Many of the wild plants that grow, often unnoticed, around us are in fact extremely uesful herbs that could benefit our health and sense of wellbeing. Very common plants in the UK are Dandelion, Nettle, Plantain and so on. These in particular are excellent blood cleansers and taken especially in the spring and autumn can help to cleanse our system.

Spring and Autumn are transitional times, and if you look at the plants around you for example, Nettles, you will notice that in the autumn, they start to grow new shoots. Ideal for cleansing: the same for dandelions etc. Autumn is a good time for preparing the body for the work it will do over the coming winter months. Spring is a great time as it cleanses and thins the blood for the coming hot months of summer.

Cleansing your excretory organs is vital to maintain a healthy body and sense of well being. The movement of energy is extremely important in maintaining vitality, so if your body can't shift toxins effectively, then they will build up and lead to you feeling sluggish and out of sorts. Going to the toilet regularly may sound like something your Granny was obsessed with, but it is vital in maintaining a healthy body. Increase your intake of fresh veg and fruit and try eating cereals. If you increase your fibre (especially bran) you must also increase yor intake of fluids as bran absorbs water and can in fact worsen your problem.

In order to gain the maximum benefit from gentle herbal cleanses you should try to cut out alcohol, caffeine and animal products for a few days before, during and after the cleanse. Sometimes effects such as headache, sadness and anger are all associated with cleanses - especially the liver, but these are replaced with more enjoyable emotions once the cleanse is over. It is all an effect of the toxins leaving the body. Drinking lots of water and herbal teas helps enormously. Slow working organs need slow cleanses, and it may be necessary to cleanse a little, then concentrate on building and supporting the organ with herbs prescribed by your herbal practitioner. Don't forget, if you have had any damage or illness in an organ, you MUST consult a qualified herbal practitioner before you start a cleanse.

Apart from cleanses, it has been said that the herbs growing in your own back yard are 1,000 times more powerful than those acquired from other sources. This is because you are intimatley connected with your own environment, and whether you know it or not, you have a relationship with the piece of land on which you live. Plants adapt to their environment so it stands to reason that what helps them to thrive will also help you as you share the same piece of land. (It is worth noting, however that it is not beneficial to harvest plants that are at the side of roads or those that are near a pollutant as plants often "lock up" heavy metals and other poisonous chemicals.) However, if you live in an environment like this, it is also worth realising that your body is dealing with the same pollutants!

Here is my favourite recipe for a liver cleanse drink, courtesy of www.herbshandshealing.co.uk

3 days before, cut out all alcohol, tea, coffee, coke drinks and animal products. Take the drink slowly on an empty stomach for 5 consecutive days. 15 minutes later, drink a hot cup of fresh peppermint tea (particularly lovely!) or dandelion coffee. Steamed vegetables and lots of salads will enhance the effects.Do not use if you have liver or gallbladder disease. Always consult a qualified practitioner!

Fresh Liver Drink

200ml Freshley Squeezed Lemon Juice (or Organic Apple Juice with a squeeze of lemon)
200ml Spring Water
1 Clove Fresh Garlic
1 tablespoon Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1cm Fresh Ginger Root (do not use if your liver ever feels hot and inflamed).

The garlic needs to be crushed before it is put into the blender. Liquidize all the ingredients to produce a smooth liquid. Drink it slowly.

(From the Selfheal School of Herbalists and Natural Healers, The Cabins, Station Warehouse, Station Road, Pulham Market, Norfolk, IP21 4XF, UK. 01379 608201)

My Favourite Dandelion Recipe:

Warm Potato Salad with Wilted Dandelion Greens

1/2 lb Dandelion Greens, picked over and washed.
1 1/2 lb New Potatoes
1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
1 1/2 teaspoon Fresh Lemon Zest/ Lemon Balm
3 Garlic Cloves pressed
1/4 cup Fresh Lemon Juice
1/4 Pitted and sliced Black Olives
Seasoning To Taste.

Remove the dandelion leaves from the mid ribs and tear or chop leaves into large bite sized pieces. Cut the mid ribs into pieces about 3/4" long. Keep separate.

Scrub the potatoes and make sure they are of a similar size. Place in a pan and cover with water, bring to the boil and cook for 10 minutes or so or until just tender. Cover to keep warm.

Mix the olive oil, lemon zest (not juice!) and garlic in a small bowl and season. Pour in 2 tablespoons of the oil mixture into a frying pan. Heat over a medium heat and add the mid rib pieces. Cook and stir for about 4 minutes, then add the leaves and stir a minute or so longer. The ribs should be crisp and tender, the leaves wilted.

Transfer the leaves etc to a bowl and cover with the potates. Add lemon juice to the remaining oil mixture, stir well, then pour over the potatoes. Add olives and toss to coat well.

(From Hawkwyn RavenLodge)

From the Shamanic perspective, all things have the breath of "The Spirit That Moves Through All Things" in them - the same as us. This means that we can communicate with the Spirit of all beings on this Earth: the animals, the plants, the rocks, the elements etc. Working with the Spirit of beings facilitates a purer communication and a profound understanding.

I have been working with the Spirit of plants and in particular several plants one of which is Rosemary. Spending time with Rosemary, journeying to meet her Spirit and receive her teachings requires time, but all plants are very generous and loving and offer tremendous gifts. I have received much love from Rosemary and she has told me many things that her physical body can be used for. Subsequent research has shown thet the things she told me have been used for many hundereds of years as remedies for common ailments.

Taking this a step further, think how much more powerful herbs and herbal remedies are when you connect with the Spirit of the plant to aid your healing.

Working with Plants: Take some time and try to do this out in Nature if you can. If not then sitting with a whole plant or even a sprig will also work. Before taking a part of a plant, please ensure it is not an endangered species and make sure that you leave most of the plant behind so that it can continue to grow in its natural habitat. Please always ask before taking anything from Nature and wait for a clear "Yes", and please always leave an offering of something to replace the energy that you have taken. (Excellent gifts are your voice: sing or say something; a hair; some spittle; a stone; some dried herbs; a feather: anything that is given with true thanks and gratitude will be perfectly acceptable. Please do not leave anything that will pollute or cause offence by its degeneration (eg meat) and if many offerings have been left, please think about what you are leaving so that you don't over burden the area).

Sit with the plant and observe it in minute detail: its appearance, colour, smell, texture. Try to get a sense of the energy of this plant and if you can feel it becoming a part of you. See if you can feel what it is like to be this plant, here, in its habitat, in the sun, in the rain, in the snow, in the night.

Sitting or lying comfortably, get someone to drum for you or use a drumming tape, and enter the Lower World (see journeying page for instructions) your intention being to meet with the Spirit of the plant that you are holding. You can ask anything of this Plant Spirit and often they will give you a special song. Build up a relationship with this plant much in the same way as you would when working with a Power Animal. This plant will become a true ally, and you will often find that a plant you are naturally drawn to will be of physical benefit to you.

Another Journey you can do if you are reasonably experienced in journeying, is a Middle World Journey to visit the plant.

A good book to read up on this subject is Plant Spirit Medicine by Elliott Cowan.