Happy May Day
Today is an ancient holiday dedicated to fertility & celebrating the abundance of the Earth. Woooeeee!!! Think Kokopelli. With a back full of seeds and a flute to sing them into being. This is the season of unlimited potential…anything is possible.
The trees are leafing out and the spring ephemerals continue their show, some yet to bloom. New Paltz peeps, traveling the rail trail along the river, you’ll soon spot columbine growing out of the rock outcroppings. Walking through the landscape you’ll see blossoms everywhere, offering nectar and an opportunity for pollination.
Lilac Tea- Fragrant & Relaxing
Lilac supports the digestive and respiratory systems while promoting relaxation. Gently pull the blossoms off of the stem (which tends to be bitter) and place them in your favorite teacup or teapot. Pour boiling water over them and cover to preserve the aromatics. After a ten minute steep your tea is ready to be strained and sipped. Lilac blossoms are known to have anti-oxidants to nourish the cardiovascular system and to be soothing for the nervous system. The taste is delicious and delicate.
Spotlight on Cleavers
Common Names: Bedstraw (traditionally used to stuff mattresses)
Botany: Galium aparine, Rubiaceae Family
Some other members of the Rubiaceae or Madder Family are coffee, gardenia and partridge berry.
Energetics and Properties: (cooling and moistening, although can be drying if used long-term) Cleavers is a lymphatic, diuretic, alterative, anti-inflammatory, tonic, and astringent herb.
Description: Dependent on your perspective, people consider cleavers to be a weed. I feel lucky to harvest it from my garden beds where it has naturalized. It is one of the most cleansing and moving plants for the lymphatic system. It supports our detoxification pathways through the seasonal transition from winter into spring.
Preparation Recommendations: The aerial (above ground) parts of cleavers are used for medicine. A popular preparation, amongst herbalists, is to put cleavers through a juicer to make a green juice. I love to make a cold, overnight infusion in a 32 ounce mason jar and drink it first thing in the morning. Simply fill a mason jar with cut cleavers and cold water. Let it sit, covered, overnight. Strain out the plant matter in the morning and drink the nutritive liquid. Bonus, if you let it sit out under a full moon.
Connecting
Link for the calendar of my Classes at People’s Place the 2nd Monday of the Month
My spring playlist link – I am loving these songs so much
I love hearing from you. If you have any favorite songs, books or anything you’re stoked to share, press reply and let me know.
