The District Herbalist

01/02/2026

Hello there! Yes, I'm still here 🌱

Today marks 3 year since I published Episode 4 of my Edge of the Hedge podcast. What was to be, rather unexpectedly, the last one for some time, due to having to pause, due to an uptick in parental care needs, lecturing and juggling this with my work as a Herbalist. Life has changed quite a bit since then, in a positive way, and I now find myself with the headspace and a little more available time, and my creativity very much bubbling away.

Things are stirring under the soil. New episodes are coming this Spring, and I can wait to share them with you. But in the meantime, Episode 4 is still available across all platforms, wherever you get your podcasts. It'd mean the world to me, if you could give it another listen, and maybe let me know what you think, and if you enjoy it. Each episode takes around 3-4 days to record, edit, publish and promote, and I do this entirely in my own time, without sponsorship. It is, a labour of love, to share my love of nature, with you.

Thank you 🙏 and do subscribe so you find the new episodes when they're published, and if you'd like to leave a review or rating, we'll, that'd be very much appreciated. It's a big old podcast world out there, for little old me to stand out 🎧

Best listened to with headphones 🎧

Here's what I wrote about the episode back then...

It was great to get up close with the lichens on the hedgerows and the winter aconites. I'll be sharing a few pictures of my walk over the coming days. Have you noticed the lichens and winter aconites this year?

As we spring towards February, I have some wooly company by the edge of the hedge, and I find myself drawn to the luminescent lichen on the hawthorn hedge, before heading back into the village to see the yellow beacons of floral groundcover that are the winter aconite in the churchyard. And on the way, coming across the chattering local starlings who’ve recently lost their regular perching site.

Listen wherever you get your podcasts, or online here at my podcast page:
https://edgeofthehedge.buzzsprout.com/1806445/12165212-ep-4-the-light-returning-lichens-on-the-hedgerow-winter-aconites-and-sheep-in-the-fields

21/12/2025

✨️Wrapped up for the year ✨️

A day later than planned, today was my last day of the year in my office & herbal dispensary. A bit of a flurry of final prescriptions and parcel packing (for tomorrow's post and deliveries) and a last tidy and stock putting away session, before closing the door until I return on 5th January 2026. The out of office is on my email, and I've recorded a new voicemail message. I *think* I've remembered everything 😊

It's going to be a lovely, peaceful, homely Christmas for me and my partner (the unseen moral support / cooking when I'm too busy to, even through it's my turn / endless mugs of tea providing / ever understanding when I run behind with prescriptions and we have to postpone our afternoon out - support behind The District Herbalist) and our cat 🐈. Hoping to enjoy some lovely winter walks, catching up with leisurely (not work) reading, and picking up my watercolours and hopefully my guitar for the first time in a long time, after some busy years of being responsible for lots of parental care things. A Christmas, just for us 🌲❤️ I was going to redecorate my office. I've sensibly shelved that!

I chose this picture, as it's one my amazing Dad painted on his last afternoon on this mortal coil (way back in 1994), a beautiful glowing sunset. It's been my laptop background since scanning it in earlier this year, before sending electronic copies off to my sisters and then sending it on its way to its new home, where it was promised to. A beautiful sunset to share with you, on this Solstice evening, the darkest night of the year. The sun standing still. Before the light returns, gradually each day, and slowing waking up the world from a winter rest.

However you are spending the next few weeks, I wish you the best of health, all my good wishes and I hope to see you in the new year, at a herbal appointment, on a walk with me in the wild, sharing about our beautiful plant friends, or out in the field learning about plants with me. Enjoy good rest if you can. Sleep soundly. I'll see you when the days start to grow longer, in the new year.

With love, and gratitude if you've chosen to work or walk with me this year, and for following me on here
Hannah x 🌱✨️🌲🌟

12/08/2025

💚🌱 Some personal words, about herbs and pregnancy 🌱💚

I fell into supporting fertility and pregnancy with herbs completely by accident, but it’s such a wonderful thing to be able to help people with. Interestingly, many ‘Herbie babies’ seem to have an innate love for herbs and plants, too, which always makes me smile.

This picture is of me, a few minutes old. I was born at home, in the front bedroom, somewhat unusually in ‘en caul’. There are all sorts of superstitions and beliefs about being born en caul. I remember my Mum telling me that her own Mum was really cross for not keeping my caul, as sailors would have paid a high price for such a thing (an old belief that if you were in possession of a caul, you wouldn’t drown). The next picture is me, 39 and a bit years later, with one of the midwives that delivered me. A really lovely lady called Ann. We swapped Christmas cards each year, and I used to send her a ‘happy birthday’ text on her birthday. Sadly, I found out today, that she passed away last Autumn, but what a privilege to have known her. I’ve heard plenty of stories about my birth, from my late Mum and Dad, and my sisters, but it was so interesting hearing about it from her side, too – my Mum’s stubbornness wasn’t something that was easily forgotten!

