PLANT LORE STUDY GROUP: JUNE 2025: COOLING BOTANICALS: BEATING THE SUMMER HEAT: PART III

Cooling Herbs to Keep the Body Calm & Balanced:

Aloe (Aloe vera): as a cooling herb, aloe helps reduce body temperature and soothes skin that has been exposed to the sun. The gel can be applied to the skin to cool and soothe sunburns, insect bites, rashes, and skin irritations, and can be used for a cooling massage. gel. The juice can be consumed to help reduce body temperature. Aloe has anti-inflammatory properties, can help stimulate new tissue growth and regeneration, diminish scars, stretch marks, and skin discolorations, reduce skin puffiness under the eyes, improve skin elasticity, and prevent premature aging.

Bee Balm (Monarda fistulosa): grows wild in the United States and Canada and is a favorite of bees and other pollinators. It has antimicrobial, antispasmodic, carminative, diaphoretic, emmenagogue, expectorant, and nervine actions and cooling to warming, diffusive, stimulating, and relaxing energetics. Bee balm has a dispersive nature, encourages blood and heat to move from the core to the extremities, and increases sweating. It has a soothing, calming, and cooling effect on the organs of the solar plexus region including the stomach, liver, gallbladder, and intestines. According to Matthew Wood, “bee balm has the ability to “draw out fire” from internal organs due to its highly diffusive and diaphoretic qualities. Bee balm is also used to “draw out fire” from topical “hot” conditions such as sunburn, eczema, and acne.

Borage (Borago officinalis): is a demulcent herb that has a cold and moist nature that is immediately cooling to an overheated body, and can be used before activities to help prevent overheating. As well as cooling the physical body, borage is calming and soothing to a frazzled and overheated nervous system. Borage is also specific for trauma and grief, and helping us to stand strong, heal, and flourish. Borage leaves and flowers can be used in water-based preparations such as tea or frozen yogurt, because the phytochemicals don’t extract well in alcohol. Borage isn’t recommended during pregnancy, but is otherwise safe for most people.

Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla): is a diaphoretic herb that helps the body release heat through sweating. It has calming properties that soothe irritated nerve endings, and can be used to treat gastrointestinal problems such as stomach ache, cramping, indigestion, nausea, and diarrhea. Chamomile should not be used in pregnancy and lactation, in those with asthma, and in those with an aster family plant allergy.

Hibiscus: Rozelle (Hibiscus sabdariffa): is a powerful and cooling antioxidant that can be used in the heat of summer as a refreshing iced drink. Roselle calyces, the outer part of the flowers, make a gorgeous deep-red iced tea, and when used alone or with other herbs, it can be used to protect skin from oxidative sun damage and to lower overall body temperature. This makes hibiscus the perfect choice for guarding against sunburn, heatstroke, dehydration, and skin cancer.

Hyssop: Anise (Agastache foeniculum):  has flavors that vary between sharp mint, licorice, sweet, soft, honey, and fennel-like. It is rich in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory constituents that help cool inflammation and irritation, induce sweating, reduce fevers, and cool the summer heat. Anise hyssop can also be used to relieve congestion and cough, relieve itching associated with poison ivy, and as a cooling poultice to treat burns and wounds. Use the leaves snipped in salad, whole in fresh spring rolls, and the purple flowers for ice cubes.

Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia): is a bitter, cooling, and drying herb with antidepressant, antimicrobial, carminative, cholagogue, nervine, and sedative properties. As a cooling herb, lavender can be used to relieve heat-related discomfort, soothe irritated skin, and improve sleep quality.

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis): has a wonderful citrusy aroma and has cooling, anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, antiviral, anti-depressive effects. Lemon balm has an affinity for the respiratory, nervous and digestive systems, is often used for soothing digestive issues such as abdominal pain, nausea, indigestion, gas, and bloating, and is helpful for skin conditions when used topically.