The waters have fallen from the sky, and the fires, in both Northern and Southern California, are out!! The air quality here in the Bay Area has shifted immensely. We are no longer in the purple ‘very unhealthy’ zone, but now in the green ‘good.’ The smoke has been swept away by the wind and rains, and I have never been so happy for clean air. It is another reminder, not to take our clean air for granted. What now? Does this mean that our health concerns have gone away? Definitely not! Some might feel the immediate relief of brain fog, headaches, and blocked sinuses, but our bodies are still on the road to detoxing from this environmental disaster. Sometimes, symptoms won’t show up for months. We still need to be proactive in our health, and here are a few tips on how.

Recover:
LIVER SUPPORT
The liver is in charge of processing everything we put into our bodies. From foods, medications, and substances, to hormones, environmental toxins, and old dead blood cells. The list goes on. Our liver is one of the most active organs in our bodies. Our livers were hit hard by the smoke toxins in the air. It is time to love up on our livers with herbs.
+ Dandelion root
+ Milk thistle
+ Turmeric
** These herbs can be taken as a tea, tincture or capsule

LYMPHATIC SUPPORT
With most of us trying to stay inside as much as possible with the air quality, our lymphatic system also took a hit. Our lymph system is the body's immune system and helps defend against bacteria, toxins and other intruders. Because the lymph does not have its own pump, we have to intentionally help move our lymph with exercise, bike riding, massage, dry brushing, hot/cold plunges, or herbs. This is a productive way for our lymph to detox and move out unwanted build up. Along with exercise, here a few herbs that can be allies in this time.
+ Cleavers
+ Red Clover
+ Calendula
** These herbs can be taken as a tea, tincture or capsule

Recipes:
A CUP O’ LIVER COFFEE
Ingredients
1½ teaspoons cardamom seeds
½ teaspoons of cinnamon chips
⅔ cup roasted chicory chips
¼ cup dandelion root
2 tablespoons milk thistle, crusted into bits

Directions
+ Store in a air sealed container
+ Use 1 tablespoon for every 8 ounces of hot water
+ Steep for 10 minutes
+ Add nut milk and sweetener to taste

LYMPHATIC SYRUP
Ingredients
½ cup of cleavers
½ cup of violet
½ cup of calendula
½ cup of burdock
4 cups of water
1 cup honey
1 cup brandy (optional)

Directions
+ Combine water and herbs into a pot and bring to a boil
+ Reduce heat and simmer herbs for 30-45 minutes or until the water has evaporated half way
+ Strain out herbs
+ Add honey to the warm mixture, and mix until diluted
+ Add alcohol (optional)
+ Pour into a sterile jar, and keep in the fridge

*This article is for informational purposes only. This is not written to treat or diagnose illness.