Add these cleansing herbs into your life…
I am just finishing up a class that is focusing on herbs and foods that help your body detoxify. The class included different modalities versus just following one. The suggestions were derived from Chinese & Ayurvedic medicine and was meant to help support people to gently detoxify. The idea of doing a hard core detox is not suggested, it is about supporting your body versus pushing it even harder. We will be starting our 3-week Spring RESET on March 31st, and I am going to be upgrading our process with these herbs below.
- Dandelion: Dandelion is high in potassium, calcium and several vitamins, including A and C and is great for cleansing out a sluggish liver, which most of us have this due to environmental stress. You can take it in capsule, tincture or as a tea. The best time to add in dandelion is after a meal that may be a bit more fatty than you are use to. I love roasted dandelion tea as a coffee substitute and it is comforting to drink after a meal.
- Burdock root: Burdock is rich in flavanoids, lignans, and bitter glycosides. It has an inulin content of up to 45%, making it valuable in treating diabetes. The high levels of lignans and inulin have shown proven anti- inflammatory activities which also influences skin, kidneys, mucous and serous membranes, to remove accumulated waste products. The root is cultivated as a food in Japan, where it is called “gobo.” Resembling a long brown carrot, it can be prepared in any way you might enjoy a carrot, such as fresh juice or steamed. Try steaming a half and half mixture of carrot and burdock slices, serving them with dill or a light sauce or you can take in capsule form.
- Thyme: Science is now validating what the ancients already knew about how Thyme benefits respiratory health. Thyme is rich in specific plant phenols that are powerfully anti-spasmodic, making them potent cough suppressants. The antibacterial and expectorant qualities of this herb thins the mucus that the cough is trying to expel, gently healing and soothing the bronchial tract.
- Guggul: Guggul is the common name for the flowering mukul myrrh tree. This herb purifies the blood, helps clear out lipids from the blood, promotes healthy weight management, supports joints and is high in antioxidants. I just ordered mine from Bayan Botanicals and will share my discoveries.
- Slippery Elm: Constipation builds up the toxins in your body and it is a must to get your bowels moving. Slippery elm can increase mucus secretion in the gastrointestinal tract that may be useful in the management of gastrointestinal disorders such as stomach and duodenal ulcers, GERD and IBS. You can try slippery elm in a capsule or with a tea. If you are having heaps of trouble, take slippery elm with another herb called senna.
I am in the desert for a couple of months and my immune system needed a boost, so I made up this Good ‘ole Chicken (gluten-free) Noodle Soup with a lemon flare recipe!
ENJOY!
With abundant nourishment,
Heather Fleming
