Spring and the Return of the Green and Growing Things
The turn of the wheel into Spring brings with it the return of the green and growing things. While the days are often still cool, the radiant warmth of the sun when it shines, feels decidedly different now than it did a few months ago. The aliveness in the natural world around us is returning. It’s palpable. Full of strength, vigor and vitality.
The renowned 12th century healer and abbess Hildegard von Bingen spoke of this as Viriditas - the greening power of Nature, the life force that is a reflection of the Divine expressing itself through the Natural World. It is this life force that is at the root of the Healing Power of Nature. And it is accessible to us through the vitality of the plants, the foods we choose to eat and by living our lives in harmony with Source, with the Divine, as reflected in the Natural World around us.
My introduction to Hildegard in my late teens changed my world and opened the door for my life long journey on this healing path. A healer, musician, artist, writer, mystic, visionary - I was lit up by her life’s work. I continue to be deeply moved by the aliveness and vitality that she spoke of. And there is no better time to experience this Viriditas than the return of Spring.



Some of the first plants to make their appearance in our backyards this time of year include stinging nettle, purple dead nettle, dandelion greens, chickweed, cleavers, violet leaf and garlic mustard. What’s cool about all of these plants is that they are edible, make a great addition to spring salads, soups, pestos and green sauces AND they support our bodies channels of elimination.
Just like a good spring cleaning in our homes, these plants help support our bodies natural channels of elimination as we clear out the excesses of winter and help our bodies reset to this new season.
In our unheated high tunnel green house a number of greens are popping up including self-seeded claytonia, chickweed and baby cilantro, as well as endive, romaine and parsley that have happily overwintered are coming back to life.






The seasonal shift from winter into spring moves us from the contractive forces of winter into the expansive forces of new growth of springtime. In Chinese Medicine, spring is associated with the liver. As such, spring can be a time where we may see an aggravation of liver related symptoms if our channels are blocked or sluggish and especially if we tend to more of a bilious type of temperament.
All of the new growth of the season brings a renewed vitality to our energy. If this energy in the body is not flowing freely it may bring up symptoms related to anger, irritability, headaches, eye problems, and digestive issues such as indigestion, reflux or bloating.
While there is much talk of “detoxification” this time of year, I like to think of it instead as supporting the normal physiological routes of elimination. This approach is not forceful, but rather supportive, to allow the body to do what it needs to do and knows best how to do. There is a time and a place where more intense methods of detoxification may be indicated, but more important is supporting the every day function of our physiology through the normal processes of elimination. What does that look like and how can we best support these processes?
Stay physically active to help keep the energy moving
Stay warm amidst the fluctuating temperatures and often windy conditions of the season
Reduce the heavy foods of winter and increase your intake of fresh greens and lighter foods
Include at least 12 hours of fasting overnight, to give your body the time it needs to stay on top of daily housekeeping. If your body type is not deficient and not in overdrive, consider a few longer fasts as well. For some that might be up to 18 hours, maybe even a 24 hour fast thrown in to support Spring cleaning especially for those dealing with deeper metabolic and blood sugar issues. For women, keep in mind that fasting is never recommended the ten days before your next cycle.
Support lymphatic drainage through activity, rebounding, shaking and dancing. You may also want to support your lymphatics through such practices as skin brushing and the Big Six. The spring herbs geared to lymphatic support include chickweed, cleavers and violet leaf.
Make sure your bowels are moving daily. Eat lots of vegetables and fibre rich foods such as legumes and freshly ground flax seeds. For some people supplemental magnesium may be needed to help get the bowels moving. Many spring foods support the bowel including dandelion, chickweed, purple dead nettle, and rhubarb.
All fresh greens support the liver but especially dandelion, purple dead nettle and garlic mustard. Other liver supportive foods include the cabbage family vegetables, beets, endive, arugula, citrus peel, lemon, apple cider vinegar, the onion family, mustard, radish and highest quality olive oil. Check out my liver loving salad recipe.
Support the kidneys and elimination in general by drinking plenty of water. Purified water is always your best option. You can add lemon or apple cider vinegar to your water. Herbal teas are also a great way to get more water into you. Fresh spring foods that support the kidneys include especially dandelion greens, asparagus, chickweed and cleavers.