It's Spring Time! What's popping up in your neighborhood?

Wow! Springtime is here, and things are in full bloom. While on my walks, I've been enjoying taking photos of spring greens and flowers popping up everywhere. The weather is getting warmer, and the sun is shining bright. Are you ready for the new season? Are you already having spring allergy symptoms? In this Spring Blog edition, we'll lay out some excellent DIY spring herbal remedies and identify spring plants to help you kick 'spring fever.' 

It's this time of year that spring brings forth supportive plants like Cleavers, Miner's Lettuce, Chickweed, Mint, and the tender leaf of Nettle. All of these plants are nutrient-dense allies that supply iron, minerals, alkaline, chlorophyll, and B-6 Complexes. They are also very cooling, anti-inflammatory, and anti-histamine-rich.

Some easy and fun ways to integrate these plants into your daily intake are teas, pestos, and syrups for cooling mocktails.

Key Plant Profiles

Cleavers-Galium aparine, a.k.a Gooseweed-common throughout Europe and North America, Cleavers is cooling and drying and supports the immune system through the lymph and urinary tract. It is soothing and relaxing, aids the body's ability to pass metabolic waste, and is a gentle herb for bladder and kidney problems. 

Nettle-Urtica dioica-Nettle, stinging Nettle, common nettle-Neutral and nourishing. Taken long term, nettle leaves can be drying. As well as being taken as a tincture and tea, nettles can be eaten and are very nourishing, rich in iron, calcium, magnesium, protein, and other nutrients. They help build healthy blood, bones, joints, and skin. They are a tonic that strengthens and supports the whole body and is a remedy for general weakness, anemia, and low blood pressure. Nettles are anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic, supporting respiratory allergies, asthma, and eruptive skin diseases. Nettle seeds are a kidney trophorestorative and can slow, halt, or even partially reverse progressive renal failure. 

So, here are a few tips that can help boost your immune ability to adapt and be resilient during this time.

Stay hydrated!
Hydration, not just drinking water, is critical to providing electricity (negative ions) to aid the body's ability to move water and maintain cellular and muscular elasticity. Hydration is found not only in drinking water but in trace minerals found in earth and sea salts, vegetables, and spring water from a natural spring source. Add a pinch of sea salt, pink salt, grey salt, or sour citrus like lemon or grapefruit to your water. Your body will thank you!

Up the anti-histamine levels by drinking Nettle. (See recipe below.) Not only are Nettles anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic, making them supportive for respiratory allergies, asthma, and eruptive skin diseases, but they are also rich in minerals and vitamins that are also important in maintaining hydration protein, beta-carotene, vitamins B, C, E, and K, quercetin, calcium, magnesium, potassium, chromium, iron, silica, betaine, and chlorophyll.
When exposed to pollen after being outside, wash your face with cool water to remove it from your skin and eyes.
Finally, adjust your skin regime from heavier oils for winter to lighter oils and creams to help keep the skin cool and reduce inflammation from allergies.

 DIY Herb Care Recipes

One of my favorite herbs is Nettle. It is a nutrient-dense herb perfect for adding to soups or smoothies. It has anti-inflammatory properties and can help reduce allergy symptoms.
To prepare, steep the leaves in hot water for 5-10 minutes and then strain. For a more potent infusion, steep 10-20 minutes. For maximum benefit, drink before meals for better absorption.

 Springtime Fresca

This fun and nutrient-dense springtime drink refreshes and gently cleanses the blood and lymph to eliminate metabolic waste accumulated from heavy winter foods and prepare the immune for springtime bloom. It is super easy to make, too.

Preparation
One bunch of fresh, ethically sourced Cleavers or some other greens like Mint, Chickweed, or Miner's Lettuce
16 oz of Spring or Filtered Water
Cut up one bunch of washed or rinsed Cleavers
Place in blender
Add 16 oz of spring or filtered water
Blend on high speed until plant matter is broken down
Pour into a strainer or nut milk bag
Press and pour strained liquid into a container and chill in the refrigerator
You can also pour it into ice cube trays for later use. It's most refreshing on hot spring days. Best recommendation-drink in the morning before meals or between meals.

Preparing for each incoming season is not incredibly difficult; it just takes a little time and some re-attuning to the changes of season and understanding what each season brings. The same is true for our bodies, as spring is a time for new growth. Try any or all of these tips and have fun watching what happens. Happy Spring!

Allergies already getting the best of you,  scheduling a 1:1 consultation can help you beat spring time allergies. During the consult we'll:

1. Review health history and symptoms
2. Identify herbal remedies
3. Recommend specific herbs and herbal formulation  

Stay well and I look forward to supporting you!