Shannon Mayernik | New Jersey Herbalist & Plant Medicine Maker

There’s something really special about learning herbalism together 🌿 These April–May events are a chance to gather, share, and connect, whether we’re talking plants, making medicine, or simply slowing down for a few hours in good company. Most of these workshops are hosted outside of our shop, which means your ticket is also supporting another beautiful small business in our community 🤍 These are the only remaining events with open spots through the end of May, and many are close to selling out. If you’ve been wanting to join us, now’s the time ✨ Check out the calendar + grab your spot through the link in our bio.

Fresh, citrusy, resinous spruce tips + honey + apple cider vinegar = spring medicine in a jar ✨ This morning, I harvested just a small amount of spruce tips because honestly… we’re still enjoying the infused vinegar and spruce tip vodka we made last year. One of my favorite parts of seasonal medicine making is learning that you don’t always need to harvest more, sometimes you simply work with what you need. And with the warmer weather moving in this week, it felt like the perfect moment to gather a few tender tips before the trees fully shifted into their next stage of growth. Instead of repeating last year’s preparations, I decided to make something new: a Spruce Tip Oxymel. I’ve never made this before and I’m already dreaming about how we’ll use it: 🌲 Added to sparkling water 🥗 Whisked into dressings & marinades 🥄 Taken by the spoonful as a seasonal tonic There’s something really special about working with plants that are only here for a brief moment each year. It makes you slow down, pay attention, and appreciate the season while it’s here. If you made a Spruce Tip Oxymel, how would you use it first? Share below ⬇️

Some books teach you about herbs. Others completely change the way you see them. The Gift of Healing Herbs was one of the very first herbal books I ever purchased, and all these years later, it’s still one I return to again and again. @robinrosebennett has this beautiful way of making herbalism feel deeply approachable, grounded, spiritual, practical, and connected all at once. This isn’t just a book about herbal actions or recipes, it’s a book about relationship. Relationship with the plants, with the Earth, and with ourselves. Every time I open it, I walk away with something new. A reminder. A deeper understanding. A fresh perspective on plants I thought I already knew. It’s the kind of book that makes you want to slow down, sip tea, spend more time outside, and truly listen to what the plants are trying to teach us. If you’re beginning your herbal journey, this is an incredible place to start. And if you’ve been studying herbs for years? I think it’s one of those books that continues to grow alongside you. We keep this title stocked in the shop, along with all of Robin’s other beautiful books, because they’re truly resources worth returning to over and over again. 🌿📚✨ What’s one herbal book that has stayed with you through the years?

🌿 Learn about herbs + natural wellness 📚 Browse our curated herbal book collection 🫖 Find handcrafted plant medicine + tea blends 💬 Ask questions and connect with community Shop Hours: Wednesday 10-5 pm Thursday 12-7 pm Friday 10-5 pm Saturday 10-5 pm Hope to see you soon 🌱💚🌿

Nature Heals 🌿 Share this with someone who may need a reminder.

The simplicity of tincture making 🌿 I was gifted some beautiful fresh Oregano (Origanum vulgare) this weekend, so naturally… this morning turned into tincture making. Even after 17+ years of studying herbalism, oregano isn’t a plant I’ve worked with deeply and I think that’s such a good reminder that sometimes the most common plants are the ones we overlook the most. We know it as a kitchen herb, but oregano is also incredibly medicinal. It’s warming, drying, bitter, and pungent, with strong affinities for the respiratory and digestive systems. Traditionally, oregano has been used to support the body during seasonal illness, help move stagnant mucus, support digestion, and offer antimicrobial support thanks to its naturally occurring volatile oils. You can also enjoy oregano as a tea and in herbal steams. And honestly? That’s one of the beautiful things about herbalism. There’s always more to explore, even with plants you think you already know. This tincture will be tucked onto the apothecary shelf for the colder months ahead, ready when needed. A little reminder to look at your kitchen herbs differently this season. Your garden is likely holding more medicine than you realize. ✨ What’s one common kitchen herb you’d love to learn more about medicinally? 🌿

