Herbal remedies aren’t just for the cold winter months. They work well to cure summer aches and pains, too. These five herbs will help you to deal with common summer problems, such as sunburn, sun-induced stomachaches, and indigestion. As always, be sure that you are educated about the herbs and their possible side effects before you use them. Many of them are ingestible in teas and on food, but some work best as parts of lotions or gels.
Mint
Mint is one the most powerful herbs for the digestive system. Mint grows easily in many climates, and it is easily harvested in the summer months. You can pluck fresh mint leaves and cut them over pasta or salads, or you can boil a mint leaf in water to make a tea. Though mint has many legendary healing properties, the best-known uses are for helping with blockages in the digestive system and healing the burn of indigestion.
St John’s Wort
The general belief among herbalist historians is that St. John’s Wort is the herb discussed in William Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream. This herb has a beautiful “sunny” look. The bright yellow flowers are large and beautiful. The herb itself is an effective anti-depressant. People who use St. John’s Wort, often in a pill form, often see an alleviation of their systems, including fatigue, sadness, and lack of interest in activities. Though wintertime depression is more known, some people struggle to maintain their mental health in the summer.
Aloe
The herb aloe is one of the most well-known herbs in mainstream culture. Though it is edible in some forms, the aloe vera plant most often provides help with skin problems. Opening an aloe leaf and putting the cool, clear gel it produces onto a sunburn or cut can help speed the healing process. If you aren’t comfortable just having the plant around, gels and lotions containing aloe vera work well, too.
Lemon balm
Lemon balm is a wonderful, edible herb choice for stress or upset stomachs. Lemon balm plants grow easily indoors and out, and the plants often produce a generous number of leaves. The leaves added into a tea give the tea a lemon tasty while helping to soothe the drinker’s stomach. Lemon balm also has lesser-known anti-viral properties, meaning that the herb can help ward off common viruses that may want to take up residence in your body.
Calendula
Though Calendula is not a popular name, the common name for this herb – marigold – is a staple of summertime gardens. The marigold plant works primarily as an anti-inflammatory. Calendula teas and pills can help to reduce any inflammation in your body, including acne, and can assist with stopping bleeding after being cut. Some herbalists also look to calendula to stop stomach spasms, which may cause stomachaches.