The signs of spring are growing more visible as we welcome April. The trees have budded, the grass is turning brighter shades of green and there are spring flowers showing up in nature, bringing joy for the sunnier days. After the Spring Equinox in March, our days start to grow longer and the sun's time in the sky extends, bringing more sun to the earth and giving the ground more heat for the flowers to blossom. 

Two of the earliest blooms we see in nature are purple violets the grow naturally across the Midwest and the tiny white blooms from the wild strawberry plants that will later produce strawberries about the size of a pinky fingernail. Both of these plants can be used to make a tisane filled with the beauty of spring. Tisane is a French word for herbal infusion. A tisane is an infusion made from ingredients such as herbs, flowers, fruits, bark and roots but no actual tea. Tisanes can be sipped warm or cold. 

Violets can bloom as early as March and remain blooming until the warmest days of summer and re-flower in fall as temperatures begin to cool.  Both violets and pansies are edible and make beautiful teas. The flowers can also be added on top of cookies or biscuits as edible decorations. The leaves and flowers can be brewed. Take care to pick the tender leaves. The root and seeds are not edible and can cause nausea. The flowers from a violet are rich in vitamin A and C. Both Vitamin A and C have been shown to help reduce inflammation and remove mucus from the body, making a violet flower tea a great addition to your springtime gatherings or sunny mornings. 

Wild strawberries, also called alpine or mountain strawberries, are mostly known for their sweet fruit of summer. The berries, leaves and flowers are edible. The strawberry leaf can aid in stomach discomfort. These leaves are easily identified as they are light green in color and arranged in groupings of three. The leaves are oblong and toothed. 

To make an easy tisane at home:

Crush one teaspoon of wild strawberry leaves. Add to the tea strainer. Add to 1 cup of boiling water, add fresh violet flowers and wild strawberry flowers to float on the surface and stir in honey to taste. This tea would be beautiful in a glass tea pot to serve at a spring tea party. You can also make sun tea and brew outside in the sun for 4-6 hours. Then serve over ice. 

Include the kids in the adventure by teaching them how to identify the violet and wild strawberry plant. Then pick together and make the tea to share. This foraging activity brings education of plants, herbalism and preparation into practice. 

Article courtesy of Tiffany Hinton, GF Mom Certified. Connect with Tiffany online at @gfmomcertified and listen to Tiffany's podcast Cultivating Guts on Spotify or iTunes. 

Visit CultivatingGuts.com for online gardening classes or to schedule a consultation with Tiffany to plan your 2022 garden. You can also check out Tiffany’s website, GFMomCertified.com and her latest book at ThriveClean.org.

Find more articles by Tiffany at Natural Awakenings Milwaukee such as this delicious Cold Weather Salad recipe!