Spring is here!
Do you want to feel:
-More energy -Better mood -Clear thinking -Smooth elimination -Better digestion -Gentle cleansing and let the body heal itself!
Traditional cultures felt the rush of energy—longer, warmer days, more sun, melting ice and snow, rushing waters, wildlife becoming active again and fresh young green sprouts and shoots abound.
We may feel the desire to be outside.
Creativity and inspiration abounds.
We have more energy.
You may find yourself staying up later at night.
Maybe we are feeling ready to come out of our winter hibernation and start being social again.
We experience changes in energy, mood, diet and sleep as a result of the changes in nature because we are part of nature.
For many of us, spring can leave us with the desire to shake off the dust, eat more fresh, vital foods, move more and in many cultures and religions, this is a time for fasting or cleansing.
As an herbalist in tune with the seasons and cycles of nature, we see the more inward, stable energy of winter expanding to the more outward and moving energy of spring.
Just like a seed that has been dormant all winter, the first movements of growth and energy go into growing the roots and the shoots of the plant. This traditional herbal detox will also focus on eating mostly the roots and shoots of plants.
To prepare ourselves for the high, intense energy of summer, extra attention paid now to a gentle cleansing program can improving our vitality, strengthen digestion and improve immunity, so that we are ready for all the joys of summer.
First let me say, your body is not dirty.
We don’t need to take drastic measure to “clean” it. Your body is detoxing all the time.
So, when I say “cleanse” or “detox”, what I mean is that we simplify our diet so our digestion can rest and give our body extra support (like bitter herbs, gentle movement, rest) so that it can do what it knows how to do, better.
The traditional herbalist approach is more of a gentle re-awakening of the organs of detoxification than an extreme purgative routine. We are giving the body a period of rest so it can DO WHAT IT KNOWS TO DO, which is heal and make new again.
In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the spring is governed by the Liver. The liver is related to the emotion of anger, and release. It also circulates are vital Chi or Qi (life force energy).
In our western medicine approach, we know that the liver filters every drop of blood in your body and is our natural purification system. It is our primary organ of detoxification and there are herbs and foods which can support its function.
In this gentle rejuvenation, you will use Dandelion Detox Fire Cider, three times a day before (or with) your meal.
Dr. Amber's Dandelion Detox Fire Cider contains dandelion leaf and root. Dandelion Root provides prebiotic fiber for a healthy microbiome. Dandelion root also helps the liver maintain a healthy hormonal balance. Herbalists regularly use dandelion root for women with signs of hormonal imbalance like menstral cramps, pms, mood swings and irregular periods. Apple cider vinegar not only stimulates salivation (the first step of our digestion) but also supplies probiotics and prebiotics. Dandelion Leaf is one of the most nutrient dense greens available--including vitamin C, K, potassion, magnesium and beta-carotene. They also help the kidneys function optimally to remove excess fluids from the body, such as edema or hypertension.
Cilantro, which is also in Dandelion Detox Fire Cider, is called the “master of mercury and heavy metals”. There have been a few studies which show increased excretion of mercury and lead after ingestion of cilantro. More studies are needed but, regardless, it’s safe, delicious and can only help!
The apple cider vinegar in Fire Cider contains healthy probiotics and prebiotics for additional bowel support. Garlic and onions in Fire Cider help with flora balance, liver detoxification and colon support.
“To really make vital changes to your well-being, look beyond a simple “take some herbs” approach. Diet, lifestyle, and mind body balance are the pillars of health and no amount of tinctures or capsules can take their place.”(Groves, 2016. P.21).
No short-term detox, cleanse or rejuvenation will undo the damage of years of poor habits, so a lifestyle focused on wellness is the best way to create lifelong health.
This cleanse is gentle enough for most people to do but you should talk to your doctor first or make an appointment with me to discuss how to modify to make it fit you as an individual.
DIY GENTLE SPRING REJUVENATION INSTRUCTIONS
PREPARATION:
About one week before you plan to start, begin reducing and eliminating the following:
-meat
-caffeine
-sodas, energy drinks
-sugars
-cannabis/cigarettes/alcohol/other drugs
-screen time and social media
DURATION:
5-14 days. Consider your constitution (deficient/excessive, hot/cold, dry/moist) and activity level. It is best to do this Rejuvenation during a time when you can be more restful and don't have a lot of activities planned. For help, send me a message in the "Let's Chat" box at the bottom of the screen.
WHAT TO EAT:
You will eat Simple Meals of 3 Main Food Types:
-Roots-whole grain and vegetable meals a day with lots of micronutrients and fiber. Consider red potatoes, yellow potatoes, different colors of sweet potatoes, rutabaga, turnip, carrots, all varieties of radish, daikon radish, horseradish, ginger, turmeric, beets, burdock (gobo) root, and any other vegetables that grow underground. Spend one afternoon prepping but dicing up a whole bunch of veggies and roasting them with a little olive oil, salt and pepper. Refrigerate leftovers and use all week. Whole grains include rice, brown rice, quinoa, millet, buckwheat, amaranth, oats.
-Sample ideas: Carrot, ginger and butternut soup; roasted beets and sweet potatoes served with turmeric rice, veggie "hash" made with grated root veggies and sauteed, quinoa with stir fried finely diced veggies.
-Shoots-Bitter greens that occur during spring, very vitamin and mineral rich. the bitter flavor helps stimulate digestion and absorption. Consider: dandelion greens, kale, collard greens, swiss chard, rainbow chard, mizuna, escarole, spinach and any other leaf greens including "spring mix" salad greens often sold at grocery stores. I recommend eating some raw and some cooked greens.
-Raw salads of greens lightly tossed with olive oil and Dandelion Detox Fire Cider salad dressing.
-Fruits-all fruits are good but focus on berries. Fruit should be eaten alone-only with other fruit. Do not mix fruit and other grains, roots, etc. I recommend fruit as either your first meal or last meal of the day.
-Other- Olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil (no seed oils like canola, sunflower, safflower, corn, etc). Herbs and spices as you desire. Light sea salt and pepper.
WHAT TO DRINK:
Before each meal, drink 1 tsp-1 tbsp of Dandelion Detox Fire Cider in 8 oz of water Or use Fire Cider in your food (as a dressing, marinade, drizzle over top)
Drink lots of water
Herbal caffeine-free teas
SUPPORTIVE MEASURES:
-more rest and sleep in a cool, dark room
-inspirational and educational reading (remember what we feed our mind is just as important as what we feed our bodies),
-less screen time,
-sauna,
-lymphatic brushing,
-Swedish showers,
-flax seed if needed for constipation
-gentle exercise, 60 min of walking a day (can be broken up into smaller walks).
-eat in silence
-get outside and let the sun kiss your body (do not burn yourself!)
-breathing exercises for 3-10 min per day to improve detoxification through the lungs
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