The Natural Pharmacy – Spring
The showery, warm days of spring and the increase in sunlight are a welcome relief from the cold and darkness of winter. Now the hedgerows and gardens are lush, green and abundant with new life; a cornucopia of nature’s treasures!

Spring and early summer are a good time to gather plants for flavouring food and for medicinal and cosmetic purposes. At this time of year, the young plants are rich with accumulating natural goodness and vitality and are at their most potent.

Plants can be gathered from the wild or the garden, but only gather from areas that are pollutant and pesticide free. Alternatively, purchase herbs from a reputable herbal supplier. When gathering your own plants, you must ensure correct identification before use, as some plants look very similar and can be poisonous.

You should always seek medical advice before using herbs and plants for medicinal uses if you are suffering with a medical problem, taking medication or you are pregnant. Do not use anything you think you may be allergic to. If you suffer a reaction to using plants then discontinue and seek medical advice. It is not advisable to use medicinal plants on children without professional advice.

Nettle (Urtica dioica)
One of our most common and beneficial plants to be found in spring is the nettle.

Easily identified, nettles can be found in the wild and in gardens, where they are often dug up and discarded as weeds. What most people do not realise is that the nettle is an important plant for wildlife and is one of our most beneficial healing plants.

Nettles create a haven for wintering ladybird aphids which later become food for birds such as blue tits .They support many species of insects including peacock and tortoiseshell butterflies and produce seeds for birds in late summer.

Nutritionally, nettles are an excellent source of magnesium, iron, calcium, vitamin C and trace minerals. They have been used in soups, stews, teas and spring tonics for many centuries. Nettles are a traditional remedy for hay fever, arthritis, rheumatism and anaemia.

Nettle Tea (Infusion)
Cleansing nettle tea helps with the removal of metabolic waste from the body, which can be beneficial for arthritic joints. The tea can be beneficial during menstruation and for anaemia due to its high iron content. Drink daily as a nutritional tea or as a tonic after or during illness.

How to Make Nettle Tea
Wearing gardening gloves, gather fresh nettle tops (leaves) from the garden or from the wild. Gather from April to June, when the nettles are young and in flower, but not after June as the nettles become coarse and bitter. Wash the nettles well and chop into small pieces. Alternatively, purchase some dried, organic nettles from a herbal supplier.

To a teapot, add either: 1 teaspoon of dried nettles to one mug of water, or 3 teaspoons of fresh herb to one mug of boiling water. Allow to infuse for 10 minutes (dried) and 15 minutes (fresh).
The heat will take away the stinging effect from the leaves, so do not infuse fresh leaves for any less time. Strain the tea into a cup. Add honey and lemon or peppermint leaves to flavour. Blackcurrant juice is also a delicious addition to the tea and contains lots of vitamin C.

Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
The humble dandelion is a pest to most gardeners, but is one of the most nutritional and healing herbs there are. Dandelions are rich in vitamins A, B, C, and D and contain potassium and iron.

The leaves are powerful, but gentle diuretics that replace lost potassium in the body. Because they are cleansing to the blood and tissue, they are useful for rheumatism and skin diseases. The root has a mild laxative effect and is useful for constipation. Dandelion sap is a traditional remedy for removing warts.

Spring Salad
Gather several fresh, young dandelion leaves.  Wash well and dry. Add the leaves to some watercress, rocket, parsley, basil, spring onions, etc.  Make a dressing out of olive oil, black pepper, fresh garlic (crushed) and a little lemon juice. Pour over salad and mix well. Now add sliced, organic boiled egg and chopped crispy bacon (optional).

Sweet Violet (Viola odorata)
The sweet violet can be seen gracing the countryside and gardens from January onwards and again in autumn. Its deep violet coloured flowers and sweet scent are relaxing and uplifting.

This delicate plant has traditionally been used for medicinal, culinary, cosmetic and perfumery purposes. Remedies of sweet violet have been used for whooping cough, bronchial infections and cancer of the mouth. The plant contains salicylic acid, the blueprint for aspirin, so has been used for headaches and migraines.

Using Violets
The mild flavoured young leaves make good additions to salad and the pretty flowers can be added to cakes, jellies, ice creams, etc to add flavouring, colour and a subtle spring scent.

The flowers and leaves make a soothing tea for the occasional headache, cough, cold and exhaustion. Use the same method as for nettle tea (above).

Placing violets in the bedroom will help alleviate mental exhaustion and assist with getting a good night’s sleep.

Violet Skin Soothing Oil
The whole of the violet plant is anti-inflammatory, soothing and gently astringent to the skin. It has been used for all types of skin complaints including eczema. A soothing oil can easily be made by maceration.

Pack a small jar (about 50g) with violet flowers and leaves. Pour organic grapeseed and evening primrose oil over plant material. Seal jar and place on a warm window sill for 2 weeks, shaking daily. After 2 weeks, strain the oil through loose weave muslin, squeezing out all oil from plant material into a clean, sterile jar.

The oil will keep for about 2 months in the fridge and can be used as required.

Article written by Julie Burke SPA.ITEC.Cert.Ed
Member of the Complementary Therapists Association
for Third Age

All images copyright Julie Burke.