The days are getting warmer, the evenings grow longer, new growth has sprouted, and the wind blows in the new season of Spring. A perfect time to cleanse our body, build our immunity, and rejuvenate our systems from harmful internal and external toxins. This is the perfect time to help aid our organs including the liver, kidneys, lungs, and skin. When we don’t properly cleanse, our system goes into a state of overdrive constantly trying to keep up cleaning one mess after another. We can slow down leading to fatigue, digestive issues, skin issues, allergies, and a decreased immunity. So let’s give back to our hard working self with these 6 herbal detoxifiers that will help us filter, repair, and rejuvenate!
Burdock Root
This fibrous root belongs to the daisy family. Burdock is a wonderful blood purifier helping to remove toxins and cleanse our circulatory system. Packed with antioxidants, this herb is used to support common skin problems such as eczema, acne, and psoriasis due to the actions it has on the liver. The burr heads are often prickly and can catch to clothing and animal fur, which is why the Turkish believe this plant was seen to ward off evil and was woven into fabric for protection.
Cleavers
This sticky weed is great for discouraging swelling due to edema or water retention in breasts, feet, and stomach. Cleavers has a natural slimming effect as it trims your waist through its diuretic influence to promote urination. Enjoy as a tea, or use topically. This cooling, soothing, and astringent herb makes a wonderful addition to herbal salves.
Dandelion
This pesky weed never quits...and in our world, it is considered medicine. Dandelion flowers are nutrient dense full of Vitamins A,B,C, and D. This herb is a diuretic, supplementing the kidney, liver, and gallbladder in their natural function to detoxify through the urinary system. High in iron, potassium and zinc minerals this plant will bring a breath of new oxygen into your cells and increase energy production. Enjoy dandelion greens in a salad, sauté the roots or use it in a root bake, or simply enjoy the root or leaves in a tea blend or tincture to reap its bountiful benefits. If you are allergic to ragweed, chamomile or daises you should avoid this flower.
Milk Thistle
Also known as ‘Holy Thistle’ this plant promotes liver cell repair and cell growth. Researchers have seen this herb especially helpful for support to those with alcohol use, hepatitis C, and chemotherapy treatment. This plant is another one of nature's herbs that encourages liver and blood detoxification. Milk thistle seeds can be enjoyed in a tea mixed with herbs to balance its bitter nature, or simply added to salads. (Pictured at top of blog).
Nettles
Nettle is a nurturing tea great for spring time, as well as to quell allergies with natural antihistamine properties to relieve symptoms such as sneezing and itchy, watery eyes when tinctured in its fresh form. "Nourishing Nettles" is best enjoyed through a daily tea through a long infusion of 5+ hours for the highest benefits of its bounty of vitamins and minerals. Fortify and nourish your body daily with Nourish Me Tea in our Daily Balance Kit to support your body through Spring.
Yellow Dock
The bright yellow bark of this well-known weed stimulates digestive function. By increasing stomach enzymes and the acid necessary for breaking down our food, this herb encourages the body to absorb and assimilate nutrients fully. Yellow Dock has been found to contain many phytonutrients which help strengthen the blood and drain our lymphatic system. The young leaf can commonly be found in salads being called a “survival food” by Native Americans.
Enjoy playing with what Spring herbs that you can find! As you may have noticed, many of the herbs above are indicated as supporting the blood and liver. These herbs are called alteratives by herbalists, and are a class of herbs that are excellent to work with for a natural Spring Detox alongside nourishing your body with nettles. Happy Spring!