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The New England Herbary

The New England Herbary

By: Brenda J. Sullivan
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Welcome to The New England Herbary, a podcast (formerly Living and Lovin Herbs) where we explore the timeless wisdom of herbs and how they can support health, home, and spirit in today's world. I'm Brenda Sullivan—herbalist, author, and teacher—inviting you to discover simple, practical, and inspiring ways to weave herbs into everyday life. Each episode blends stories, traditions, and down-to-earth uses of plants—from the kitchen to the garden, from self-care rituals to seasonal living. You'll hear about herbal history and folklore, modern wellness practices, and even the astrology-herbal connections that help us align more deeply with nature's rhythms. Whether you're curious about growing herbs at home, crafting bath and body products, exploring plant-based rituals, or just looking for stress-friendly, inflation-smart wellness ideas, this podcast offers tools you can use. My mission is to demystify herbs and make them approachable, safe, and enriching—while sharing the stories and seasonal traditions that make them unforgettable. New episodes are released monthly. Join me as we explore the rich world of herbs, rooted in New England soil but connected to listeners everywhere.(C) Thompson Street Farm LLC - All rights reserved Alternative & Complementary Medicine Hygiene & Healthy Living
Episodes
  • 37 Chickweed, the New Moon & the Body's Quiet Wisdom

    37 Chickweed, the New Moon & the Body's Quiet Wisdom
    Mar 22 2026
    There is a small green plant growing right now along the edges of your garden bed, tucked into the damp shadow beneath the stone wall, pressing itself quietly against the base of your fence. Most people walk past her without a second glance. She is not showy. She does not announce herself. She simply arrives — every year, before anything else dares to — and gets quietly to work. Her name is chickweed. And she has been tending human beings for a very long time. This week on The New England Herbary Podcast, we are deep in the threshold energy of Ostara — the Spring Equinox — and the powerful astrological crossroads that came with it: the final New Moon of the astrological year rising in Pisces on March 18th, Mercury stationing direct on the 20th after weeks of retrograde fog, and the Sun crossing into Aries to begin the astrological New Year. It has been a week of two worlds — the deep, dreaming dissolution of Pisces on one side, and the first spark of fire and new beginning on the other. We have just crossed the threshold, and chickweed has been waiting for us on the other side. In this episode, we continue our spring chickweed series with a deeper look at her traditional uses across the British Isles — from the Irish border counties where she was layered as a hot poultice over swellings and inflammation, to the Scottish Highlands where a decoction was drunk for insomnia, to the extraordinary record from the Isle of Skye where chickweed washes were used to bring on sleep after a fever. We then move into the herbal kitchen with three recipes built from a simple dried chickweed decoction: a lymph-moving spring tonic tea for the New Moon window, a chickweed and calendula threshold bath for Ostara, and a deeply nourishing chickweed and nettle mineral broth for the tender days of new beginning. This episode is for you if you have been feeling the fog of Mercury retrograde lifting. If your body is asking for something gentle and mineral-rich before spring fully arrives. If you have dried herbs in your pantry and you are wondering what to do with them. And if you, like me, find that the oldest, humblest plants in the hedgerow often have the most to teach. Chickweed is not dramatic. She is not rare. She is not expensive or exotic or difficult to find. She is simply ready — always before you expect her, always doing more than you realize — and that, I think, is exactly the kind of energy this season is asking us to embody. 🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. Chickweed Dried Herb https://amzn.to/4uGz0bt 2. Chickweed Organic Tincture https://amzn.to/413MJvv 3. Chickweed Herbal Powder https://amzn.to/4bDWtBe My favorite tea-making tools: BAYKA French Press Coffee Maker https://amzn.to/4r4LYNH Cold Brew Coffee Filter for Wide Mouth Mason Jar https://amzn.to/4qWQr4L Heat proof wide mouth mason jars https://amzn.to/4pNflmq Bookstore - Brenda J. Sullivan Books https://www.brendajsullivanbooks.com/ 🌱 My Garden Journal – A How-To Garden Book for Kids Because every gardener starts with a single seed — and a little curiosity. My Garden Journal is part how-to guide, part creative keepsake, designed to help children (and their grown-ups) learn the basics of growing food and flowers while documenting their journey. Inside you'll find: Simple planting guidanceSpace for drawings, photos, and notesImaginative themed gardens (Harry Potter Herb Garden, Young Chef's Garden, Monarch Butterfly Garden) Perfect for homeschooling families, budding herbalists, and anyone who wants to grow confidence by growing plants. ✨ You'll be amazed at how much you — and your garden — grow when you take time to journal the journey. 🌿 Work With Me 🌙 Herbal Consultations (Now Open) Root your wellness in the wisdom of the plants — and the stars. My one-on-one consultations offer gentle, grounded guidance rooted in traditional herbalism, vitalist principles, and (if you wish) astrology. Each session begins with listening. 👉 Learn more here: https://mailchi.mp/351efb18cd6b/one-on-one-consultations-landing-page 🌿 Join Me on Patreon Support this work and receive exclusive herbal & holistic content ✨ Membership includes:✔ Monthly herbal & lunar insights✔ DIY recipes & printable guides✔ Free class replays✔ Bi-annual personalized herbal consultations (Tier 3) Membership can be as little as a cup of coffee ☕️ 👉 Join here: https://patreon.com/ThompsonStreetFarm?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink ♈ FREE Zodiac Herbs Guide Unlock the secrets of personalized wellness with my free Zodiac Herbs Guide. https://www.brendajsullivanteach.com/zodiacherbguidefreebieor ☕ Buy Me a Cup of Tea If this story brought you comfort, you can support the channel here:...
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    35 mins
  • 36 The Body Knows Before the Mind

