Herbs for Spring 🌱
- jenndillin
- Mar 8
- 4 min read
Can you feel it? The collective thawing that's happening as we inch closer and closer to warmer days ahead. As the season shifts, so do we!
An easy way to help the body adapt during change is by incorporating herbs into your daily routine.
Just like eating seasonal produce, choosing herbs that grow within the current season is important! Not only are these plants more abundant and available during this time, but they can align your physical body & energy with the natural cycles of the Earth. Much like the land after winter - we too are feeling sluggish and cold; which is why we want to work with herbs that are restorative and supportive as our bodies adjust to the changing climate.
To determine which plants are best for spring - take a look at what's already started to pop through the soggy crust of the land.... or what's about to!
Plants like stinging nettle, cleavers, and dandelions are just a few of the first herbal friends to say hello in March.
In this post - I will be sharing my top 5 favorite plants that can be foraged for (or bought) during this transitional time
How can I add these plants into my day?
Tea : boiling water + herbs; steeped for a short time (5-10 mins).
Infusion : cold or hot water extractions, with a longer steep time (2-6 hours).
Decoction : simmering herbs in boiling water for a period of time. This is the best method for harder material like roots, barks, and berries.
Tinctures : these are highly concentrated alcohol extracts that can be easily dosed in drop amounts. Add them to tea, a shot of water, or take straight under the tongue.
Oxymels : a potent extract of apple cider vinegar and raw honey. These are a tart mixture that is tasty in juice, mocktails, or straight.
Flower Infused honey : the sweetest way to take herbs. Add a teaspoon to tea or drizzled on toast.
Food : add these to a pot, plate, blender, or juicer.
What plants should I work with at this time?
Dandelion leaf - packed full of vitamin A, B, C, D and minerals like iron, potassium, and zinc. It supports the body by stimulating bile production, activating digestion, and boosting kidney function. This slightly bitter leaf is wonderful raw, as an addition to fresh salads & smoothies, or it can be cooked and mixed with other leafy vegetables for a nutrient dense side. Easily taken as a tea, infusion, or tincture as well.
Cleavers - a velcro like plant that works with the "fluids" of the body; it has an affinity for clearing stagnation & moving congestion - which may reduce swelling caused by water retention. This herb helps the body flush out toxins by supporting the lymphatic system and simulating the kidneys. Cleavers can be consumed in the form of juice, infusion, tea, tincture, or vinegar extract.
Stinging Nettle leaf - this plant is a rich source of vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, calcium, magnesium, potassium, iron, protein, and chlorophyll . All of these amazing compounds can help support kidney function and bladder activity (flushing out), while also offering relief from hay fever / seasonal allergies and inflammatory conditions like arthritis. Although Nettles are known for their sting - once cooked, dried, or washed - the painful needles are left harmless to the touch. Enjoy Nettle as a nourishing infusion, tea, extract, or sautéed.
Violet - the flowers and leaves of this common plant are often used as a cooling / moistening remedy to sooth inflammation internally & externally. Helpful for aliments like swollen lymph nodes, hoarse cough, and dry/ itchy skin conditions (ex: eczema & dermatitis). Considered generally safe for most people - it can be eaten, infused into a salve, or extracted in various bases (glycerin, honey, etc.) . It's best to eat the leaves when they are young & fresh... once matured, they can become tough and soapy tasting.
Plantain leaf - this ally is near & dear to my heart; it was the first plant I ever used to create a healing herbal remedy - Plantain salve (aka Mother Nature's Neosporin). The antibacterial properties of the leaves make it a wonderful aid when applied topically to wounds, stings, or bug bites; and the astringent compounds tighten tissue and draw out 'toxins' (splinters, infection, etc). When taken internally, the moistening aspects can bring relief to a hacking dry cough, soothe mucous membranes, and reduce inflammation (ex: UTI, IBS-D, sinus issues). The seeds can be used as a natural laxative (Psyllium Husks), while the leaves are best used for topical applications, eaten raw (when young & tender), infused, brewed, or tinctured.
Keep in mind:
these are just a few of the amazing plants that may be growing around your neighborhood!
☆ Other honorable mentions are: Red Clover, Mullien, and Lilac
Never harvest plants from busy / polluted areas; like the side of the road or the city park. Only forage in areas that are clear from people, pets, or other contaminating sources (cars, field run offs, chemical sprays, etc.) . Also, make sure that it is legal to collect plant specimens where you are - some land state/ federally protected.
Always properly identify any plant before using! Once ID'ed - check for allergy information and medication interactions. Some herbs can interfere with the way a prescription drug performs; which may cause complications.
Shop offerings to work with for Spring
Plantain salve - Plantain & rosemary come together to make an antibacterial, antifungal, and astringent 'drawing' salve. The perfect companion for small wounds, bug bites / stings, poison ivy, and splinters. You'll definitely want this in your pocket while hiking the trails!
Spring Fever Tonic tea - an energizing blend containing Cleavers, Plantain leaf, & Dandelion leaf; this tea moves fluids, toxins, and stagnant energy from the body by supporting the lymphatic system, digestive system, and kidney function.
Vitamin C Tonic tea - A red clover based blend that offers a lovely boost of vitamin C, while moving blood through the body and aiding circulation.
** red clover should not be consumed for more than 3 consecutive days (blood thinner) or taken by women with a history of breast cancer (estrogen rising)
Cleaver Tincture - encourages the flow of fluids and energetically supportive for people with a "clingy" personality.
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