Fist off let me say that I found the people working to be extremely rude. After visiting another herb shop that I was able t o get all but one or two things I called to ask if they had these two items instead of saying "we do carry these items however I am unable to check and see if they are in stock at the moment" I was told "I am with a customer" and put me on hold. I waited about 5 minutes to have someone come on the phone again to say "I need this line for our credit card machine I will call you back on the other line" I gave my name and number and was able to drive for 45 minutes which included getting lost trying to find this place and still received no call back. Once I did find the place I found that they did have the items I needed. Second I found the place to be extremely cramped, dark and dingy. I contemplated bringing my son in who was in a wheel chair but this place is NOT ADA complaint. That is a huge problem! Third their items where extremely over priced. I looked at the lavender which I had just bought at the other place which was organic and from France and was substantially cheaper. I will not be going back and if I need the items that I got at the Herb Bar again I will order it online just to avoid dealing with rude people and paying for over priced items. read more

The Herb Bar is like a hobbit house filled with natural plant and flower goodness that fell from Lord of the Rings and landed in Austin just off of South Congress. I've visited on many occasions, and I've taken home a variety of excellent products ranging from culinary lavender, herb tea, and smudge sticks to essential oils, nettles tinctures, and allergy remedies. If that doesn't tell you what they sell, you can probably get by with this rule of thumb: if it starts off as a medicinal plant, changes are high that the Herb Bar sells it in some format. The staff is knowledgeable and helpful. Most important though, the cozy, well-organized, and apothecary-like space makes you feel like you're in an herb-filled hobbit house where health, beauty, and happiness are just one secret potion away. read more

Lately, I have had some not so good luck and while discussing my situation with a dear sweet friend, she suggested I conduct a smudging. At first, I laughed... then I thought more about it and why not?! So then began my quest for a smudge stick... Bingo! The Herb Bar! A perfect place for organic and holistic healing items. So on to my two cents about the Herb Bar... about time, right? This little cottage is located down south and covered from foundation to roof with ivy, it disappears into the surrounding foliage. Something straight out of a fairy tale, if you ask me. As I walked in the door, I was greeted by the shop attendant who spoke softly and asked how I was doing and what she could help me find. I asked if they carried smudge sicks and of course they did! After talking to me about what they had to offer, I made a choice and decided to check the rest out the place out. They had so much... dried herbs, crystals, candles, and so much more. If you have specifics you are looking for, check out their website and I am sure you will find what you are looking for here. After I made my selections and was rung up at the register, the shop attendant then asked me if I would like to hear my angel numbers... not wanting to look like an idiot, I said sure. What she did was take the total of my purchase $36.69 and read passages out of an angel book with the corresponding numbers 36 and 69... it was sweet and personal and hit the nail on the head of what I was wanting to hear... angels looking over me and protecting me kind of stuff. It was personal and thought provoking! Places like these are what makes Austin such a great place. Yes, I know not everyone is into the whole holistic approach and I even sometimes roll my eyes at the idea but living in this town has taught me to be open minded and try anything once. read more

As you enter the room it is the best calming feeling. So many good energies as you walk in; makes me feel at peace. The staff is so welcoming and the shop has everything I'm looking for always! Love this place recommended to my boyfriend and loves it too! read more

Well, I was reading the "cheap christmas gift" thread in Yelp Talk the other day and came across recipes for home made sugar scrubs and bath salts... I thought that would be a great way for my cousin and I to spend Christmas day. Someone suggested I visit the Herb Bar for some supplies, so I did. What a neat place! They have quite reasonable prices on their oils - and pretty much everything you need to get going on your aromatherapy project - droppers, a selection of containers, base oils, essential oils, sea salts and more. Don't get me wrong - with all the supplies I purchased it still came out to $80 - but all of this stuff will stretch a pretty long way compared to buying pre-made stuff in the stores. I suppose I could have spent about half that by only choosing one essential oil instead of four, and by going to central market or HEB bulk for the salts instead of paying $4 a pound there, but I'm pretty satisfied with what I got. I think I'll try bulk in the future though. Also, as far as containers go, I skipped the ones available there and instead chose to get these great glass containers at World Market for $1 a piece. Not bad! I also did choose not to buy the small bottle of Vitamin E oil at the Herb Bar which was priced at $20, and instead found Vitamin E oil at CVS for a fraction of the price. I asked the owner what she thought about that and she said it might not be *as* pure as what The Herb Bar offers, but that there would probably be little or no noticeable difference. She was right! My skin didn't notice the difference at all. So far it's been a fun foray into the world of aromatherapy and I'm looking forward to more experiments and more trips back! read more

