homegrown apothecary
This homegrown apothecary is designed for those of us who value the ritual of slowing down and gardening, and the healing powers of natural medicine. It is a sleek handmade planter designed to fit on apartment windowsills, making it the perfect addition to any busy city dweller’s home. The emphasis of this project is placed on natural medicine because in the age of Big Pharma, a corrupt healthcare system, which over charges severely for even the most basic care, we need to reconnect with how we can heal our bodies naturally. The Homegrown Apothecary was specially designed to accommodate six carefully selected plants, each tailored to fortify the body’s innate healing mechanisms. Among these botanical treasures are Dandelion, Echinacea, Aloe Vera, Chamomile, Calendula, Thyme, Lemongrass, and Basil, curated to infuse vitality into daily life.
January - April 2024 | Professor Daniela Jacobs | Product Design Studio 4
Inspiration
Objectives
Encourage people to do their own research about what they are putting into their bodies; and the importance of prioritizing medicinal plants over pharmaceutical solutions when possible.
Provide users with an opportunity to get their hands dirty, and engage in the healing ritual of tending to living things, and watching something that they planted grow.
Encourage people to become familiar with horticultural and gardening practices, within the comfort of their own home.
Show users that plants really do have healing powers.
The objective of this project was to design a home object, and as someone who loves nature, foraging, and all things gardening, this felt like the perfect opportunity to create my own little planter to fit on my apartment windowsill. Relatedly, I have been battling various (mild, albeit annoying) illnesses throughout my last few years of living in the city, so the concept of the project has progressively centered around natural and holistic medicine. The Homegrown Apothecary was also born out of a frustration with Western medicinal practices and the pharmaceutical industry. I have recently been engrossed in learning about the medicinal powers of plants and indigenous knowledge, from the book Braiding Sweetgrass by Robin Wall Kimmerer, (an enrolled member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation) as well as in various related classes in school. The plants used in this planter are meant to support a range of aspects of an individual’s health. I personally plan to fill one of the planters with dandelion, to aid with stomach issues, echinacea, for immune health, and chamomile, for a variety of ailments; though users are encouraged to customize their homegrown apothecary to their health needs. The Homegrown Apothecary is ideal for city dwellers who need a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, and those who enjoy nature and are curious about natural/holistic medicine. This could encompass people from all walks of life, but especially those who live in small apartments in large cities. The piece was designed specifically to fit on the larger standard window sills of New York City apartments.
Process
