Cleanse and Reset
We're a week into February and our focus on Resetting Your Space as a Living Altar. This is the third year I've been invited to co-host with my creative Sistar Katy, and we've both decided to focus on our studios.
I'm also enrolled in an 8 week course on using Creativity to foster Resilience, with my friend Cindy Jacobs. We are using Soul Collage and Mixed media to craft cards, and exploring insights in our journals. Cindy is also offering a monthly circle to make cards around our Word of the Year - email Cindy to register for these!
Yesterday I moved a small set of shelves next to my couch, where I do most craftey bits!
Whilst resetting our spaces, it can also be helpful to reset our bodies - and I've turned to a favorite - the Chaparral Cleanse, as taught by Lalitha Thomas in her '10 Essential Herbs.' I highly recommend this little tome! Lalitha is a practical herbalist - focusing on herbs that are easy to use, effective, and (generally) easy to find. (* as always, do your own research!)
Chaparral is one of the oldest plants on earth, with a stand in the Mojave Desert that's ~11,700 years old (and nearly 70' in diameter!) The sticky resin projects the plant from UV radiation, reduces water loss, and repels pests. The resins give it strong antiseptic qualities, and inhibit bacteria, viruses, and unhealthy microbes. (Chaparral and garlic, separately or as a team, are potent for fighting infection. )
Ethically sourced Chaparral is available from the lovely Mountain Rose Herbs (4 oz goes a long way!) *Not recommended during pregnancy, nor infants under 2
Lalitha suggests using chaparral tea for a week (for a mild cold or flu), to 21 days for the cleanse - while eating as 'clean' as possible, and drinking plenty of good water!
As a blood and lymph purifier, there's none better than chaparral. .... blood is sometimes referred to as the 'River of Life' - if blood and lymph are 'clean' and strong, no disease can feel comfortable living there.' (Ten Essential Herbs, P 62) Chaparral puriflies and alters the 'sludge,' which can then be eliminated.
We use 1 teaspoon of leaves, & re steep for a total of 3 days, then repeat the cycle; 7 teaspoons of tea in all.
Chaparral has taste that reminds Lalitha of 'the desert after a spring shower,' When the volatile oils are released. Each steeping brings out different properties, and I find the taste
Chaparral Cleanse:
1 tsp of chaparral leaves
Cup of very hot - but NOT boiling - water
Steep overnight, strain & drink first thing in the AM.
Using the same leaves, heat another cup of water, cover and steep overnight, to strain and drink the next morning. On the 3rd morning, discard leaves, & start with new leaves that evening.
So 1 tsp, steeped 3 times, & always very hot water, not boiling!! I like to use a small french press, covered with a china lid while steeping, then I simply press the leaves before drinking. I sometimes add 1/4 teaspoon of licorice and some marshmallow root to buffer and enhance its properties.
Whole chaparral leaves can be hard to find, as the FDA is uncomfortable with its use. My first herb teacher Glen Nagel talked about some of the herbs whic have been used in spring cleanse for generations - including chaparral and sassafras.
Glen commented, used in teas for a few weeks, once or twice a year for a mild cleanse, these herbs have been shown to promote liver health. In experiments with lab rats being given huge doses over extended periods of time, the rats developed liver problems.
I find the tea 'just right!'
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