This is the place for resin incense. Very pure and high quality. And now that I am just one test away from becoming a Certified Aromatherapist I can tell you with some experience that the essential oils here are high quality as well. One cannot stress enough that when it comes to healing properties, you only want the highest quality of items that you know were not only cultivated properly but also created in the purest ways. The girls (and boy) that work here are always helpful and informative so even if you are a newby with healing incense and essential oils etc. they can answer pretty much any question you have. Oh and they have lots of other healing goodies (like you guessed it, herbs) as well - just a wonderful all around warm atmosphere. read more

The Herb Bar is often swamped with middle-aged white ladies (basically my mom, who's started sage-ing everything)... there, I said it. On some level it's kind of a spiritual resource for well-off people, and I have definitely come close to rolling my eyes at the promises of the labels on some items... shimmering angel dust to make your dreams come true! The store's crunchy and hippie-d out, for sure. But the store is pretty awesome, and aside from my judgements, I love going there. There's no other place in Austin (that I'm aware of) with has such a vast selection of oils... essential oils, oils to address physical and mental health concerns, oils for pets, oils for kids, oils for sleep, oils for energy, and basically anything else you can think of. Anything in the realm of natural healing products, they seem to have... and they also have candles (specialty as well as regular taper candles), a wall of herbs, a table of rocks/stones, cute ceramic plates and dishes, bottles/droppers for mixing stuff up, and beyond. It's a full-stop shop for creating your own home remedies and tinctures, and has some foundation materials for magick/spiritual practices (I may have bought a small cauldron from them). Staff is a bit reserved, but when I've had questions they're very helpful and knowledgable about the properties of different materials. There's also reference books you can look through. Prices can be a bit high depending on the items (that's the nature of these stores) but I've found the essential oils and other more "raw" materials to be reasonably priced. They also give you a discount if you live in the 78704 zip code for shopping locally, FYI. read more

Just hung up from The Herb Bar. The lady was so rude and was rushing me off the phone. Said they were very busy and would have to call me back. Strange because the previous person I just spoke to was very laid back and wasn't rushing me at all. I guess the negative reviews are true about the business after all. This will be my first and last purchase from these nasty people. Kinda hurts a natural healing business, don't you think? read more

Cute and small. Be very quiet (you'll see the sign on the door before you enter to turn off your cell phones). And most importantly, bring CASH! There's a $5 minimum, and you know, the exorbitant fees that credit card companies charge don't really put a smile on the owner's face. So help 'em out if you want them around! And trust, me, you do! :) I got some lavender here for some first timer creme brulee concoction. There's a 1 oz minimum on by the oz herbs like that, so keep that in mind as well! read more

I was reminded of how great a resource this place is recently. I come here whenever I need a tea or tincture for a specific ailment, but also for all immune related issues, from allergies to "building your blood", to skin issues this place has everything! Not only is it a cornucopia of natural remedies, but the staff there, Jenny, Evie etc. are so helpful. They listen to the problem you're trying to solve and always guide me to the perfect solution.  For those of you who like crystals, jewelry, wind chimes and spiritual decks of cards there are lots of options there too, but The Herb Bar for me is more of an advanced medicine cabinet. All I can say is, I'm not an herbalist, and even though I want to use natural remedies whenever possible I need a little help. This place is a goddess send! read more