    36 The Body Knows Before the Mind
    Mar 15 2026
    "You are not falling apart — you are thawing. The body knows before the mind does. And the plants growing quietly in the cold right now know exactly what you need." Early spring arrives quietly in New England — not with fanfare, but with a loosening. The snowpack recedes. The bluebirds return. And somewhere in the damp, cold edges of the garden, two small plants are already growing before the ground has officially thawed. In this episode, herbalist Brenda Sullivan explores violet and chickweed as herbs for the emotional thaw of early spring — the season when the body begins releasing what it held through winter, long before the mind believes spring has arrived. Drawing on 27 years of herbal practice, Brenda weaves together the physical medicine of these overlooked early spring herbs with the deeper wisdom of the body-nature connection, and shares honestly about navigating one of the most astrologically intense stretches of 2026. Rick Levine's March 2026 Astrological Forecast https://youtu.be/5BfTBJy6KgQ?si=XbsxV3Zpl6aEEg0- 🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. Violet Tincture https://amzn.to/4sKEeBe Note: Finding dried violet flowers and leaves commercially is difficult to source. If you can't find it fresh in the wild try using a tincture. 2. Dried Chickweed https://amzn.to/4lKeWB3 My favorite tea-making tools: BAYKA French Press Coffee Maker https://amzn.to/4r4LYNH Cold Brew Coffee Filter for Wide Mouth Mason Jar, https://amzn.to/4qWQr4L Heat proof wide mouth mason jars https://amzn.to/4pNflmq Bookstore - Brenda J. Sullivan Books https://www.brendajsullivanbooks.com/ 🌱 My Garden Journal – A How-To Garden Book for Kids Because every gardener starts with a single seed — and a little curiosity. My Garden Journal is part how-to guide, part creative keepsake, designed to help children (and their grown-ups) learn the basics of growing food and flowers while documenting their journey. Inside you'll find: Simple planting guidanceSpace for drawings, photos, and notesImaginative themed gardens (Harry Potter Herb Garden, Young Chef's Garden, Monarch Butterfly Garden) Perfect for homeschooling families, budding herbalists, and anyone who wants to grow confidence by growing plants. ✨ You'll be amazed at how much you — and your garden — grow when you take time to journal the journey. 🌿 Work With Me 🌙 Herbal Consultations (Now Open) Root your wellness in the wisdom of the plants — and the stars. My one-on-one consultations offer gentle, grounded guidance rooted in traditional herbalism, vitalist principles, and (if you wish) astrology. Each session begins with listening. 👉 Learn more here: https://mailchi.mp/351efb18cd6b/one-on-one-consultations-landing-page 🌿 Join Me on Patreon Support this work and receive exclusive herbal & holistic content ✨ Membership includes:✔ Monthly herbal & lunar insights✔ DIY recipes & printable guides✔ Free class replays✔ Bi-annual personalized herbal consultations (Tier 3) Membership can be as little as a cup of coffee ☕️ 👉 Join here: https://patreon.com/ThompsonStreetFarm?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink ♈ FREE Zodiac Herbs Guide Unlock the secrets of personalized wellness with my free Zodiac Herbs Guide. https://www.brendajsullivanteach.com/zodiacherbguidefreebieor ☕ Buy Me a Cup of Tea If this story brought you comfort, you can support the channel here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thompsonstg 🎶 Music Credits A heartfelt thank you to Alexander Nakarada for the music featured in this story. I am a Patreon supporter of Alexander's work. 🎼 Song: Planning - 320bit - September 5, 2021 🔗 https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/ 🌿 Stay Connected Website: https://thenewenglandherbary.com/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thenewenglandherbary?si=f7_MB0XEz0vn0Xr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenewenglandherbary/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578148227744 Thompson Street Farm LLC is the parent company of the New England Herbary: https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/ 💬 I'd love to hear how this story landed for you. Feel free to share your reflections in the comments.
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    29 mins
  • 35 Trees Don't Die From the Present: An Herbal Guide to the Emotional Spring Thaw

