The Pacific Northwest is a region known for its abundant plant life, and spring is a time of new beginnings, when the earth wakes up from its winter slumber and new life emerges. This is also the perfect time to explore the healing power of nature by incorporating medicinal herbs into your daily routine. Below, I'll list a few local herbs that come into season in spring in the Pacific Northwest.
- Oregon Grape
Oregon grape is a plant that is native to the Pacific Northwest and is often used to help support liver function. It contains berberine, which has been shown to have antimicrobial properties and can help support the immune system. Oregon grape is often used in teas and tinctures and can also be added to soups and stews.
The yellow flowers of the Oregon grape appear in the spring and can be used to make a tea. The tea made from Oregon grape flowers has a slightly bitter taste and is often used to support the digestive system. It can help alleviate symptoms of indigestion, bloating, and constipation. Oregon grape flower tea may also have anti-inflammatory properties and can help support the immune system.
To make Oregon grape flower tea, gather fresh flowers and steep them in hot water for about 10-15 minutes. You can sweeten the tea with honey or add other herbs such as peppermint or ginger for added flavor and benefits.
Oregon grape flowers can also be used in various topical applications. The flowers can be infused in oil and used in a salve or lotion to help soothe irritated or inflamed skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of Oregon grape flowers make them especially useful for treating skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis.
- Nettle
Nettle is another plant that is abundant in the Pacific Northwest in the spring. It is a natural diuretic and can help flush toxins from the body. Nettle is also high in iron, which makes it an excellent herb for people who are anemic. You can drink nettle tea or use it as a base for soups and stews. Nettle Tea is one of the most common ways to use nettle is to make a tea from the leaves. Nettle tea is often used to help support the immune system and can be beneficial for people with seasonal allergies. It is also a natural diuretic and can help flush toxins from the body. To make nettle tea, steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried nettle leaves in hot water for 10-15 minutes. You can sweeten the tea with honey or add other herbs for flavor.
Nettle Soup: Nettle can also be used in cooking, particularly in soups and stews. Nettle soup is a traditional dish in many parts of Europe and is often enjoyed for its nourishing and detoxifying properties. To make nettle soup, sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, then add chopped nettle leaves and broth. Simmer for 10-15 minutes, then blend until smooth.
Nettle Tincture is another way to use this herb for its medicinal benefits. A tincture is a concentrated liquid extract that can be taken orally or applied topically. Nettle tincture is often used to help support the adrenal glands and can be beneficial for people with fatigue or chronic stress. To make a nettle tincture, steep dried nettle leaves in alcohol for several weeks, then strain the liquid and store in a dark bottle.
Lastly, Nettle Hair Rinse - used topically to help support healthy hair and scalp. A nettle hair rinse can help strengthen hair follicles and reduce dandruff. To make a nettle hair rinse, steep nettle leaves in hot water for 10-15 minutes, then strain the liquid and pour it over your hair after shampooing. Leave the rinse in for a few minutes, then rinse with cool water.
- Red Alder
Red alder is a tree that is found throughout the Pacific Northwest and has been used for centuries for its medicinal properties. It contains tannins, which can help alleviate diarrhea and other gastrointestinal issues. Red alder can be used in teas or tinctures and can also be added to bathwater to help soothe skin irritations.
One of the most common ways to use red alder is to make a tea from the bark. Red alder bark tea has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest to help support the immune system and treat various ailments. The tea is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for people with joint pain and other inflammatory conditions. To make red alder bark tea, steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried red alder bark in hot water for 10-15 minutes. You can sweeten the tea with honey or add other herbs for flavor.
Red alder can also be used topically in the form of a salve or ointment. Red alder salve is often used to help soothe irritated skin and promote wound healing. The salve is also beneficial for people with eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. To make red alder salve, steep dried red alder bark in oil, then strain the liquid and mix with beeswax to create a thick consistency.
A red alder tincture is another way to use this tree for its medicinal benefits. A tincture is a concentrated liquid extract that can be taken orally or applied topically. Red alder tincture is often used to help support the respiratory system and can be beneficial for people with asthma and other respiratory conditions. To make a red alder tincture, steep dried red alder bark in alcohol for several weeks, then strain the liquid and store in a dark bottle.
In traditional indigenous medicine, red alder smoke has been used to treat respiratory ailments and other conditions. The smoke is created by burning dried red alder bark, and the patient inhales the smoke through a tube or pipe. Red alder smoke is also believed to have a calming effect on the mind and can be used for meditation and spiritual purposes.
4. Pacific Yew 
Pacific yew is a tree that is found throughout the Pacific Northwest and is often used to help support the immune system. It contains taxol, which has been shown to have anti-cancer properties. Pacific yew can be used in teas and tinctures and can also be added to bathwater to help soothe sore muscles.
Pacific yew tea has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest to help support the immune system and treat various ailments. The tea is also known for its anti-inflammatory properties, making it beneficial for people with joint pain and other inflammatory conditions. To make Pacific yew tea, steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried Pacific yew needles in hot water for 10-15 minutes.
Pacific Yew Tincture is another way to use this tree and is often used to help support the immune system and can be beneficial for people with cancer and other conditions. To make a Pacific yew tincture, steep dried Pacific yew needles in alcohol for several weeks, then strain the liquid and store in a dark bottle.
Pacific Yew Bark Salve - used topically in the form of a salve or ointment, it helps soothe irritated skin and promotes wound healing. The salve is also beneficial for people with eczema, psoriasis, and other skin conditions. To make Pacific yew bark salve, steep dried Pacific yew bark in oil, then strain the liquid and mix with beeswax to create a thick consistency.
- Elderberry
Elderberry is a shrub that is found throughout the Pacific Northwest and is often used to help support the immune system. It contains flavonoids, which have been shown to have antiviral properties. Elderberry can be used in teas, tinctures, and syrups and is often used to help alleviate cold and flu symptoms. Elderberry (Sambucus nigra) is a flowering plant found in many parts of the world, including the Pacific Northwest region of North America. The plant is known for its many uses, including its medicinal properties. The following uses are with the BERRIES - which are found in the late summer, but try spotting some elderberry flowers this spring so you know where to come back to harvest in August!
Elderberry syrup is one of the most popular ways to use this plant for its medicinal benefits. The syrup is made by cooking elderberries with water and honey or sugar, and is often used to help support the immune system and relieve symptoms of colds and flu. Elderberry syrup is also believed to have anti-inflammatory properties and can be beneficial for people with joint pain and other inflammatory conditions.
Elderberry tea is another way to use this plant for its medicinal benefits. Elderberry tea can be made by steeping dried elderberries in hot water for 10-15 minutes. Elderberry tea is often used to help support the immune system and can be beneficial for people with colds and flu.
An elderberry tincture is another way to use this plant for its medicinal benefits. A tincture is a concentrated liquid extract that can be taken orally or applied topically. Elderberry tincture is often used to help support the immune system and can be beneficial for people with colds, flu, and other respiratory conditions. To make an elderberry tincture, steep dried elderberries in alcohol for several weeks, then strain the liquid and store in a dark bottle.
There are many ways to get involved and get into nature this spring. Even if you don't put any of these magical plants to use - try going out and identifying them! Learn something new about the plants around you this spring. As always, it's important to speak with a healthcare professional before incorporating any new herbs or supplements into your routine, and always pay heed to dosage, harvesting location, and use proper and ethical harvesting and foraging methods.