Unfurling:
easing into spring naturally
Nikki Biddiss, Medical Herbalist looks at herbs for the new season
This is one of my favourite times of year. We are moving gradually into spring, leaving winter behind us. There are times when this transition seems slow and the weather can’t quite make up its mind what season it is in: snow follows sun and rain follows blue skies. But eventually it seems to settle and mother nature re- awakens.
As snowdrops and winter aconites give way to daff odils and bluebells, we begin to see ferns unfurl and leaves appear on the trees. A new season is dawning and a new life cycle begins. We too feel a re-emergence into the light. We may feel like hibernating less and as we reclaim our mornings and evenings back from the dark, we begin to feel like doing more. Instead of trudging to and from work/school in the dark, we might feel like going for a walk. We are craving the light but as the sun is still low in the sky and fl eeting, I wouldn’t be giving up on the Vitamin D supplements quite yet. We still need their support to our immune health, bones and mood.
This is also the time for the traditional spring clean and we can apply this to all areas of our lives. As well as getting into the dusty corners of our homes and clearing out stuff we no longer want or need, we can give our minds a spring clean, letting go of thoughts and habits that no longer serve us well. Wellbeing continues as a buzz word along with self- care and its worth refl ecting on what these terms really mean to us. Could we be more proactive in looking after ourselves, could we eat better, move more,
rest more regularly or sleep longer? The
answer to some of all of these questions is probably yes. We tend to feel more energetic and motivated in the spring so it’s a good time to start doing some of the things we have been thinking and planning over the winter. Book that class, or arrange to see friends and family more often, perhaps combining it with a walk outdoors.
This is also a good time to look at diet. Hearty meals give way to clear soups and spring green vegetables. It’s the perfect time for changing how we eat. Perhaps introduce a new recipe each week. Salads and lighter meals become more appetising as the darkness and our cravings for comfort subside.
This is also a time when people look more closely at their health. I often observe a fl are up in skin
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conditions at the change of season such as acne, eczema and psoriasis and clients will return to top up on their herbal medicines to help the body adapt to the seasonal change. Immune health can continue to be a challenge with winter colds and fl u still lingering or emerging into a spring cold or the very early onset of the allergy season. Allergies that fl are up in the fi rst few months of the year tend to be triggered by moulds or tree pollens. Herbs such as echinacea, wild indigo, nettles, plantain and eyebright can all help with allergies.
Sleep can also be aff ected by the lighter mornings. I would encourage everyone to try and get into a regular pattern for going to bed and getting up, and perhaps get up a little earlier than you have been, to take advantage of the quietness and freshness that a spring morning can bring. Early mornings and late night are often the only moments of the day when we feel a sense of stillness and calm - we should make the most of them! Ashwaganda (Withania somnifera) is a useful herb to help us adjust to the seasonal change. It is nourishing to the mind and relaxes the nervous system helping us if we feel tense or overwhelmed. It is rejuvenating: slowly improving energy levels while calming the mind. The Latin name ‘somnifera’ relates to its use in aiding sleep, if our bodies and mind feel more at rest, we fi nd it easier to drift off to sleep. Then we can get up nice and early to welcome in that beautiful spring morning….
Nikki Biddiss BSc (Hons), MNIMH, is a Medical Herbalist, Aromatherapy Massage Therapist and Cognitive Coach. She runs the herbal 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.
Please consult with your herbalist or health practitioner before using any herbs if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, on medication or have underlying health issues.
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