10 Herbs for Summer Happiness

Summer is synonymous with warm weather and sunshine, vacations and leisure time, 

outdoor activities, water fun, vibrant nature, delicious fruit, and positive vibes!  

But sometimes, the heat can leave us feeling irritable and lethargic. And after a long, 

hot day outdoors, we may feel weary and dehydrated. Whichever way the summer 

weather has you vibing, there are herbs to cool you down or lift your mood and 

increase your energy and well-being.

Lemon Balm
This herb is known for its calming and uplifting properties. It has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, and enhance cognitive function. Lemon balm is also believed to have antiviral and antibacterial properties, making it a great herb to use to support your immune system during summer.

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Peppermint
Peppermint is a refreshing herb that can help cool you down on hot summer days. It is also known for its ability to improve digestion, relieve headaches, and reduce stress and anxiety. Peppermint can be enjoyed in tea, like this refreshing, organic peppermint tea, as an essential oil, or by simply chewing on a fresh peppermint leaf.

Chamomile
Chamomile is a gentle herb that is often used to promote relaxation and relieve stress. It can also help soothe digestive issues, reduce inflammation, and improve sleep quality. Chamomile tea is a popular way to enjoy this herb, but it can also be used topically to soothe skin irritations.

Herb Hack

Put cooled chamomile tea in a spray bottle and spritz yourself to cool and soothe hot, dry, or sunburned skin. You can make a cooling spritzing spray using any combination of cooled chamomile, lemon balm, lemongrass, or aloe vera tea.

Lavender
Lavender is a fragrant herb that is often associated with relaxation and calming. It has been shown to reduce anxiety, improve sleep quality, and even alleviate pain. Lavender can be enjoyed in tea, as an essential oil, or by simply adding fresh lavender to your bathwater.

Ashwagandha
This adaptogenic herb has been used for centuries to help the body cope with stress and promote overall wellness. It is believed to help reduce inflammation, improve energy levels, and boost brain function. Ashwagandha can be taken in supplement form or added to smoothies and other recipes, including herbal tea.

Herb Hack

Summertime is salad time! Add fresh herbs to your salad to enjoy their health benefits.  

Rosemary

Rosemary is a versatile herb that is often used in cooking. It is also believed to have a number of health benefits, including improving cognitive function, reducing inflammation, and promoting digestion. Rosemary can be enjoyed in tea, as an essential oil, or by simply adding fresh rosemary to your meals.

Holy Basil
This herb is also known as Tulsi and is considered sacred in Hinduism. It is believed to have several health benefits, including reducing stress, improving cognitive function, and supporting the immune system. Holy basil can be enjoyed in tea, as a supplement, or by simply adding fresh leaves to your meals. Read more about the benefits of Tulsi in our blog, Herbs for Health: Holy Basil. 

Passionflower
Passionflower is a calming herb that can help reduce anxiety and promote relaxation. It is also believed to have antispasmodic and analgesic properties, making it a great herb to use to relieve muscle tension and pain. Passionflower can be enjoyed in tea or taken in supplement form.

Lemon Verbena
This fragrant herb is often used to promote relaxation and improve digestion. It is also believed to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making it a great herb to use to support overall health and wellness. Lemon verbena can be enjoyed in tea, as an essential oil, or by simply adding fresh leaves to your meals.

Aloe Vera
This herb is probably the star of the show in this blog! In fact, we love aloe vera so much that we wrote a whole blog about harnessing the healing power of aloe vera. 

For hydration and cooling, enjoy aloe vera gel or aloe vera tea. We included some recipes for aloe vera tea in our lovely aloe vera blog. It has a high water content and can help your body replenish fluids.

In addition, aloe vera gel could benefit your digestion and regulate your blood sugar levels. However, caution should be exercised, especially if you’re taking diabetes medications, as aloe vera may interact with them and lower your blood sugar levels too much.

When used topically, aloe vera is the best at relieving sunburn, hydrating your skin, and soothing skin irritations like insect bites and rashes. In addition, the antioxidant properties of aloe vera can protect your skin from UV damage and minimize the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.  

It's important to note that while herbs have numerous potential benefits, individual results may vary. If you have any specific health concerns or are taking medications, it's advisable to consult with a healthcare professional before introducing herbs into your healthcare routine.