Spring Things
SPRING IS HERE friends and, holy crap, there is work to be done.
No matter how much I plan to, I just do not move as much through the winter as I do in the other seasons. I keep walking and lifting weights and doing yoga but not as much and not nearly at the intensity of the other times of the year. Honestly I love the opportunity to dial back the jam of my life to one that is more internally focused and even somewhat playful and spacious, so my current situation does not take me by surprise at all. What do I mean? Well, I’m sure my summer shorts would be pretty uncomfortable right now but fortunately I know the remedies for this condition.
The best way for me to rev my idling engine- in addition to increasing my movement and intensity (thanks day job!)- is to give my daily tea habit a boost of nutritious and lymph moving herbs. Which ones? Well, I’ve got some NETTLE that I picked and dried in the fall- that’s basically a multi-vitamin that brings shine and strength to hair and nails too, or I could choose ALFALFA which is great as a tea or to add to my diet via home grown alfalfa sprouts. Both of those plants contain numerous vitamins and minerals (Vits: A, B1, B2, B5, B3, C, D, E, K; Minerals: calcium, chromium, iron, magnesium, manganese, potassium, silica). Sprouts take almost no effort to grow and are a nice soft and fresh green at this time of year. RED CLOVER is also good for a jump start- either as a tea or a sprout.
I often add mint or tulsi to a daily tea infusion. Not just delicious, they bring vibrancy and help my digestion and mood. It’s even nice warmed up when it’s cold and rainy and windy. In other words- All of March and most of April here in New England.
Out in the wild there’s chickweed (Stellaria media) & cleavers (Galium aparine), easily picked and soaked in a big jar of vinegar for a few weeks- you can strain out all the sticks and extra stuff on the other end of the process so no need to spend an eternity picking out the pine straw that comes along for the ride as you pick. These herbs release a lot of moisture into the vinegar so keep it in the fridge after you strain it. And add some honey or even maple syrup at the beginning of the process if you like. The sugars extract even more wonderful plant compounds. The strained vinegar mixture is a great daily tonic to move lymph (the body’s cellular waste disposal system). Mix a tablespoon with water in the morning, drink (and try it before meals too, if you like).
If you are looking around for fresh nettle to make pesto or soup it will be popping out soon. Please remember to pick (carefully) from a place that has not been inundated with the chemical salts from winter road plowing or from dog relief. Ask a local farmer- most of them have nettles somewhere that they don’t want to deal with. And if it’s a wild patch please follow ethical foraging guidelines. For example….
Remember that our relationship with plants is RECIPROCAL. (Try tending the wild patches of plants you harvest)
Take no more than you need, and no more than 10% of the plant material available.
Don’t harvest if it looks like someone has already been there.
Don’t harvest ANYTHING that is at risk or even close to at risk (BE INFORMED).
Leave it better than you found it.
Be ok leaving with an empty basket.
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Those are just the big ones so please review many other guides before wild harvesting.
And as always, please remember i’m not a doctor and I don’t plan to be.
The information in this blog is for educational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose or treat any health condition. You are responsible for researching and verifying information before relying on it. Please consult your medical care provider if you have a known medical condition or if you are pregnant or nursing.
Herbal medicine is vast and complex and must be used responsibly. Herbs are generally safe and effective but they can interact with common medications. People react differently to different herbs. You are responsible for and in charge of your own health.
Reach out anytime.
May the highest good be served.