The District Herbalist

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!

22/11/2024

Well, it's reached that time of year when I do my only 'stall' at our village Christmas Fair in Waddington. There's not many events that happen in our village, and it's a lovely day to catch up with folk and support other local businesses and organisations.

This year, I'll be there with dried herbs for tea, a few herbal tinctures, and some special herbal droppers.

Maybe see you there? (Saturday 23rd November) 🌟

10/08/2024

Fancy a day out at Newark tomorrow? If you do, come and see me at the Newark Creates 'Newark on Sea' in the Market Place, with lots of lovely art things going on, 10am-4pm. I'll be taking a case of goodies for making free loose leaf herbal tea bags and free herbal oaty bath balls. Herbs for all the family! It's totally free, all of it 😊 so why not pop over? See you there?

09/08/2024

💚 14 YEARS OF BEING A QUALIFIED HERBALIST 💚

On 29th June 2010, I sat up until midnight on my computer, waiting to receive my final degree results, and then the news finally arrived...a First Class BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine 🎉 I felt extraordinarily grateful. After lots, and lots of hard work, whilst juggling 3 days in a regular job and navigating my way through a breast cancer diagnosis, through my first year of study. It was far from easy. But I was lucky to study with an amazing group of fellow students, and we all supported each other through the ups and downs, and we gathered for fantastic celebrations at the end of each year of study. As I used to tell students on the degree, when I was a lecturer myself, it is a life changing degree, in so many different ways.
💚
Then, on 2nd August 2010, I officially set up and launched The District Herbalist. My own little business, and my first business! But how on earth has it been 14 years?!?
🌻
You never stop learning, as a herbalist. Every single patient I work / have worked with teaches me something new. Thank you to everyone who's chosen to work with me as their herbalist, so far. Every herb walk is different and brings something new to the table. Thank you for walking with me, if you've joined a walk. Each workshop.and tea tasting the same.
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So what next? My little business will continue to slowly morph and change, just as I change with time. Who knows where I'll be in another 7 years! My practice is always developing, as i continue to learn. This year it's been great to get the herb walks properly back on track again. I think the big thing, for me, going forward, aside from my clinical work and medicine making, is a strong desire to really develop my outdoor and nature education work and help people to feel more comfortable being with, and understanding the natural world that were a part of, through direct experience and time with plants. And why that's the best way? Well, more on that at a later point 😊
🌻
Really look forward to sharing what comes next with you!

[Picture: me holding a Tree Mallow... you know me, and Mallows 😄💓]

30/07/2024

👟🌱 Thursday evening wallk 🌱🌳

It has been really lovely to share herb walks with so many fab wild plant curious folk again this year. Villages and urban areas, public walks and private walks for gardening groups, WIs and local employers. Each one different, informed by the people that came along, the plants we found, the terrain we walked, and the weather.

This week is my last walk of the seaon, before focusing on different group plant experiences through the autumn and winter. More details on that soon!

At the time of me writing this, there's 4 tickets remaining for the South Common Herb Walk on Thursday 1st August, 6pm-8pm. You can book on here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lammas-evening-herb-walk-the-medicinal-plants-of-lincolns-south-common-tickets-929307231947

It's looking a bit cooler for that night, phew! A cool, informative, enlightening amble around the South Common, with like minded folk, and tea.. what better way to start the month 😊🌻🌼 see you there?

29/07/2024

🌼 Combination tinctures 🌼

The last couple of years, I've been experimenting, making some small batch combination tinctures with freshly foraged herbs. Picked with situations in mind, for subtle support.

Last year, at Midsummer, I picked St John's Wort, along with a little Yarrow, Wild Rose, and Ribwort Plantain, to infused as a tincture for a month. All picked on the longest day, in full sunshine, in the most peaceful of places.

This particular blend, I usually use in drop doses, for strength and bringing in some light during challenging times. St John's Wort for summer warmth, and deep nervous system restoration, Wild Rose to comfort and soften, Yarrow for toning and supporting healthy boundaries, and Ribwort Plantain for toning and resilience (it is, after all, a plant that withstands being trodden on, and is somewhat bolstered by it). I might add this to my usual herbal tinctures, a little like one might use a flower remedy, and in some cases, a small dropper bottle, separately.

Over the course of its month infusion, it of course turned red, as St John's Wort does, and one of the heart shaped petals of the Rose stuck to the side of the jar too. That made me smile.

It tastes glorious! A real vibrant reminder of that day. Nothing tastes like St John's Wort. That subtle fizzy warmth for me, is one of the pure tastes of summer. A plant so many people are cautious of, and rightly in some cases, but it works so well, when used in the right way.

Every single person I support with plant medicines, has a bespoke blended tincture of a combination of herbs made for them, from individual, organic, and usually fresh plant tinctures. Because, every single person presents differently, has a different constitution, different set of health circumstances and different health history. It's one of the reasons why herbal medicine works so well. I meet each individual, where they find themselves at that time, and then they, I and the plants work together, to subtly shift and support their health, as it moves forward.