Winter into...Spring!
We can hardly wait for longer daylight, chirping birds, budding trees, baby nettles poking through the earth...but...are our bodies ready for the transition??? Spring, along with autumn, are the transition seasons. Living in a cold climate, we adjust to the cold, dark days of winter. Moving into spring, once again we shift, but now to the warmer side of life.
As spring approaches, it is time to support our bodies as it begins the wakeup call. In winter we have eaten heavier foods, perhaps not been as active outdoors, and like the plants, rest and hibernate more. If we neglect the importance of making some changes entering into this swing season, some of the issues which might ensue are low energy, low immune function, and more susceptability to allergies. So what can we do???
Get out and walk. Enjoy the warmer temperatures and watch spring come to life. Spending time along the trails allows you to observe and experience the shifting energies in nature.
Walking also supports the lymph flow. The lymphatic system is the body's garbage dump highway to cleanse waste and toxins.
Dry brush your skin.
A great support for your winter skin and lymphatic system is dry brushing. Using a small handled, natural bristle brush, on dry skin, moving in upward strokes toward the heart will help to exfoliate skin and stimulate the circulation of blood and lymph fluids.
Drink cleansing herbal teas.
Cleansing teas will support organs of elimination, including kidneys, lymph and liver. Among this group of herbs you will find nettle, dandelion leaf and root, red clover, cleavers, burdock. A recipe for you to try:
Nettle 2 pt
Red clover 2 pt
Dandelion leaf 1 pt
Cleavers 1 pt
Spearmint or Peppermint 1/2 pt
Use bitters. Stimulate your digestive juices! Eat
bitter foods - dandelion greens, kale, escarole, collards - or incorporate a digestive bitter into your daily routine. Herb Pharm makes a "Digestive Bitters" formulation in liquid extract form which could do the trick!
APRIL IS COMING SOON!
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HERBAL ALLIES -
LEVEL 1
THE FOUNDATION
Begins April 24 |
SPRING WALKS AND TALKS
May 1 - Waking Up Our Inner Plant Goddess
1-5 pm, North Kingstown
$63
Celebrate on this May Day, or Beltane as we know it on the Celtic calendar, a connection with the spirit of the plant. Our plant intuition will lead the way, creating a dance between us. Developing communication, collection of plant material, creating a plant mask and simple ceremony all be part of our day together.
Group size is limited to 8
May 7 -
Meet the Weeds
10-12 AM, Ryan Park, North Kingstown
$10
Identify some common weeds used for medicine and food
Group size limited to 15
June 4 - Intro to Medicine Making
10-4, North Kingstown
$100
Learn about sustainable wildcrafting of local, abundant weeds, some basics of medicinal herbalism, and plant collection for making 5 tinctures and a
liniment to take home. Materials and handouts are provided
Participants are asked to bring a bagged lunch.
Group size limited to 6
