STAYING HEALTHY IN SUMMER
With Nathaniel Whitmore
HERBAL HEALTH CARE FOR SUMMERTIME
SUMMER
YANG
HEAT
ACTIVITY
EXTROVERSION
FIRE
CHI
METABOLISM
HEART (TCM)
WINTER
YIN
COLD
DORMANCY
INTROSPECTION
WATER
FLUIDS
LUBRICATION
KIDNEYS (TCM)
SUMMERTIME HERBAL “TEA” IDEAS:
Ayurveda Herbal Blend
Gotu Kola & Shatavari
Chinese Herbs for Summer Heat
Chyrsanthemum, Self-Heal, & American Ginseng
Wild “Weeds” There are many local, wild
Chickweed, Violet, Plantain, Self-Heal, & Purslane herbs that can be used to
create tasty and medicinal
Bitter Herbs beverages for summertime.
Dandelion, Yellow Dock, Hops, Celandine, & Boneset
Slippery Yin Tonic
Marshmallow, Borage, Slippery Elm, & Purslane
Cold infusions can be made by
Woodland Tonics soaking herbs in cool water:
Solomon’s Seal & American Ginseng Borage
American Ginseng
Sumac-Ade Sumac
Sumac (berries) & Maple (syrup) etc.
SUMMER SKIN CARE
INSECT REPELLENT & BITE CARE
Essential Oils for Bug Spray: Citronella, Lemon Grass, et cetera (not Citrus)
Aloe – A good all purpose skin herb, including bite and rash (below) care.
Plantain – Common weed used as poultice for bites and many afflictions, including cuts.
Japanese Knotweed – Various preparations of the root used for bites. Also for bruises.
Teasel – Used as tea or tincture for bites.
Tea Tree – Tea tree essential oil is a great antiseptic for bites.
Echinacea – Tincture of fresh root used internally for bites. Also for cuts.
POISON IVY & OTHER RASHES
Jewelweed – Fresh herb poulticed for rashes, especially poison ivy. Also for bites.
Astringents: Witch Hazel, Oak, Raspberry, et cetera.
Demulcents: Plantain, Comfrey, et cetera.
Nettle – Herb is taken internally to reduce skin reactions.
CUTS, SCAPES, BUMPS, & BRUISES
St. John’s Wort – Antiseptic and healing, specifically for nerve injuries.
Calendula – Flowers are antiseptic and healing.
Comfrey – Leaf poultice used to heal cuts and injuries.
Boneset – Used to assist healing broken bones and the like. Diaphoretic.
HEAT REDUCTION & REHYDRATION
Chickweed – Quintessential cooling & moistening herb.
Purslane – This common garden weed reduces heat and builds fluids.
Shatavari – This primary yin tonic of Ayurveda is used to replenish fluids.
Gotu Kola – One of Ayurveda’s main cooling, anti-inflammatory herbs.
American Ginseng – Our native Ginseng helps to nourish fluids and chi.
Chrysanthemum – This common beverage herb of Asia is specific for summer.
HERBS FOR A HEALTHY HEART
HAWTHORN This common tonic for the heart is a gentle, nutritive remedy used to normalize heart function, reduce the effects of stress, and address cholesterol and circulation. It is best as decoction.
ROSE Rose petals benefit the heart and nervous system. Rose hips nourish the vessels.
MOTHERWORT (Leonurus cardiaca) Motherwort moves blood, reduces tension and stress, and addresses a wide variety of cardiovascular concerns. It is best as tincture.
RED SAGE ROOT (Dan Shen / Salvia miltiorrhiza) This is a top herb in Chinese medicine for most cardiovascular problems. It is used to move blood and nourish the heart.
REISHI (Ling Zhi / Ganoderma) This highly revered tonic is used to normalize the heart.
OYSTER MUSHROOM This wild and cultivated edible benefits cholesterol.
DANDELION This herb is used to reduce inflammation and cholesterol. For its bitter properties it is best to use the tincture of fresh root. Leaf infusion is used as a diuretic.
HOPS This aromatic bitter benefits digestion, the liver, and reduces stress.
LICORICE This medicinal root is used for low blood pressure.