What Herbs Can Help Me Stay Cool, Hydrated, and Energized This Summer?
Embrace nature's gifts for summer wellness and chill.
Summer is looming upon us (especially for us down here in South Texas).
We are chatting today about herbs you can use in your summer wellness routine. From helping to stay hydrated and cool, to keeping yourself in tip-top shape, let’s check out some herbs you may want to keep stocked in your apothecary.
The key is to focus on using cooling, calming, and energizing herbs in your daily summer routines - whether that's through teas, cooking, baths, topical applications, or supplements. With some creativity, you can leverage the natural benefits of herbs to stay healthy, hydrated, and energized all summer long.
So, what can we do to support ourselves when the season rolls around to keep us healthy?
Herbs for summer (internal):
Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
Peppermint tea is an excellent summer beverage that can keep you hydrated, cool, energized, and support your overall health during the hot summer months. Its refreshing flavor and therapeutic benefits make it a great addition to any summer wellness routine.
How it helps
Hydration - Peppermint tea is hydrating and can help you stay well-hydrated, which is crucial in the hot summer weather. The menthol compounds in peppermint have a cooling effect that can make the tea refreshing and satisfying to drink.
Cooling Body Temperature - Peppermint contains menthol, which has a natural cooling effect on the body. Drinking peppermint tea can help lower your body temperature and provide relief from the summer heat.
Maintaining Energy Levels - Peppermint is a stimulating herb that can help improve mental alertness and focus without the jittery effects of caffeine. This can help you maintain energy levels throughout the day.
Peppermint tea is known for its anti-inflammatory benefits and can be particularly soothing for digestive discomforts such as bloating and indigestion, often more prevalent in the summer months. It can also offer relief from respiratory conditions, including congestion (just say no to allergies!).
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm tea is an excellent summer beverage that can keep you hydrated, cool, energized, and support your overall health during the hot summer months. Its refreshing flavor and therapeutic benefits make it a great addition to any summer wellness routine.
How it helps
Hydration - Lemon balm tea is hydrating and can help you stay well-hydrated, which is crucial in the hot summer weather. The refreshing, citrusy flavor makes it a pleasant and satisfying drink.
Cooling Body Temperature - Lemon balm has a natural cooling effect on the body due to its menthol-like compounds. Drinking lemon balm tea can help lower your body temperature and provide relief from the summer heat.
Maintaining Energy Levels - Lemon balm can help improve mental alertness and focus without caffeine. This can help you stay clear and alert throughout the day.
Overall Health - Lemon balm has anti-inflammatory and calming properties that can help soothe digestive issues, reduce stress, and promote relaxation.
As a member of the mint family, Lemon Balm naturally cools the body and provides a refreshing citrus flavor. It not only soothes and elevates the mind but also acts as a natural remedy for excessive heat.
Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
Rosemary is an energizing herb that can help improve mental alertness and focus. It contains compounds like carnosic acid that may enhance brain function. Rosemary tea can provide a gentle caffeine-free energy boost.
How it helps
Overall Health - Rosemary has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties that can support overall health. It may help boost immune function, improve circulation, and even have some protective effects against UV radiation.
Cooling Body Temperature - Rosemary contains compounds like carnosic acid that have a natural cooling effect on the body. Drinking rosemary tea can help lower your body temperature and provide relief from the summer heat.
Energy Levels - Rosemary is mildly stimulating and can help improve mental alertness and focus.
Topically - Rosemary in the hair can have a beneficial improvement in hair health during the summer and can be beneficial for a soak after sun exposure with other herbs like lavender.
Rosemary is an excellent brain herb along with promoting overall health during the summer months. It is great at any time of the year, but it has specific compounds that make it amazing during summer.
Dill herb (Anethum graveolens).
Dill is a versatile herb that can help keep you cool, support your digestion, maintain your energy, and strengthen your immunity during the summer season.
How it can help
Digestive Support - Dill has anti-inflammatory and carminative properties that can help soothe digestive issues like bloating, gas, and indigestion which may be more common in the summer months. It can also help relieve constipation.
Cooling Body Temperature - Dill contains compounds like carvone and limonene that have a natural cooling effect on the body. Drinking dill tea or using dill essential oil can help lower body temperature and provide relief from summer heat.
Immune System Support - Dill is rich in antioxidants and antimicrobial compounds that can help boost immune function and protect against summer infections and illnesses.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus is a versatile herb that can help keep you cool, support your digestion, maintain your energy, strengthen your immunity, and promote heart health
How it helps:
Cooling Body Temperature - Hibiscus has natural cooling properties that can help lower body temperature and provide relief from summer heat. The compounds in hibiscus have a refreshing, slightly tart flavor that can be very soothing.