    35 Trees Don't Die From the Present: An Herbal Guide to the Emotional Spring Thaw
    Mar 1 2026
    "Trees don't die from the present. They die from what happened in the past — slowly, quietly, underground, where no one was watching." It is snowing outside my studio window as I record this. A real blizzard — the kind that silences the street and turns the world white and still. And yet underneath all that snow, something is already moving. In this episode, I share a story from a recent drive along the Housatonic River to a woodland lecture with an arborist — and what the trees taught me about damage that doesn't show up for years, and healing that happens slowly, underground, where no one is watching. We are standing at the threshold of the emotional thaw. That tender, unglamorous season between deep winter and spring — when what has been frozen in us begins, slowly, to move. And the wisest thing we can do right now, while the snow is still on the ground, is begin to prepare. I share five gentle herbs for late winter — dandelion root, cleavers, nettle, burdock, and red clover — not as a detox protocol, but as quiet allies for a body that is ready to soften. We also talk about simple practices for moving the lymph, hydrating deeply, and — perhaps most importantly — tending the emotional self before spring arrives with all its urgency. This one is personal. Because I am in my own thaw this winter too. This episode is for anyone who has been patient with winter and is ready — slowly, gently — to begin again. Simple Late-Winter Tea Blend: 2 parts dried nettle leaf 1 part dried red clover blossom 1 part dried cleavers ½ part roasted dandelion root Steep one heaping tablespoon per cup in just-boiled water for 15–20 minutes. Add honey to taste. Drink one to three cups daily. 🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. Dandelion Root https://amzn.to/4aBQ6PH 2. Cleavers https://amzn.to/4sfKlNM 3. Nettle https://amzn.to/4aPbPCt 4. Burdock Root https://amzn.to/4tU4CtF 5. Red Clover https://amzn.to/3Os3Iob My favorite tea-making tools: BAYKA French Press Coffee Maker, https://amzn.to/4r4LYNH Cold Brew Coffee Filter for Wide Mouth Mason Jar, https://amzn.to/4qWQr4L Heat proof wide mouth mason jars https://amzn.to/4pNflmq Bookstore - Brenda J. Sullivan Books https://www.brendajsullivanbooks.com/ 🌱 My Garden Journal – A How-To Garden Book for Kids Because every gardener starts with a single seed — and a little curiosity. My Garden Journal is part how-to guide, part creative keepsake, designed to help children (and their grown-ups) learn the basics of growing food and flowers while documenting their journey. Inside you'll find: Simple planting guidanceSpace for drawings, photos, and notesImaginative themed gardens (Harry Potter Herb Garden, Young Chef's Garden, Monarch Butterfly Garden) Perfect for homeschooling families, budding herbalists, and anyone who wants to grow confidence by growing plants. ✨ You'll be amazed at how much you — and your garden — grow when you take time to journal the journey. 🌿 Work With Me 🌙 Herbal Consultations (Now Open) Root your wellness in the wisdom of the plants — and the stars. My one-on-one consultations offer gentle, grounded guidance rooted in traditional herbalism, vitalist principles, and (if you wish) astrology. Each session begins with listening. 👉 Learn more here: https://mailchi.mp/351efb18cd6b/one-on-one-consultations-landing-page 🌿 Join Me on Patreon Support this work and receive exclusive herbal & holistic content ✨ Membership includes:✔ Monthly herbal & lunar insights✔ DIY recipes & printable guides✔ Free class replays✔ Bi-annual personalized herbal consultations (Tier 3) Membership can be as little as a cup of coffee ☕️ 👉 Join here: https://patreon.com/ThompsonStreetFarm?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink ♈ FREE Zodiac Herbs Guide Unlock the secrets of personalized wellness with my free Zodiac Herbs Guide. https://www.brendajsullivanteach.com/zodiacherbguidefreebieor ☕ Buy Me a Cup of Tea If this story brought you comfort, you can support the channel here: https://buymeacoffee.com/thompsonstg 🎶 Music Credits A heartfelt thank you to Alexander Nakarada for the music featured in this story. I am a Patreon supporter of Alexander's work. 🎼 Song: Planning - 320bit - September 5, 2021 🔗 https://www.serpentsoundstudios.com/ 🌿 Stay Connected Website: https://thenewenglandherbary.com/ Youtube: https://youtube.com/@thenewenglandherbary?si=f7_MB0XEz0vn0Xr Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenewenglandherbary/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61578148227744 Thompson Street Farm LLC: https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/ 💬 I'd love to hear how this story landed for you. Feel free to share your reflections in the comments.
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    33 mins
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