Beat the Heat: Cooling Herbs for Summer
As the summer sun blazes high in the sky, finding ways to stay cool and refreshed becomes essential. Nature offers a variety of herbs that not only soothe and invigorate but also help keep your body cool from the inside out. Here are some of the best cooling herbs to incorporate into your summer routine:
Peppermint
Peppermint is renowned for its cooling sensation, thanks to its high menthol content. It’s an excellent herb for hot summer days, providing instant refreshment and relief from the heat.
Uses:
- Iced Tea: Brew peppermint tea, chill it in the fridge, and enjoy it over ice. Add a slice of lemon for an extra zesty kick. You can also pour some into a spray bottle and use it as a refreshing body spritz.
- Infused Water: Add fresh peppermint leaves to your water bottle for a subtle, cooling flavor.
- Salads: Chop fresh peppermint leaves and sprinkle them over fruit salads for a refreshing twist. It is also great for alleviating digestive issues.
Cucumber
Though technically a fruit, cucumber is often treated as an herb due to its culinary uses. It has a high water content, making it incredibly hydrating and cooling. Also, it makes for a light meal during the heat of summer, when you don't want to eat anything heavy to weigh you down.
Uses:
- Cucumber Water: Slice cucumbers and add them to water for a hydrating, cooling drink.
- Salads: Add sliced cucumbers to salads for a crisp, refreshing crunch. Cucumber also pairs well with fresh dill.
- Face Mask: Blend cucumber with yogurt for a soothing, cooling face mask. Place slices of cucumber on your eyes and relax while it help alleviate puffiness.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm has a mild, lemony flavor with a hint of mint, making it perfect for cooling and calming the body.
Uses:
- Herbal Tea: Brew lemon balm tea, chill it, and serve it over ice for a refreshing and relaxing beverage.
- Infused Water: Add lemon balm leaves to water with a few slices of cucumber and lemon for a cooling infusion.
- Desserts: Incorporate chopped lemon balm into fruit salads or use it to garnish desserts.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is well-known for its soothing and cooling properties, especially beneficial for sunburn relief and skin hydration.
Uses:
- Aloe Drink: Mix aloe vera gel with coconut water for a hydrating and cooling drink. There are many benefits to the digestive system as well, such as helping with constipation, IBS, and GERD.
- Topical Gel: Apply fresh aloe vera gel directly to the skin to soothe sunburns and cool the skin. If you have an aloe vera plant, you simple need to cut off one of the leaves, split the leaf open and apply the get directly to the skin.
- Smoothies: Add aloe vera gel to smoothies for a refreshing and nutritious boost. This is a great way to take aloe internally, as it can be bitter tasting on its own.
Incorporating these cooling herbs into your summer diet and skincare routine can help you stay refreshed and comfortable during the hottest months of the year. Whether through soothing teas, hydrating drinks, or cooling topical applications, these herbs are nature's gift for beating the heat. Stay cool and enjoy the summer!