DRINK YOUR GREENS



3 Green Juices to bring the Spring Glow to your Skin

We are now in the full joy of Spring in Ireland, with new blossoms and green leaves appearing every day.

It is a busy time in the garden, but also an energising time for our bodies and skin. We all need a Spring Clean at this time of year and your body will thank you for it, if you take the time to get some extra goodness into your system now.

In Chinese Medicine, Spring is the time of the Liver and Gallbladder, the colour green, and being busy. The Liver Meridian is also closely associated with skin so looking after your liver definitely helps glowing, healthy skin. Have you noticed that you get a break out after a night on the town, or lots of heavy fatty food? Chances are your liver can’t cope with processing all the extra toxins and so lets them out through your skin… yikes!

Here are a few of my favourite green juices which are wonderful for the liver, for boosting the immune system and for supporting the bright active Spring energy.

Celery Juice

This is the juice that was made famous by Anthony Williams The Medical Medium and became known as THE celebrity juice. It is very supportive for the liver, hydrating for the body and really helps the skin to become clear and healthy.

Try drinking the juice of half a lemon in a large glass of water first thing in the morning, followed by the juice of a whole head of celery 15 minutes later. Adding half an apple, or a cucumber can be delicious but if the celery is organic it tastes surprisingly good by itself.

You will need a juicer or macerator to make this juice.

Nettle Tea

 A classic kitchen remedy in Spring. Nettle tea supports the liver, helps with hormonal imbalances, hay fever and lowering blood sugar. It can also help calm eczema and reduce hormonal spots.

 

You can drink Nettle tea or apply it topically to your spots, even wash your hair with it. It is full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.

Nettles are in most gardens and parks so rather then hate the weed, enjoy it in Spring when the leaves are still tender. You can also make soup out of it (mix with onions, spinach and potatoes - delicious) and add it to veggie stew. Just wear gloves when you pick it to avoid getting stung and only pick the youngest leaves at the top of the plant.

Just pour boiling water over a handful of leaves and leave to sit for five minutes and then strain into a cup. You can add honey or cinnamon if you want.

Only drink 1 to 2 cups a day.

Cleavers Infusion

 Another very traditional remedy and this one is wonderful to boost your immune system.

 

Cleavers are the weeds that stick to your trousers if you go anywhere off the path in a woodland area or fall into a hedge (foraging fun). They are also known as robin-run-the-hedge, stickyweed, catchweed and sticky grass.

Cleavers are full of anti-inflammatory properties and are believed to help with psoriasis, eczema and acne.

You can make a tea from Cleavers in the same way as you can for Nettles, but my herbal teacher taught us to pick fresh, bright green Cleavers and leave them in a jug of water overnight. Strain the water and then drink the infused water. Tastes slightly like cucumber juice.

 

Please let us know how you get on and if you have any favourite Spring tonics you enjoy.