Go with the flow…
Lymphatic herbs to support shifts in the physical & energetic body.
Times are always changing. That’s life, isn’t it? There is a constant ebb and flow we must learn to adapt and adjust to. Many herbalists might go straight to, “adaptogens for times of change!” and this is true, adaptogens can be integral for supporting the adrenals during times of change. However, in my personal experience, lymphatic herbs provide a unique and invaluable type of support during these shifts. Lymphatics quite literally help to remove waste from the body, and if you work with the plant spirit medicine, you can invite them to remove waste from your emotional body as well.
Lymphatics, as the name indicates, have an affinity for the lymphatic system, the waste system of the body. Eclectics considered them to be “blood purifiers" known to clear toxicity from the tissues. Most lymphatic herbs have energetics that remedy the “dry atrophy” tissue state and can be helpful when there is swelling, hard nodules and cysts, and fibrous tissue. Many of these traditional lymphatic herbs are nutrient dense, a little salty, providing replenishment and nourishment to our cells and blood. Some of these herbs, like red clover, cleavers, or violet, are sweet tasting. Sweet indicates salt, which provides moisture necessary to remedy the dry atrophy state. Salt stimulates the kidneys, acting as a diuretic and helping flush fluids through the body. Then we have other lymphatics, like calendula, which is slightly bitter in taste and stimulates the liver/gallbladder to encourage gentle movement, which the lymph requires to release waste.
We can see how lymphatic herbs support the physical body - helping to break down hard tissue, move waste, and stimulate detox through the kidneys and liver. Now we can see how the energetics can be applied as “spirit medicine” to our emotional body.
For many of us, change can be hard. We may resist and feel ourselves become stuck. When we create a roadblock in the energetic body, just as in the physical body, “junk” can start to accumulate. This is where I like to apply energetic properties to the emotional body. They can invite softness to what might be feeling hard. With their sweet flavor, they can invite a little sweetness to a situation that might feel otherwise challenging. The salt element can open up channels physically and emotionally, allowing for movement, flow, and transformation. I am fond of the duo violet and red clover as an infusion - violet with its demulcent, cooling, gentle energy (and its affinity for the heart), and red clover for its sweet, nourishing, purifying properties. The plant spirits together remind me to “soften and flow” through difficult times. And, as someone with a predisposition for hormonal acne (especially during more stressful occasions), this pair helps me purge what may be stuck so that it doesn’t come out as a hard cyst on my face.
Another energetic/spiritual component to consider when working with plants, in general, but also specifically for moving us through times of change, is the flowering tops. The vibrational frequency of flowers has a direct impact on our energy field, whether working with the flower as a tea, an essence, or simply cutting it and bringing it into the home. My favorite lymphatic herbs all happen to flower - red clover, violet, and calendula (and technically cleavers, though the flowers are quite dainty). To me, the flowering tops contain a special magic in their medicine that exists in ethereal realms. I am fond of observing them bob against the gentle breeze, nodding their heads as if to say “yes, yes it is time to shift, you have permission, we will gently move you through this.” For example, calendula, with its brilliant bright orange blossoms, has been used traditionally to ward off evil spirits - it has been hung in garlands over doorways, added to sachets for protection, or blended in with a violet/red clover tea infusion.
The best way to work with lymphatics is through a water infusion. We are working with the waters of the body after all, and want to feel the plant spirit washing through us (plus many of these plants stimulate the kidneys and flush through the urinary system). And of course, water holds the frequency of the plants, as well as drawing out minerals. Creating a tea ritual for yourself can add an extra element of spirit healing to working with the plants. There is nothing quite as magical as taking a pause in your day to brew yourself a cup of tea, wait for it to steep, draw a card, journal, or take a few minutes to drop into meditation with the plant and invite its guidance. Of course, you can always brew your infusion overnight, strain, and sip throughout the day.
Tea recipe to invite flow during times of change:
2 Parts Violet Leaf & Flower
2 Parts Red Clover Flowering tops and leaf
1 Part Cleavers
½ Part Calendula blossoms
Blend the herbs dry or fresh and steep in hot water for at least 15 minutes. You can also leave these steeping in a covered mason jar overnight for a potent morning tea.
