Top Herbs for Summer

Happy first day of summer! (And happy Father’s Day to all the dads reading this!)

The summer solstice is such a delightful time for those of us who revel in plants, with elderflowers blooming, black raspberries and mulberries ripening, and herbs of all sorts sizing up and offering us delicious flavors for our meals and drinks.

The start of summer also means plenty of hot, humid days spent outside in the months ahead. During the hottest days of summer, you probably drink large amounts of water to help your body cope. I don’t know about you, but sometimes it’s hard to make myself keep drinking plain water. Using cooling herbs from the garden adds some variety while helping me stay hydrated and lowering body temperature.

Certain herbs are thought to have compounds that help activate the body’s cooling systems. Diaphoretic herbs open up the pores and allow heat to escape, which is why the diaphoretic herbs elderflower and yarrow are often recommended for fevers. Demulcent herbs like violet and borage and astringent herbs like hibiscus help tissues hold onto moisture, which makes us feel cooler.

An herb I turn to often when I want a cooling drink is borage. I use its plentiful melon-y leaves to add flavor to seltzer, or I brew them into a simple tea that’s fantastic iced. Here’s more about borage, an easy-to-grow plant that deserves wider recognition.

We want to make these refreshing beverages with as little fuss as possible, so long brewing times aren’t what’s called for. Also, since you want to avoid adding heat to your home, boiling water may be something to skip. Now’s the time to experiment with cold infusions or spritzers. It turns out cold infusions work better for demulcent herbs anyhow.

To avoid heating water to make iced herbal tea, you can try brewing sun tea, which works beautifully with fresh or dried herbs.

I also like infusing water with mint, whether common mint or something more unusual, like apple or chocolate mint.

Drinks with some flavor are easier to keep sipping throughout the day, plus mint creates a refreshing cooling sensation that makes it perfect for beating the heat. Mint water is also great to have on hand if you have guests on a hot day, since you can whip up enough for a crowd in a matter of seconds.Here’s how to make mint-infused water.

Hibiscus, lemon balm, hawthorn, and rose are also among the many herbs that can help you stay cool.

Some common culinary herbs like cilantro and basil have cooling properties as well.

You can explore more cooling herbs here.

Biting insects are another inescapable part of the summer months. Next time you have one of those inevitable itchy bites, you can try one of the simple home remedies for insect bites you can find in your kitchen, garden, or medicine cabinet.

Plantain is my go-to for bites and stings, and you very likely have some growing right outside your door. Jewelweed and chickweed are other helpful plants to know for bites. Or try some baking soda or witch hazel.

Here are other home remedies for bug bites to try.

Even if you’re pretty careful about putting on sunscreen, sometimes sunburns happen. That’s when it’s helpful to know about natural home remedies you can find in your kitchen or garden.

Of course, preventing sunburn in the first place is the best strategy. Whenever possible, it’s wise to look for shade and cover up your skin. Here’s what to know about eco-savvy sun protection and non-toxic sunscreen.

If you have a more serious burn, it’s important to seek medical attention. But if your burn is minor, it’s worth giving some natural remedies for sunburn a try.

Many of the remedies for sunburn are the same as those for bites, so it’s helpful to know that you have these multipurpose ingredients at the ready when the need arises.

—> If you’re going to learn only one wild plant for herbal first-aid, make it plantain. This common ‘weed’ can be found in most gardens, parks, and wild areas, especially on compacted soils where nothing else will grow.

To make a sunburn remedy from plantain, gather fresh leaves and steep them in boiling water. Allow the infusion to cool, and apply it as a compress or spray on sunburned skin.

I find plantain so incredibly valuable for various skin complaints that I’ve started packing a tin of plantain salve whenever we travel. We use it to soothe bites and sunburns, draw out splinters, and help wound healing. It’s pretty easy to find online if you don’t want to make it yourself.

Other helpful herbs for sunburn include aloe, calendula, and chamomile. Green tea and cucumbers are other remedies to consider. You can find more more herbs home remedies for sunburn here.

Do you have go-to summer herbs? Please share!

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