5 Herbs to Jump Start Your Spring 

By Meagan Jordan

Spring is officially here! Rain, pollen, and the beauty of the outside is upon us, making it an awesome time to step away from the house for fresh air and watch as the flowers, herbs, and trees come back alive. In the midst of a year-long pandemic, many people have felt suffocated from being in the house but now is the perfect time to not only enjoy the outdoors but to interact with the soil and ultimately your body. Plants and herbs are good for the soul, the mind, and body, and each plant and herb has its season when it’s most effective for human bodies. Whether you plan on volunteering at your local community garden or caring and growing your own green babies, here is a list of herbs that are perfect for spring, which you should have on deck. 

Mint

Fresh mint is a lifesaver and cooling herb perfect for the days that temperatures are a bit warm. Mint acts as an awesome digestive aid and is most commonly known to freshen up breath. With the promise of spring, you can guarantee bugs. Mint is said to keep bugs at bay and can even be put in a natural sunscreen. Mint’s cooling properties make the herb perfect for putting in water, not only hydrating you but helping your brain function, and is said to help with memory retention.  

Dandelion

When the weather breaks from winter, we often see the weeds and roots of dandelion’s but did you know that the herb is awesome for the body? Dandelion, especially roasted in tea, is awesome to lower blood pressure! If you are prone to Urinary Tract Infections, a few glasses of dandelion tea will decrease the swelling of your bladder and help you to produce and release urine. For those of us who love coffee, Dandelion tea is a safe and close replacer if you ever looking for one. Dandelion is rich in potassium which helps with blood flow and makes it good for your heart. Its properties support liver function and it is a great pick-me-up after a day or weekend of heavy partying. 

Cilantro

Cilantro is such a tasty herb, especially when you are cooking but the greenery is beyond a great taste, it actually helps our living being. Cilantro is said to aid in reducing anxiety and relaxing the nervous systems. It’s great support for heart health and it helps protect the body from sicknesses and diseases that can be found in food. Irritated skin? No worries, cilantro can help with that providing you with relief in the case of a flare-up due to seasonal allergies.  

Garlic Mustard

Garlic Mustard is usually and most easily found on the edges of wooded areas. The leaves to the plant make awesome greenery that you can add to your salad to jazz things up. Said to have a horseradish taste, the plant can also be used as an antiseptic to treat and clean bruises and ulcers when applied as a topical. It’s leaves are said to even aid with the treatment of bronchitis and a cup of tea may go a long way if your body seems to be catching a springtime cold. 

Nettle

Nettle is an awesome herb to use in the springtime and the herb even has a strand called Spring Nettle which can be found sprouting up in the spring depending on the growing conditions. Nettle is said to be a superfood that is rich in magnesium, potassium, iron, and vitamins A, B, C, D, E, and K. Whether making Nettle soup or tea, the herb is helpful for those who suffer from joint pain like arthritis. The herb combats inflammation and can be beneficial for those who have eczema. 

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