This light, grassy infusion is a traditional “spring-clean” for the body, designed to be hydrating while encouraging the gentle movement of the lymphatic fluid.

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons Dried Cleavers: Known in folk medicine as “goosegrass,” it is the premier herb for moving stagnant lymph and reducing swelling.
• 1 teaspoon Dried Calendula Flowers: Helps to reduce inflammation within the lymph nodes and supports the immune-filtering process.
• 1/2 teaspoon Dried Dandelion Leaf: A gentle, mineral-rich diuretic that helps the kidneys process the fluids being moved by the lymph.
• 1 slice of Fresh Lemon: Helps to alkalize the body and provides a bright, clearing flavor.
• 500ml Water (approximately 2 cups).

Instructions

1. Boil the Water: Bring your water to a rolling boil.
2. Infuse the Herbs: Place the dried cleavers, calendula, and dandelion leaf in a glass jar or teapot.
3. The Steep: Pour the boiling water over the herbs. Cover the vessel immediately to trap the delicate volatile compounds.
4. Wait: Let the mixture steep for at least 15 to 20 minutes. Cleavers is a gentle herb, and a longer steep ensures you get its full “moving” potential.
5. Strain: Pour the tea through a fine-mesh strainer.
6. Add the Lemon: Squeeze the fresh lemon slice into the strained tea.
7. Usage: This tea is most effective when sipped throughout the morning. Traditional wisdom suggests that movement is best supported early in the day when the body begins its active cycle.

---

Benefits and Target Impact

Reducing Fluid Retention Cleavers is specifically valued for its ability to help the body “flush” excess fluid that has pooled in the extremities. For older individuals who find their shoes feeling tight by the end of the day, this herb helps the lymphatic vessels pick up that extra fluid and return it to the bloodstream to be filtered.

Filtering Metabolic Waste The lymphatic system doesn’t have a pump like the heart; it relies on movement and specific nutrients. Calendula supports the lymph nodes themselves, ensuring they are not “clogged” and can effectively neutralize the cellular debris and environmental toxins that the lymphatic fluid carries.

Lightening the “Heavy” Sensation When the lymph is stagnant, the body can feel weighed down and sluggish. By promoting flow, this tonic helps restore a sense of lightness to the limbs. Furthermore, because the dandelion leaf provides potassium, it helps the body release water without depleting the essential minerals that keep the heart and muscles functioning correctly.