Herbal and natural-care guides from Monique Nicholas on castor oil, batana oil, magnesium, sea moss and more, from a Brooklyn apothecary open since 1974.https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/en-ushttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/how-to-tell-good-incense-from-bad/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/how-to-tell-good-incense-from-bad/Monique Nicholas shares how she judges incense quality: what to smell before you light it, how it should burn, and what to know about ingredients.Fri, 30 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/gifts-that-celebrate-black-culture-and-identity/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/gifts-that-celebrate-black-culture-and-identity/Gifts that celebrate Black culture and identity: books, red, black and green flags, shea butter and more, many under $15, from a Black-owned Brooklyn shop.Tue, 27 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/how-to-make-herbal-tea-at-home/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/how-to-make-herbal-tea-at-home/How to make herbal tea at home: steeping times, ratios, hot vs. cold brew, fresh vs. dried herbs and storage, from Monique at Nicholas Brooklyn.Mon, 26 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/incense-101-resin-stick-cone-guide/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/incense-101-resin-stick-cone-guide/Monique breaks down resin, stick and cone incense: how each one burns, what you need to use it, and how to pick incense as a gift.Mon, 19 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/soursop-bitters-caribbean-tonic-explained/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/soursop-bitters-caribbean-tonic-explained/Soursop bitters is a steady seller and widely misunderstood. Monique explains what a bitters tonic does and the soursop claims you shouldn't believe.Mon, 12 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/african-black-soap-without-the-dryness/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/african-black-soap-without-the-dryness/If black soap leaves your skin tight or stinging, you are probably using it the wrong way. Monique explains why and the six adjustments that fix it.Wed, 07 Oct 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/how-to-use-batana-oil-on-locs/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/how-to-use-batana-oil-on-locs/Locs hold onto everything you put in them. Monique walks through batana oil for starter locs, budding, mature locs and retwist week, and when to use none.Mon, 28 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/sea-moss-and-elderberry-taken-together/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/sea-moss-and-elderberry-taken-together/Why sea moss and elderberry get paired for fall, what each contributes, the iodine question nobody warns you about, and one claim Monique wants retired.Mon, 21 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/what-batana-oil-actually-does-for-your-hair/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/what-batana-oil-actually-does-for-your-hair/Batana oil is everywhere and much of what's said about it is oversold. Monique explains what it does to hair and the one claim to stop believing.Mon, 14 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/berberine-and-menopause-weight-gain/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/berberine-and-menopause-weight-gain/Berberine is hyped as a weight loss shortcut. Monique explains what it really does, how perimenopause changes metabolism, and who should not take it.Tue, 08 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/why-is-everyone-talking-about-yum-boujee/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/why-is-everyone-talking-about-yum-boujee/Marshmallow perfume oil, explained by the owner: what a "type" oil is, how Yum Boujee smells, and why one bottle works as body oil and burning oil.Sat, 05 Sep 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/magnesium-101/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/magnesium-101/A plain-English guide to magnesium glycinate, citrate, oxide, malate, L-threonate and chloride: what each does, who reaches for it, and how much you need.Thu, 27 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/fifty-years-on-fulton-street/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/fifty-years-on-fulton-street/Monique Nicholas traces fifty years of Nicholas Brooklyn, from her father's car trunk in 1974 to today's Fulton Street store and its famous photo wall.Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/why-is-everyone-talking-about-bentonite-clay/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/why-is-everyone-talking-about-bentonite-clay/Face masks, foot soaks, detox baths, and internal use — Monique explains what bentonite clay actually is and the safety basics before you try it.Tue, 25 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/natural-oils-i-keep-in-my-house/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/natural-oils-i-keep-in-my-house/Castor, grapeseed, coconut, avocado, rosehip, and more — Monique breaks down what each oil is actually good for, so you can stop guessing at the shelf.Tue, 18 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/what-is-african-black-soap/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/what-is-african-black-soap/Long before TikTok, African Black Soap was a family staple. Monique explains the types, how to use it properly, and why it earned its shelf space.Tue, 11 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/the-truth-about-castor-oil/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/the-truth-about-castor-oil/Castor oil for hair, brows and skin: how people use it, Haitian black vs. cold-pressed, what research says about hair growth, and when to be careful.Tue, 04 Aug 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/10-herbs-every-household-should-keep/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/10-herbs-every-household-should-keep/You don't need 100 supplements in your house. Monique shares the 10 herbs she believes every home should have on hand — and why simple usually wins.Tue, 28 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/why-do-people-burn-sage-palo-santo-incense/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/why-do-people-burn-sage-palo-santo-incense/Step-by-step: how to burn white sage, palo santo and incense safely, plus the safety basics Monique tells every customer.Tue, 21 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/why-is-everyone-talking-about-medicinal-mushrooms/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/why-is-everyone-talking-about-medicinal-mushrooms/From Lion's Mane in your coffee to Reishi before bed: Monique explains why medicinal mushrooms took over wellness routines and which to start with.Tue, 14 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMThttps://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/welcome-to-the-nicholas-brooklyn-blog/https://www.nicholasbrooklyn.com/blog/welcome-to-the-nicholas-brooklyn-blog/Owner Monique Nicholas introduces the Nicholas Brooklyn blog — what it is, why she's starting it, and what you can expect to find here.Sat, 11 Jul 2026 00:00:00 GMT