I have spent hours in this store. I've bought essential oils, herbs, homeopathic remedies, teas, cute bottles and containers, soaps, salts, eye pillows, salves and balms and even jewelry from this wonderful place! As a hairstylist, I like to offer my clients using an blended essential oil spray that I make using oils I get from The Herb Bar. It's become one of my hobbies over the last couple of years and they have a WONDERFUL selection to help me make original and yummy blends! I also buy ingredients to make my own skin care here as well. The possibilities are truly endless with the help of this store! When you walk up you will fall in love with this little cottage house COVERED in ivy. It almost feels like something out of a fairytale...where magical things happen. The staff is very helpful, knowledgeable, and let you do your own exploring until you have a question. The prices are moderate, but most of this stuff is specialty items and lots of local product too! Make a list and stick too it once you know what they have and what you need to avoid over spending...it's very easy to do in stores with this much stuff! I have been going to the Herb Bar for over 10 years and have never once been disappointed! Fantastic LOCAL business! read more

I am a big proponent of supporting local businesses and make it a point to shop with them first. I have done that four times with the Herb Bar and each time the experience has been negative. I have not once been welcomed to the store when I shop there. I am always met with seemingly disinterested staff. I get minimal assistance. Even when I try to be warm and engaging, I am met with a blank stare. Every time I go to this place, I leave in a worse mood than when I entered. It's crazy. I mean, isn't this the exact opposite of what this store professes to be about- good energy? Fourth time was the last time. The place needs a major smudging. read more

The in-house made Allergy Relief Tea is phenomenal! I found it last January during the peak of Cedar season, and it got me through. Not only does a hot cup of tea relax you, but one with mint, eucalyptus, and other herbs opens up your breathing passages and makes you feel human again. I've bought many other products at Herb Bar and enjoyed them and found them useful, but the tea is by far my favorite. read more

This place is a hidden gem and just another one of those places that makes Austin the weird beautiful city it is. The staff is so nice and friendly and really know their products so feel free to ask them for any help. There is parking right out front for the business but it's small markings made me unsure so I circled the block before I saw it. I got a lavender and lemongrass essential oil one for $10 one for $6 and a sage burning stick for $4! I thought that was a good price. read more

Not that long ago, I had a feeling I was supposed to come here, and I don't really even know why. I just thought it was time to come back. Parking Karma knew it, too, and I got a spot right in front. Just like the last 3 times I've been there. I don't know how I'm so lucky with that, but I am! If you want to come with me next time, just so you can park in front, I'll let you join me. Someone asked if I needed help and I told her I didn't know yet, that I just felt like I was supposed to be there that day. She saw me later and asked if I had figured it out yet, but I hadn't. I ended up buying some sage to burn and some sage not to burn and new incense and new incense holder and a few other random things that probably aren't all that random in The Universe, with a capital U. The door opened and closed many times while I was in there. About the time I was up to pay, it got really quiet. And it was just a lovely feeling. A calmness. The woman who rang me up gave me a few free tea samples, which is way cool, especially since I love hot teas, and hadn't even asked about it. This place is a special place. It's a calm place to be. There's all kinds of good juju floating around there. Heck, maybe The Universe is requesting I go back again soon! read more

I...am...enamoured.... Why didn't I find you sooner Herb Bar?! How long have you been here without me knowing?! So, I decide I'm going to make a break for it. I decided I just couldn't wait until the weekend to check this place out. I heard an herb would be good for me, and they had it. So off I rush in the peace crashing traffic to find it. People had already warned me, and I had seen pictures, so I wasn't shocked to see the old vine covered house. If I was in a more pensive mood, I could have soaked it all in. But instead I hurriedly parked and rushed through the door. A sign to mute cell phones was the greeting on the door, and I opened to the peace of KMFA quietly wafting through the air....sigh... I was the only one in the shop...which meant I got the undivided attention of the person behind the counter. Her help was invaluable... What was most appreciated is I felt like she could understand me fairly well even though we most met. (Are the ones who love herbs and understand them the undervalued and outnumbered intuitives of the society?) We flitted around the store..."I like this one"...I've tried this one, and it works for me." I bet she was an introvert and not the bubbly type...however, her eyes lit up over some of the herbs as she talked about them. I was getting excited about the herbs... "This one does such and such..." "Monks used to use this herb like pepper." She looked past the self proclaimed ailing and said I bet this is problem and what needs to be tackled. We smelled and we smelled and we smelled... I was in heaven with the ticking clock in my ears... So I wrapped it up with a few disclaimers that I really must come back and spend hours here some Saturday. I didn't want to be one of those people who outstayed their welcome past close like Cinderella with the midnight hour. On this wise, I left with my precious parcel in tow with excitement pulsing through my body. read more

