The wild healing foods of spring

Below are just a few of the many wild spring plants that often get forgotten as weeds, when in fact, they are beautiful culinary foods and potent medicines, with gifts to impart.

The plant kingdom falls into four categories of fruits, vegetables, herbs & spices and wild foods, and each and every food or plant within these four categories is precious to our health, not only physically but also emotionally, mentally and spiritually.

We must remind ourselves that plants are living beings with a nature spirit all of their own. They are dying to share their gifts with us, if only we would take the time to listen to their whispers. They are here to help us but first we must make the connection by befriending them, get to know them and learn how we can bring them into our everyday lives.

In order to get to know the spirit nature of a particular food or plant, it can be helpful to first understand its properties by reading about it. Once you feel familiar with it, you can then tune into the energy of the plant by tasting it, smelling it and FEELING it, both its presence, as well as the feeling it creates in the body. This can take time but it is such a pleasure to come to know your relationship with a food or plant in this way. It creates a different kind of bond and deeper healing quality, and what you'll find is that you are drawn to certain foods or plants for a reason, usually because you need what they have to offer at that time.

DANDELION

Dandelions appear in early spring, just when our bodies are ready for a spring cleanse. Sunny and bright in appearance, the defining feature of this plant is its bitterness, which is exactly what gives it medicinal and restorative properties.

Dandelions get the blood pumping, helping to improve circulation and they shake the organs into cleaning mode, helping to shift and purge radiation, heavy metals, herbicides and pesticides, and other poisons.

Every part of the plant can used from the root, to the leaves, flower and even the stem, and each part has a different degree of bitterness that corresponds to different areas of the body that need different kind of cleansing.

But not only is dandelion a cleansing herb, it is also super rich in nutrients. It’s the perfect herb for circulatory issues, swellings, liver or blood toxicity, weakened digestion and prostate issues.

Spiritual gift: Dandelion teaches us the important lesson of divine timing. She teaches us that things happen when they are meant to and with this knowledge helps us to find contentment and solace with where we are right now.

Everyday uses: I like to add the leaves into salad or put them through the juicer, combined with cucumber, orange and celery.  The flowers and stems I tend to use for blending into pesto or dressings, or even smoothies. You can also make teas from any of the parts, either using fresh dandelion or drying it out in a low oven or dehydrator. And of course, tinctures and essences can also be made.

See here for my wild garlic, dandelion flower and brazil nut pesto.

NETTLE

In spring, new nettles shoot up and make themselves known. If you tune into their energy, they emit such power, you can feel it radiate outwards towards you. They want to be noticed, and if you fail to notice them, they might well give you a nudge in the way of a sting!

Nettles are powerful adaptogens, which means they help the body cope with stress. This makes nettle a wonderful everyday herb, as it acts like a body tonic helping us to cope with everyday life. Nettles are also packed with nutrients, being especially rich in silica, which builds and protects bone, and strengthens the hair and nails. Nettles also nourish the endocrine system, and are one of the most powerful herbs for supporting the female reproductive system.

Spiritual gift: Nettles help to create balance and harmony when we feel scattered and distracted. They also teach us to keep our eyes open and to notice with appreciation what we have in our lives. This is also one of the reasons why they like to brush up against us with a little sting - wake up and be alert to what is around you, is what they are really saying!

Everyday Uses: Pick your nettles using a glove, choosing the younger ones, as they are the sweetest. Once home, pick off the leaves and give them a good wash using a salad spinner. Then you can add them directly to hot dishes such as soups, stir-fries or pasta dishes, or you can add them into pesto or sauces but be sure to blanch them for one minute in boiling water first to take out the sting.

Nettles can also be used to make tea – I tend to dry the leaves first for this purpose. They also a potent medicinal tonic by simply pouring boiling water over the leaves and leaving them to steep overnight. The next day, drain the liquid and drink straight or use in smoothies. This provides a wonderfully powerful endocrine, reproductive and adrenal support.

See here for my wild garlic, nettle & potato soup

RED CLOVER

Red clover is the most powerful of all the herbs when it comes to supporting the lymphatic system, that part of the immune system that helps to flush waste from the body. She is loaded with minerals making her the ideal herb for nutrient deficiencies, and she is also the number one herb for working with weight issues, as she helps to break up and reduce unnecessary stored fat.

Spiritual gift: Energetically, red clover is full of compassion. She exudes generosity of spirit and helps those who are exhausted or depleted. But she also teaches us the gift of resilience, as no matter where she grows and how much she gets stamped on, she still grows back, a little like our good old friend, the wild blueberry.

Everyday uses: red clover flowers make a beautiful tea when combined with chamomile and lavender flowers. This can be made using either dried or fresh flowers. You can also make a raw honey infusion using the flowers. Simply fill a small jar with fresh or dried flowers and pour raw honey on top. Leave to infuse for a couple of weeks and then either strain, or like I do, just use it with the flowers inside. If using fresh flowers, the honey won’t last so long, but it tends not to last very long in my house anway!

RED CLOVER CHAMOMILE TEA (Medical Medium, Life Changing Foods)

MAKES 4 CUPS

2 tablespoons red clover flowers

1 tablespoon chamomile flowers

1/4 teaspoon lavendar flowers

Add the herbs to a teapot and steep for 5 minutes or more.