Who doesn’t get excited about spring time? I love to see the hedges green with spring herbs, after a long winter it lifts my spirits to see herbal friends.
I always find after the long dark winter months, my body needs a gentle detox. Heavy foods, stagnant energy, after the winter hibernation. I love to wake my body up.
One of my favorite wild herbs to take is Cleavers.
Gallium aparine,Gallium spp.
Folknames Goose grass, Sticky Mickeys, Robin run the hedge, sticklebacks, Stickybacks, Sticky willie
You can find these growing in most hedgegrows, woods and vacant areas, you know you have the right plant when they stick to your clothes. Spring/summer you have the plant, and Autumn you have the seed balls which will stick to you and your animals, children love to throw them on each other.
This is a powerful little wild weed. Amazing for helping the lymphatic system to detox and helps to regulate fluid balance and body weight. Supporting the toxic wastes from organs .I love using this herb for any inflammations of the skin, as the herb has a cooling effect it is amazing for any signs of heat, swelling and redness. It can be drank as a tea and also used on the skin topically as a herbal tea wash, for burns or sunburn.
A simple and tasty spring detox recipe is
handful of Cleavers washed and patted dry,
1/2 lemon organic
1/2 lime organic
distilled water
chop your Cleavers up fresh and place them into your jug ,add your lemon and lime, add more than 1/2 if you prefer taste wise, then add pre boiled distilled water, you can add cold water but I prefer a gentle warm infusion. Place a lid on top to stop the oils evaporating leave for at least 1 hour before consuming, I allow a long infusion of 4-8 hours.
I hope you enjoy this recipe, please check with your doctor before taking any herbal remedies, cleavers can clear out some medications including birth control, please be mindful of foraging in an area that is unsprayed with chemicals, only take what you need as we respect nature and share what we are giving with other creatures. please unsure that you are foraging the correct plant and are sure before ingesting.
keep her lit, cathy x