Back then, in 1977, not only were home births becoming rarer, but ‘geriatric home births’ were rather frowned upon. I was the fourth Sylvester, with two home births before me, but my mum was nearing 40 when I was due. Many scare stories were apparently told to my Mum, but, in her true stubborn style, she was having none of it, and on clearing through her old belongings (because she kept everything, quite literally), I came across a disclaimer that she had to sign to say that she understood the risks she was taking having a baby at such a late age, and at home.

Choice in pregnancy has changed a lot, since then, thankfully. I’m fully in favour of supporting each individual’s choice, safely. Perhaps in part thanks to the story of my own birth.

Whilst not every patient I support with fertility successfully conceives, there have certainly been more successes than not. Herbs work so gently and supportively with the reproductive system, and the wider body systems that have a role to play in conception, that month by month (and very quickly, for some), real tangible changes are possible. Then, when you get a text, or email with positive news, well, that’s just smile growing stuff! For those who for whatever reason aren’t able to conceive, there’s plenty herbs can do to provide valuable emotional support, too. Whichever way things turn out, it’s a real honour to work in this field.

Many herbs aren’t suitable during pregnancy and breastfeeding of course, but as a qualified Herbalist, I know what’s safe and not safe to use, and I help through pregnancy and post-partum, making beautiful herbal blends (and individual herbs too) to support the body and baby (or babies!).

It’s always lovely to meet the ‘Herbie Babies’ too, whether online, or in person, and support them with their own health as they’re growing up. And if the herbs are able to help with a new brother or sister for them, well, happy to help there too!

Here’s to you though, Ann. For delivering me (and many others) safely, and for being a thoroughly lovely human being. What a privilege to have known you!

28/07/2025

This weekend, come and take a walk along the River Trent with me.

Saturday morning, I've got a herb walk in Newark-on-Trent and it'd be great to have you with us! We spotted loads of marvellous medicinal plants in this walk last year, and it'll be really interesting to see what we find this year. We'll make tea, we'll taste samples as we go around, and I'll send you a handout afterwards, of what we find. No frantic scribbling of notes, just enjoy the wander 🌱

Pre-booking is essential https://www.eventbrite.com/e/urban-herb-walk-the-medicinal-plants-and-trees-of-newark-upon-trent-tickets-1466400767169?aff=ebdsshother&utm_share_source=listing_android&sg=4daaffd34a55718251b56c89bb6d476940184df6a806e500d27cf099a06709ea0e92298bd91403b3f9936742a593a6dc6582843914d81175b55171e3bc6c46971a509e36663375f7678b9048

See you there? I hope so 😊🌳

25/07/2025

Less than a week to grab a ticket for my peaceful Wilding Your Health morning at John Clare Cottage near Peterborough 🌱🌻 Would be so lovely to have you with us 😊

A calming and enlightening half-day of exploring the healing power of wild plants, including a herb walk and guided meditative tea tasting

17/07/2025

A little video update about new ideas, a couple of upcoming herb walks, and recent years.

Thanks for watching 🙏🌱

14/07/2025

It's been quite the couple of years, since putting out Episode 4 of my fledgling podcast, but I'm really glad to share that as of this last weekend, is emerging again, after spending a brilliant weekend at in Rutland. What a weekend!

Earlier this year, I chanced upon a call out for podcasters to join the podcasting stage at Birdfair, and thought, this can be the kick-start to getting recording and producing again, and I was so delighted when I was offered me a slot over the weekend and paired me up with a perfect guest. (Thanks )

Sunday lunchtime, I had the absolute joy of spending half an hour in the company of photographer, conservationist and nature educator, talking about his career in natute conservation, his passion for photography and the importance of getting to know nature more deeply. My conversation with George will feature as part of upcoming episodes and I really look forward to sharing this with you. In the meantime, do give him a follow, he makes really engaging videos and you'll learn a lot from him. I think he has big things on the horizon, I'm sure!

Over the weekend, I also bumped into Suzy from (my favourite birding podcast) and after sharing a lovely conversation, both decided to record a chat with each other about out podcasts and love for nature. We have a lot in common!

