Top 3 Spring Tonics

The Case for Mild Alteratives and Nutritives

The primary herbal categories for a spring cleanse are mild alteratives and nutritive tonics. These are especially beneficial because, as winter progresses—particularly if you follow a traditional or semi-traditional lifestyle, eating seasonal and locally-available foods like meat, preserves, and dried goods—you’re likely to accumulate a degree of dampness and cold. This can lead to stagnation in the body’s systems, slowing down processes in the GI tract, liver, and extracellular fluids, contributing to general toxicity.

In this case, “toxicity” doesn’t refer to pesticides or chemicals but rather to metabolic waste products that aren’t eliminated as efficiently as they should be. This is where mild alteratives come in. They help to open and move the body’s channels of elimination, such as the bowels, skin, liver, kidneys, urinary tract, blood, and lymphatic system—supporting the removal of toxins and waste. This strategy can in some instances help metabolically, but also in managing inflammation, as accumulated waste products can instigate the inflammatory process.

Additionally, a winter diet often lacks diversity, leading to potential nutrient deficiencies. Above-ground plant parts are rich in essential micronutrients—minerals and vitamins – but they’re harder to access in colder months. Nutritive tonics help replenish these missing nutrients, nourishing and rebuilding the body after winter.

There are three herbs that fit this category perfectly, serving as both alteratives and nutritives: Burdock root (Arctium lappa), Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale), and Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica). Let’s explore these herbs in a bit more detail. 

Burdock Root (Arctium lappa) – The All-purpose Alterative

Common name: Burdock

Latin name: Arctium lappa

Part Used: root

Tastes: mild bitter, sweet (slightly), salty (mineral)

Affinities: liver, digestion, blood, extracellular fluid, lymphatics, skin, kidneys

Actions: mild alterative, mild bitter, antidyscratic, mild diuretic,  lymphagogue, nutritive, prebiotic

Energetics: slightly cooling and moistening; overall neutral

Indications: damp heat skin conditions: weeping eczema, boils, acne;  lymphatic stagnation – during and post infection; chronic lymphatic congestion, growths, tumors, cancers, weakness and emaciation with poor digestion

I like to call Burdock root the “all-purpose alterative.” This is one of the best mild, broad-spectrum remedies in the Western Materia Medica. The root can be harvested in the spring or fall and is valuable for its ability to gently cleanse, nourish, and restore the body when in a state of malnourishment and/or stagnation.

While Burdock seed is also used—particularly in Chinese medicine—it has different properties and is less common in Western herbalism. Here, we’re focusing specifically on the root. Burdock is mildly detoxifying, supporting elimination through the blood, liver, lymph, kidneys, and, to some extent, the GI tract. At the same time, it is deeply nutritive and restorative, making it an excellent choice for cleansing and rebuilding.

Tastes

Burdock is also a culinary herb, appreciated for its pleasant taste. Although it isn’t used as much in Western cooking, it is popular in Japanese cuisine as Gobo, where it’s often sliced and added to stir-fries. Many stronger alterative herbs tend to be foul-tasting or very bitter. Milder alteratives like Burdock have a more pleasant flavor—slightly bitter with a bit of sweetness and a hint of a mineral salty taste. This flavor profile typically indicates a rich presence of minerals and nutrients.

Affinities

Burdock has a broad range of affinities, operating primarily on the liver, gastrointestinal tract, and blood. In this context, blood refers to the “greater blood,” which includes the extracellular fluid, the lymphatics, and skin. It also has a slight effect on the kidneys, especially when drunk as a decoction.

Actions

Burdock’s primary actions are mildly alterative and antidyscratic. It helps cleanse the blood and extracellular fluid while acting as a mild diuretic, supporting waste elimination through the kidneys and urinary tract. Its slight bitterness also stimulates digestion by working through the liver, which is Burdock root’s primary organ of affinity. Many of its other effects stem from its impact on liver function.

Burdock is also a lymphagogue, making it particularly useful for addressing lymphatic stagnation and swelling. Swollen lymph nodes often accompany illness or immune issues, and Burdock root is a gentle yet effective remedy. While there are stronger lymphatic herbs—such as Poke root (Phytolacca decandra), which is highly potent and can be too strong for general use—Burdock offers a milder, more approachable option.

