Beat the Heat – Herbs to Cool Off
As summer is around the corner and temperatures rise, many of us are looking for ways to cool off and enjoy the outdoors. Exposure to intense heat can leave us aggravated and uncomfortable. Without a careful watch, heat exposure could lead to dangerous heat stroke. Luckily, there are many herbal options to help us keep cool and enjoy nature. Throughout this article, you will learn about several herbal options to get the most out of your summer!
Understanding Cooling Plants
What you may be surprised to find is that many herbs are considered “cooling”, which means that they help to dissipate heat from the body. The cooling action of herbs works in various ways as refrigerants, diaphoretics, and astringents.
Refrigerant herbs work to lower your body temperature by cooling the body’s tissues. Some of my favorite herbs for this are hibiscus and lemon balm. Diaphoretic herbs release heat by supporting the skin’s pores to open and induce sweating. Popular diaphoretic herbs are elderflower, yarrow, peppermint, and spearmint. Astringent herbs bind to mucous membranes to tighten and tone tissues which helps to reduce water loss and secretions over time. However, in the short term, astringents typically draw out excess water from these tissues and increase urination which can help reduce body temperature. Astringent herbs often have a sour taste including rose petals, lemon balm, hibiscus, and hawthorn berries.
It is important to remember that many of these cooling herbs work to increase the water output in your body, meaning that they increase your urine output. It is important to stay hydrated with water while drinking teas, as just drinking them alone can lead to dehydration.
My Favorite Cooling Herbs for Summer
Hibiscus
Hibiscus is one of my all-time favorite herbs for cooling off and enjoying the summer. It has a tart, fruity, and robust flavor that is not only delicious but also produces a gorgeous shade of red which is great for parties and hosting. In Central America, iced and sweetened hibiscus tea is an extremely popular choice to cool down on a hot day.
Hibiscus is known for its ability to reduce sodium levels without affecting potassium levels in the body, which is an important component in reducing high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Additionally, hibiscus can aid in normalizing blood sugar and protecting the liver. It has many other benefits, but most of all, it is a delicious tea on hot days.
Hawthorn
Hawthorn trees produce berries that make a tasty and tart tea that works wonders to cool down the body. Energetically, hawthorn berries are both cooling and astringent.
Hawthorn is a wonderful heart tonic and can improve mental clarity, energy levels, and mood. Additionally, it is good as an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory. Hawthorn not only can strengthen the physical heart but also the emotional heart. For those going through heartache and grief, hawthorn is a beautiful medicine.
Roses
Roses are known and beloved by people throughout the world! Did you know that they are edible and medicinal too? Rose petals and rose hips (the fruit of the rose) both make a wonderful cooling and astringent tea. The petals have a very floral and sweet taste with slight astringency whereas the rosehips are sourer and tangier.
Roses are known in herbalism as a “nervine” which simply means that it affects your nervous system. Roses have a very calming effect on the body, which can be great while you relax on a hot summer day.
It is important to note to never use commercially grown roses found in most floral or grocery stores. These commercial roses contain harmful chemicals and are not edible. Be sure to get edible-grade roses, or even better, grow them yourself!
Spearmint
Spearmint is one of my most beloved herbs, not only is it phenomenal at cooling the body, but it tastes great too! Many people are familiar with the taste of spearmint from chewing gum. I often use spearmint for various tea blends because it allows me to cover up other herbs that are not as palatable to help my clients reach their health goals.
Beyond its taste, spearmint studies have shown to boost cognitive function, memory, reasoning, and attention even after just one day of use. I love spearmint tea if I am attempting to landscape in hot weather so that I can cool down and focus better on tasks.
Beat the Heat Tea Recipe
Beat the Heat Tea Recipe
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon hibiscus calyx
1 teaspoon spearmint
½ teaspoon rose hips
½ teaspoon dried hawthorn berries
½ teaspoon linden
Optional: honey or sweetener of choice
Directions: bring 2 cups of water to a boil. Combine dried herbs in a tea ball and steep in boiled water for 15 minutes. Strain and add the sweetener of choice. Cool for at least 10 minutes. Then add 1 cup of ice and store in the fridge. Enjoy your sweet heat relief!
Sources
Groves, M.N. 2016. Body into Balance. Storey Publishing, LLC.
Hoffman, D. 2003. Medical Herbalism. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press.
Levings, J.L. Gunn JP. 2014. The imbalance of sodium and potassium intake: implications for dietetic practice. Journal of the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. 114(6):838-841.
Wood, M. 2004. The Practice of Traditional Western Herbalism. North Atlantic Books.
Herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA and information here is not meant to treat or manage health conditions. Talk with your healthcare provider before trying any herbs.
