13 Moons Herbal Apothecary

02/27/2026

I'm restocking Replenish Refillery & Zero Waste Store later today...including my vegan COCOA-MINT LIP BALM (ingredients: Arrowleaf Balsamroot Leaf, Comfrey & Calendula infused at a 1:3 ratio in Extra Virgin Olive Oil, Organic shea & cocoa butters, Organic Rosehip seed oil, Carrot Tissue oil, Vitamin E,, Candelilla wax & Peppermint Essential Oil) as well as my most labour-intensive and delish ECHINACEA SPECIAL-TEA (particularly useful with all these colds & flus going around).
Ingredients: Certified organic Echinacea (thank you, Celina!) Hibiscus, Lime & Ginger (all certified organic), as well as my own homegrown spray-free Spearmint & Lemongrass.

Tastes of Citrus-ginger-mint with a delightful light pink colour from the Hibiscus. Herbs traditionally used to help prevent colds and flus and in recovery.

Goes great with a teaspoon of my new batch of Wild Elderberry Syrup for an added immune-boost! Note: this syrup contains raw, local honey so it is available for pre-paid pickup only. However, impactfull zero-waste refillery & pantry in Penticton carries it in their fridge!

02/24/2026

Excited about Vince Freeborn's new show, Still Current on Peach City Community Radio. His show airs every Friday at 8:05am, and you can listen to the archives online. I've been honoured to have Vince ask me to do an 'herb of the week.' So far, we've recorded about 10 segments!s

Send a message to learn more

02/23/2026

Hello Alberta friends!

My dear friend and AMAZINGLY GIFTED Herbalist and her AMAZINGLY GIFTED gardener son just launched their new herbal biz. I hope you check them out! Their offerings are made with excellent ingredients, love & intention.

Sensus Naturae: Canadian-made, mom-and-son folk herbalists crafting small-batch, seasonal, bespoke infused oils, teas, soaps, tinctures, loose herbs, and bath rituals. Spring awakens, summer lives bountifully, fall reflects, winter restores—slow, ritual self care rooted in plants and the land.

02/22/2026

Herbs for Nausea:

Depending on the situation, herbs can work marvels for temporary nausea and vomiting.

If it is food poisoning, Activated Charcoal really helps, but it must be taken very soon after the symptoms start. And with copious amounts of water, as it is can be quite dehydrating. Don't be surprised to see black f***s, this is normal.

For post-food poisoning and general nausea:
Peppermint
Chamomile
Catnip
Ginger
Fennel

I make a Tummy Trouble tea with Peppermint, Chamomile, Catnip and Lemon Balm. It tastes pretty minty. 1 heaped tsp per cup steeped 10 minutes or more.

For using fresh ginger or dried ginger and/or fennel seeds, you want to make a decoction (simmered tea). This involves simmering a heaped teaspoon (or more) in enough water so that you aren't scorching your pan. Simmer about 20 minutes and strain. Ginger is quite strong, so you may choose to add more water to the strained tea. Fennel tastes like licorice, so be aware of the flavour for those who do not enjoy it.

02/21/2026

Seedy Saturday TODAY in Penticton!

Seedy Saturday is on! 🌱✨☀️ Come find us today from 10-2pm in Penticton at the Seniors Centre on South Main St!
Lots of great seeds, plants, gardening advice + local artisans!

02/19/2026

Hello Friends!

If you have the time or inclination, please leave me a review on the REVIEW section (top left corner on the profile page). 2026 is my 5th year in business, and I promised myself this would be my make it or break it year.

Your review will also help me as I navigate a tweak in the business to focus on the items that people really love. It is far too expensive and time consuming to try to be a large commercial herb business with every herb (especially since I'm growing and harvesting the majority of the plants), so I'll be putting my energy into the products that people enjoy the most.

If you have a story about a product you have enjoyed, please post it on the review section!

I'll be at the Penticton Farmers Market again this year (year 4 for me!) which commences in April, but hosting a few events before that time.

Thank you all for all of your support over the years!

Sincerely,
Sarah Willard

02/15/2026

Had a lovely time SASS BOUTIQUE yesterday for their Valentine's Day party. Met some wonderful ladies, had a mini-tarot reading (spot on, BTW Andrea!) and learned about needle felting (and made my mom a heart for Valentine's Day).

02/13/2026

TOMORROW!

Saturday, February 14 from 1 -3 pm SASS BOUTIQUE!

Join me and some wonderful ladies for a Valentine's Day party at Sass in Downtown Summerland on Main Street!