Crystallized honey is GOOD honey ✨ We get asked all the time why some of the honey we sell crystallizes and honestly, that’s exactly what we want to see. When honey is raw, unfiltered, and unpasteurized, it naturally crystallizes over time, especially in cooler temperatures (and yes… it’s been a little chilly in the shop lately). If your honey stays perfectly liquid forever, there’s a good chance it’s been heavily processed or pasteurized, which can reduce many of the beneficial properties naturally found in raw honey. Crystallized honey is: 🍯 Completely safe to eat 🍯 Full of antioxidants + antibacterial properties 🍯 Just as delicious (some people even prefer the texture!) Raw honey is one of those simple, traditional foods we love keeping in our kitchens & herbal apothecaries especially when sourced locally. So next time you’re shopping for honey, look for RAW honey… and local whenever possible. 🌼🐝 Did you know this about honey?

Don’t forget to always get the air bubbles out of your medicines before capping them! I like to use a chop stick to mix it all up to help release the air pockets! Happy medicine making 🌿💚

My nightly walk always turns into a foraging session 🌿 Cooling and soothing, mineral-rich, a gentle diuretic, and one of our favorite herbs for supporting the lymphatic system, especially this time of year when everything is starting to move again. Cleavers also helps the body clear excess waste (including uric acid), making it a beautiful ally for that spring “reset” feeling. Simple ways to work with it: ✨ Fresh tea or overnight infusion ✨ Add to smoothies or juices ✨ Juice & freeze in ice cube trays ✨ Tincture for daily support She’s best used fresh, so now is the time to get to know her. Ready to start working with spring plants? Save this post for later and head outside, see if you can find Cleavers growing near you 🌿

Still very much in my infused vinegar era…and I don’t think it will be ending anytime soon 🤪 The lilacs are just about past their peak, that fleeting moment where you know it’s now or not at all. So I gathered what I could and started a lilac-infused vinegar, this time using red wine vinegar for a deeper, richer base. Spring blossoms are some of the most delicate to work with. Their beauty, their scent… it’s here and gone so quickly. And capturing that? Not always easy. I’m not sure I’ve fully mastered holding onto lilac’s fragrance or flavor but that’s part of the process, isn’t it? Trying. Learning. Working with what the season gives you. Even if the scent fades a bit, I know this bright, floral vinegar will be something really special, especially when we’re deep in the dark, cold months and craving a little reminder of spring. This is how I like to hold onto the season… one jar at a time. What spring blossoms have you worked with lately? 🌸

Days like this fill my cup in the best way. I spent the day at Herb Day at @wellsweepherbfarm surrounded by friends, fellow herbalists, and so many kind, curious people who just get it. There’s something really special about being in a space where conversations about plants, medicine-making, and seasonal living just flow so naturally. I connected with familiar faces, met some new ones, and felt that deep sense of community that herbalism brings. I made it a point to learn from teachers I hadn’t studied with before, and came home with pages of notes from @kerrya209 , @plantmedicinemaker & @hilltopherbals . There’s always more to learn, and that’s part of the joy of this path. And to close out the day… a quiet, grounding tea meditation with @motmotcollective , the perfect way to take it all in 🫖 I left feeling inspired, connected, and very grateful. And yes… I absolutely came home with a basket full of herbal goodies 🌿 This is what it’s all about, learning, sharing, and finding your people. What herbal gathering should I add to my 2026 list? 🌿✨

Beltane 🌸 Full Flower Moon 🌕 Beltane marks the midpoint between spring and summer, a celebration of growth, fertility, and the full return of life to the land. Traditionally, it’s a time to honor the abundance all around us, blooming flowers, longer days, and the energy of the season shifting into something fuller, warmer, and more alive. It’s also a beautiful moment to celebrate connection, to the earth, to the plants, and to the things we’re nurturing in our own lives. A day rooted in joy, sweetness, and possibility. ✨ Perfect timing for working with flowers, honey, and all the beauty this season brings.