I was also hopeful I'd come across some people I could speak to about specific subjects I have in mind for future episodes, and was so happy to come across and his beautiful stand in the artists marquee. His painting and studies of Swifts struck me incredibly powerfully, and it was clear that this was someone who knew his subject matter, through deep and long term observation. I'm immensely grateful to him spending some time with me and sharing about his love of Swifts and his work. I took a listen back to his words last night, and I don't doubt for a second, like me, you'll love what he shares.

So, seed sown and watered! I can't wait to share new episodes with you 🌱
Coming late 2025/early 2026
Oh, and please give a follow 🙏

07/07/2025

🌿 Wilding Your Health - Medicinal Herb Walk & Sensory Meditative Tea Tasting, Sunday 3rd August 10 - 1pm

A calming and enlightening half-day of exploring the healing power of wild plants, including a herb walk and guided meditative tea tasting.

Join us for a morning at John Clare Cottage garden with Medical Herbalist and Nature Educator, Hannah Sylvester.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/wilding-your-health-medicinal-herb-walk-sensory-meditative-tea-tasting-tickets-1466343686439?aff=oddtdtcreator

A calming and enlightening half-day of exploring the healing power of wild plants, including a herb walk and guided meditative tea tasting

14/06/2025

What's that? A whole day of free, naturally inspired workshops and crafty sessions, you say? YES! TOMORROW Sunday 15 June 11am-4pm! 🌿🌳🦋 join me and other folk in Sleaford at The Nettles as part of RiverLight Festival for an outdoor free family event for all ages will connect you with nature and hands-on and artist-led creative and fun activities:
Wood Carving | Willow Weaving | Sun Prints | Ceramic Fairies | Herbal Tea Bag & Oaty Bath Ball Making | Forest School | Sun Prints | Nature Walks …. and much more 🌞🐦‍⬛

13/06/2025

Time is flying by this Spring/ Summer! Somehow, it's reached the time for the annual NK Walking Festival which starts tomorrow. There's a whole heap of brilliant walks taking place across the district, and I'm leading two herb walks, one tomorrow morning (sold out before I could advertise it, sorry folks) and another on Sunday afternoon next week in Scopwick, which there's one ticket left for (I may up that by one, to make a pair available). There will be more herb walks coming up, I'll be trying to get those booked in next week, so keep your eyes peeled 😊. Newsletter subscribers have first dibs, and then I'll be popping them on here 😊🌱🌻

Learn about the medicinal plants and wild food at your feet, with a Medical Herbalist and Wild Nature Guide, on a gentle inspiring walk.

10/05/2025

A Serendipitous Saturday 🦋 🌱
You can plan all your like, but sometimes random opportunities come up that are way too.good to miss!

Today, I was meant to be writing prescriptions and dispensing herbs all day, but just before lunch, for the first time in ages, I happened to look at Twitter, and noticed that the fabulous Jane E Hall was in Lincolnshire, giving a talk in Reepham! A mere 20 minute drive from me. So, tools down, and off I drove with Jane's beautiful book, The Nature of Creativity, in my bag, to hopefully get signed. I bought this as a leaving present to myself, when I quit lecturing on the Herbal Medicine degree at Lincoln, when due to the pressures of working in mainstream education, running my business and increasingly complicated elderly family caring duties, meant that something had to give. And I decided that it wasn't going to be me. The book, I wanted to use as part of my hope to make more time for myself, immersing myself back into more of my old creative self. A "creative escape" as Jane puts it.

It was an absolute joy to hear Jane speak about her life, how her creative practice weaves its way into supporting her health, how she hopes to honour the plants and creatures that feature in her work, and the delightful stories that she threads through her work, and about her studio and patch of land in Dorset. It's always heartening to hear that there are others, like me that collects random found things from nature, talks to trees, and seek solace in nature.

And to see some of her work in the flesh, well, a sight to behold. I've never seen such intricate needlework.

Thank you Jane, for travelling all this way and having the time to talk with me afterwards (and signing my book!), and thank you to the lovely ladies at the Lincolnshire Textiles Group for letting me come and visit, as a guest and making me feel so welcome and being so encouraging. I've come away feeling full-hearted, inspired, and with some lovely new pics for my wall at home. And with even more inspiration to keep on working on my creative ideas and projects, personally and professionally 🙏🌱 🦋

But, for the rest of today... back in the dispensary I go!

21/03/2025

Patient review 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I'm really humbled to receive this lovely review from a patient I've been working with over the last year. Working together, through online appointments and my bespoke tinctures and teas, she's come such a long way! I'm always grateful when people recommend me to others, and I'm so glad I've been able to help 🙏💚🌻 thank you!