Spring Herb Group Meeting – Herbal Spring Cleaning?

With the sun on our backs as we cleared our herb garden of weeds this weekend, Spring felt like it was no longer a promise but a reality.

The young leaves of  Nettle and small shoots of Galium ( goosegrass) made a refreshing and cleansing drink as we discussed which plants we would like to add to our patch this year.
For starters we planted some seeds of  Calendula, Heartsease, St.Johns wort and Borage.
Martin is going to find us some White Horehound and hopefully a Damask Rose!

Our discussion this time was about Herbal Spring Cleaning
Spring time is linked with the element of Wood in Chinese Medicine, the Wood element resonates with Springtime and its Organ is the Liver.
Spring is a great time to clean your house and your body and what better way to cleanse the body than to do a liver detox!
One herb that immediately comes to mind for cleansing is Dandelion. The leaves are a diuretic, therefore acting via the kidneys and the root is very much a liver remedy by increasing bile production, bile being a natural laxative encourages elimination of toxins via the bowel.
Personally I like to drink Nettle and Dandelion root tea this time of year, together with lots of liver supportive food such as watercress, rocket, parsley and spinach.
Start your day with a warm water with fresh lemon juice to help liver function and to balance the pH of your body.
I am thinking of doing a deeper liver cleanse this year! Feeling brave! Will let you know how it goes!

Next Herb Group meets on Easter Saturday 2pm at Culberry.