Spring Clean Iced Tea

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This time of year the allergies [itchy eyes, sneezing, along with headaches and stomach issues] become sometimes unbearable. Especially this year because of the warmer winter and early spring with buds bursting and pollen levels super high all at once. I am no expert of seasonal allergies, and to be honest I never really noticed a problem with them until I was an adult. But, there are some things I have learned since becoming more aware of what I put in my body. Everything is connected, so why not use food as medicine and do what you can naturally.

So because the environmental allergens are super high, try and reduce the allergens you eat on your plate. This means sticking close to a plant-based diet and avoiding things like dairy, soy, tree nuts, and peanuts. Eat more seeds, greens and lots of water. Not only does this kind of diet benefit your spring-clean cleanse of your digestive system, but it will also help you clean out the build-up of extra mucus and inflammation.
And then there is this spring clean iced tea drink that I like to drinks lots of this time of year. The greens in the tea are nettles and dandelion. And then sweetened with local raw honey. So the mix is super simple and doesn't really deserve a "recipe" as much as it should be called "my suggestions". Nettles are amazing for your health. They contain lots of minerals, vitamins and chlorophyll. They stimulate a healthy liver, gallbladder and kidneys. They have as much calcium as dairy and they have shown to help men and women have healthier hormone levels. The list goes on and on, but they have been said to help with allergies especially this time of year as well. Dandelion is most of the time considered a weed, but it is a plant that produces leaves, roots and flowers that can be digested and have many health benefits as well. It is helpful to balancing the liver and cleaning our toxins from the body.  Local raw honey is great for seasonal allergies because it contains your local pollen particles that if you ingest in small amounts will actually deliver immunity to the pollens. So for best results to taking honey for allergies you must find local honey, at least 100 miles of where you live. Raw local honey has so many health benefits as well. I think it is especially important to not cook or bake with the honey to receive the best benefits and also because of the body trying to get rid of mucus build up in the spring it is best to use raw honey more generously in the springtime as well.
Spring Clean Iced Tea Recipe Instructions
2 TB of dehydrated nettle leaves for tea
2 TB of dandelion green leaves for tea
4 cups of boiling water
2 TB of raw local honey
1 quart sized ball/mason jar

In a french press coffee/tea pot, pour in the leaves and then fill to the top with boiling water so you will get 4 cups [1 quart] of tea. Let sit and steep for a few hours, until the water is cool. Then pour strain the tea into a quart-sized mason jar and pour in 2 TB of raw local honey. Put on the lid and shake up vigorously for a few seconds, then put in the fridge and let it get cold. Drink whenever it is cold enough to your liking. But I suggest you shake it up before drinking to get that fizzy and bubbly iced tea affect. Then drink from the jar or pour into a fancy glass. Serve with a squeeze of fresh lemon if you desire. It is the perfect spring tea tonic if you ask me. I wouldn't be sharing it with you if I didn't think so.
I find my dried nettles and dandelion as local herb shops. Some of my favorite local shops...Global Infusion, Elder and Sage, and Harvest Health. But you can also buy these herbs online in larger amounts. If you are wondering where you might be able to find local honey to where you live I would check out your local farmer's market, or health food store. And if you don't have either of those then here is a local harvest website that might help you out as well.
Well, there you have my beverage of choice this time of year. I hope you are having a bright and sunny spring thus far and looking forward to the month of April right around the corner.

Enjoy and much love!