Spring Into Spring: Herbal Medicine for Rejuvenation
As we emerge from hibernation, blinking and rubbing our eyes, we can’t help but feel full of hope and optimism for the season ahead. It’s lovely to again have light mornings and evenings, and we can begin to reclaim these parts of the day for activities, rather than hiding out at home.
Spring is a great time for clear-outs: decluttering our wardrobes helps declutter our minds and cleaning the house and opening windows brings freshness indoors- even if it is still a little chilly. It’s also a time when we feel like changing our food menus: rather than craving hearty stews we feel like replicating the emerging growth of new greenery by introducing some more colour into our diets. Switching from root vegetable soups to clear soups, stir-fries and perhaps even salads, as our cravings for stodge begin to dwindle ( we hope!)
It’s also traditionally a time when herbs were used to help ‘clean’ the body from the fatty, salty foods consumed over the winter months. These so called ‘blood cleansers’ enhanced elimination through the skin, kidneys or bowels. These herbs are amongst the ones first emerging from their winter sleep and they still remain relevant today in helping support the body through the change in season. I use these herbs blended with other herbs tailored to my patient’s specific needs following a herbal consultation. Everyone needs their own ‘potion’!
Nettle (Urtica dioica) The leaves, seeds and roots are all used medicinally. It supports kidney function, and alleviates joint pain and skin conditions. It has an anti-histamine effect and can be useful in hay fever and other allergies, especially where the skin is itchy. Nettles contain vitamin C, iron, calcium and silica making it a nutrient boosting herb to eat-the young shoots can make a delicious soup or risotto.
Dandelion (Tarax officinalis) The French nickname ‘Pissenlit’ indicates this herbs diuretic action and it is traditionally used for oedema. Its slightly bitter
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taste stimulates digestion and the production of bile, to help emulsify dietary fats and it acts as a mild laxative. It is used in poor digestion, arthritis and skin conditions, particularly eczema. It contains Vitamin A, B and C and is rich in minerals and again the greens can be used as a vegetable.
Cleavers (Galium aparine) This herb is commonly called ‘sticky willie’ and at school we used to stick it onto each other’s backs. Medicinally it has a strong lymphatic action useful for inflamed glands and is used for dry skin conditions such as psoriasis. It can be used to soothe an irritable bladder. It is eaten as a vegetable in China and could be popped in with the nettles in a risotto.
Yellow dock (Rumex crispus) This curly-edged dock is narrower than the broad-leaf dock we rub on to alleviate nettle stings, but often grows alongside it and can be used instead. The root is used medicinally for chronic skin conditions especially dry, itchy skin eruptions and boils. It aids digestion and has a slight laxative effect. It can also be used as a mouthwash for mouth ulcers.
If you are planning on picking your own, please be absolutely sure of your plant identification and where possible pick from your own garden rather than common pathways where dogs may have been (if you have a dog in your garden you may need to rethink this one). Some plants can be consumed as vegetables but not all plants can, so please check before you start popping them into your smoothies. Please consult with your herbalist or health practitioner before using any herbs if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication or have underlying health issues.
Nikki Biddiss BSc (Hons), MNIMH, is a Medical Herbalist, Aromatherapy Massage Therapist and Cognitive Coach. She has a clinic in Napier’s, Glasgow and has her own practice in Bridge of Allan.
www.botanicalhealing.co.uk or contact Nikki on 07528 341 206.
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