Name: Mobile Apothecary Fundraiser
Start: 2026-05-10T14:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-05-10T17:00:00+01:00
Location: Bethnal Green Nature Reserve

Bethnal Green Nature Reserve

The Mobile Apothecary supports underserved communities in East London with good-quality, homegrown and communally-made herbal remedies.

Sunday 26 April 2026
7.00pm — 8.00pm

Corner of Bethnal Green Rd + Cambridge Heath Rd, Bethnal Green E2

We will be serving alongside Refugee Community Kitchen.

All welcome!

Map

Sunday 10 May 2026
2.00pm — 5.00pm

Bethnal Green Nature Reserve

For the past 7 years, the Mobile Apothecary has been running thanks to a mix of small grants, donations, and a huge amount of volunteer time, care, and shared skill.

Right now, things are feeling a little stretched. Our funding pot is running low, and we’ve recently had our cargo bike stolen, which has made getting set up and delivering our work much harder.

This fundraiser will help us stay going over the next 12 months while we work towards building a more sustainable future for the project. Your support will go towards:

Raw materials (beeswax, shea butter, oils, herbs)
Packaging and labels
Storage and kitchen space
Replacing our stolen cargo bike

Want to get involved? There are a few ways you can help:

Donate via the link (you can buy one of our pledge offerings or make a direct donation)
Pledge a skill, experience, or offering that we can include in the fundraiser. Please email 📧 info@mobileapothecary.org with your pledge.

Donate

The Mobile Apothecary is a volunteer-run project based in East London. On the last Sunday of each month, outside Bethnal Green Tube Station, we share free herbal remedies with people facing barriers to healthcare, food, and shelter.

We grow, forage, and source herbs locally, come together in community sessions to make remedies, and distribute them alongside food support. Everything we do is hyper-local and rooted in a simple belief: healthcare and knowledge should be accessible to everyone.

Save the Date!
Our fundraising celebration will be held on Sunday, 10th May, at Bethnal Green Nature Reserve (timings to be announced in April). It’s a great chance to support the project and connect with the community. Expect music, food, plant walks, and other activities. All welcome!

If you’d like to pledge a reward for the online fundraiser or share your skills for the in-person celebration, please get in touch:
info@mobileapothecary.org.uk

Map

Remedies

Anti-Microbial Vinegar

A hot and spicy immune tonic infused with kitchen herbs and spices to warm you up and ward off infection. These ingredients all contain aromatic oils that are antimicrobial and regular use can protect your system and improve digestion, circulation and metabolism for better health.

More info

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Ingredients

Apple Cider Vinegar, Ginger, Horseradish, Cinnamon, Star Anise, Black Cumin, Black Pepper, Cloves, Chillies, Elderberries, Thyme, Sage, Oregano & Rosemary.

Usage

Take one teaspoon in a cup of water, ideally hot/warm if possible. Take once daily for general immune support or up to three times daily during cold or flu.

This tonic is based on Elderberry and Apple Cider Vinegar, both of which have antimicrobial properties. Elderberry has traditionally been used to help reduce severity and length of cold or flu.

Several studies have provided evidence supporting this effect, and in vitro studies have shown that it works by inhibiting viral entry into and replication in human cells (1, 2). Apple Cider Vinegar has been used for thousands of years for its multifaceted healing properties, and recent studies have shown its effectiveness against specific pathogenic bacteria and fungi (3).

References

1) Barak, V., Halperin, T., Kalickman, I. (2001) The effect of Sambucol, a black elderberry-based, natural product, on the production of human cytokines: I. Inflammatory cytokines. European Cytokine Network, 12(2), 290-6 . Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed

2) Zakay-Rones, Z., Thom, E., Wollan, T., Wadstein. (2004) Randomized study of the efficacy and safety of oral elderberry extract in the treatment of influenza A and B virus infections. Journal of International Medical Research, 32(2), 132-40. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net

3) Yagnik, D., Serafin, V., & J Shah, A. (2018). Antimicrobial activity of apple cider vinegar against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus and Candida albicans; downregulating cytokine and microbial protein expression. Scientific reports, 8(1), 1732. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Decongestant Chest Rub

A rub for the chest, back and sinuses to clear congestion and mucus, reduce coughs and help with breathing.

More info

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Ingredients

Plantain, Bay Leaf, Elecampane, Apricot + Olive + Castor Oils, Beeswax, Essential Oils of Thyme, Pine & Eucalyptus & Rosemary.

Usage

Use morning and night, more so if necessary. A rub for the chest, back and sinus areas (including behind the ears) to clear congestion and mucus, reduce coughs and help with breathing.

Made with plants and essential oils known to help clear the airways and act against infective pathogens.

