Written by Celine Cuevas

Beat the Heat this Summer with Cooling Herbs

Summertime is such an abundant time of the year. The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming, the veggie gardens are providing delicious fresh food, and the weather is warm. And just as the energy of the earth is buzzing and coming alive, so are we. People are spending more time outside enjoying nature, staying active and getting that much needed dose of vitamin D. 

Although the warm temperatures are welcomed after long winters, especially here on the west coast of Canada, the heat can be a lot to manage. It is important to consider that long hours spent in the sun or outside, increased activities, having to commute in the heat of the day, and spending time at busy community events, can be a lot more challenging in the heat of summer. Luckily, there are many herbal allies that can support our physical and emotional well-being during this time.

Tea of the Month: Hibiscus High Tea from Gaia Garden

At Gaia Garden we’ve created a tea blend that is a great addition to your summer tea line-up. It has a tart sour flavour accompanied by a minty freshness and a mild sweetness. This tea blend can be prepared hot as a traditional infusion or chilled in the fridge and served over ice for a refreshing summer drink. Some of you may be wondering how hot tea could help keep you cool. However, both the hot and cold preparations will in fact have a net cooling effect on the body as the herbs in this blend help to cool down internal body temperature. Herbal tea is also a great way to stay hydrated and replenish your vitamins and minerals, which can easily get depleted in the heat. This tea is also packed with vitamin C which provides skin protection from sun exposure, immune support, and anti-inflammatory properties. Continue reading to find out how the herbs in this tea blend can be supportive during the hot summer days.

How to Prepare This Tea

Hot Infusion: Use 1-2 tsps of Hibiscus High and pour 1 cup boiling water over the herbs. Cover and let sit for 5-10 mins. Enjoy hot.

Note: The amount of tea you use will depend on how flavourful you would like your tea.

Iced Tea: Prepare the infusion as above. Use 1-2 tsps per 1 cup of water (example: for 4 cups water use 4-8 tsps of Hibiscus High tea). If desired, add sweetener to taste while infusion is warm. Let cool, then chill in the fridge or serve over ice with a sprig of mint or basil.

Ingredients

Hibiscus, Lemongrass, Peppermint, Rosehips, Orange Peel, Rose petals, Stevia Leaf

 

Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) : Hibiscus is a plant that has been used cross-culturally as a refreshing beverage in hot climates. Hibiscus has a distinct tart or sour flavour which indicates its cooling effect on the body. It is high in Vitamin C and antioxidant compounds which help protect your skin against sun exposure and support  the immune system as well as cardiovascular health. It has also been shown to help relieve digestive discomfort which can be exacerbated in the summer from change in eating habits.

Lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) : Lemongrass is also known to reduce internal body temperature and has a calming effect on the nervous system. This is beneficial as the heat can often increase nervousness and anxiety. It is also effective at relieving digestive upset such as gas and bloating, which can be helpful in hot weather when digestion tends to become a bit sluggish. Lemongrass also contains several vitamins and minerals such as Vit A, B, C, potassium, magnesium, calcium, manganese and iron. Therefore it makes a great drink for staying hydrated and keeping your electrolytes balanced.

Rosehips (Rosa ssp.) : Rosehips are the fruit of the rose bush. The fruit has a distinct tart flavour that once again indicates a cooling effect. The rosehips are significantly high in vitamin C, which is important for neutralizing free radical damage and protecting our skin from excess sun exposure. The high vitamin C content is also going to help boost our immune system.

Orange Peel (Citrus X sinensis) : Orange peel adds a nice fruity and citrus note to the tea blend as well as having added benefits such as high Vitamin C content and digestive support.

 

Rose Petals (Rosa ssp.) : Similar to the rosehips, rose petals will also have a cooling effect on the internal body as well as have vitamin C (although the hips are significantly higher). The rose petals, however, offer stronger support for the nervous system. Hot weather can be challenging on the nerves and rose petals are wonderful for helping to calm an overactive and over-heated nervous system.

Peppermint (Mentha piperita): Peppermint is a very cooling herb, which is helpful at reducing excess heat in the body. It does this by opening up our pores allowing heat to move out of the body. It is also anti-inflammatory and carminative in the digestive tract and can help relieve tension in the body. This can be helpful in summer months when the heat may exacerbate digestive issues, reduce appetite, or cause overall tension from overactivity or heat related tension.

Stevia Leaf (Stevia rebaudiana) : Stevia Leaf is added to this tea for its sweetening qualities. Therefore, this tea can be enjoyed as is and does not require any added sweetener. Furthermore, stevia has been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels. This can be helpful in the summertime when high temperatures tend to reduce our appetite causing blood sugar crashes and eating habits can often change.

Considerations for Staying Cool in the Summer Heat

Stay Hydrated: It is important to maintain water intake when it is hot outside. Adding small amounts of sea salt to your water can be extremely beneficial for maintaining electrolyte balance as well as proper retention of water. And as mentioned before, herbal teas (iced or hot!) are a great way to replenish vitamins and minerals. Favour mineral rich, cooling, and calming herbal teas. Some other herbs to consider for your herbal teas include: spearmint, lemon balm, elderflower, chamomile, nettle, and catnip.

Eat Small Meals & Cooling Foods: Maintaining blood sugar is important when our body is exposed to heat. Small frequent meals may be easier for your digestion to handle in the hot weather. Balanced blood sugar will ensure your nervous system is regulated and your digestion is functioning optimally. Favour cooling foods like cucumber, bitter leafy greens, watermelon, fresh berries, goat cheese and yogurt. You can also add cooling herbs like mint and dill to your summer meals.

Use the Sun Protection: When possible, take breaks from sun exposure and wear a hat or breathable protective clothing.

Find Bodies of Water: Summer is such an amazing time to explore the natural landscapes around us. Take the time, if you can, and find a creek, a river, a lake, or the ocean nearby. Dip your feet in the cooling waters or go for a swim. This is a great way to reset, calm the nervous system, and reduce body temperature.

Have Compassion to One Another: The heat can cause a lot of people to feel impatient and on edge. Crowded events, public transportation, city commutes, lack of air conditioning in certain workplaces, can all contribute to people feeling overwhelmed in the heat. So keep an open mind and heart and remember people may be struggling to stay regulated. 

 

Disclaimer: The information in this article is meant for educational purposes only. It is not meant to treat or diagnose. If you would like to work with herbs to support your health please consult your healthcare provider. 

About the Author

Celine Cuevas
Through travels, studies and just over 10 years of practicing herbalism, Celine has deepened her knowledge of the plant world and is passionate about inspiring others to develop relationships with the plants. For Celine, herbalism is a way of life that permeates throughout her life as a mother, supporting her family and friends. She is also trained in western herbalism as a clinical phytotherapist and supports clients one on one by creating custom protocols helping people return to a sense of balance. Her approach takes into consideration all aspects of life: physical, mental/emotional, and spiritual well-being.