Sweet Birch Herbals

Sweet Birch Herbals Hannah Morano, founder of Sweet Birch Herbals, community herbalist & mentor

06/02/2026

Sowing milky oats, Avena sativa, into our gardens as a cover crop not only for building soil but also for nourishing our nervous systems.

In the pre oat phase, this plant is super rich in nutrients, calming to the spirit, and feeds our nervous systems.

Drink them as a tea by bringing them to a boil in water for 5 minutes, turn off heat and steep 30 mins, strain and sip. Find them in our Nourish & Rebuild tea.

Or tincture in alcohol for a shelf stable product. It’s in our Stress Relief formula.

May they bring you deep peace and rejuvenation!

May they bring our soil aka soul more health and richness!

🌿🌿🌿🌿

05/28/2026

Work smarter, not harder. This motto has been guiding farmers for decades.

Our spring bed prep has been so much easier thanks to these tools from

We practice no-till organic methods on this little herb farm in Ashfield, Ma.

First, we clear away big weeds and then we broad fork to loosen the soil. This breaks up any compaction after a long winter and aerates the soil. It is really important to do if you have clay soil or compacted areas.

Next, we add compost because fertility is everything especially after taking so much out last year while harvesting regularly.

Last, we use this tilther, not a tiller, to gently incorporate the compost into the beds. It only goes down about two inches, which avoids disturbing the complex structures below. The tilther also fluffs up the surface making planting easier.

It is powered by a simple drill! No gas or complicated systems that break.

After we plant the herb seedlings, we let them grow a few weeks to get bigger, then mulch under them with straw which holds moisture in the soil while suppressing weeds.

The less digging, turning and disturbing the soil the better for our backs and the earth!

Thanks to the Harold Grinspoon Foundation for giving us a generous grant to purchase these tools for our no till herb farm

05/26/2026

Joint pain? Arthritis? Tendons and ligaments that are overstretched? Subluxation after a ski accident? Solomon’s Seal Root Oil to the rescue!

It soothes and lubricates the joints, tendons and muscular skeletal system. Bringing synovial fluid back, repairing damaged tissues, and reducing inflammation, this root is incredible.

Several years ago my SC joint, which connects the sternoclavicular muscle on the neck to the clavicle dislocated and did not heal properly. The pain was so high I would sometimes just lay in bed crying.

I started getting cortisone shots because I needed relief. I didn’t want to continue going for them, so I started applying this oil to my joint daily. Now, I have minimal pain only when I over work or forget to breathe.

Solomon’s Seal Roots (Polygonatum biflorum) even look like joints. It does grow wild in forests but I suggest only using cultivated as the wild ones should stay there. Grow it in your garden for the hummingbirds. It’s a gorgeous plant! It even looks a little like a spine, which is not a coincidence because it supports the spine.

Note: the roots are used as tincture and oil but the leaves and berries are not edible. Don’t eat the berries.

There is also a look alike called False Solomons Seal but the flowers are only on the tip of the plant, while true has flowers along the entire branch where the leaves grow. Only use true Solomon’s seal.

Find the oil (for external use) in my online shop - newly added this week!

How to use the oil: it must be applied topically daily for a few weeks - consistency is key. As with anything- you have to believe in it! Ask it to support you, be open to healing and transformation.

herbal

05/23/2026

Astragalus Root fortifies and builds the immune system or Wei Qi in Chinese Medicine, specifically the lung Qi.

Astragalus grows as a perennial here in New England and I think everyone ought to try growing it because not only is it used for medicine it is also beautiful!

Uses:
Bone marrow depression
Recovery from blood loss
Frequent colds or lowered immunity
Diabetes and blood sugar support
Edema and water retention
Hepatitis and liver weakness
Hypertension
Lung weakness or shortness of breath
Exhaustion and wasting conditions
Night sweats or spontaneous sweating
Pr*****ed organs
Poor s***m motility and fertility support
Slow-healing wounds

Cautions:
Astragalus is generally considered safe based on traditional use and modern clinical experience. Still, there are a few considerations:

When already ill: In TCM, astragalus is not recommended once an acute illness has set in, especially if fever is present. Because it strengthens the Wei Qi and “holds” the body’s energy inward, it may prevent the natural process of sweating out a pathogen.
Health conditions: Use caution with individuals who have bleeding conditions, altered blood pressure, blood sugar issues, musculoskeletal or neurological disorders, or certain skin conditions.
Pregnancy and lactation: Safety has not been firmly established—consult with a qualified practitioner before use.

How to prepare it - I like adding a few slices of roots to my rice cooker so the benefits infused into the rice. I remove them after cooking because they’re too hard to eat. A broth or soup with them added is also wonderful. Just add them to your soup pot and simmer 30 minutes.

Or make a decoction and drink as a tea, they are very mild tasting.

Tincture works well, too if you’re needing the medicine quickly and don’t have time for a tea.

Save 15% off this weekend with code: MEMORIALDAY in my online shop on all tinctures. You’ll find it listed under single herb extracts and lyme prevention formula has it, too.

05/20/2026

Herbs act differently for each person because we are all have our own constitutions - for me, stinging nettle tea is way too drying. My lips dry up immediately and I have to chug water to catch up with hydration.

