The New England Herbary

Brenda J. Sullivan
  • 0.0 (0)
  • Alternative Health
  • Monthly

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.

  1. 2d ago

    61 Samhain: The Ancestors' Table and the Turning of the Celtic Year

    The morning after Samhain, I sit down at the ancestors' table. This episode explores the old English custom of souling and soul cakes, the Irish and Celtic ways of welcoming the dead home in the dark half of the year, and the two plants that belong at this season's table: the apple, with its hidden star, and mullein, the "hag's taper" once carried as a light for the dead. In this episode Why Samhain was a season, not a single night, and how All Saints' and All Souls' grew from it Souling in Shropshire and Cheshire, and the Antrobus Soulcakers who still perform today Setting a place for the dead: Irish hearth customs and the American dumb supper Apple lore for Samhain, from Snap-Apple Night to Avalon, the isle of apples Mullein as the hag's taper, candlewick plant and New England's "Quaker rouge" A simple, gently spiced soul cake recipe and a warm apple cup for the ancestors' table Herbs featured Apple — Samhain's fruit. Apple seeds release cyanide when crushed, so never grind them into food. Mullein — use the leaves and flowers, never the seeds. Strain mullein tea through a fine cloth to catch the tiny hairs. If you light a dried stalk, do it outdoors in a fire-safe spot and never leave it unattended. This week's ritual: Set a place at the table for those who came before — an apple cut crosswise to show its star, a candle in the window with a dried mullein stalk beside it, and your ancestors' names spoken aloud. Watch the companion video: Samhain Eve — a cozy story on YouTube https://youtu.be/FZ2XsClXSQ4?si=lq-oFG-C8BNQjsu4 From the Herbary Archive: Episode 01, Souling https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/11811821 ✍️ Join my Newsletter! If you'd like to know me a little more personally, a letter arrives from the garden each Friday — seasonal stories, herbal wisdom, the quiet rhythms of the Celtic year, and personal videos from the Herbary I'm building by hand.   You'll be the first to hear about new offerings, upcoming classes, and hands-on workshops. And each month, subscribers receive the topic and the link for our free Zoom circle, where we gather to learn and linger together.   It's a slow, unhurried corner of the internet. Come as you are. https://thenewenglandherbary.com/join/ 🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. Dried Mullein Leaf https://link.amazon/B0aG4LFuh 2. Beeswax Candles https://link.amazon/B02TnlzO1 3. Saffron Threads https://link.amazon/B0dBea0ES 4. Whole Nutmeg https://link.amazon/B0fXjgsFI   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 guidance Space for drawings, photos, and notes Imaginative 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   ☕ 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 The New England Herbary is a project of Thompson Street Farm LLC. https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/

  2. 5d ago

    60 Samhain, The Thinning Veil and the Turning of the Celtic New Year

    As the last golden days of October give way to the dark half of the year, we stand together at the threshold of Samhain, the ancient Celtic new year, when the veil between the worlds grows thin. In this episode, I share the old stories of Samhain from Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and the Isle of Man, the herbal lore of the apple, and a simple candlelight ritual to close the door on the old year and welcome the new one, gently, in the dark. In this episode: Why the Celtic new year began in the dark, and what that teaches us about beginnings The Hunter's Moon, Scorpio season, and Mercury retrograde in Scorpio The sacred fire at Tlachtga, from which every hearth in Ireland was lit again The tale of Nera, who walked into the fairy hill on Samhain night Guising, turnip lanterns, and the Welsh spirit night Apple lore, the hidden star inside every apple, and the old Halloween drink called lambswool A ritual for closing the old year's door: a swept threshold, a single flame, and an apple shared   Herb featured: apple.  From the Herbary Archive: #28 Samhain and #12 Connecticut Witch Trials 28 - https://youtu.be/fjdUkbw2Bz8?si=mYm0EFAL9n84xcVy 12 - https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/16619426 ✍️ Join my Newsletter! If you'd like to know me a little more personally, a letter arrives from the garden each Friday — seasonal stories, herbal wisdom, the quiet rhythms of the Celtic year, and personal videos from the Herbary I'm building by hand.   You'll be the first to hear about new offerings, upcoming classes, and hands-on workshops. And each month, subscribers receive the topic and the link for our free Zoom circle, where we gather to learn and linger together.   It's a slow, unhurried corner of the internet. Come as you are. https://thenewenglandherbary.com/join/   🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. Beeswax Taper Candles https://link.amazon/B0dNHbgdy 2. Nutmeg Grater https://link.amazon/B08GsERYY 3. Stations Of The Sun by Ronald Hutton https://link.amazon/B0gDV3Leo   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 guidance Space for drawings, photos, and notes Imaginative 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   ☕ 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 The New England Herbary is a project of Thompson Street Farm LLC. https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/

