Hey there, wellness warrior! Briana here, your resident fashionista and self-care enthusiast. Today, we‘re diving into the wonderful world of Apothekary – a botanical brand that has completely changed the game for me. If you‘re looking to upgrade your supplement stash with clean, natural, and seriously effective formulas, keep reading!
First Things First: What is Apothekary?
Before we get into the juicy details of my personal experience, let‘s cover the basics. Apothekary is a plant-based wellness brand that specializes in herbal and adaptogenic blends. Their products are thoughtfully formulated to help balance your mood, energy, hormones, digestion, and more using ancient Ayurvedic, Chinese, and Japanese medicine principles.
What really sets Apothekary apart is their commitment to quality. Every single ingredient is certified USDA organic, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy-free, and sugar-free. They also source sustainably from fair-trade farms around the world. So you can feel good knowing that you‘re putting only the best stuff in your body!
My Apothekary Journey
I‘ll be honest – I‘ve always been a bit of a skeptic when it comes to herbal supplements. I mean, how much of a difference could some powdered plants really make? But after seeing Apothekary all over my Instagram feed and hearing rave reviews from my girl gang, I decided to give them a shot.
I started with the bestselling Mind Over Matter blend, which is basically like a supercharged mushroom mocha for your brain. The earthy, slightly sweet flavor was super easy to mix into my morning oatmeal or smoothie. After just a few days of sipping, I swear I could feel my focus and mental clarity improving. Those pesky afternoon slumps? Gone.
Encouraged by the results, I then tried the Glow Getter for my skin and Slay All Day for natural energy. You guys – the glowy results were unreal. After about 2 weeks, I looked like I‘d been doing weekly facials and downing green juice by the gallon. My skin was brighter, clearer, and more even-toned than it had been since my pre-teen years.
As for energy, Slay All Day has officially replaced my 2pm coffee run. The matcha and ginseng combo gives me the perfect boost without any jitters or crash. I‘m obsessed.
Behind the Brand: Apothekary‘s Roots
So what‘s the secret sauce behind these miracle blends? I did some digging to learn more about Apothekary‘s story. The brand was founded in 2018 by Shizu Okusa, a former investment banker who became passionate about natural healing after struggling with her own health issues.
Okusa drew inspiration from her Japanese heritage and traditional Eastern medicine practices to create a line of products that could help modern women find balance in their busy lives. Each blend is meticulously crafted in small batches using 100% pure, potent ingredients like ashwagandha, reishi mushroom, goji berry, and matcha.
What I love is that Apothekary offers a unique quiz on their website to help you find the best products for your specific needs and even allows you to customize your own blends. It‘s like having a personal herbalist at your fingertips!
Putting the Blends to the Test
Now, let‘s get into the real meat and potatoes of this review – the products themselves. I‘ve been consistently using 5 of Apothekary‘s bestselling blends for the past 2 months. Here‘s the lowdown on each one:
Mind Over Matter
Key Ingredients: Lion‘s Mane, Reishi, Chaga
Taste: Earthy, subtly sweet, cocoa-like
Ritual: I love mixing Mind Over Matter into morning smoothies with banana, almond butter, spinach, and almond milk. It‘s like starting my day with a big brain hug.
Results: After 4 weeks, I noticed a significant improvement in my focus and productivity. Those dreaded brain fog moments were few and far between. I felt more present and motivated throughout the day.
Slay All Day
Key Ingredients: Matcha, Ginseng, Chlorella
Taste: Pleasantly grassy with a subtle sweet nuttiness
Ritual: Slay All Day has become a staple in my afternoon pick-me-up arsenal. I blend it with coconut milk, ice, vanilla protein, and a dash of honey for the ultimate energizing treat.
Results: The clean, jitter-free energy I felt from Slay All Day was a game-changer. I powered through my to-do lists without the headaches and anxiety that often came with coffee.
Glow Getter
Key Ingredients: Tremella Mushroom, Goji Berry, Schisandra Berry
Taste: Light, fruity, slightly tart
Ritual: Glow Getter is part of my nightly wind-down routine. I stir it into a cup of warm almond or cashew milk with a sprinkle of cinnamon.
Results: Waking up with brighter, bouncier skin was an unexpected but very welcome side effect of sipping Glow Getter. After 6 weeks, my historically dry, dull complexion was much more balanced and radiant.
Chill The F* Out
Key Ingredients: Reishi, Ashwagandha, Cinnamon
Taste: Warm spice with a hint of sweetness
Ritual: When stress and anxiety start to creep up, I whip up a frothy moon milk with Chill The F* Out, a splash of coconut milk, and a drizzle of maple syrup.
