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

Cooling Herbs to Keep the Body Calm & Balanced:

Meadowsweet (Filipendula ulmaria): has cooling properties that can help soothe fevers, sunburn, and inflamed eyes. Meadowsweet contains salicylic acid that reduces heat and inflammation, is a diaphoretic that induces perspiration and reduces fever, is astringent and contains tannins which can soothe tissue, and contains bitter phytonutrients which stimulate the bitter receptors in the mouth. Meadowsweet provides a lovely background flavor to cold infused waters and seltzers, and is nice finely minced in fruit salad, in smoothies, and in topical preparations.

Plantain (Plantago major): has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, astringent, demulcent, and vulnerary actions and cooling energetics that soothe both internal and external tissues of the body. It is a must-have for any herbal first-aid kit for its use in cooling the inflammation and sting of bites, cuts, and scrapes, and to help to draw out slivers, splinters, and stingers. Plantain may also be used to soothe and cool the pain, itching, or burning symptoms of poison ivy, nettle stings, and sunburn. Plantain leaves can also be mashed with a small amount of water and worn in a sock for hotspots, blisters, or plantar fasciitis, or made into a wash, compress, infused oil, salve, or cream for a variety of skin conditions.

Rose (Rosa rugosa): the petals and flower heads have more aromatics and sweetness when prepared as a cold infusion in water, seltzer, honey, glycerin, or as a hydrosol, also known as a floral water. These aromatics have a cooling effect on temperament and a brightening and calming effect on mood. Add rose blossoms to a glass water bottle in summer to help with relaxation and cooling the body. The astringent tannins in rose blossoms also help tighten and tone the skin when applied topically.

St John’s Wort (Hypericum perforatum): is a powerful antioxidant and skin-healing vulnerary herb, and the leaves and flowering tops can be used as an external remedy that is infused in oil to protect exposed skin from sunburn and oxidative damage. The oil can be applied directly or blended into a cream. St. John’s wort can also be taken internally as a tincture to decrease oxidative damage at the cellular level, which is especially helpful; to those with a history of skin cancer. The tincture is indicated for people who have viral outbreaks from sun exposure such as cold sores due to its antiviral properties that help keep chronic viral infections at bay. St. John’s wort can easily be made into lip balm for this use. It is safe for most people, however; those who take daily pharmaceuticals that pass through the liver should use caution and consult their herbal professional as St. John’s wort can alter liver function and make the amount of time medications are active in the body unpredictable and unreliable.

Spearmint (Mentha spicata): is a carminative, cooling, expectorant, relaxant, and rejuvenating herb that contains menthol, a phytochemical that activates a protein in nerve cells that signal the brain that the body is cold, widens blood vessels, increases blood flow to the skin, and helps the body dissipate heat.  Spearmint can be used as a refreshing herbal tea to aid digestion, ease sore and dry throats, clear nasal congestion, improve focus, and relieve stress. It is considered to be gentler than peppermint.  

Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum): is sacred in Hinduism, and a major pillar of Ayurvedic medicine. It’s an adaptogen that balances the endocrine system, and the leaves and flowers are helpful for those coping with depression or anxiety. Tulsi regulates metabolism, the sleep cycle, and the body’s heating and cooling mechanisms. It balances response to the physical stress of hot weather and exertion, increases the ability to cool down through perspiration, and opens blood vessels. Tulsi has antioxidant properties that protect cells from oxidative damage during sun exposure. It increases the function of the liver, so those who take pharmaceuticals that are metabolized by the liver should use caution and consult their herbal professional to avoid unpredictable concentrations of medication in the blood.

Violet (Viola tricolor):  also known as heartsease or wild pansy, violet leaves have a cheerful and bright “green” flavor and can be added to salads, pesto, tea, and smoothies. The flowers are relaxing to gaze at and make a lovely garnish in tea blends, ice cubes, and desserts. Violets have a tiny amount of the anti-inflammatory aromatic compound methyl salicylate, which in large amounts tastes like wintergreen, but in small amounts imparts a light, sweet, melon, and peach-like flavor. Violets have cleansing, cooling, detoxifying, diaphoretic, and diuretic properties, and can be used to cleanse the body of toxins, clear skin problems such as acne, and treat respiratory tract inflammation caused by bronchitis, colds, and smoking.

Yarrow (Achillea millefolium): has anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, carminative, diaphoretic, hemostatic, and vulnerary properties that help reduce inflammation and fever, regulate blood flow, increase circulation, reduce excess moisture, treat bleeding, cuts, and wounds, promote menstrual health, and ease indigestion and heartburn. It can be used as an herbal tea, tincture, poultice, or bath soak. Do not use yarrow during pregnancy and lactation, those with an allergy to the aster plant family, those preparing for surgery, or those taking anticoagulants.