I make it a point to always stop in here when I'm in Austin. This place is a hidden gem and I wish we had something like this in Houston. Right as you enter the smell is amazing, calming, and makes me want to stay in there all day. Some of their products are pricy but knowing that I'm supporting a small business, I don't mind. I highly suggest taking a trip here, you won't regret it! read more

The best kept secret in all of Austin. And just as "Austiny" as it gets when it comes to casual, homey, and wild. I am impressed with the plant-based knowledge of the people who work there, along with their general herbal medicine advice for health and wellbeing. I have three little kids, and we like to explore the outdoors, so a local herb resource helps a lot! Remedies for poison ivy, ear aches, allergies... Ow-ow-owoo! read more

Sniff...Sniff...My mind likes this place but my nose didn't like a certain scent. But that's not a bad thing at all. I just loved looking at all the stuff they had and they had signs in front of most of the products telling you what would be useful for your ailments...etc. I love how the store is in this cute house surrounded by trees and plants. It's almost like you are going away from civilization for awhile. They had a lot of herbs for your tea, soaps, stones and incense. Definitely worth checking out...Sniff...Sniff read more

Everyone working here is kind to their customers and knowledgeable about their wide array of products. I went in today to get something for seasonal allergies and the young woman who advised me was a careful listener and recommended a specific spray that I look forward to trying over the next few days. She even gave me some herbs for tea to help as well. I have experienced this same level of courtesy and generosity with all the staff at The Herb Bar. They are respectful, friendly and professional. read more

The Herb Bar is a quaint little ivy-covered store. I think it has that Austin-hippy 78704 vibe, or what it once was. I went to the Herb Bar for, you guessed it, dried herbs! Namely, nettles and oatstraw for making herbal infusions (see http://www.susunweed.com/How_to_make_Infusions.htm) Nettles and oatstraw are good sources of calcium. Anyways, they sell these herbs by the ounce in paper bags. Thus, one cannot really buy a great quantity, though i did not ask. The guy who helped me did not seem to understand what i wanted to do with the herbs. However, I later spoke with a woman there. She suggested I could combine the oatstraw, nettles, and even dandelion together. I don't though I did buy dandelion. We talked about seaweed and i decided to try some of the seaweed powder they sold. The Herb Bar also sells Dandy Blend which i haven't seen anywhere else in Austin. It's a fun place to browse and you can also find oils, lotions, and related items. read more

When I visit Austin I always want to see this store. Very happy my friend introduced me to this quaint store! Reading the other reviews you've got an idea of what the place looks like and yes it does resemble a hobbit home I agree! As well as the plethora of items they sale. So I'm going to write about a particular experience I had at this place that has this place sealed in my memory. I had a friend from Germany visiting me for only a week and I wanted to drive him around the state and show him some cool places. So a lot of driving and not a lot of time! I unfortunately got sick at the beginning of the trip and conventional meds don't really work for me. When I got to Austin my friend brought me to the Herb Bar and I was taken care of whole-heartedly! The woman that helped me asked me what my symptoms were and then she explained what would cause those. Asked me if I had any allergies to plants etc. She then showed me her recommendation of what to take and explained how to take it and what not to eat while trying to get better. This experience blew my mind away! Very knowledgeable! I was feeling better within a couple of days and was able to show my friend a good time in Texas. So happy that the staff here saved that trip!! LOVE you guys read more

