Recipenet "Spring Cleansing Herbs"

Recipes for Natural Health
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SPRING CLEANSING HERBS
by Colleen Hulett

In Canada, April is our official month to come out of hibernation and cleanse our mind, body and spirit of the toxic overload we have accumulated during the long winter months from over consumption, lack of exercise, lack of sun, lack of fresh air and not to mention lack of privacy!

Cleaning our blood and liver in April is a traditional way to get our health back on track and revitalize and nourish our entire internal ecological system. Most medicinal herbs are excellent cleansers. Cleansing is one of the more important roles for herbs as they help to prevent a host of problems our bodies can acquire from internal and external toxic overload.

My Spring Greens Tea is a safe and easy recipe to add to your spring detox regime. Drink at least three to four cups a day for about two weeks. It is a nutritious multi-vitamin and mineral tea that purifies the blood and detoxifies the liver. It will also help you sweat out toxins, fight disease organisms, remove mucous, cleanse the colon and digestive system, move the lymphatic system and cleanse the kidneys and urinary tract system.

Spring Greens Cleansing Tea

Ingredients

3 parts peppermint leaves
2 parts red clover blossoms or tops
2 parts nettle leaves
2 parts lemon balm leaves

1 part alfalfa leaves
1 part linden blossoms and leaves
1 part cleavers leaves
1/2 part parsley leaves and stem

Directions

Mix dried herbs together and store in a dark glass jar away from air, heat, moisture and sunlight. To use: pour 4 cups of boiling water over two tablespoons of herb mix. Cover tightly and infuse for 20 minutes. Strain. Add stevia to taste if necessary.

Adult Dosage

Drink three to four cups daily for at least two weeks.

If you wish to use this tea for children under the age of 12, consult with a qualified herbalist for the correct dosage and for ongoing supervision.

To Assist Your Cleanse

You should eat an organic diet rich in fruits, fibre, vegetables, whole grains, lean chicken and fatty arctic fish (i.e. salmon). Your diet should have no dyes, additives or artificial ingredients. Just natural whole foods. Don't forget to avoid sugar, white flours, coffee, fermented foods, animal fats and dairy products during any cleanse as they interfere with the cleansing process. Take a brisk walk daily. But most importantly, do not forget to cleanse your beautiful mind and spirit...have a relaxing bath with dead sea salts and essential oils; dry brush your skin; walk barefooted at least 15 minutes daily; meditate often; and tell someone your sins, then forgive yourself. If you don't already have a sacred place for quietude ...please find one. It can be in the woods near a cliff or a special corner on the patio as long as everyone knows they cannot disturb you for 30 minutes. Really, start anew and be all you can be. Happy cleansing!

Contact me at colleen@recipenet.org if you have any questions or comments about this recipe.

Colleen has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography and has been a practicing herbalist since 1996. She is currently studying The Science and Art of Herbology with revered herbalist Rosemary Gladstar.

Recipe published: Spring, 2002

Herbal Recipes

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