  3. Oct 18

    59 Rowan and Red Thread: The Celtic Tree of Protection at Samhain

    In this episode Where we stand on the Wheel of the Year: the week before Samhain, the Hunter's Moon in Taurus, the Orionid meteor shower, and the start of Scorpio season with Mercury and Venus retrograde Rowan's many old names, the tiny five-pointed star on every berry, and its place in the Irish ogham How Scottish families used rowan wood and red thread to guard the hearth, the butter churn and the cattle, and the old Scots rhyme that went with it The Irish tale of the Quicken Tree of Dubhros, a rowan that fed, healed and sheltered two lovers on the run A traditional rowan and apple jelly, the old Highland companion to venison and game How to make a red thread protection charm from the trees that guard your own home     Herb featured: Rowan, also called mountain ash (Sorbus aucuparia, with the native American mountain ash, Sorbus americana). Rowan berries are never eaten raw. They're used only cooked, as in jelly. Be certain of your tree before gathering, and leave plenty for the birds.   Join the free Samhain circle: "The Thinning Veil: A Samhain Circle of Herbs and Remembrance," Sunday, October 25, on the eve of the Hunter's Moon. The link is in this week's newsletter, "A Red Thread on the Kitchen Door." If you can't join live, a recording will follow.   From the Herbary Archive: Episode #08, "One of Windsor," the story of Alse Young, the first woman executed for witchcraft in the American colonies, in Hartford in 1647. Click here to listen https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/15432050   ✍️ Join my Newsletter! If you'd like to know me a little more personally, a letter arrives from the garden each Friday — seasonal stories, herbal wisdom, the quiet rhythms of the Celtic year, and personal videos from the Herbary I'm building by hand.   You'll be the first to hear about new offerings, upcoming classes, and hands-on workshops. And each month, subscribers receive the topic and the link for our free Zoom circle, where we gather to learn and linger together.   It's a slow, unhurried corner of the internet. Come as you are. https://thenewenglandherbary.com/join/   🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. Red Cotton Thread https://amzn.to/4yO88rA 2. Dried Organic Tulsi/Holy Basil https://amzn.to/4dLPVCC 3. Jelly bag and stand https://amzn.to/4BdTM5r 4. Square Small 17 oz Jam Jars with Airtight Lids 6 Pack Wide Mouth https://amzn.to/4ecAfsc 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 guidance Space for drawings, photos, and notes Imaginative 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   ☕ 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 The New England Herbary is a project of Thompson Street Farm LLC. https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/