Additionally, Burdock root is rich in inulin, a starch and prebiotic sugar that nourishes beneficial gut flora. Because of its high inulin content and overall nutrient density, Burdock is especially effective at restoring digestive health and supporting the microbiome.

People with dysbiosis and digestive issues often focus on supplemental probiotics or fermented foods, which can be helpful. However, it’s equally important to consider what these probiotics need to thrive: prebiotic sugars, specifically fructooligosaccharides. Inulin is one of the best sources of these. Burdock root is one of the richest sources of inulin among Western herbs. Other notable sources include Dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale) and Elecampane root (Inula helenium), which lends its name to inulin. Elecampane has a stronger humoral effect, and since inulin is water-soluble, it must be extracted via decoction. Unfortunately, Elecampane has an unpleasant taste as a decoction, making it a less appealing source of inulin.

On the other hand, Burdock has a more neutral taste, making it an easier option. Chicory is another inulin-rich herb, though its strong bitterness can be off-putting. Burdock and Dandelion root is an excellent combination for its prebiotic effects. You can think of it as GI-restorative—a great way to nourish gut health naturally.

Energetics

Energetically, Burdock is pretty neutral, which makes it ideal for a wider variety of constitutions and for longer-term consumption. Its slight bitterness gives it a mildly cooling quality, but it generally doesn’t cause issues for those with cold constitutions. I’ve given it as a simple to individuals who tend to run cold and have never observed it making them overly cold—it isn’t strong enough to shift someone constitutionally toward cold. Instead, its gentle cooling effect can benefit those dealing with heat and inflammation. 

This makes Burdock especially useful as a spring tonic. As we transition out of winter, damp accumulation and stagnation can trigger an inflammatory response—the pattern of “bad blood syndrome.” In this pattern, waste products build up due to poor elimination. The slightly cooling nature of Burdock helps counteract this damp heat pattern, making it an excellent herb for spring cleansing. 

Burdock is also slightly moistening, but not to the extent that it exacerbates dampness in those already prone to it. Its temperate energetics make it well-tolerated for most people. However, since Burdock is mildly diuretic, it has both moistening and slightly drying effects as it facilitates fluid elimination. This slightly contrary influence on moisture is also reflected in its influence on the oily composition of the body, most notably the skin.

Indications

Burdock is highly effective for damp/heat skin conditions, such as weeping eczema, pus-filled boils, and oily skin conditions such as acne. At the same time, it works well for dry skin conditions that may be linked to liver issues, such as dry, itchy eczema, dandruff, and general skin dryness. It appears to regulate oil secretion, functioning as a sort of “sebaceous gland amphoteric”—helping to balance both excessive and insufficient oil production. This ability to support both dry and damp skin conditions is a special potency of Burdock.

Lymphatic stagnation is another key indication for Burdock. It benefits lymph stagnation during infections and is equally valuable for post-infection lymphatic stagnation. Additionally, it’s useful for chronic conditions involving lymphatic congestion, including growths, tumors, and cancers. While not a cure for cancer, Burdock was a key ingredient in the old Hoxsey formula, a classic alterative herbal remedy used in cancer treatments.

Burdock is also an excellent remedy for dysbiosis, making it helpful in addressing both deficiency and excess. It helps to clear stagnation by opening the channels of elimination while nourishing states of deficiency, weakness, and emaciation. Its mild bitterness stimulates digestion and enhances nutrient absorption. Unlike strong bitter tonics, which can be too harsh for those in a weakened state, Burdock provides a gentler alternative that supports digestive function without overwhelming the system.

