Spring teas and tonics

Like a ‘Spring clean’ of your home, often there is an intuitive feeling to shift stagnant energy in the body at the beginning of Spring. This can be done beautifully with herbal teas and tonics that quicken the senses and cleanse the organs. Herbal depuratives are often a staple in spring tonic recipes. Alteratives (also known as depuratives) are herbs that have the ability to gradually restore proper function to the body by assisting the body to remove waste products and toxins. Often thought of as ‘blood cleansers’, alteratives (depuratives) have been traditionally used to detoxify and include herbs such as Burdock, Dandelion, Echinacea, Nettles, Cleavers, Red Clover and Yellow Dock. 

Cleansing Spring Infusion Recipe

Try a simple herbal tea aimed at cleansing by adding 1 teaspoon of Burdock root and Echinacea root to 2 cups of water and simmer gently on the stove for 15 minutes. You are making a herbal decoction.  While it simmers head outside and collect some fresh weeds such as dandelion leaves or flowers, chickweed, nettle leaves or cleavers. Clean and roughly chop your fresh herbs. Remove your decoction from the heat and add in a handful of fresh herbs to your brew. Cover for 5 minutes, strain and sip slowly. 

Wild Herb Tonic Recipe

For a revitalising tonic, head out to your garden or local community garden to find some fresh flowers and herbs. Any edible or medicinal herbs/weeds will work such as dandelion leaves and flowers, nettle leaves, gotu kola leaves, nasturtium leaves and flowers, chickweed, calendula flowers, rosemary, ginger, oregano and thyme. If you don’t have access to the herbs fresh, you can use dried herbs. Chop your fresh herbs and place them into a sterilised glass jar with a lid. Fill the jar with herbs and then pour over unpasteurised apple cider vinegar to the top of the jar. Secure the lid, give the jar a good shake and place in a cupboard for 3 weeks to macerate. Once ready, strain the herbs and decant into a sterilised bottle. This herbal vinegar can be taken neat as a small shot or mixed with water/sparkling water for an earthy, pungent drink. It also makes a beautiful salad dressing. 

Also by The Happy Herbalist