  4. Oct 9

    58 Putting the Garden to Bed| Fall Cleanup the Herbalist's Way

    As October's first frosts arrive, the garden is ready to rest. In this episode, Brenda shares the old way of putting the garden to bed: not stripping it bare, but tucking it in. Drawing on wisdom from her friend and longtime gardening teacher Bettylou Sandy, she walks through what to cut back, what to leave standing for the birds and native bees, and how a blanket of fallen leaves feeds the soil all winter. She shares how to plant garlic at the New Moon in Libra, and introduces witch hazel, New England's native tree that blooms just as everything else lets go. Whether your garden is acres, a raised bed, or a few pots on the deck, this is a gentle, practical guide to fall cleanup and seasonal living. In this episode: Why "mimic nature" is the heart of fall cleanup, and how three feet of leaves becomes an inch and a half of soil What to cut back and what to leave standing: annuals, perennials, seed heads, and woody herbs Putting a small garden to bed: pots, raised beds on legs, and bringing tender plants indoors A hard-won lesson from an aphid outbreak: why to keep new nursery plants apart before they join the others How to plant garlic in the ground, a raised bed, or a deep pot, and keep the squirrels out Witch hazel's story, from Indigenous medicine and dowsing rods to Connecticut's famous bottle, plus a simple homemade witch hazel wash Herbs featured: Witch hazel (Hamamelis virginiana) and garlic. Note of care: A homemade witch hazel wash is for external use only. Refrigerate it and use it within about a week, or mix it 50-50 with 80-proof vodka to keep it on the shelf. Patch-test on sensitive skin. From the Herbary Archive: Episodes #10 and #11, Fall Garden Clean Up and Winter Gardening with Bettylou Sandy (first released under the show's original name, Living and Lovin' Herbs). Episode 10 Fall Garden Clean Up and Winter Gardening With Bettylou Sandy Part 1 https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/16258019 Episode 11 Fall Garden Cleanup and Winter Gardening With Bettylou Sandy Part 2 https://directory.libsyn.com/episode/index/id/16440317 ✍️ Join my Newsletter! If you'd like to know me a little more personally, a letter arrives from the garden each Friday — seasonal stories, herbal wisdom, the quiet rhythms of the Celtic year, and personal videos from the Herbary I'm building by hand.   You'll be the first to hear about new offerings, upcoming classes, and hands-on workshops. And each month, subscribers receive the topic and the link for our free Zoom circle, where we gather to learn and linger together.   It's a slow, unhurried corner of the internet. Come as you are. https://thenewenglandherbary.com/join/   🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. Dried Witch Hazel Bark https://amzn.to/4yI6ZBU 2. HARDNECK Garlic Bulb for Planting  https://amzn.to/473P0K5 3. 2 QT Stainless Steel Sauce Pan with Lid - for making cosmetics https://amzn.to/4AULIXd   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 guidance Space for drawings, photos, and notes Imaginative 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   ☕ 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 The New England Herbary is a project of Thompson Street Farm LLC. https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/

  5. Sep 22

    57 Mabon: The Balance Of Light And Dark, And The Rising Of The Harvest Moon

    Autumn equinox 2026 arrives September 22 at 8:05 PM Eastern — the exact moment light and dark stand in balance before the Harvest Moon rises full on September 26. This week's episode is a Mabon meditation on the second harvest, the threshold between light and dark, and hawthorn — the old hedgerow guardian of doorways — plus a folk-method walkthrough for a simple hawthorn haw cordial to carry you into the dark half of the year. In this episode: — The exact astronomy of the 2026 autumn equinox and why "equal night" isn't quite exact — Mabon's roots in Welsh myth, the English harvest home, and the wider world's autumn thanksgivings — Why the second harvest asks something different of us than the first — Hawthorn: the folklore of a threshold tree, and its old reputation as a heart plant — A folk-method hawthorn haw cordial, start to finish — A simple Mabon ritual for the equinox evening and the rising Harvest Moon Find this week's companion reflection in the newsletter and the full seasonal walk on YouTube — both linked below. And if this episode gave you something worth keeping, pass it along to a fellow gardener who might need this week's pause too.   ✍️ Join my Newsletter! If you'd like to know me a little more personally, a letter arrives from the garden each Friday — seasonal stories, herbal wisdom, the quiet rhythms of the Celtic year, and personal videos from the Herbary I'm building by hand. You'll be the first to hear about new offerings, upcoming classes, and hands-on workshops. And each month, subscribers receive the topic and the link for our free Zoom circle, where we gather to learn and linger together. It's a slow, unhurried corner of the internet. Come as you are. https://thenewenglandherbary.com/join/   🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. Dried Organic Hawthorn Berries https://amzn.to/4hH8avb 2. Hawthorn Berry Tincture https://amzn.to/4rt1cNK 3. Organic Hawthorn Berry Powder https://amzn.to/4ydGfsO   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 guidance Space for drawings, photos, and notes Imaginative 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   ☕ 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 The New England Herbary is a project of Thompson Street Farm LLC. https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/