Dandelion leaf (Taraxacum officinale) – The Universal Diuretic

Common name: Dandelion

Latin name: Taraxacum officinale

Part Used: leaf

Tastes: bitter, mineral salt

Affinities: liver, urinary tract, digestion

Actions: aquaretic, alterative, nutritive tonic

Energetics: cooling, drying

Indications: dampness, edema, high BP, liver insufficiency, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, weakness, emaciation, anemia, osteoporosis, bone and muscle weakness, damp heat 

Tastes

Dandelion leaf is both a universal diuretic and a nutritive tonic. It has a distinctly bitter taste, though early spring greens are milder in flavor. As the plant matures and produces more latex, its bitterness intensifies. The leaves also have a slight mineral salt taste indicative of Dandelion’s rich mineral content.

Affinities

Whereas Burdock has broad-spectrum actions, Dandelion leaf is more targeted. It primarily functions as a kidney and urinary tract alterative and diuretic. However, its bitterness also stimulates the liver, giving it digestive stimulant effects like other bitter herbs.

Actions

Here’s a cool thing about Dandelion leaf—it’s a non-irritating, potassium-sparing diuretic. What does that mean? Unlike some diuretics such as Juniper berries, which stimulate and irritate the kidneys to increase urine output, Dandelion leaf is an aquaretic, promoting fluid balance through mineral exchange—sodium and potassium electrolyte balance.

One of the significant downsides of prescription diuretics, like thiazide or loop diuretics, is that they cause potassium loss, requiring supplementation. But nature, in its brilliance, provides Dandelion leaf, which contains ample potassium. This allows us to utilize its diuretic benefits while maintaining potassium balance. The diuretic action helps drain dampness constitutionally, making it an excellent herb for a spring cleanse. 

It is particularly useful for blood dyscrasias, especially those involving uric acid accumulation, as well as body aches, joint pain, and muscle soreness caused by metabolic waste buildup. Diuretics can be highly effective for these conditions. With Dandelion leaf, we see a powerful combination of a mineral-rich tonic and a gentle yet effective alterative.

The other important factor of Dandelion leaf is its bitter tonic action, which stimulates the liver to produce more bile (choleretic) and the gallbladder to secrete more bile (cholagogue). This hepatic affinity extends to being mildly hepatoprotective, as well as lowering triglycerides and cholesterol.

Energetics

Unlike Burdock, Dandelion leaf is more humorally active, with a stronger cooling energetic. Its diuretic action increases urine output, which can have a drying effect on the body.

Indications

The primary indication for Dandelion leaf is dampness. Dandelion leaf is a key remedy to consider whenever there is excess dampness, especially in the form of edema. It’s a go-to herb for people with elevated blood pressure when reducing systemic dampness is necessary. In addition to its reliable diuretic action, Dandelion leaf is highly nutrient-rich—an important quality in today’s world, where many people are ironically overfed yet undernourished. In this situation, incorporating herbs with a strong nutritional component is always a beneficial approach.

Dandelion leaf is also excellent for liver-gallbladder insufficiency. A key indication of this is poor fat digestion, which may present as pale-colored stools or an oily sheen on the toilet water’s surface. This suggests inadequate bile secretion, whether due to poor liver production, insufficient gallbladder release, or improper timing of bile flow. Regardless of the specific cause, bitter herbs like Dandelion support the entire process, helping to improve fat emulsification and digestion.

Additionally, Dandelion leaf is a great choice for those with vitamin and mineral deficiencies. If someone experiences weakness, emaciation, or pallor, they may have some form of anemia—whether iron deficiency or another type. While Dandelion leaf isn’t especially high in iron, it contains many other essential nutrients and cofactors that support blood-building.

This herb is also beneficial for conditions related to nutritional deficiencies, such as osteoporosis, bone weakness, and muscle weakness. Because of its cooling properties, it helps clear heat, making it particularly useful for heat patterns, as discussed with Burdock root. Dandelion leaf is an even more apparent choice if someone has a combination of heat and dampness.

One of the best things about Dandelion is its abundance—it grows virtually everywhere. In my travels throughout Europe, South America, and North America, I’ve encountered Dandelion almost everywhere. It’s a fantastic, accessible herb, readily available right outside our doors.