The Herb Bar has a special place in my heart. It was the first shop I found when I was in Highschool and was looking for places where I could go buy things for my spiritual path. (I didn't have a credit card so I could not buy things online). I don't go there as much now as I live outside of Austin (and buy a lot online). But just the outside of the shop pulls you in. It makes you feel as though you have walked into a little fairytale world and there stands a little witch's house. The people who work there are also REALLY friendly and helpful! Some things are pricey but a lot is really affordable! I've been lucky with parking, but I can see how it could be frustrating when there are no spaces left on the street. read more

Loved this little find on my walk through Austin South. They were so helpful and my ankle and IBS feel much better since they educated me on clay. Thank you so much for your help. You were knowledgable, helpful, and I wish I lived there to enjoy more of your store! read more

The Herb Bar - Entrance - Health Markets Near Me - Austin, Texas

I seriously love this place and wish I had as much knowledge as the people who work there. I go in with a problem and they never get tripped up. They always have several solutions to choose from. And a tip: if you suffer from Texas allergies, go see them! They have a bottle of magic that will kick your allergies in the butt! By the way, the last time I went Katy helped me and she was extremely knowledgable. read more

My first trip in was today, and I'm so in love with this place. It's full of wonderful things, small treasures tucked away, books and supplies for everyone from the curious to the serious herbalist. There are handcrafted teas and blends, hundreds of bulk herbs, berries, roots, barks, flowers, and resins. The quality is outstanding. I do Medieval and magic herbalism, which means hard-to-find ingredients that I don't want to order from a source whose integrity I don't know. You don't want a substitution, right? Enter the kind, peaceful, and wonderfully knowledgeable staff. They had things I've been on the hunt for and haven't been able to find, and the couple of things they didn't have? They can order them or can tell me who might just have some. I left with a great big bag of goodies and will most definitely be back. Stuff to know: 1. Bulk dried herbs have a 1oz. minimum purchase. You can't buy a nickel's worth of catnip. But for how much an ounce actually is in volume, the prices are very reasonable. 2. Ask if you don't see something, or if you see something and want it in a different from (dried, powdered, tincture, oil, etc.), since things are tucked away all over the place. 3. They have free classes on Saturday afternoons in fall and spring. The schedule has all sorts of interesting topics. read more

I have always loved this little Mary Street gem, with its unique products and lovely vibe. The staff is friendly and knowledgable. Thank you

WOW, really rude employees. the atmosphere was uncomfortable. I wouldn't spend one dollar there, go somewhere else. terrible business.

Visiting Austin and had such a lovely time at this treasure! The staff was very helpful, and we left with a lot of goodies. They have a great assortment of bottles for making your own concoctions. We especially loved their rose buds, a very deep beautiful color that I rarely see. If you're looking for something that you don't see up front, kindly ask the staff if they have it. They were able to show me a lovely precious rose oil that they do not display! read more

My reasons for making the pilgrimage to the Herb Bar tend to be less holistic and more PEST-ic. I'm plagued (but not in the Black variety) by fleas in my mid-century dwelling. Two long haired cats who make the "in-and-out" trek countless times a day are not helping. I'm trying my best to find organic solutions to eradicating the jumping pests, and they suggested this wonderful essential oil that I mix with spring water and Tito's (just a bit) and spritz on myself and my feline friends. They've helped me with other oddball problems in the past, and they've always been sweet and helpful and I'm always happy to support such a long time South Austin business. read more

I'm so glad I discovered this place through the help of the Yelp search engine and other Yelpers. I wanted to find a local place where I could get allergy tea and other forms of homeopathic allergy relief, and this place is definitely it. I stopped in today and found out the Herb Bar has been in Austin for 30 years. They have a dedicated allergy section full of natural teas, drops, sprays, and all kinds of stuff. I was especially interested in the local items, and the ladies of the shop swear by them. I do feel the allergy tea is a bit on the pricey side ($13 for 2 oz.) but I like that the ingredients are local and organic when available, so I'm hoping it'll do wonders. There was an item I was interested in that wasn't available yet, so they gladly took my name and number down and will let me know when it comes in. I had a great first visit and look forward to coming back. read more

