Getting to the Root of the Matter

 

Every fall, nature tells us an important message from which we can all learn. As the leaves begin to change color and drop, and the air turns crisp, the plants go deeply into their roots and build a strong network of mycelium fibers in the ground to nourish and sustain themselves throughout the winter months of dormancy. They don’t disappear, just recede deep inside their physical bodies in the roots below the ground, and nourish and sleep their way through the cold winter months and early spring.

Sometimes in our busy lives, we forget how important the simple act of nourishment is, whether its calling a friend we’ve not talked with in several months, or spending time with loved ones near and far, or beginning the preparations for the winter months: cleaning, storing, sifting, preparing for the cold winter months ahead. For winter is the time when we will go within, if we choose to honor the wisdom of nature, slow down our busy lives, and spend time in dreamtime, listening to the voices of Spirit and Goddess within. It is a time of dreaming visions, making plans, setting goals, and reviewing what has born fruit the previous growing season, and what needs to be pruned, adjusted, or uprooted to prepare for new growth in new ways.

One of the best ways to nourish and nurture ourselves is through herbs that support our deep immune system: the liver, spleen, adrenals. This is often the system that we overlook during the holiday months of November and December, leaving us depleted and exhausted when we most need our health and resilience! By nourishing our immune system in the fall, like the plants of Mother Earth, we can strengthen and support our health as we move from outdoor activities and sunshine to the quiet reflection, and dark, stillness of winter. It is a time to honor our bodies and the Mother, by building immune tonics, tinctures, infusions, and syrups in preparation for the cold and flu season that lies ahead.

There are many different herbs that support this process:Linden, Burdock root, Comfrey root and leaves, ginger, cinnamon, Milk Thistle root, Licorice root, Oregon Grape Root, Dandelion root, garlic, Elderberry, Blackberry, and many others. A quick look at the list will show how much we depend upon the cycles of nature to guide and influence our judicial use of herbs to help nourish and support our health and well-being. Just as we need it most, the plants that are most helpful to us, offer us their root stock as the deep nourishment we need to support our own immune system through the winter months. Herbs that support the liver such as Milk thistle root, licorice root, Dandelion root, Burdock root,  and Comfrey root, help strengthen and support the liver and immune system building strong resilience and endurance through the winter months of germs, colds, and flu.

Ginger and Cinnamon are warming herbs that add flavor and stimulate the action of the nourishing herbs by warming the circulation that often becomes stagnant in the winter months. Berries such as Blackberry, Elderberry and Oregon Grape Root berries, serve as flavor enhancers, and build and nourish the intestinal resilience to aid in removal of toxins and waste in our bodies, as well as being good sources of Vitamin C naturally.Lindensoothes the membranes of the throat and is an excellent demulcent to coat and nourish the throat and tonsils.

Burdock, Comfrey, Milk Thistle, Licorice and Oregon Grape root(s) all need a decoction or overnight infusion of boiling water, to bring out their best and most nourishing qualities. I enjoy making an infusion using my coffee pot as the infusion brewer (I have no glass pans, and metal leaches the nourishing ingredients from the herbs). Recently, I’ve begun brewing Kombucha again, for its probiotic characteristics; I found that adding a cup of that to the water when brewing really helps promote a rich, healthy brew that is nourishing and supporting to both immune and digestive systems! It also helps bring out the nourishing qualities of the root stock more deeply. Ideally, to be most beneficial, use at least 1oz. of ea. herb per infusion. A standard 12 cup coffee pot, will brew about a quart of infusion that is rich, flavorful, and deeply satisfying for the whole immune system.

The other body system that is overloaded frequently in the winter months is the adrenal/endocrine system. Because our culture is relentlessly busy “doing” all the time, we seldom get a chance to give our bodies the rest that nature and most other mammals enjoy during the winter months. Instead of taking our cue from the animals that hibernate or sleep long sleep cycles in the winter months, humans have some of the busiest holiday/seasonal schedules that cause us to deplete our bodies’ natural hormonal balances. For this reason, Oatstraw, Black Cohosh, Vitex, and Saw Palmetto offer a realm of strengthening properties to nourish and support the body’s hormonal processes.

Siberian Ginseng and and Ashwaganda serve as a buffer to dealing with stress in the body, helping to stabilize the cycle of depletion that occurs when S-T-R-E-S-S interrupts and breaks down the natural hormone cycle at the HTPA (Hypothalamus Pituitary Axis). Additionally, Red Clover is a nourishing herb that is high in many vitamins, minerals, and deep toning~just as it does to the soil that it grows in. A natural nitrogen fixer, it nourishes and stabilizes the hormonal cycle in women of menstruating age, allowing them to keep from depleting their natural estrogen, while nourishing and supporting menopausal women who have naturally lower occurring levels of estrogen.

An infusion of any or all of these herbs helps nourish the adrenal system, stabilize and protect it from STRESS, and build a healthy adaptogenic response to the stressors that wear us down, deplete our energy levels, and make us vulnerable to illness and dis-ease. In addition, by nourishing the adrenal system, we help reduce the effects of aging, cancer, and other debilitating diseases. Clover is a blood cleanser as well, helping to reduce the risk of tumors, and helps keep the body fortified in fighting stress related illnesses.

For best effectiveness, an infusion of 1oz. per quart of water can be drunk daily to build the body’s immune system, and nourish and support the adrenals. Beware! If combined with Oatstraw, it can also increase your fertility and opportunities to get pregnantJ

Additionally, any of the following ingredients can be added for additional immune support, nourishing the body deeply as a tincture in the following ratios:

 

[Schisandra seed 1:5

Manchurian Spikenard 2:1

American Ginseng Root 1:3

Ashwagandha Root 1:1.5

Reishi mushroom 1:2

Cordyceps 1:2] (supporting the adrenal cortex-HTPA response to stress)

Rosehip 1:1(Vitamin C)

Hawthorn leaf, flower, and berry 1:1(Heart support)

Turmeric root 1:1 ( a natural anti-inflammatory)

Green tea 95% Polyphenols 1:1

Licorice root 1:1

Elderberry 1:2

Grape seed and skin 95% Polyphenols 1:1

Ginger root

With so many wonderful herbs to nourish, support and build the body’s immune system, you’d think there weren’t any other herbs that would add more to the mix! One last herb that is known for its many nourishing properties, minerals, and vitamins is Nettles. This one is best taken in small doses as it tends to cause constipation when taken liberally. Again, 1oz. of dried nettles per quart of boiling water is a good ratio, which can also be enriched with Burdock, helping to reduce the likelihood of constipation. Nettles is high in phosphorus, calcium, iron, VitaminK, and many other minerals so necessary for good health. There can be no doubt that it offers a wealth of goodness to nourish and support healthy wintering!  Remember when preparing an infusion to let it steep overnight or at least for several hours to get as much nourishment as possible from the herbs.  Place herbs in a quart jar, cover with boiling water, and then cover and let steep as long as possible. And for additional support to the digestive system, try adding some Kombucha to the boiling water when steeping! 🙂

Bon apetit! Enjoy and let me know how you mix your tonic for good health and well-being! 🙂