I'll be bringing some DELIGHTFUL teas to celebrate the occassion, including a new seasonal Valentine's Day blend featuring Organic Cacao, Ceylon Cinnamon and Honeybush (very similar to Rooibos). Flavours of rooibos with hints of chocolate and cinnamon. Yum!
I'll also be featuring my Sensuali-tea, a beautiful blend of so-called Aphrodisiac herbs including Damiana and Rose. Has a slightly spiced citrus/floral aroma and flavour. A caffeine-free herbal tea from herbs that have been traditionally used to support the nervous system (when we are feeling calm and sleepy, romance is far more enjoyable!)

Other items:

Rose Botanical Mist (for face/body or as a room spray)
Edible whipped body butter in Chocolate and Cherry flavours
Self-heal lip balm for luscious, healthy and kissable lips
Heavenly Body bath salts

And a few more goodies...

Come out and sample some tea and sexy herbal concoctions!

Hope to see you there!

Come celebrate LOVE with us at Sass 💕

We have a fun Saturday in store for you!

You’re invited to a Valentines party with us!

• Special guests and special sales 1:00-3:00

02/11/2026

Come out and explore the amazing diversity of small businesses in downtown Summerland this Thursday! It's sure to be fun.

I'll be tea tasting at Replenish Refillery & Zero Waste Store

Downtown shopping just got even better! On Thursday, keep an eye out for silent auction items popping up in participating local shops - all generously donated by businesses right here in our community.

💚Shop local
💚Discover one-of-a-kind items
💚Support the places that make Summerland special

February 12th - open till 6pm.

Browse, bid, and feel good knowing your support stays close to home ❤

Come along and see us - and taste herbal teas with Sarah from 13 Moons Herbal Apothecary!

02/11/2026

A little self-indulgence for a perfect Valentine's Day! This SATURDAY at SASS BOUTIQUE!

I'll be there with a treasure trove of goodies

Please join us this Saturday for a special Valentines party 💌 1-3
• we have special guests, and special sales happening in store!

Mini tarot/reiki sessions
Sara our very own herbalist will be here with some amazing blends! 🍵

08/31/2025

Good morning, Summerland! Today will be my last day helping Replenish Refillery & Zero Waste Store with their vendor booth at the Rotary Sunday Summer Market due to obligations the rest of the Sundays this month. I will be bringing most of my products!

The market itself runs until the end of September.

Today only is a little sale on TINCTURES!

Stop on by and say hello if you are in town between 9am - 1pm. This week's musician is Justin Koshman!

Send a message to learn more

08/19/2025

Dear Universe,

I love herbs. I love writing. I love making music.

I feel that is my trinity of calling. But how to make my life's work successful enough to eliminate my need to use the food bank every other month and stressing about credit card and upcoming student loan debt?

I had hoped my business 13 Moons Herbal Apothecary would be financially solvent by now (year 5). I do my best to address the needs of my community, I love the work and lifelong learning, but find myself working harder than ever for less dividends. I'm exhausted, emotionally and physically. My writing and music have been put on the back-burner far too long. I know I need to make a change.

Some very smart friends suggested I cut down on my products, focusing on the ones that sell the best and seem to help the most people, therefore enabling me to make enough money to feed my kids, keep a roof over my head, and feel less money stress.

That is definitely an option I am seriously considering. But what of being a Community Herbalist? How do I go about making those special items that are so essential for the health and well-being of people who have put their trust in me?

I admire and enjoy what The Carousel Collective has done in terms of sharing rent and responsibility for a downtown business. I find myself wondering if that would be an option for a group of alternative health and wellness practitioners here in the South Okanagan, BC (especially Summerland).

My focus is on local, sustainable herbs from the herbalist perspective of alternative healing. I don't want to make cosmetics, lotions/creams, toiletries or cleaning supplies. I want to focus on medicinal herbs in tea, elixir, decoction and tincture format, with a smattering of good salves/oils and maybe some tonics. To offer personal consultations, as well as self-healing education (either hosted by me or providing another excellent herbalist such as as I did in July, which was amazing, BTW) for workshops on medicinal plant identification, harvesting and processing. But that's about it.

This will be my final year doing things as I've been doing them thus far. I would like to find a way to continue, but it isn't financially viable. I wanted to make sure I gave all of you enough time to find another herbal medicine provider, or let me know if you need things as I decide which products to w**d out. If any of you have suggestions for how I can proceed to continue in some form as an Apothecary, please let me know!

Also, a huge thank you for all of you who have supported me, either as clients or friends. Know that you are all very appreciated. I am so grateful for this learning and connecting.

I still believe that Plants are the People's Medicine, that ALL people have a right to choose what best supports their healing journey, and that we are ALL people who belong on this beautiful, magical, and very fragile Earth.

Blessed Be!
Sarah Willard
owner/operator & Community Herbalist.
13 Moons Herbal Apothecary

Discover the benefits of locally-sourced herbal medicine with our experienced Community Herbalist practitioner. Tailored consultations for your health and wellness journey. Teas, elixirs, salves, tinctures and other formulations available! Want to learn? Join our mailing list or go to ...