spring tonics

25
Botanical Medicine Tonic Herbs for Transition from Winter to Spring

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some plant medicine that can support the transition from winter to spring

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Page 1: Spring Tonics

Botanical Medicine

Tonic Herbs for Transition from Winter to Spring

Page 2: Spring Tonics

Spring

Makes a dramatic transition from winter dormancy to rebirth

Page 3: Spring Tonics

Spring Our blood is

thinning after

winter’s chill

We tend to get colds,

flu, and allergies

Page 4: Spring Tonics

Tonics• Strengthen

the body• Nourish body

systems• Revitalize

organs• Prevent

illness

Page 5: Spring Tonics

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

Page 6: Spring Tonics

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

Page 7: Spring Tonics

Using Herbsdon’t wait till you’re sick

the point is not to get sick

Page 8: Spring Tonics

Echinacea• Not a tonic herb• A surface immune

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

Page 9: Spring Tonics

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

collards, arugula, bitter melon

Page 10: Spring Tonics

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

Page 11: Spring Tonics

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

gobo• For tea, simmer 2-3 hrs

Page 12: Spring Tonics

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

Page 13: Spring Tonics

Astragalus• Deep immune builder• Tonic to pancreas,

kidney, spleen• Put 4-5 sticks in soup

(don’t eat them)

Page 14: Spring Tonics

Cleansing, Nourishing Herbs

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

Page 15: Spring Tonics

Stinging Nettles• Par boil or steam for salads or

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

Page 16: Spring Tonics

Milky/Wild Oats• Supports the

nervous system• Especially good

for over-stimulated people in urban areas

Page 17: Spring Tonics

Rosemary

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

is dulling

Page 18: Spring Tonics

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

Page 19: Spring Tonics

Shitaketonic to deep immune & endocrine systems

Page 20: Spring Tonics

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

Page 21: Spring Tonics

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

4+ hours

Page 22: Spring Tonics

Lion’s Mane• Tones five internal

organs• Stimulates (NGF)

nerve growth factor

• Use in cooking or use tincture

Page 23: Spring Tonics

Cordyceps• Supports lungs &

kidneys• Endocrine system• Use tincture or capsule

Page 24: Spring Tonics

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

Page 25: Spring Tonics

Primary Sources• Karyn Sanders and Sarah Holmes,

Clinical Herbalists, Blue Otter School of Herbal Medicine

• Paul Stamets, Mycologist, Fungi Perfecti