  6. Sep 9

    56 Elderberry Syrup for Cold Season: The Herbal Craft of Putting By

    Learn how to make elderberry syrup at home with this simple, traditional folk-method recipe — plus what makes elderberry one of autumn's most trusted allies for cold and flu season. This week, we're deep into putting-by season — the quiet, practical work of turning a harvest into medicine that lasts through winter. I walk through the full elderberry syrup process step by step (no fancy equipment, no precise measurements, just the old way of doing it), along with the plant's constituents, energetics, and history — including its old European folklore as a guarded, protective tree, and its lesser-known American cousin growing right here in New England hedgerows. Also in this episode: a look at tomorrow's rare astrological lineup — Venus moving into Scorpio for an extended stay, and the year's only New Moon in Virgo — and what both mean for anyone looking to start something new this season. Plus a few notes from my recent weekend at the Misty Meadows Women's Herbal Conference in Thetford, Vermont, and an update from the land as I work on a rainwater tower project here at The New England Herbary.  In this episode: How to make a traditional elderberry syrup, folk-method style Why elderberry works for cold and flu season — constituents, energetics, and a note on safety The folklore of the European elder tree, and the American elderberry growing wild in New England Venus enters Scorpio + the New Moon in Virgo: what tomorrow's sky means for new beginnings Notes from the Misty Meadows Women's Herbal Conference As always, I'm not a physician, and nothing here replaces care from your own healthcare provider — especially if you're on immune-modulating medication or managing an autoimmune condition. Folk Method Elderberry Syrup FREE Recipe https://mailchi.mp/b6b478eb1572/0m18jv0xwu Photos from the conference — including the full moon campfire circle — are up on the website with this week's post. You can also catch the full newsletter and this week's YouTube companion piece for more on this season's putting-by work. ✍️ Join my Newsletter! If you'd like to know me a little more personally, a letter arrives from the garden each Friday — seasonal stories, herbal wisdom, the quiet rhythms of the Celtic year, and personal videos from the Herbary I'm building by hand.   You'll be the first to hear about new offerings, upcoming classes, and hands-on workshops. And each month, subscribers receive the topic and the link for our free Zoom circle, where we gather to learn and linger together.   It's a slow, unhurried corner of the internet. Come as you are. https://thenewenglandherbary.com/join/   🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. European Dried Elderberries https://amzn.to/4AjU7TQ 2. Stainless Steel Chinois Strainer with Stand and Wooden Pestle Set https://amzn.to/4A99Fty 3. 16 oz Wide Mouth Glass Mason Jars with Lids, 6 Pack for Canning https://amzn.to/46c8uMb   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 guidance Space for drawings, photos, and notes Imaginative 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 ☕ 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 The New England Herbary is a project of Thompson Street Farm LLC. https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/

  7. Aug 26

    55 The Sturgeon Moon and the Second Eclipse: Light at the Full

    Sturgeon Moon eclipse ritual: a full moon in Virgo, a partial lunar eclipse, and the old grain-harvest folklore that echoes it. This week we hold the second doorway of eclipse season with gratitude, not urgency. "The sky doesn't belong to any one tradition. It just gets read, faithfully, by whoever's standing underneath it." The moon has been swelling since the new dark of the total solar eclipse — and on August 28th, it arrives full, under the shadow of a partial lunar eclipse in Virgo. We trace the Sturgeon Moon back to its true source with the Algonquin peoples of the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain region, then cross the ocean to the old European Grain Moon and Barley Moon, threading straight back to Episode 52, "John Barleycorn & the First Loaf: The Story of Lughnasadh" (go give that one a listen if you missed it). Along the way: what this eclipse pairing is really asking of us, why Virgo's discernment matters this week, and a full walkthrough of this week's ritual — charging a batch of dried herbs beneath the moon.   If this episode gives you something to sit with, pass it along to a fellow gardener or herb enthusiast who'd love a slow evening under a full moon as much as you do. You'll find this week's reflection prompt waiting in the newsletter.   🌾 This week's reflection: What abundance in your life deserves to be named and thanked this full moon?   ✍️ Join my Newsletter! If you'd like to know me a little more personally, a letter arrives from the garden each Friday — seasonal stories, herbal wisdom, the quiet rhythms of the Celtic year, and personal videos from the Herbary I'm building by hand.   You'll be the first to hear about new offerings, upcoming classes, and hands-on workshops. And each month, subscribers receive the topic and the link for our free Zoom circle, where we gather to learn and linger together.   It's a slow, unhurried corner of the internet. Come as you are. https://thenewenglandherbary.com/join/   🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. Organic Meadowsweet Herb https://amzn.to/4guvPgz 2. Lavender Journal: Notebook, by Brenda J. Sullivan https://amzn.to/4cIl09E 3. Moons Water Bottle, 8.5oz Glass Charging Jar with Wood Lid, Moon Energy Storage Container for Spiritual Hydration, Intention Setting, Crystal Cleansing & Meditation(Vivid) https://amzn.to/4qGAkcO   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 guidance Space for drawings, photos, and notes Imaginative 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   ☕ 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 The New England Herbary is a project of Thompson Street Farm LLC. https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/