Immune System Support - Hibiscus is rich in antioxidants and vitamin C that can help boost immune function and protect against summer infections and illnesses.
Heart Health - Studies suggest hibiscus may help lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, supporting overall cardiovascular health.
Maintaining Energy Levels - While not a stimulant, hibiscus contains nutrients like vitamin C that can help support energy levels.
Digestive Support - Hibiscus has anti-inflammatory and carminative effects that can help soothe digestive issues like bloating, gas, and indigestion.
Herbs and essential oils to use externally:
Lavender (Lavandula spp.)
You may use the dried herb or an essential oil for the following:
Sunburn Relief - Lavender essential oil can be diluted in a carrier oil or aloe vera gel and applied topically to soothe and cool sunburned skin. The anti-inflammatory properties of lavender can help reduce redness and pain.
Skin Soothing - Lavender has antimicrobial and antiseptic effects that can help prevent infection in minor cuts, scrapes, or insect bites common in the summer. A lavender-infused salve or cream can be applied to affected areas.
Cooling Relief - The menthol-like compounds in lavender provide a natural cooling sensation when applied to the skin. Diluted lavender essential oil can be massaged into the temples, back of neck, or other pulse points to help lower body temperature.
Relaxation - Lavender's calming aroma can be enjoyed through topical application, such as in a lavender-infused body oil or lotion. This can help relieve stress and promote relaxation after a long, hot day.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
You may use the dried herb or an essential oil for the following:
Sunburn Relief - Chamomile essential oil has anti-inflammatory properties that can help soothe and cool sunburned skin when diluted in a carrier oil or aloe vera gel and applied topically.
Skin Soothing - Chamomile possesses antimicrobial and antiseptic properties that can aid in preventing infections from minor cuts, scrapes, or insect bites, which are frequent during summer. Applying a salve or cream infused with chamomile to the affected areas can be beneficial.
Reducing Inflammation - The compounds in chamomile can help reduce skin inflammation and redness. Topical application of chamomile preparations may provide relief for conditions like eczema, dermatitis, or rashes.
Relaxation - The soothing scent of chamomile can be experienced through topical use, like in a body oil or lotion infused with chamomile. It can aid in stress relief and encourage relaxation following a long, warm day.
Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
These are recommendations based on dried herb only:
Wound Healing - Yarrow has astringent and antimicrobial properties that make it excellent for treating cuts, scrapes, and other minor wounds. Fresh yarrow leaves can be crushed and applied directly to the skin to stop bleeding and promote healing.
Skin Soothing - Yarrow essential oil or an infused yarrow oil can be applied topically to soothe skin irritations, rashes, eczema, and sunburns. Its anti-inflammatory effects can provide relief.
Sun Protection - Yarrow has been used traditionally to protect the skin from excessive sun exposure. Topical application of yarrow preparations (within a sunscreen context) may help prevent sunburn and damage.
Insect Repellent - The strong aroma of yarrow can act as a natural insect repellent when applied to the skin. This can help prevent bug bites during summer activities.
*It is always recommended to use sunscreen during the summer, sun damage is a serious thing.*
This brief guide to summer herbs and oils should enhance your understanding of traditional summer practices before the advent of modern conveniences. Plants offer comprehensive support, particularly beneficial during the sweltering days of summer.
This publication has not been approved by your local health department or the FDA and is not intended to provide diagnosis, treatment, or medical advice. The content provided in this publication is for informational purposes only. Please consult with a physician or other healthcare professional regarding any medical or health-related diagnosis or treatment options. Information in this publication should not be considered as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional. The claims made about specific products throughout this publication are not approved to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent disease or ailments.
Some resources:
https://danielafreda.com/2013/06/27/summer-wellness-foods-and-herbs-to-boost-summer-health/
https://adiligentheart.com/herb-wellness-journey-summer-herbs/
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/peppermint-tea
https://www.webmd.com/diet/health-benefits-rosemary
https://muih.edu/recipe/five-soothing-summer-herbs/
https://www.integrativeasheville.org/the-herbs-of-summer/
https://www.myteadrop.com/blogs/news/hibiscus-tea-benefits
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/5-reasons-why-you-should-add-dill-leaves-to-your-dishes/photostory/84488115.cms
https://wildfoodsandmedicines.com/yarrow/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/