Nettle leaf (Urtica dioica) – The Mineral Powerhouse

Common name: Nettle

Latin name: Urtica dioica

Part Used: leaf

Tastes: mineral salt, slightly astringent

Affinities: kidneys, urinary tract, blood, extracellular fluid, upper respiratory tract

Actions: aquaretic, alterative, nutritive tonic

Energetics: cooling, drying

Indications: irritation in upper respiratory tract and sinuses (rhinitis, allergies), irritable/inflamed skin conditions, vitamin/mineral deficiencies, anemia, urinary tract infections, dampness

No discussion on spring tonics would be complete without Nettle leaf. Nettle is a true mineral powerhouse—one of the most nutrient-dense plants available. It possesses a unique medicinal virtue alongside its profound nutritional value. While the seed and root of Nettle are also used medicinally, each part of the plant has distinct properties; in this case, we’re focusing specifically on the leaf.

Taste

Nettle has a mild, mineral-rich flavor that makes it easy to incorporate into food. Its primary taste is a mineral saltiness, which is why it works so well as a culinary green. Unlike many other medicinal herbs, it isn’t bitter or overly astringent—it is a pleasantly salty green, similar to chard or kale.

Dandelion leaf can be eaten in salads, though it’s best mixed with other greens and paired with an acidic dressing (like vinegar or citrus) to balance its bitterness. However, Nettle leaf must always be cooked before eating—otherwise, its tiny stinging hairs can cause prolonged tingling and irritation to the mouth, lips, and tongue. Cooking neutralizes this effect; it can be braised, stir-fried, or added to soups and stews. If Nettle grows near you, harvesting it weekly and incorporating it into meals is a great way to align with the rhythms of spring.

Affinities

Nettle primarily supports the kidneys and urinary tract. Like Dandelion leaf, it has a strong affinity for the urinary system but also works more broadly on the blood and extracellular fluid. Additionally, Nettle has some action on the liver and, to a lesser extent, the respiratory tract. While it isn’t a primary respiratory remedy, it offers a general strengthening and tonic effect for the lungs. Nettle can be beneficial when there is heat, inflammation, or irritation, especially in the upper respiratory tract.

Actions

Nettle is useful for inflammatory upper respiratory tract and sinus conditions, including rhinitis and allergy-related symptoms. I like to think of it as an inflammation modulator for the upper respiratory tract. It also has some mild astringent activity, specifically for the GI, upper respiratory, and urinary tracts. Like Dandelion leaf, it acts as a diuretic alterative, increasing urine output while functioning as an aquaretic—meaning it helps flush fluids from the body without depleting essential minerals. Nettle replenishes nutrients that might otherwise be lost through its diuretic action. Like Burdock root, it is an excellent antidyscratic, supporting blood purification and addressing skin conditions stemming from systemic imbalances. As noted, it is also a nutrient powerhouse and, in my opinion, the quintessential nutritive tonic. 

Energetics

Nettle is mildly cooling, similar to Burdock, but it isn’t so cold that it would significantly chill someone. It has a drying effect due to its diuretic properties and slight astringency. At the same time, Nettle is a tonic—both in its astringent qualities and its deeply nutritive effects, making it a well-rounded herb for restoration and balance.

Indications

Nettle leaf is beneficial for irritated and inflamed skin conditions. As a mild tonic astringent, it tones the tissues, making it especially useful for the urinary tract. For example, in minor bleeding from a UTI, Nettle leaf can gently astringe the bleeding. While I often combine it with herbs like Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) or Shepherd’s Purse (Capsella bursa-pastoris), Nettle offers a degree of tonic astringency that can be helpful.

This astringency also translates to the respiratory tract. Nettle is useful for upper respiratory issues, especially the drippy, watery, mucus-heavy sinus symptoms associated with allergies. It also benefits respiratory inflammation. It stabilizes mast cells, effectively managing histamine responses—the root cause of allergic reactions. Nettle is an excellent inflammation modulator, particularly beneficial for inflammatory skin conditions and allergies. Whether dealing with seasonal or environmental allergies or mild food intolerances that trigger inflammation, Nettle leaf can offer relief. However, a higher dosage is needed to achieve a sufficient antihistamine effect. This isn’t a situation where one or two capsules will suffice—you may need four to six capsules every 30-60 minutes to experience noticeable benefits.

