Apothecary is a very old profession that can be
traced back to two millenaries before Jesus Christ. Apothecaries make and sell
beverages and medicinal remedies reserved to sick persons. By definition, it
is the ancestor of the chemist.
A little bit of History
By using methods of bygone days, apothecaries
used to concoct remedies made with natural and rare materials – cinnamon,
vinegar, turmeric, oat, salt, oil of hemp, honey and even clay. Thanks to its diverse, varied methods and
routes of administration - in the forms of herbal teas, balms, ointments, decoctions
and even pills - medicine of the time has not to be compared unfavourably to
the medicine of nowadays. This science would spread in the streets, through
the settlement of apothecary houses and groceries. However, in the 1700s, the preparations of
medicinal remedies were made exclusive to the chemists, due to a decree written
by King Louis XVI.
The apothecary of nowadays
Nowadays, the trend comes back to natural
remedies and well-being. This “healthy” trend is being popularized with the
emergence of gluten free diets and vegan food, yoga and Pilates classes, a zero-waste
way of life, detox juices and many others. Consequently, it is not surprising
to see apothecary houses and herbalist’s shops reinstall little by little in
the big cities of France. Proud of their natural products – and most of the time inoffensive
for the body – some cosmetic brands as Weleda, Aroma Zone, Melvita and even
some pharmaceutical laboratories use the natural as their trademark. If there
was a time when plants were reserved to the most impoverished, today they
became a real symbol of French luxury.
Thus, it could be seen as a part of the French History that rises again in our streets. Certain unmissable addresses in Paris will plunge you in a parallel universe, frozen in the past. You will discover this science that may look complex - a mix of alchemy and witchcraft - and that in fact is very simple.
These unusual and out of the ordinary shops are
a must to be discovered or visited again in Paris. Then, do not hesitate to
learn more about it, and, maybe, promote these uncommon shops of your country
by creating an activity on the website of MYLOPY!
MYLOPY thanks the Officine Universelle Buly 1803 for its warm welcome.
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