5 Common Herbs for Vibrant Spring Health
Posted by Nathan on 11th Mar 2016
Spring. The season of renewal.
New beginnings. Reawakening. If you're into natural medicine, you also
know that spring is a great time to clear out the old, and make space
for what's ready to be born. One way to do this is with herbs.
Although
herbal medicine is becoming more popular again, many people are being
driven to use it based on symptom management, and/or the latest "exotic
cure" fad. Sure, that Valerian Root
seems to be helping you sleep at night, but is it getting at the root
causes? Yes,that goji berry drink tastes great, but is it doing anything
for your long term health? Or perhaps more importantly, how much "earth
energy" (fossil fuels, unearthed packaging materials, and the like) is
spent just to get the drink into your hand?
This spring, change
the pattern. Try these 5 common herbs that have the capacity to clear
out the old, stuck, and toxic, as well as help rebuild overall health
and wellness.
Just about everyone knows what Dandelions are, but
did you know that they are packed with beneficial vitamins and
minerals? Dandelion is a powerful, but gentle detoxifying plant. And
it's everywhere. You probably have patches of it in your own yard or
neighborhood! You can learn more about the benefits of Dandelion here.
Rosemary is another commonplace herb. Regularly found in window
pots and garden plots, this tender perennial has long been loved for
it's attractive, alert bringing scent. Perhaps you already use Rosemary
in your cooking. Maybe you didn't know that Rosemary teas and essential
oils are great for promoting mental alertness and overall brain health. In other words, adding Rosemary to your "spring cleaning" list is a
great way to help get rid of any sluggishness that has built up over the
winter.
Given their sting and propensity to quickly spread and
take over, Nettles
have a fairly poor reputation among gardeners, farmers, and outdoors
enthusiasts. However, if you get beyond the surface, these tall, tough
plants are full of benefits. (See photo of Nettle above.) Including
reducing overall inflammation in the body, and supporting immune system
functioning. Once spring settles in, Nettles are fairly easy to find,
and the early greens can be harvested and cooked as a nutritious side
dish.
Cilantro, long known as a kitchen staple, is another great detox
herb. In addition to being a wonderful food flavoring,
Cilantro binds to heavy metals like aluminum and mercury, and aids in
their removal from the body. Given how prevalent heavy metals have
become in our water, food, and local environments, plants like Cilantro
are becoming increasingly important for helping maintain overall
wellness. Cilantro is very easy to grow! Even a small pot in a
windowsill can produce a bounty of cilantro for making teas or adding to
your cooking.
And finally there's Yarrow. Although you may not
be as familiar with this plant as the others, odds are you've seen it
growing in fields or even in patches in your yard or garden plot. Among
it's numerous talents, Yarrow aids circulation, is anti-inflammatory,
and overall is good for the blood. You can read more about it here,
and I invite you to try adding a little bit to your favorite tea or
other hot beverage. Given its bitterness, it's best combined with
sweeter or otherwise more pleasant tasting herbs like mint or ginseng.
There
are many other easy to find herbs that can be added to your diets as
food and/or as supplements that could support a "spring cleaning." These
are among my all time favorites, which is why I have shared them with
you today. As with any herbal advice, this article is offered as
educational in spirit. May you be inspired to learn more about the
plants that live and grow in your own backyard. Happy spring cleaning!