Want to discover the healing powers of nature? Visit Wild Heart Herb House in New Bedford
NEW BEDFORD -- For years, Nico Lebreux has been a community herbalist, yoga teacher and self-care advocate, and now is the proud owner of Wild Heart Herb House located inside the Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens.
“In the past, people would always ask me ‘Where can I get herbs?’ and the closest place would be a pharmacy in Providence, where I have done a lot of my education and training. I didn’t really have a good answer for them, so I started searching for commercial property,” Lebreux said.
In October 2023, after months of struggling to find a suitable location, Lebreux discovered the historic Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens at 787 Shawmut Ave. as a potential space for his herb shop.
“The building, the architecture, it was all perfect, and I didn’t even have to do any painting. It was all set up wonderfully,” said Lebreux.
With a grand opening in March 2024, the shop features over 100 different dried herbs and spices, as well as ready-made herbal products such as tea blends, herbal infused oils, medicinal tinctures and even stock vinegars and honey.
What else to expect when visiting the Wild Heart Herb House
Wild Heart Herb House is currently open Thursday through Saturday, with extended hours planned for June.
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In addition to the physical shop, Wild Heart Herb House also hosts a variety of classes, workshops and gatherings. Lebreux has created a cozy living room-like atmosphere in the back of the shop, where people can gather and share their love for herbs and plants.
“Whenever anyone comes into the space, they always comment on how good it smells and feels. We always have a pot of tea going and people can grab a mug and enjoy their tea while perusing the shop or walking through the gardens,” said Lebreux.
The shop also offers supplies for those looking to make their own herbal products at home, such as jars, containers, beeswax and honey, making it a one-stop-shop for all things herbs and self-care.
“People can come in and buy our ready-made products, or they can purchase all the supplies they need to make their own. It’s all about making herbalism accessible to everyone,” Lebreux added.
A place for the local community to gather
Wild Heart Herb House has also become a hub for community gatherings and events. Lebreux and her team have curated a diverse and interesting collection of classes, collaborations and ceremony offerings.
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“We have classes such as sound healing, expressive arts, fiber and friends (a monthly gathering for fiber art enthusiasts), and even a birth-centered entrepreneur meetup for local businesses with an anti-capitalist lens,” said Lebreux.
But Lebreux’s vision for Wild Heart Herb House goes beyond just selling herbs and products, she hopes to bring back traditional rituals and connect people to the earth and to themselves.
“Through colonialism, we have lost our connection to nature and our natural rhythms. I want to bring those rituals and ceremonies back into people’s lives because I believe they are craving it,” Lebreux said.
She also wants to remind people that herbalism and plant-based medicine have been around for thousands of years. “We have a distorted view that prescription medication and doctors are the only options for our health, but there are other options available out there," she said.
"It's not easy being a human in the world. So anything that I can do to contribute to people's well being is it's my honor."
Standard-Times staff writer Seth Chitwood can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on twitter:@ChitwoodReports. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Standard-Times today.
This article originally appeared on Standard-Times: Wild Heart Herb House inside the Allen C. Haskell Public Gardens