  8. Aug 23

    54 Virgo Season Herbalism| The Craft of Putting By

    Virgo season has arrived, and it's time for the craft of putting by. This episode covers calendula's uses in tea, skincare, and a step-by-step calendula-infused almond oil recipe for your fall and winter apothecary. As the sun crosses from Leo into Virgo, the wheel turns from gathering toward keeping. We explore the old mythology behind Virgo — the maiden with the sheaf, her roots in the stories of Demeter and Persephone, and why she and Scorpio are so often called the zodiac's most misunderstood signs — alongside this week's moon phase and what it asks of us as the season shifts. Then we turn to calendula, still blooming bright even as summer leans toward autumn, and hold her three ways: as a gentle tea, in bath and body preparations including a simple facial toner, and — this week's featured craft — steeped slowly into sweet almond oil for a golden, all-purpose infusion you'll use for months to come. The full recipe, with measurements, is available as a free downloadable PDF in the show notes below. We also talk about starting small this season — no bushel baskets required — whether that's firecider, herbs drying from a few pots on the deck, or a fruit shrub made one piece at a time, inspired in part by herbalist Judith Berger's writing in Herbal Rituals on the industrious rhythm of an herbalist's August. If this episode speaks to you, you'll find the companion piece on YouTube and this week's reflection in the newsletter — and if a fellow gardener comes to mind, we'd love for you to share it with them. Download Recipe Here! https://mailchi.mp/8c627338634c/calendula-oil-infusion-recipe-podcast-54 Book Attribution This episode draws inspiration from Judith Berger's Herbal Rituals: A Guide to Living Seasonally (specifically her reflections on August, decanting spring infusions, and the cyclical rhythm of an herbalist's year). We highly recommend her book for anyone looking to deepen their own seasonal practice. ✍️ Join my Newsletter! If you'd like to know me a little more personally, a letter arrives from the garden each Friday — seasonal stories, herbal wisdom, the quiet rhythms of the Celtic year, and personal videos from the Herbary I'm building by hand.   You'll be the first to hear about new offerings, upcoming classes, and hands-on workshops. And each month, subscribers receive the topic and the link for our free Zoom circle, where we gather to learn and linger together.   It's a slow, unhurried corner of the internet. Come as you are. https://thenewenglandherbary.com/join/   🌿 Herbs & Favorite Tools (affiliate links — thank you for supporting this work) Herbs featured in this Show: 1. Dried Calendula Flowers https://amzn.to/4cxGwOk 2. Calendula Flower Seeds (My favorite seeds to grow flowers!!) https://amzn.to/3UfQLAz 3. Lavender Journal: Notebook - by Brenda J. Sullivan https://amzn.to/4wEoW2j   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 guidance Space for drawings, photos, and notes Imaginative 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   ☕ 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 The New England Herbary is a project of Thompson Street Farm LLC. https://thompsonstreetfarm.com/

See All (60)

About

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.

Information

  • Creator
    Brenda J. Sullivan
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    60
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © (C) Thompson Street Farm LLC - All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The New England Herbary