Nettle and Cleavers - the handy hedgerow helpers for energy and wellbeing
The long winter is coming to an end. Spring plants are bursting into life and there is a feeling of optimism and excitement in the air.
However, it still feels more like winter to you as you are feeling tired and jaded. Whilst you sense and feel the changes the new season is bring, you don’t have the energy or enthusiasm to want to get outside and join friends and family on a walk or start a new activity.
You feel trapped in your world of anxiety, tiredness and not being able to think properly. You sit on the sofa thinking what could I do to help me to feel more energised again?
This is where herbs can help. Herbal tonics, (herbs that may be able to boost vitality) have been used for hundreds of years to help to boost people’s wellbeing after they have been unwell or when they are feeling tired or under the weather.
I have found them so helpful in helping me to feel more energised and in this blog, I will share with you 2 herbs that grow literally around the corner from you that may boost your wellbeing.
A Spring tonic to boost your feelings of wellbeing
I think that we are really blessed by nature at this time of year.
You may be feeling tired and sluggish after staying indoors more often over the winter months and you may not have had the energy or the motivation to go outside in the cold and wet. I can understand that and somehow nature understands that too.
The 2 herbs I am going to share with you are traditionally known as Spring tonics as they have been used for their cleansing and detox properties for centuries. When you are feeling run down, exhausted or have chronic fatigue it is not a good idea to go for a big detox, as it can make you feel worse.
These lovely 2 spring plants may be able to help you to gently cleanse your body and play a part in helping you to feel more energised.
Photo by Alice Pasqual on Unsplash
Nettle – a powerhouse of nourishing vitamins and minerals
Nettles can be a nuisance can’t they, you can get a nasty sting if you get too close to the leaves. You may even think that they are just an annoying weed.
I thought they were a nuisance too, until I trained as a herbalist and realised how amazing nettle are. They may be able to help with quite a few different health conditions and scientific research has shown that they are really nutritious plants too.
Photo by Paul Morley on Unsplash
Why nettles may be able to help you..
Give your self a mineral boost without a multi vitamin tablet
When you are tired most of the time, worn out and feeling stressed and anxious, you may be depleted in important vitamins and minerals your body needs. Nettles may be able to offer you a helping hand as they are really nutritious, as scientific study has shown they contain many minerals including potassium, iron and calcium.
Looking for help with your hayfever?
If you are prone to allergies or hay fever is a problem for you, then nettle’s anti-histamine properties may be helpful for you. Nettle’s ability to help with allergies is being backed up by scientific research.
How to enjoy nettles
These are just 2 of nettle’s many benefits and there’s lots of ways to enjoy nettles. Nettle tea is widely available and if you are brave enough to harvest the plant yourself ( gloves are essential here), you could try home made nettle soup. There are plenty of recipes and guidance online.
Photo by Tamara Schipchinskaya on Unsplash
Cleavers aka as Sticky Willy – get stuck into a spring tonic
Sticky Willy aka Cleavers, but more commonly called goose grass is a traditional Spring tonic.
For many it is a frustrating weed that you may find in your garden that has lots of tiny sticky balls that can stick to your clothes as you battle to get it into the composter.
I think this is a bit of a waste. Cleavers has traditionally been used as a cleansing spring tonic to clear toxins from the body and reduce inflammation.
They are traditionally used as a tea or the leaves used as a vegetable. I think they have a surprisingly pleasant taste.
Carefully does it - a word of caution
You should only pick, use and cook these plants if you have the necessary knowledge and skill to correctly identify them. If you are in any doubt over what you are picking, do not pick and use them but consult a qualified expert like a local forager.
Has this encouraged you to try herbs to boost your wellbeing?
I hope this article has given you the inspiration to try herbal medicine either through a supplement or by using the plant itself. These 2 herbs I have shared with you may be able to help you to gently detoxify your body and in turn help you to feel more energised.
I have personally seen how a gentle detox can make a big difference to my energy levels and how I feel. I think that when you feel more energised your motivation increases and you can feel like you are living your life again and that’s a truly great feeling.
I hope this has inspired you to give a natural way to put a spring in your step this springtime.
Your top 5 takeaways
Spring tonics like nettles and cleavers have been traditionally used to gently detox the body after the sluggishness of winter.
Nettles are a very nutritious containing many vitamins and minerals which could give you a boost if you feel depleted.
Cleavers have been traditionally used to gently cleanse the body of toxins
Both nettles and cleavers can be made into refreshing tea or used as a vegetable.
It is possible to boost your wellbeing naturally; only pick and use the plants if you feel you have the necessary knowledge and skill, otherwise leave it to a qualified expert.
Have you been inspired but feel you need some support?
As someone who used food and herbal medicine as the cornerstone to my recovery from debilitating stress and fatigue, I am in a unique position to understand what you may be feeling. I am committed to supporting you on your recovery journey by providing you with a safe space where you will not feel like you are being judged but will be treated with care and empathy.
I help people on a one to one basis, and through a group programme.
If you’d like to discuss how working together could help you to feel more energised again, I offer a free 30 minute discovery call for us to chat about the help you are looking for and how I may be able to help you to feel like you again.
The content of this blog is provided for educational and information purposes only and does not constitute personal advice. It is recommended that prior to making any diet, supplement or other lifestyle changes (including exercise regimes), you first discuss these with your doctor or health care practitioner.
If you are experiencing persistent tiredness or chronic fatigue like symptoms, you should discuss these with your GP as soon as possible as these could be symptoms of another illness.