If you've been 🥵 outside, this post is for you!
Hello Summer and the upcoming heatwave🥵It's time to take a trip to your herbal apothecary (or to your garden if you're growing it fresh) and grab some herbal partners to help calm your body, nourish your health, restore balance naturally & of course, COOL YOU DOWN!
When temperatures soar, your body doesn't just sweat—it works overtime to regulate internal heat. But instead of reaching for sugary drinks or ice-cold sodas that may dehydrate or stress the system further, nature offers powerful plant allies to help cool, calm, and hydrate the body from the inside out.
I'm sharing 6 herbs that have been used across cultures for centuries during periods of intense heat, inflammation, and emotional agitation. Their energetics are cooling, moistening, or calming to the nerves helping you stay grounded and well in hot, dry conditions.
🌱 1. Peppermint
Energetics: Cooling
How it helps in the heat: Peppermint's high menthol content triggers cold-sensitive receptors in the skin and mucous membranes, creating a powerful internal sensation of coolness—even when consumed warm.
💚 Key Benefits:
1. Soothes digestion – Relieves bloating, gas, and indigestion, especially from heat-related food upset.
2. Relieves headaches – Eases tension and sinus pressure from overheating.
3. Opens respiratory passages – Clears nasal congestion and supports breathing.
4. Enhances alertness – Revives mental clarity when you're sluggish or overheated.
🌺 2. Hibiscus
Energetics: Cooling
How it helps in the heat: Hibiscus is rich in vitamin C and polyphenols that support circulation and cellular hydration. Its tart flavor stimulates the body's natural cooling processes and supports fluid balance. The taste also adds a nice flavor to your water😉
💖 Key Benefits:
1. Lowers blood pressure – Gently supports cardiovascular health.
2. Liver-loving – Aids in detox and bile production.
3. Hydrating – Moistens tissues and supports radiant skin.
4. Anti-inflammatory – Helps reduce swelling and internal heat.
(📷 pictured are leaves only. She's not in the flowering stage yet. )
🍃 3. Lemon Balm
Energetics: Cooling
How it helps in the heat: Lemon balm acts as a nervine—supporting the nervous system when overstimulated by heat, fatigue, or emotional stress. Its light lemony flavor also refreshes and soothes digestion.
🌿 Key Benefits:
1. Eases anxiety – Especially helpful during heat-induced irritability or restlessness.
2. Supports sleep – Calms the mind and body before bed.
3. Relieves gas and cramping – Soothes hot digestive conditions.
4. Balances mood – Great for hormonal and emotional regulation.
🌼 4. Chamomile
Energetics: Cooling
How it helps in the heat: Chamomile is both anti-inflammatory and a gentle nervine. It helps reduce heat in the gut and skin, and can be used internally or externally to soothe overheated tissues.
✨ Key Benefits:
1. Calms the nervous system – Gently sedating and great for children.
2. Soothes digestion – Especially when paired with peppermint.
3. Reduces skin irritation – Can be used topically as a wash.
4. Immune support– Gentle antibacterial and antifungal properties.
🌿 5. Tulsi (Holy Basil)
Energetics: Warming (I know it's the last thing you need in the heat but I'll explain in the next section 🫠)
How it helps in the heat: While not classically "cooling," Tulsi is adaptogenic—helping the body adapt to heat stress, regulate inflammation, and calm the nervous system. Tulsi supports both mental and immune resilience during environmental extremes. The smell of the fresh leaves reminds me of the 5 cent bubble gum I used to chew as a kid. Someone knows the kind I'm talking about. Chew for 5 secs then the flavors gone and then it gets hard. 😆 🤣 😂
🌸 Key Benefits:
1. Adaptogen – Supports stress regulation and hormone balance.
2. Cognitive clarity – Enhances mental function during fatigue or overwhelm.
3. Respiratory remedy – Clears congestion and soothes coughs.
4. Antioxidant-rich– Protects against heat-related oxidative stress.
😰 6. Sage (Garden Sage not White Sage)
Energetics: Cooling
How it helps in the heat:
Sage has long been used in traditional herbal medicine to cool the body from the inside out, particularly by regulating excessive sweating and reducing internal inflammation. Its astringent properties help tone tissues and decrease perspiration, making it especially valuable for those who sweat heavily or experience heat-triggered night sweats and hot flashes.
🔑 Key Benefits:
1. Reduces excessive sweating – Especially useful for menopausal hot flashes or heat exhaustion.
2. Supports cognitive clarity – Enhances focus and mental sharpness under heat stress.
3. Anti-inflammatory – Soothes sore throats and swollen tissues.
4. Antimicrobial – Helps prevent heat-related skin and oral infections.
🫶🏿Now the good stuff🙌🏾
🫠Cooling Herbal Tea Recipes...
🌺 Hibiscus Mint Heatwave Cooler
Ingredients:
* 1 tbsp dried hibiscus
* 1 tsp dried peppermint
* Juice of ½ lemon
* 1 tsp maple syrup (optional)
Instructions:
1. Steep hibiscus and peppermint in 2 cups of boiling water for 10–15 mins.
2. Strain and chill.
3. Add lemon juice and sweetener to taste. Serve over ice. Or freeze it to turn into ice and crunch on it.
✨ Perfect for heart, liver, and whole-body hydration.
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🌿 Calm & Clear Herbal Chill Blend
Ingredients:
* 1 tsp lemon balm
* 1 tsp tulsi
* 1 tsp chamomile
* Cucumber or mint sprigs (optional infusion)
Instructions:
1. Steep herbs in 2 cups hot water for 12 minutes.
2. Strain and let cool in the fridge.
3. Pour over ice with fresh herbs or cucumber for an extra spa vibe.
✨ Great for emotional regulation, digestion, and inner calm.
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🫖 Sage & Mint Heat Relief Tea
Ingredients:
*1 tsp dried sage
*1 tsp peppermint
*A squeeze of fresh lemon
Optional: slice of cucumber or pinch of sea salt for electrolyte balance
Instructions:
1. Steep sage and peppermint in 1.5 cups hot water for 10 minutes.
2. Strain, let cool, and serve over ice.
3. Add lemon and optional cucumber or sea salt/HPS/Celtic Salt for flavor and electrolyte balance.
✨ Great for reducing internal heat, calming the mind, and preventing dehydration-induced fatigue.
🌞Let nature help you beat the heat while staying balanced, calm, and radiant. Whether you’re dealing with hot flashes 🙋🏿♀️, summer fatigue, or emotional burn-out, these herbs offer a cooling embrace for body, mind, and spirit. If you experience EXTREME overheating, call 911 immediately and do your best to cool your body in a safe manner.
If you try one of these let me know! Better yet, drop a jar off to me🥰
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Disclaimer:
Information about the traditional uses of herbs, food, water, supplementation or alternative therapies is intended for educational purposes only. Counsel and recommendations made by employees of Your Path To Living Well LLC are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any health conditions or diseases. Such recommendations should not be considered substitution for consultation with your physician or licensed medical professional.