A tea to warm the belly and kick sluggish digestion from a long lingering winter into gear.

Stinging Nettle is Much More Than Just a Prickly Plant

I personally love stinging nettle, but know many people who don’t because of its sting. If you have mixed feelings about it, give stinging nettle a closer look. It is nutrient dense, medicinal, and makes gorgeous fiber. It grows from 3 to 8 feet ,stinging nettle is a perennial that dies back in the winter. The soft, green leaves are usually oval in shape and range from 1 to 4 inches in length. Occasionally the leaves

Flowers and young leaves are edible raw. Older leaves taste better cooked with other greens or in soups. leaves are mucilaginous and are good for thickening stews. Note that the roots are not eaten and may cause nausea and/or vomiting.

Cleavers is rich in vitamins and minerals, and contains flavonoids, coumarins and various alkaloids. It has strong affinities to the lymphatics, kidneys and nervous system.  Cleavers is a gift to the lymphatic system, supporting the movement of lymph fluids and easing congestion of swollen glands. It is an excellent herb to reach for when getting a cold and for elimination support and skin issues of all varieties.

Fragrant lilacs are a sure sign of spring. Preserve the blossom for seasons to come in a sugar that is perfect for baking or tea.

Lilac sugar can be used in tea or baking. Or any other creative use you can come up with. I personally love it in a cup of chamomile tea.

If you’re feeling heavy and dull, give your digestive fire a little boost.

Fresh ginger and fennel seed do the work of stoking digestive fire and promoting heat and movement.

Try this simple digestive tea to get things moving. I make a hot pot in the morning and store in a thermos to sip throughout the day...⁠

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It’s time to leap into spring! Soon, flowers will be blossoming. Generating heat and movement internally will support balancing the cold, wet and heavy qualities of spring. While helping to prevent common spring imbalances such as congestion, sluggishness and stiffness. A natural antidote for producing internal warmth to break-up and move stagnation within the body are heating spices.

The flavors and aromas will inspire cooking. While their medicinal qualities will bless the meal with the ability to help heal.