Herbalist Maia Toll discusses new membership package and 2nd location opening at Reading Terminal Market.

Do the dark winter days leave you feeling sluggish as you walk the Avenue? If you’ve got a case of the winter blues and have an interest in holistic wellness, you might be interested in joining The Apothecary Garden’s new membership program, Earthwise Ways, that is lead by shop owner and herbalist, Maia Toll.

“I wanted to create a supportive village for those who desire to walk a life path that is beneficial to their health and enriches their spirit. By joining Earthwise Ways, people can feel connected to a group while they take herbal workshops, post recipes online, and share natural remedies with one another,” says Toll who is a certified holistic counselor.

Similar to joining a gym, members will be allotted 1 consultation with Toll per month, have the ability to post messages and questions on a password-protected message board at The Apothecary Garden website, will receive 10% off medicinal products at The Apothecary Garden, and will have access to Toll’s personal phone number for advice on-the-go. Additionally, members can choose to spend time in the kitchen as their monthly appointment.

“One-on-one consultations are the key to learning how to integrate organic herbs and holistic wellness into your personal life. It’s during these sessions that clients acquire natural ways to help heal and nourish areas or ailments they want to focus on,” says Toll of the benefits of having personal appointments.

Toll says prices for the membership will range between $65 to $105 dollars.

"Earthwise Ways is envisioned as a mutually supportive community. With that in mind, the first step to becoming a member is to sit down with me to see if we're a good fit for each other and discuss expectations," says Toll.

The Apothecary Garden encourages Chestnut Hill and surrounding neighborhood residents to contact them directly to learn more about joining Earthwise Ways.

Tips to beat the winter blues

Here are the herbs, tips, and tricks Toll uses in her own home to help beat Seasonal Affective Disorder—also known as the winter blues.

St. John’s Wort & lemon balm: Available in a capsule, tea, or oil – St. John's Wort is one of many herbs that are used to help combat depression. When used in combination with the calming aroma of lemon balm, St. John's Wort can help many people see the sunny side of winter.

Switching light bulbs: “If you swap a few of your energy saving light bulbs for a few of the bright full spectrum bulbs, the extra light may help your mood,” says Toll.

Essential oils on-the-go: Keep a small 1 oz. bottle of your favorite citrus or mint essential oils in your purse. When you need a pick-me-up, waft the bright scent to help lift your spirits.

Vitamin D: Our main source of vitamin D is sunlight, therefore in the winter months we don't get enough. If you're feeling down, ask your physician for a vitamin D test and determine if your levels are low.

Drink this to tame the flu, naturally

Even if you’re using Purell and wash your hands, there is still a chance you’ll contract the inter-office flu bug. Beat off the flu at the first sign of queasiness with thyme.

Thyme-based teas: Thyme is delicate anti-viral herb with the power to soothe many ailments. According to Toll’s herbal studies, thyme is a common remedy for stomach ailments, lung congestion, coughing ailments, and overall flu conditions.

Make Maia's recipes in your own kitchen

At-home kitchen apothecary isn’t as intimidating as it might seem. Toll encourages first-timers to experiment with bath salts and lip balms at first.

“Making your own bath product is just like following a cooking recipe. What do you if you burn the tray of cookies? You throw them out. It’s the same with kitchen beauty – if you botch a lip balm batch, you toss it, and start over,” says Toll.

Lemongrass lip balm

Using natural beeswax and sweet honey as the primary ingredients in her beauty recipe, Toll adds the finest pressed olive oil and pure essential oils to create a soothing and moisturizing lip balm. Grab a few 1 ½ inch tins (available at The Apothecary Garden), and make your own naturally nourishing lip softener to that will protect your lips from the harsh winter air.

What you'll need

1 cup of olive oil
¼ cup of beeswax
1 Tbsp honey
A few drops of essential oil (Try lemongrass, lavender, spearmint, or neroli)
6-8 circular tins, size: 1 ½ inch diameter

Step-by-step

Heat oil on “low” on your stovetop. After a few minutes, stir in the beeswax and honey. When the beeswax is completely melted, turn off the heat and add 3-4 drops of lemongrass essential oil.

Feel free to taste-test your lip balm at this step – add another drop of oil if you prefer a stronger flavor.

Next, test for consistency. Scoop out a teaspoon of your balm, and put it in the freezer for 5 minutes. If the test batch is too hard after cooling, add a few more drizzles of oil to the pot. If the test batch is too soft, add another teaspoon of beeswax to harden the mix.

Once your recipe is the right texture, gently fill 1 ½ inch tins 75 percent of the way. Let the balm cool before placing lids on top.