Finally! the first day of spring is here which means more daylight, warmer temperatures and vibrant colors.
What is the spring equinox?
the word equinox means "equal night" where the days and nights are equal. This occurs when the tilt of the Earth relative to the Sun is zero meaning that our planet neither points toward or away from the sun.
Celebrate spring by learning more about the wonderful medicinal plants of the season!
Dandelion leaves
(Taraxacum officinale) are best harvested before the flowers appear in early spring. Adding the bitter greens to a salad is a great way to support digestion while providing nutrients including beta-carotene, iron, calcium, vitamins B-1, B-2, B-5, B-6, B-12, C, E, P, and D, biotin, inositol, potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, and zinc!
Cleavers
(Galium aparine) is a wonderful plant for detoxification by supporting lymphatic drainage with an special affinity for the cervical lymph nodes .When harvesting,it is important to pick all of the plant that is green, usually about 75%. The bottom portion will tend to be yellow and is of little medicinal value.
Chamomile
(Matricaria recutita) a very calming plant and also great for an upset stomach, aid digestion, bloating, anxiety, insomnia, and heart burn.
Here’s a guide to some of my favorite medicinal plants while forest foraging in the Pacific Northwest…