When I add marshmallow root, violet leaves or licorice root, which are all moistening, demulcent herbs, I feel fine.

The drying action of nettles, in addition to its antihistamine qualities, makes it great for seasonal allergies.

Nettles are also a superfood! They are packed with minerals and iron. I often wonder how much nutrition is in large scale farm raised produce, don’t you?

Nettles love to grow on fertile rich soil like old manure piles and compost. They give us nutrients from the soil - like way more than a bag of spinach.

If you feel undernourished, try nettles in your soups, stir fries and pesto! Or try my Nourish & Rebuild Tea - find it in my online shop or new farm store.

What ways do you prepare nettles?

Note: only use the leaves before the plant sets seed and always cook them to disarm the stingers.

🌿🌿🌿🌿

05/18/2026

I have the best intentions each day and the worst boundaries with projects.

At least I love what I do!

Drop me a line if you’ve ever started a project before finishing another.

I know I’m not alone here.

Is it: a) spring time energy b) passion c) ADD or d) all of the above?

05/15/2026

Boundary and Protection Plants: yarrow, nettles, mugwort and rose. Teachers of holding a firm boundary to keep us safe and sovereign, these four common plant allies probably grow near you.

I prefer flower essences when taking plants for energetic, spiritual and emotional support because they work on a variety of levels. But tea or tincture are just as effective.

Even sitting near them is medicine!

Do you ever feel like your boundaries with time, people, plans, and even yourself are crossed without your best interest?

These 4 plants are great teachers for creating healthy boundaries and protection from unwanted energies. Incorporate them as:
🌿 teas
🌿 flower essences
🌿 tinctures
🌿 burn bundles

I literally have 1/4 acre of mugwort growing in my yard. Don’t plant it ever, she needs a good boundary otherwise she’ll take over your whole garden.
Place mugwort under your pillow at night for vivid prophetic dreams and protection.

Saying “No” means saying “yes” to your inner sanctum.
🌿🌿🌿🌿

05/13/2026

Anemia or low iron/ low ferritin can cause fatigue. This root is full of iron and minerals, and it grows everywhere abundantly!

Yellow Dock syrup:
🍷2 cups of chopped and washed fresh root
🍷half gallon of water
🍷1 cup molasses

I also recommend throwing in some fresh nettles, rosehips and dandelion root for vitamin C to aid absorption and more minerals.

Bring your pot of roots and rose hips with the water to a boil. Turn on low and let simmer until half the water has evaporated. Add your nettles at the end and cover, without heat on for 4 hours. Once it’s cooled, strain into another pot. Add molasses by warming it again gently. Bottle and swig 1-2 tablespoons per day.

Lasts about 3 weeks in the fridge. The molasses helps preserve the syrup and add iron.

Yellow dock is a mild laxative which is great because most iron supplements can cause constipation. I love how the plants know what to do in our bodies! It’s like we evolved with them or something? 🥹🌿💕

This syrup is only available to my clients right now was it’s not shelf stable for very long so if you’re interested please book a consultation and we can make you a bottle.

I see a lot of women with heavy menstruation and / or fibroids who have low iron. Check under your eyelids to see how pink they are - pale or white can indicate whether one has anemia. Or go get some bloodwork done at your doctors.

Even if you are within range but right on the line, I’d suggest building iron.

05/11/2026

There is room for YOU on this wagon of plant love - we are the revolution!

As the political scene gets more and more insane, systems will collapse, so let’s remember to come home to what is true: humans are here to love the earth as it loves us back. We are here to live in alignment with the beauty of the plant world. To uplift each other even the darkest times.

Thank you for listening and if you feel the call toward the plant world - it’s a good one so come on in!

The plants want to be respected and seen just like us. They are so generous and wise.

Beginning my day with a full heart after such a lovely weekend and my plant sale at the farm.

We all come from the great Mother Earth, and to her we shall return, so let us find hope in her beauty every day.

Share this with people you want to invite into the revolution and stay connected 💗🌿🪴💚🌷🌱

05/09/2026

How to tincture Japanese knotweed (polygongum cuspidatum) root: this video goes into harvesting and processing the root for medicine.

Always be sure the location is clean and not sprayed with chemicals or near roads/power-lines.

Even though this plant is invasive, leave an offering of gratitude. It has a strong spirit and I give thanks to its medicine.

Many people despise this plant and spray it so be careful. I think it’s here for a reason so we may as well use it in our protocols for Lyme and other tick born illnesses.
Uses:
🌾antioxidant
🌾 antispirochete
🌾 blood cleansing and moving
🌾 antiviral
🌾 passes through blood brain barrier
🌾 anti inflammatory
🌾 cardio tonic
🌾 arthritis support, Lyme support, viral infections
🌾 oral health as a rinse

Caution: do not take with blood thinners or while pregnant

It’s fascinating how as Lyme spreads so does the Japanese knotweed…could they be connected?

Learn more by taking a class here, or check out my online shop for many tinctures to choose from, including Lyme Support.

Feel ready to make a tincture of your own now?

Address

686 Creamery Road
Ashfield, MA
01330

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 5pm
Tuesday 9am - 5pm
Wednesday 9am - 5pm
Thursday 9am - 5pm
Friday 9am - 5pm
Saturday 9am - 5pm
Sunday 9am - 5pm

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