My Herbal Apothecary - Whip Tallow Balm Australia

31/03/2026

🚨 URGENT ANNOUNCEMENT 🚨

I’ve just been made aware of discussions around tighter regulations on animal-based ingredients in skincare here in Australia.

This includes traditional fats like tallow; the very foundation of so many natural products.

From what I understand, these discussions are centred around environmental and sourcing concerns, and could potentially impact how ingredients like tallow are used moving forward.

If changes like this were to happen, it would mean a major shift away from traditional skincare and further toward mass-produced, highly processed, petrochemical laden, crap alternatives.

I’ll be keeping a very close eye on this and will share anything I learn as it unfolds.

Because this matters. A whole damn lot.

…

Okay 😅 April Fools.

But honestly, in this day and age, it’s not as far-fetched as it sounds.

There is a real shift happening away from traditional, whole ingredients and toward heavily processed skincare.

And that’s exactly why I do what I do.

Handcrafted. Transparent. Traditional products.

Anyway… Whip Tallow Balm is here to stay! 🤍

AM x 🌿

31/03/2026

HANDCRAFTED // Means exactly that. All of my tallow is still rendered and cleaned up by myself.

I don’t buy in any pre-rendered tallow. I like to know where it’s come from and where it started from.

I know my local butcher and I know my local farm where this beautiful grass fed and finished beef suet originated from.

This is what you’re getting when you support local, small, handcrafted businesses.

Much love and many thanks for your endless support,
Asti Mary x

30/03/2026

The BBC has shone the spotlight on Topical Steroid Withdrawal.

It’s more common than you might think.

You can read our journey with TSW here:
https://www.myherbalapothecary.com.au/blog/judes-journey-our-topical-steroid-withdrawal-tsw-story/

30/03/2026

FANGIRLING HARD // All over a new textbook 😂 It’s not even a new textbook, it’s just new to me!

Jude and I were super lucky to have been able to work with Prof. Kerry Bone right here in Toowoomba, Qld when going through Topical Steroid Withdrawal. Kerry was a wonderful support and I have been wanting this book for so long. So happy it’s finally in my hot little hands. If you’re looking for a herbalist in the Toowoomba region, Kerry is your guy.

Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy by Kerry Bone and Simon Mills.

I can’t link the podcast episode that Simon Mills features on here but it’s called “5 Natural Medicines Big Pharma Are Hiding From You! No. 1 Herbal Medicine Expert” on the and it is SO worth the watch/listen.

30/03/2026

If your man’s hands are dry, cracked, or rough as anything… this is for him.

Whip Lumberjack Tallow Balm was made with men in mind. It’s rich, deeply nourishing, and sinks in without that greasy, sticky feel most products leave behind.

And the scent? Think fresh-cut timber or the bush after rain, that earthy, grounding smell.

No synthetic fragrance. No fillers. Just real, natural ingredients that actually work.

If he's really going to use something, then this is it.

Asti Mary x

25/03/2026

If you can only buy 3 tallow balms, you can’t go wrong with this trio. Whip Pure, Naked and Native are my top 3 best selling tallow balms 🙌

23/03/2026

After being burned by the medical industry and big pharma I was at my absolute wits' end.

Watching my little boy go through TSW was one of the hardest things I've ever had to do as a mum. Going through it myself from applying topical steroids to him... was just an added kick in the guts.

Out of the ridiculous number of products I'd tried only one was sort of working and I HATED it. It was full of petrochemicals and the only ingredient in it that I was okay with was... water.

So I went on a mission to find something I could use to provide moisture and a barrier for my sons incredibly compromised skin and that's when I discovered tallow.

It's worked so well for our family, we all continue to use tallow to this day.

It's honestly the best nourishment for your skin and you never have to worry the ingredients because it's literally skincare you can eat... But don't do that, because I don't want to get into trouble...

Asti Mary x

Australian natural skincare and the home of Whip Tallow Balm. Handmade in small batches, packed with moisture and zero nasties.

16/03/2026

MONDAY // What happens when I want down time and the algo wants content. I’ll just be over here with my mullein and thyme tea. Sending you all love and healthful vibes! 🫶

13/03/2026

UPDATE // what a disaster…
The week was great though! A week filled with absolute mayhem, 2am bedtimes (and not from anything fun…) but super productive behind the scenes over here.

I’m excited to bring 14 new herbs into the apothecary and get those processed and updated for you on the site. Some will be for sale as is, some will magically turn into tinctures and some will infuse into beautiful herbal oils that will transform into salves.

Having your own business is HARD, but it’s also the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. Every day I receive beautiful emails from you guys telling me how my products have helped you and your families, and every week there’s at least one that moves me to tears // This week was from you, Jen: HAPPY BIRTHDAY to your son for today!

I know I’m a bit eccentric and socially awkward on here and I don’t really enjoy the social media side of things (only because when you take a break you’re punished by the algo), but whilever you guys keep the heart of this business beating, I’ll keep showing up. Because the behind the scenes stuff is what I really enjoy. Learning, mixing, pouring, straining, rendering, percolating etc. I’m even learning to enjoy the endless washing up it all creates… and there’s a lot.

Thank you for being here, I appreciate you xx

11/03/2026

STINGING NETTLE (Urtica dioica) // Nettle being extracted using the percolation method where alcohol slowly passes through the herb to pull out its active compounds. It’s a beautiful, efficient way to make a potent tincture.

But why Nettle?

Traditionally, Nettle has been used for:

• Seasonal allergies
Herbalists have used nettle leaf for generations to help calm hay fever symptoms like sneezing, itchy eyes and runny noses.

• Low iron and fatigue
Nettle is naturally rich in minerals including iron, magnesium, calcium and silica. Traditionally used as a nourishing tonic when the body is depleted or run down.

• Joint pain and inflammation
Historically used to support people dealing with stiff, sore or inflamed joints.

• Kidney and urinary support
Traditionally used as a gentle diuretic to support fluid balance and urinary health.

• Hair, skin and vitality
Because of its mineral content, nettle has long been used as a strengthening herb for overall vitality.

One of my favourite personal uses is allergies.

My kids and I drink nettle tea regularly because we’re a bit of an allergy family.

One night my lovely cat Milton (who my daughter and I were still mildly allergic to despite him being a sphynx) was sleeping right beside my face. Normally that would be a bit of a disaster for me… but he was terminally ill at that time, so I let him stay.

My daughter said to me the next morning, “Mummy, I hope you don’t get an allergy!”

I told her I’d actually been fine lately and not reacting to Milton like I usually would.

She paused, then looked at me and said, “Oh! Maybe it’s the stinging nettle tea.”

We had started drinking nettle tea daily a few weeks before that time, and the difference had been incredible. I hadn’t even made the connection yet but my seven year old did.

Nettle is such a beautiful herb to have in your life for so many reasons, but for us it’s the allergy support we’ve experienced.

10/03/2026

COMFREY OIL // Beautiful, rich, potent deep green oil ready to turn into my beloved Comfrey Magic Skin & Bone Salve 🌱