Results: This is hands-down the most effective de-stressing supplement I‘ve tried. It works to soothe my monkey mind and melt tension within minutes. I also noticed improved sleep quality on the nights I enjoy it before bed.
Shatavari
Key Ingredients: Shatavari Root Extract
Taste: Mildly bitter, slightly sweet
Ritual: I like to add Shatavari to my morning matcha latte or oatmeal. It‘s a lovely little ritual to nourish my feminine energy.
Results: As someone with a history of hormonal imbalance and painful periods, Shatavari has been such a supportive ally. It‘s helped regulate my cycle and reduce PMS symptoms significantly.
Traditional Herbs, Modern Science
One thing I really appreciate about Apothekary is how they blend traditional herbal wisdom with modern scientific research. While adaptogens and functional mushrooms have been used for centuries in Ayurvedic and TCM practices, it‘s reassuring to know that there are contemporary studies backing up their benefits.
For instance, a 2019 systematic review published in the Journal of Functional Foods found that matcha, a key player in several Apothekary blends, is rich in brain-boosting antioxidants and has the potential to improve mood, memory, and attention (1).
I also spoke with one of Apothekary‘s in-house herbalists, who explained that adaptogens like ashwagandha and reishi work by supporting the body‘s natural stress response and promoting homeostasis. She pointed me to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study from 2012 that showed significant reductions in stress and anxiety in adults taking ashwagandha root extract (2).
Perhaps most compelling was the data Apothekary shared with me on their own customers‘ experiences. In a survey of over 1,000 Apothekary users:
- 92% reported better sleep quality
- 94% noticed improvements in stress levels and mood
- 88% experienced more stable energy throughout the day
- 81% saw positive changes in skin health
Clearly I‘m not the only one geeking out over these potent little herbs! The numbers don‘t lie.
FAQ and Buying Guide
By now, I‘m sure you‘re eager to experience the magic of Apothekary for yourself! Here‘s what you need to know:
How much do Apothekary products cost?
Most of the individual blends range from $20-30 for a 30-day supply. You can also save 20% by signing up for a subscription.
Where can I buy Apothekary blends?
The best place to shop is directly on the Apothekary website, where you‘ll find the full product lineup and customization options. Select blends are also sold at wellness retailers like The Detox Market and Erewhon.
What‘s the return policy?
Due to the nature of the products, Apothekary does not accept returns. But they do offer a Money-Back Guarantee if you‘re unsatisfied with your purchase.
How long will my blends stay fresh?
The shelf life for most opened products is around 6 months. Be sure to store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
Are there any side effects?
Apothekary blends are generally considered safe for most people. However, it‘s always a good idea to check with your doctor before starting any new supplement, especially if you‘re pregnant, nursing, or have a pre-existing medical condition.
Is Apothekary Worth the Hype?
The million-dollar question! After two months of faithful use, I can confidently say that Apothekary lives up to its glowing reputation. Not only have I experienced noticeable improvements in my mood, energy, and skin, but I‘ve also enjoyed the ritual of incorporating these beautiful blends into my day.
I‘m not the only one singing Apothekary‘s praises. A quick scroll through the reviews on their website and social media reveals hundreds of happy customers experiencing everything from reduced anxiety to clearer complexions to banished bloat.
Sure, you could say I‘m a supplement junkie. I‘ve tried my fair share of trendy wellness powders and potions. But Apothekary is the real deal. The quality is unparalleled, the formulas are backed by both ancient wisdom and modern science, and the results speak for themselves.
Plus, Apothekary‘s commitment to sustainability, transparency, and holistic education (their blog and social content are gold) make them a brand I feel great about supporting.
So if you‘re ready to upgrade your self-care game with the power of plants, I can‘t recommend Apothekary enough. Trust me, your mind, body, and spirit will thank you. Here‘s to your health, gorgeous!
Treat Yourself!
P.S. Because I love you, I scored you an exclusive discount code for 15% off your first Apothekary order. Just enter "BRIANASENTME" at checkout. You‘re welcome!
I‘m also teaming up with Apothekary to give away a 3-month supply of their bestselling blends to 5 lucky winners. Head to my Instagram page (@BrianasBlends) to enter! Giveaway ends July 31st.
References
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Unno, K., Furushima, D., Hamamoto, S., Iguchi, K., Yamada, H., Morita, A., … & Nakamura, Y. (2019). Stress-reducing effect of cookies containing matcha green tea: essential ratio among theanine, arginine, caffeine and epigallocatechin gallate. Journal of Functional Foods, 60, 103395.
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Chandrasekhar, K., Kapoor, J., & Anishetty, S. (2012). A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine, 34(3), 255.
