); decoctions use roots/barks (long simmer).
   • Use: Gentle, immediate; sipped like a beverage.
   • Example: Chamomile infusion for sleep.
3. Syrups
   • What: Herbal tea or tincture mixed with sugar or honey, thickened into a sweet liquid.
   • Use: Soothes throats, masks bitter tastes; spoonful doses.
   • Example: Elderberry syrup for colds.
4. Oxymels
   • What: A blend of vinegar, honey, and herbs, balancing tangy and sweet.
   • Use: Digestive aid or tonic; taken by the spoonful or diluted.
   • Example: Fire cider (garlic + ginger oxymel) for immunity.
5. Elixirs
   • What: Tinctures sweetened with honey or syrup, often with a touch of mysticism in branding.
   • Use: Tonic or mood-lifter; sipped or dropped.
   • Example: Rose elixir for relaxation.

Topical Preparations

1. Salves (or Balms)
   • What: Herbs infused in oil, thickened with beeswax into a spreadable solid.
   • Use: Skin healing, moisturizing; rubbed on.
   • Example: Calendula salve for cuts.
2. Oils (Infused Oils)
   • What: Herbs steeped in a carrier oil (e.g., olive, jojoba) for weeks.
   • Use: Massage, skin care; applied directly or as a salve base.
   • Example: Lavender oil for relaxation.
3. Lotions
   • What: Infused oils or waters emulsified with a binder (like beeswax or emulsifying wax) into a creamy texture.
   • Use: Lightweight skin hydration; rubbed in.
   • Example: Chamomile lotion for dry skin.
4. Poultices
   • What: Fresh or dried herbs mashed (sometimes with water) into a paste.
   • Use: Immediate relief (e.g., swelling, stings); applied to skin and bandaged.
   • Example: Plantain poultice for bug bites.
5. Compresses (or Fomentations)
   • What: Cloth soaked in strong herbal tea or diluted tincture.
   • Use: Pain relief, inflammation; pressed onto skin.
   • Example: Peppermint compress for headaches.

Dry or Solid Preparations

1. Powders
   • What: Dried herbs ground into a fine dust.
   • Use: Capsules, seasoning, or mixed into drinks/food; swallowed or sprinkled.
   • Example: Turmeric powder for inflammation.
2. Capsules
   • What: Herbal powders packed into gelatin or veggie capsules.
   • Use: Convenient dosing; swallowed like pills.
   • Example: Ginger capsules for nausea.
3. Tablets or Lozenges
   • What: Compressed powders, sometimes with binders, or hardened syrups.
   • Use: Slow dissolve in mouth or swallowed; throat relief or digestion.
   • Example: Slippery elm lozenges for sore throats.