This shop has a wide array of products and the staff I talked to seem to have a good understanding of what I was asking for. (Though 2 gave me different answers). It's outside aesthetics are great and inside smells lovely. i gave it 3 stars because the staff can sometimes seem a little condescending. When I was checking out I asked the lady if they offered any discounts I should be aware of and she responded with a blank stare and answered as if what I was asking her was unheard of or unwelcome when I had just heard her offer another client a 'neighborhood' discount. I'm still trying their products to see if they 'work'. If they do I might just shop for them online. read more

I absolutely LOVE this place. Every time I come to Texas to visit my dad I have to stop here and stock up. The people that work there are wonderful, they have a great selection of herbs. The Life Force tea is my favorite. The Herb Bar is worth the visit. read more

I love going to the Herb Bar. They are very knowledgeable and helpful. Herbs and oils can be confusing if you don't know what you're looking for. They have a great selection. read more

I can't say enough good stuff about this place. They have everything I need, almost always, and if they don't they're sure to restock soon. The tea is delicious, they have herbs in bulk, a ton of different oils and aromatherapy, and best of all, their selection of crystals and gems is huge and diverse, and reasonably priced. Go to this place! You won't regret it. Try out their loose incense that burns on charcoal--it's divine. read more

Love this shop! They very welcoming, warm, and very helpful! My family comes from out of town asking about this place, lol

Was riding with a friend who drove by this place and I wondered what the ivy covered building was all about, so I made her stop. We were both pleasantly surprised by the selection they have! It was wonderful! I wasn't there to buy anything so I didn't, but my friend did find an awesome smelling herbal smoking blend that she says tastes amazing too (the baggie of herbs kinda resembled something...else though) she was so impressed that she immediately went back into the shop and had them make her two more large bags of it. The staff was okay, not too friendly but not European supermodel cold. I wasn't able to sample any of the oils, so I probably won't buy any from them (it's really important to be able to see how an oil smells on your skin as most of them do smell different when worn) but I am looking to check out some of the incenses. All in all, good times. I'll definitely be back! read more

One of my favorite places in Austin. I've been coming to The Herb Bar for over 10 years and it's continued to be wonderful. Very knowledgeable and kind staff in a very healing space. Garden outside is so sweet and if they don't have what you're looking for (which in my experience has been very rare) they can give you pointers of where to look! Definitely the best place for your magic healin' needs. read more

I was looking for herbs or a tincture that would aid in helping my period come early so it wouldn't get in the way of my camping trip. The owner was really turned off by my request. She asked me why I wanted to do that. I felt like that was none of her business but I told her why. She suggested a tincture that was for "celebrating your period" instead. I thought this was rude and borderline insulting. Her morality/ opinion of what I should do with my body clearly invaded customer service and thus my experience. read more

This place is alright, it's a fun place to meander around on a boring afternoon and look at exotic hippie essential oils, crystals, herbs, etc. I came in recently to stock up on some essential oils, but I left with a lot of buyer's remorse. A caveat of this shop is that you are not allowed to try on the oils (I get it, they are expensive to make). However, this policy irritated me for two reasons: 1st-the amber I bought has a really funky underlying smell--sort of like play-doh. I have heard this smell can be attributed to a poor quality amber, but it may be my body chemistry/sense of smell. In either case, I spent $18 on a vial of amber that I cannot use. 2nd-the lady working behind the counter overheard my friend tell me that one of the oils smells really different in the vial than it does when worn and she yelled from behind the counter that we "definitely cannot try on the oils." As a person who has worked a lot of customer service jobs, I think it is really rude to accuse a customer of something they are not doing. Also, there are signs all over the front door stressing the need to maintain a quiet and serene atmosphere...which is not how I felt after being yelled at by the staff. I'll probably go back, some of the oils were really great! I adore the vetiver and valencia orange I bought. Their pre-mixed essential oil sprays are also great. read more