Everyday Herbalism: Beat the Heat with the Cooling Power of Herbs

Here are four ways to stay chill this summer by tapping into the healing and cooling properties of everyday herbs.

Make a Chamomile Cooler

 A great summertime tea to help you relax and unwind.  

3 parts dried chamomile flowers
3 parts dried lemon balm leaf
1 part dried American Skullcap

Mix herbs together. Use 1 tablespoon of the mixture per 8 ounces of boiling water. Let steep 10 minutes. Enjoy warm or pour over ice.

Make a Cold Infusion

Peppermint, spearmint, and lemon balm soothe irritation while promoting digestion and easing depression and fatigue. To make a cold infusion using the herb of your choice, gently bruise a handful of fresh leaves, add to cold water, and let sit in the sun for an hour. Strain and drink over ice.

Soothe Sunburn with St. John’s Wort

Summertime fun can be brutal on the skin. If you tend to burn, make sure to have St. John’s Wort oil in your medicine chest. While the plant is well known as a sedative and antidepressant, its oil is a powerful wound healer as well. It’s great for cuts, scars, and burns of all sorts, including sunburns.

Keep Bugs at Bay the Natural Way

Want to keep the bugs away this summer without the toxic chemicals in most bug sprays? Lemongrass, rosemary, and thyme are effective insect repellents. Add a few drops of essential oils to distilled water and apply regularly.

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