Nettle is exceptionally rich in minerals, vitamins, and amino acids, making it one of the most nutrient-dense plants available. Interestingly, it also contains neurotransmitters like histamine—despite its role in supporting histamine response—along with serotonin and acetylcholine, a relatively unique feature among herbs.

Nettle helps build blood thanks to its iron content, making it a valuable ally for iron and folate-deficiency anemia. Its rich mineral profile also supports bone health, making it useful for conditions like osteoporosis, general weakness, and emaciation caused by poor nutrition. 

Nettle can provide essential nutrients for those who appear undernourished—whether due to a lack of food, poor diet, or impaired digestion. Signs of deficiency may include tissue fragility, where the skin is thin, slow to heal, and prone to easy bruising. Weak capillaries can also result in broken blood vessels, particularly on the cheeks, and conditions like varicose veins and hemorrhoids, all of which indicate a need for nutritional support. As a deeply nourishing tonic, it’s an excellent choice for addressing overt nutrient deficiencies.

It supports kidney function and can aid in recovery from urinary tract infections by toning the bladder, ureters, and urethra while acting as a gentle diuretic to flush out residual pathogens.

Additionally, Nettle helps eliminate uric acid buildup, making it beneficial for gouty arthritis and mineral deposits in the joints—conditions often linked to excess acidity. Its high chlorophyll content makes it naturally alkalizing, helping to restore balance in the system.

Nettle is a fantastic spring tonic and has been a big part of my life. Every spring, my wife, our kids, and I gather fresh Nettles to add to our soups and stews, drying some for later use—we love our Nettles. Living in Washington, where they grow abundantly, we’re fortunate to harvest plenty near our property.

Other Herbs for the Spring Cleanse

While we’ve focused on these three herbs, many others are worth mentioning. Chickweed (Stellaria media) is a close runner-up—an excellent nutritive and mineral-rich herb with mild alterative properties. Another valuable herb is Red Clover (Trifolium pratense), a gentle lymphatic alterative, mild respiratory remedy, and a nourishing tonic.

How to Use These Herbs for Your Spring Cleanse

The best way to take these herbs—especially for their nutritive benefits—is through water-based extracts. Most of their valuable nutrients don’t extract well in alcohol-based menstruum or tincture unless you work with spagyric preparations, which retain minerals. Since most people don’t make or use spagyrics, tinctures won’t provide these herbs’ full mineral spectrum.

Use these herbs in bulk for optimal benefits and prepare them as gentle decoctions. While Nettle leaf and Dandelion leaf can also be used in long-standing infusions, decoctions are an excellent choice if preparing alongside Burdock, which as a root requires decoction. Decocting them together is a simple and effective approach if you plan to use Burdock, Dandelion, and Nettle together as part of your spring cleanse.

Spring Tonic Decoction

• Mix equal parts Burdock, Dandelion, and Nettles.
• Add 1 tablespoon (or more if you want) of the herb mixture per cup of water.
  For ease, you can make a quart of this tonic, so you’d use 4 tablespoons of the herb mixture and 32 oz of water.
• Bring to a gentle simmer and allow to simmer covered for 30 minutes
• Remove from heat and allow to steep, covered for an additional 30 minutes (infuse for longer if desired)
• Strain and enjoy

Possible Additions:

• If you drink this formula for some time and find you’re feeling dry due to the diuretic effects of the Nettle and Dandelion leaf, you could add some Marshmallow root— ½ to 1 part- to bring a moistening effect to the formula.
• These are all slightly cooling remedies, so if you feel cold, add a slice of fresh Ginger root to the decoction. Dried or powdered Ginger root is fine in small quantities, adding it to taste. This will warm it up and balance it for your constitution.

I hope you found this information useful. Spring cleansing doesn’t have to be extreme; it’s about gently supporting your body’s natural detoxification and replenishment processes. By incorporating nutrient-rich alterative herbs like Burdock root, Dandelion leaf, and Nettle leaf, you can nourish, cleanse, and restore balance—helping your body transition smoothly into the vitality of spring.