Spring Herbs and Recipes

Spring time is fresh energy. The plants are coming out of hibernation, their small delicate leaves are bursting out of the soil and reaching for the sun. We too start grabbing for the sun and stretching out of the winter cold. How are you finding yourself adjusting to spring? This is the time to start the movement upwards and shaking off the winter hibernation.

This time of year is a great reminder to sprinkle some extra love on our liver, gallbladder, and lymph. These pathways tend to take a hit during winter as the moment slows down. The liver is in charge of filtering everything we put into our bodies. This tells us that the liver is working constantly. From processing foods, hormones, old blood cells, and medications, the liver needs some extra loving when winter turns over into spring, spring cleaning anyone? The gallbladder is a small organ that stores bile. It sits right above the liver and they work harmoniously together. When the liver creates bile, it is stored in the gallbladder. When our digestion is ready for food, bile is released to help break down food particles. The lymph system is part of our immune system and one way we detox through the body. The lymph cleans and filters out fluids. When we become stagnant during winter, so does our lymph. Our lymph doesn't have its own pump (like our circulatory system does) so we must be active to move it.


SPRING HERBS:

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
Dandelion greens are flourishing this time of year. Their "weedy" quality makes dandelion flourish in gardens, between sidewalks, and in ever expanding fields. All parts of the dandelion plant can be used medicinally - leaf, root and flower. During the spring, the flowers and leaves are gathered to put into teas, salads, and made into vinegar extractions, just to name a few!

The leaves and root of dandelion are bitter, diuretic, nutrient dense, and a gentle laxative. The bitter action of this herb is used to stimulate bile, digestive juices and aids in the detoxification of the hard working liver, which aids a smooth digestive and elimination process. The root contains inulin, a digestive prebiotic, which also supports the intestinal flora to thrive.

Dandelion root is known to assist in the healing of skin rashes like eczema, constipation, nausea, and bloating. The leaf is known to help with edema, hypertension and support healthy potassium levels.

Cleavers (Galium aparine)
Ahhh cleavers, one of the first signs of spring. Cleavers is tied to water and has an affinity to our kidneys, lymph, and bladder. Used as an anti inflammatory, diuretic, lymphatic, and alterative, cleavers helps rid inflammation and toxic waste from body. Remember two pages prior? This herb is my number one go to for lymphatic care. Its known to decrease swollen lymph nodes (especially in the armpits), edema, water retention, UTI's and inflammation in the bladder.

If you plan on planting this sticky plant, just note that it will more than likey take over your garden. So you have to be on top of pruning this medicinal. Pick it fresh and put it in a juicer. Pack ice trays with it and add it to a morning smoothie. Again, spring time vinegars are a hit in this season, so dry it out for a few days and add it to your dandelion vinegar or infuse a new one!

Nettle (Urtica dioica)
Also known as Stinging Nettle, this plant is more than just its sting. Nettle is one of the most nutrient dense medicinals in the pharmacopeia. Found in shaded areas and in moist soil, this plant can also be a bit 'weedy.' But hey! Most of the known 'weeds' are some of the most medicinal plants!

Nettle leaf is rich in iron, magnesium, silica, vitamin C and calcium - just to name a few. With the abundance of nutrients, this plant would be indicated for someone who tends towards anemia, folks with weak connective tissue or for someone with brittle hair and nails. This plant is food for the kidneys, and also tonifying to the nervous system. As a diuretic, nettle acts upon the kidneys and urinary tract by releasing water through urination, therefore working on water throughout the whole body. This is one of the reasons nettle can help relieve edema, high blood pressure, and puffy arthritic joints.

As a 'spring tonic' nettle has been known as an effective ally for detoxification. It can support elimination pathways, metabolic waste and cleanse stagnant blood.

Eat fresh nettles by steaming them for 2-3 minutes, or put them through a blender. These methods will burst open the stingers and make it safe to eat without stinging the mouth. My favorite way to eat nettles are through a pesto recipe - find it on the next page!

RECIPE:

Wild Green Pesto

Ingredients

  • 2 cups fresh nettle

  • 1 cup fresh dandelion greens

  • 1/2 cup of extra virgin oil

  • 2-3 cloves of garlic

  • 1/4 cup of roasted or raw nuts or seeds

  • 1/4 cup grated or softened cheese (Parmesan, Romano, Goat Cheese etc)

Directions

  • Put the fresh greens into a food processor

  • Pulse until the greens are finely chopped

  • Add the nuts to the greens

  • With the processor on, slowly pour the oil in

  • Add cheese

  • Add salt and pepper to taste

*Elaborated from Gather Victoria