Trained medical anthropologist and herbalist Sarah Powell really does do it all. During the day she works full time in the Public Health Department at Temple University and in the evening she is the proprietress of Lilith’s Apothecary, a natural bath, body and herbal tea business based out of her basement. And, above all that, she is also the loving mother of a 3 year-old child.
Despite her hectic schedule, the Apothecary is constantly fueled by Powell’s passion and serves as a creative outlet for her innovative knowledge of botanical formulations. Powell’s endeavors run deeper than just creating herbal-inspired products to cleanse the skin. Instead, she seeks to explore elusive methods of human healing for the mind and spirit by nourishing the body with blends generated from plants, minerals and other naturally extracted ingredients. She spends at least 20 hours a week working on chemically free products that reveal the nutritive properties of herbs, while simultaneously restoring and refining our skin’s natural hue.
When we first met up with Powell, we stumbled across various selections of handmade herbal remedies that were both easy to use and easy apparently easy to make! Below are our top 5 picks (not in any particular order) from Lilith’s Apothecary that will help you navigate her wares and inevitably whisk you away into a sublime realm infused with natural scents. (Mind you, choosing 5 products was not an easy decision, so check out www.lilithsapothecary.etsy.com for a multitude of other choices).
Deep Facial Cleansing Potion (85 % organic)
Description: Your pores need some organic reinvigoration! This creamy facial cleanser has no chemical preservatives and contains activated charcoal, anti-oxidant rooibos tea, white tea extract and hydrator sodium hyaluronate for a detoxifying cleanse that will leave skin feeling fresh and luminous.
Price: $16
Lavender Shea Body Lotion
Description: There’s no denying that we all need a good moisturizing lotion for that frigid winter air. This naturally fragrant, hydrating lotion contains Shea butter, sweet almond oil, coconut oil and vitamin E to nourish and protect your skin. Along with pure aloe vera and organic lavender hydrosol, this deeply moisturizing potion will leave your skin feeling soft and glowing, despite the harsh pangs of winter.
Price: $12
Immuni-Tea Winter Spirit Herbal Infusion
Description: This tasty herbal blend, with enhancing immune power and cinnamon bark, will easily guard you throughout the flu season. Enriched with all organic herbs and a splendid rose aroma, this delectable drink will warm your spirit and provide health maintenance all season long.
Price: $10
Organic Blossoms Dream Journey Bath Tea
Description: Composed of ground dead sea salts, organic chamomile, lavender, rose petals, jasmine flowers, mugwort leaf and lavender essential oil, this lovely tea bath will help relax your thoughts while furnishing that therapeutic calming aroma. Stored in a large tin, the tea comes with a re-usable muslin bag. To use, fill the big with the tea material and soak in a warm bath for as long as desired.
Price: $12
Eastern Temple Perfume Oil
Description: This stimulating, therapeutic perfume, infused with cedarwood, sandalwood and vanilla provides a sensual aroma that is both delicate and indulgent. This scent is also gender neutral, and can be enjoyed by anyone.
Price: $10
Aside from the luxurious products listed above, we also captured a video demonstration of Sarah making a natural mandarin and ginger salt scrub, used to deeply exfoliate and moisturize skin.
Ingredients:
• Finely ground Dead Sea salts (very mineral rich)
• Sunflower Oil (non-clogging)
• 20 drops of Natural Vitamin E (anti-oxidant which protects the oil from going rancid)
• 2 Essential Oils (in this case, we used 15 drops of mandarin and 5 drops of ginger, but the choice is yours)
For more of Sarah Powell’s products, visit her Etsy shop at www.lilithsapothecary.etsy.com. You can also visit her blog or her Facebook account.
AroundPhilly Staff
