Herbs for Spring
Nettle
Nettle packs a big nutritional punch with its vitamin, mineral and antioxidant content. Traditionally we’d be coming out of winter low in vitamins and minerals and spring nettles would satiate our body's cravings. This herb is often used as a tonic, meaning it supports, strengthens and tones. Nettle is tonic for a healthy cardiovascular system, blood sugar regulation and reproductive system. It is also used to help ease seasonal allergies.
Nettle is a plant demanding respect and care when harvesting. It’s full name, Stinging Nettle, warns of the prickly, stinging hairs along its leaves and steams. Always use gloves with harvesting, drying and cooking. Once the herb is done being cooked it no longer stings.
get your nettle nourishment with
Nourish Herbal Tea
This luscious blend is tonifying and strengthening. It is balancing for everyone needing a little stabilizing.
Ingredients: raspberry leaf, nettle, rose hips, chamomile
Dandelion
Dandelion is highly nutritious. It is an excellent source of vitamins A, C, E and K. The greens provide a substantial amount of several minerals, including iron, calcium, magnesium and potassium. Dandelion is also great for cleansing the liver and this is the season for it.
When wildcrafting, always make 100% sure that you have identified a plant correctly. Also, make sure that the area is free of heavy metals and far from busy roads or lands sprayed with pesticides. Try finding a place where the plant grows in abundance so when you harvest there will be plenty left for mother nature and all her creatures. We like asking permission and saying thank you for what I have taken; children seems to particularly love this part of harvesting.
We’ve got 2 recipes for you to use with our sunny friend, the dandelion. We will use the golden yellow blossoms for pancakes and the deep, green leaves for a frittata.
daily dandelion
Awaken Herbal Tea
This blend is revitalizing and lightening. The dandelion root gently cleanses organs, the tulsi supports vitality and the orange peel helps flush the lymphatic system. It is great for everyone needing a little kick-start. As well as for the spring and early summer.
Always organic and caffeine free.
Turmeric
Turmeric is a super herb and a great spring time super hero! It supports healthy blood, liver cleansing and stimulates digestion; all needing a little support at this time. This root also boosts the immune system and is used as an anti-inflammatory especially for the joints and treatment of arthritis.
Turmeric also works on a subtle level to invigorate and balance any physical and mental feelings of lethargy. It gets our fluids flowing and especially helps keep the joints supple. Pair turmeric with brisk walks to get your spring off on the right step.
Turmeric Nasturtium Ghee
This ghee is cleansing and invigorating (kapha balancing). The herbs support healthy blood, liver and digestion. They boost the immune system and are an anti-inflammatory especially for the joints.
Ghee is the most revered and auspicious substance of Ayurvedic medicine. Anjali Apothecary Ghees are made with 100% organic, grass-fed butter. They carry their healing benefits and the herbs they are cooked with deeply into the tissues of the body
Rosemary
This spicy, aromatic herb is warming and drying which is just the thing to balance the spring qualities of cool and wet. It stimulates digestion giving the metabolism a boost. Rosemary invigorates circulation getting our blood to flow smoothly like the sap beginning to flow in the trees.
Pair rosemary with dry brushing your skin and a brisk walk to kick start healthy lymphatic system this spring.
Savory Herb Spice Blend
This savory and pungent blend is stimulating and lightening. This potent blend increased metabolism and is cleansing. Cooking with these spices is balancing for everyone needing clearing or tending toward congestion. It is also perfect for spring/ early summer and for balancing kapha types.
Ingredients: rosemary, oregano, ajwain, bay leaf, pippali, black pepper
Health Benefits
Rosemary: boosts memory, improves mood, reduces inflammation, relieves pain, supports immune system, stimulates circulation, detoxifies
Oregano: antimicrobial, antifungal, antibacterial, digestive
Ajwain: warming and supports digestion; anti-parasitic & antifungal; clears sinus and nasal congestion
Bay Leaf: anti-inflammatory, high in antioxidants and support healthy insulin levelsPippali
Black Pepper: aids digestion and the breakdown of fats; boosts metabolism and clears sinuses
Disclaimer // Herbs, Health and Care
Please do consult with your qualified healthcare practitioner before using herbs, particularly if you are pregnant, nursing, or on any medications.
In sharing our herb lore, we do not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This is for educational purposes only.
