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