Does anyone else have a hard time drinking herbal teas, tinctures, and supplements during the hotter summer months? I know I do! For some reason, my brain likes to equate holistic wellness-slowing down, making soups, drinking teas and tinctures, making poultice compresses, etc-with the colder winter months. Since becoming a bodyworker full-time though, it has lead me to be more creative with my herbal remedies and rituals even in the hot months of the year, to make sure I'm staying healthy and able to show up every week for my clients. I've included links to Dr. Josh Axe's website for more information on some of my favorites-including recipes! Dr. Axe is a certified doctor of natural medicine and clinical nutritionist, as well as a chiropractor and co-founder of Ancient Nutrition. He also started a hugely successful functional medicine clinic in Nashville. I love his podcast and the way that he views whole health.
One thing that's really helped me lean into this practice, has been getting into my garden. Spring gets me all excited for planting and it's a great time to really think about the kinds of herbs I want to plant to have available for making tinctures/teas/and cooking. I try and think of herbs that are versatile year round. Mint is a great and very hearty herb to grow almost anywhere in your garden (just make sure you give it ample space to spread-because it will!!). I've also liked to pair Thyme and Lemon Balm with my Mint when I'm planning out my garden beds. They grow well together, and they come back every year without having to restart them from seed or starters. Low maintenance plants will always win a spot in my garden! Besides cutting and drying the mint for tea, I also like to chop it up and add it to cucumber salads raw, make a refreshing mint/lavender lemonade, or throw it into a smoothie. Pinterest is my go-to recipe helper for all the garden goodness. Here are some of the healing properties of mint:
Digestion: Mint's active oil, menthol, can help with digestion by improving bile flow and secretion, which helps break down food faster. This can also help relieve gas and bloating. Mint can also help with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) by relaxing the muscles in the digestive tract.
Pain relief: Mint's cooling and anti-inflammatory properties can help reduce body temperature, which can relieve headaches and migraines. Peppermint can also help soothe sore throats.
Skin: Mint's antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties can help treat acne and acne scarring by cleansing the skin and unclogging pores.
Immunity: Mint contains vitamins and antioxidants that can help protect cells from damage and improve immunity. Mint leaves may also help prevent tumors by inhibiting certain enzymes.
Another staple in my herb garden for the hotter summer months is Cilantro. When I smell cilantro, I immediately think of summer. It's a necessity for taco night (which is almost every night in the summer months in our house), and a surprisingly fun add-in for smoothies and salads, not to mention pesto. It adds great flavor to cauliflower rice, with some lime of course-that can be rice bowl bases for when you run out of taco shells too. Cilantro is a medicinal powerhouse-earning it a 'keeper' status in my garden every year. Here are some of the medicinal properties:
Skin health: Cilantro is antibacterial, antiseptic, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory, making it effective for treating skin conditions and infections like rosacea.
Blood sugar: Animal studies have shown that cilantro leaves and stems can help lower blood sugar levels and support liver function in people with diabetes.
Digestion: Cilantro releases digestive enzymes that aid in digestion.
Heart health: Cilantro may help reduce LDL ("bad") cholesterol and increase HDL ("good") cholesterol, and may also lower blood pressure, which can reduce the risk of heart disease.
Antioxidants: Cilantro is rich in phytochemicals, which are powerful antioxidants.
Detoxification: Cilantro's leaves have chelating properties that bind to heavy metals, which are then removed from the body through the excretory system.
Antimicrobial: A study published in PLOS One found that coriander-based essential oil has antifungal properties against Candida albicans (thrush).
Next on the list is chives. You can chop it fresh and mix it with some sea salt and goat cheese for a charcuterie board, chop and scramble in with your morning eggs, or get creative with an apple/manchego salad with chives. It's very versatile, with the perfect combination of oniony/garlicy flavor. Here are some great recipes that I found on pinterest for this easy-to-grow herb: CHIVES RECIPES. Now for the low down on the medicinal properties:
Anti-inflammatory: Chives can help with wounds, sunburns, sore throats, and arthritis.
Digestion: Chives contain vitamins B1, B2, and B3, as well as fiber, which can help with digestion, metabolism, and appetite control. Chives also have antimicrobial properties that can help with stomach infections and abdominal pain.
Immune system: Chives may help boost the immune system and prevent certain cancers, including stomach, colorectal, breast, esophageal, and prostate cancers.
Cardiovascular health: Chives contain flavonoids that may help lower cholesterol and blood pressure, and prevent plaque buildup in arteries.
Bone health: Chives contain vitamin K, which can help maintain bone density and integrity.
Eye health: Chives contain lutein and zeaxanthin, which may help protect the eyes from cataracts and age-related macular degeneration.
Mood and brain health: Chives contain choline, which may help with mood, memory, muscle control, and other brain and nervous system functions.
Last, but certainly not least, is Lavender. I couldn't forget about this beautifully fragrant herb. The added bonus to this one is that it is also adored by our pollinator friends. (OMG-I sound like such a hippie). I looooooove harvesting fresh lavender and hanging it around the house during the summer. It just gives a relaxing/cool vibe to our home. Back when I was still having cocktails in the summer, I'd dry all the flowers and make a lavender simple syrup to add to Margaritas. Yum. I don't drink anymore, but I still like a lavender infused bubbly water or virgin spritzer on a hot day or celebratory barbecue. Beyond being known as a great natural sleep aid, Lavender is medicinally used for:
Anti-inflammatory: Lavender's chemical compounds can reduce inflammation, which may help with minor burns, bug bites, headaches, sprains, toothaches, and sores
Antimicrobial: Lavender may have antibacterial, antiviral, and antifungal properties
Anxiolytic: Lavender's compounds, including linalool, may reduce anxiety and blood pressure
Calming: Lavender oil may have calming effects and relax muscles
Antioxidant: Lavender's compounds have antioxidant properties
Herbs are fun and easy to grow, and are a great addition to any gardening project you have at home. It's the best way I've found to stick to my holistic herbal rituals through the summer months, and keeps me and my family feeling our best. I hope you got some inspiration from reading this today, and leave a comment if you want me to send you any of my favorite concoctions or recipes for any of these (or other) herbs. All my love,
-Kim
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