spring tonics

Botanical Medicine

Tonic Herbs for Transition from Winter to Spring

Spring

Makes a dramatic transition from winter dormancy to rebirth

Spring Our blood is

thinning after

winter’s chill

We tend to get colds,

flu, and allergies

Tonics• Strengthen

the body• Nourish body

systems• Revitalize

organs• Prevent

illness

Tonic Herbs• offer deep immune

support• can be used every

day• are inexpensive• or free - they grow

everywhere• take weeks to build

up before you begin to feel their effects

Using Herbs• Soups, stews, salads• Medicinal tea• Extracts or tinctures• Dried herb in capsules

Using Herbsdon’t wait till you’re sick

the point is not to get sick

Echinacea• Not a tonic herb• A surface immune

stimulant• For short term use• Effects are immediate• Ward off a spring cold

Bitters• Digestive system tonic• Activate stomach juices• Mustard greens,

collards, arugula, bitter melon

Dandelion• Root - tincture• Leaves - salad• Flower - wine• Liver support

Burdock Root• Tonic to liver• Cleans intestinal tract• Soups, stews, Japanese

gobo• For tea, simmer 2-3 hrs

Gentian Root• Digestive support• 5-6 drops before a meal

Astragalus• Deep immune builder• Tonic to pancreas,

kidney, spleen• Put 4-5 sticks in soup

(don’t eat them)

Cleansing, Nourishing Herbs

• Soups, stews, salads• Extracts, 5-10 drops, 2x/day• Tea, simmer 30 mins - 1 hour

Stinging Nettles• Par boil or steam for salads or

pesto• Tones nervous system (nervine)• Anti-histamine - allergies

Milky/Wild Oats• Supports the

nervous system• Especially good

for over-stimulated people in urban areas

Rosemary

• Circulatory tonic• Clears thinning blood• Tonic to digestive system• Warming• Good for memory, but too much

is dulling

Mushrooms

• Immune system, anti-cancer properties• Use organically grown or wildcrafted• Cook a long time so they break down• For extract or tincture, take 5-10 drops 1 or

2x/day

Shitaketonic to deep immune & endocrine systems

Reishi• Tonic to liver• Bitter, dominant flavor• Use tincture, 5-10 drops 2x/day

Turkey Tail• tonic to pancreas• use as tincture• for tea, simmer

4+ hours

Lion’s Mane• Tones five internal

organs• Stimulates (NGF)

nerve growth factor

• Use in cooking or use tincture

Cordyceps• Supports lungs &

kidneys• Endocrine system• Use tincture or capsule

Botanical Medicine

• Organic or wildcrafted from clean places

• Bulk dried, check for color and scent

• Get extracts from trusted sources

• Use liquids or capsules rather than pressed tablets

Primary Sources• Karyn Sanders and Sarah Holmes,

Clinical Herbalists, Blue Otter School of Herbal Medicine

• Paul Stamets, Mycologist, Fungi Perfecti