This chest rub is based on the following antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and soothing herbs, some of which are also aromatic, helping to alleviate congestion both through both the skin and inhalation: Bay, Marshmallow Leaf, Ribwort Plantain, Menthol, Eucalyptus, Rosemary (1 - 7).

References

1) Algabri, S. O., Doro B. M., Abadi, A. M., Shiba, M. A., Salem, A. H. (2018) Bay Leaves have Antimicrobial and Antioxidant Activities. J Pathogen Res 1(1), 3. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net

2) Batool, S., Rasheed, A. K., Muhammad, A. H., Muhammad, A. A. (2020). Bay Leaf. In M. A. Hanif, H. Nawaz, M.M. Khan, H.J. Byrne (Eds), Medicinal Plants of South Asia - Novel sources for drug discovery. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com

3) Ali Shah, S., Naveed, A., Akram, M., Shah, P., Saeed, T., Ahmad, K., Asif, M. (2011). Pharmacological activity of Althaea officinalis L. Journal of Medicinal Plant Research, 5, 5662-5666. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net

4) Muhammad, B. A., Muhammad, T., Muhammad, F. A., Mohamad, S.A., Muhammad, B.A.K, Mohd, S., Pinaki, S., Deny, S. (2017). Chemical constituents and medical benefits of Plantago major. Biomedicine & Pharmacotherapy, 96, 348-360.

5) Kamatou, G. P. P., Alvaro, I. V., Viljoen, M., Lawrence, M. B. (2013). Menthol: A simple monoterpene with remarkable biological properties. Phytochemistry 96, 15-25. Retrieved from https://www.sciencedirect.com

6) Bachir, R. (2017). Antimicrobial activity of Eucalyptus globulus oils. In A. Méndez-Vilas (Ed), Antimicrobial research: Novel bioknowledge and educational programs. Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net

7) Nieto, G., Ros, G., & Castillo, J. (2018). Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Properties of Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis, L.): A Review. Medicines (Basel, Switzerland), 5(3), 98. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Hand Sanitiser

This sanitiser is a simple, effective, and gentle botanical formula featuring Calendula Tincture, accompanied by a subtle blend of Tea Tree and Lavender Essential Oils.

More info

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Ingredients

Calendula Tincture (90% Alcohol, Calendula officinalis), Marshmallow Root Tincture (25% Alcohol, Althea officinalis), Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) Essential Oil & Tea Tree (Melaleuca alternifolia) Essential Oil.

Usage

For external use only.

Avoid contact with eyes.

Shake well before use. Apply desired amount onto hands & rub thoroughly.

Keep out of the reach of children.

This sanitiser is a simple, effective, and gentle botanical formula featuring Calendula Tincture, accompanied by a subtle blend of Tea Tree and Lavender Essential Oils. We use a 90% Calendula flower (alcohol) tincture for the resin which has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory and anti-viral properties and reinforces the antibacterial action of alcohol (1). Lavender and Tea Tree Essential Oils, both known to be effective against specific microbial pathogens, further boost the antimicrobial action, and Lavender also provides a calming fragrance (2 - 4).

References

1) Efstratiou, E., Hussain, A.I., Nigam, P. S., Moore, J.E., Ayub, M. A., Rao, J. R. (2012). Antimicrobial activity of Calendula officinalis petal extracts against fungi, as well as Gram-negative and Gram-positive clinical pathogens. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 18(3), 173-176. Retrieved from sciencedirect.com

2) Efstratiou, E., Hussain, A.I., Nigam, P. S., Moore, J.E., Ayub, M. A., Rao, J. R. (2012). Antimicrobial activity of Calendula officinalis petal extracts against fungi, as well as Gram-negative and Gram-positive clinical pathogens. Complementary Therapies in Clinical Practice 18(3), 173-176. Retrieved from sciencedirect.com

3) Puškárová, A., Bučková, M., Kraková, L. et al. (2017). The antibacterial and antifungal activity of six essential oils and their cyto/genotoxicity to human HEL 12469 cells. Scientific Reports 7, 8211. Retrieved from nature.com

4) Carson, C. F., Hammer, K. A., & Riley, T. V. (2006). Melaleuca alternifolia (Tea Tree) oil: a review of antimicrobial and other medicinal properties. Clinical microbiology reviews, 19(1), 50–62. Retrieved from ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Muscle & Joint Balm

A warming balm featuring a botanical blend of Comfrey, Chilli and Daisy. This product encourages good blood circulation and aids the relief of pain and inflammation of sore joints and muscles.

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Good Skin Balm

Good Skin balm is a plant-based body and face balm for repairing and nurturing sensitive skin. It is used for chapped lips, dry, flaky or rough skin, stretch marks, blemishes, blisters, minor scars and sun burn.

More info

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Epsom Salt Deodorant

This salt based deodorant offers effective protection from body-odour, keeping you feeling fresh and odour free all day. This product is vegan, suitable for adults and children.

More info

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