cooling summer fire
Summer heat entering the body. Not simply warmth, something on the edge of discomfort, a feeling for overstimulation — the body held too close to the surface of things.
Sleep lightens. Patience thins. Moisture — in the mouth, the skin, the breath — recedes almost imperceptibly.
I am reaching for cooling herbs — not the shock of cold or the dulling of sensation, not damp heaviness. Heat can bring its own sluggishness and we do not want to add to that. Reaching instead for a softening at the surface. The breath travelling a little further before it turns. Moisture returning to the mouth, the throat, tissues…
The body holding itself less tightly, feeling less exposed. The moment we realise we are no longer braced against the heat of the day.
How does the heat feel in your body?
If there is drying, you might reach, with me, for herbal allies that carry moisture as well as cooling —
Violet
Plantain
Marshmallow
Softening parched tissues
If there is agitation at the surface — restless sleep, irritability, a feeling of being exposed —
Linden
Rose
Cornflower
Passionflower
Chamomile
Does the breath deepen, open?
Does the body feel less taut at the end of the day?
Is there a little more ease in sleep, in the spaces between?
Moisten, cool, relax… our plant allies are there for us in all seasons, moving things through the body. When the heat is sticky and itchy there are herbs that disperse, release… When heat is not only drying or depleting, but becomes an irritation — of skin, of muscles, of the mind… herbs not only cool but disperse the itchy fire —
Meadowsweet
Spearmint
Elder
Heat released.
If there is sluggishness, heat held in gut or limbs, the skin thick with humidity, there are allies who brighten and clear, lifting mood and mind, lightening heaviness —
Lemon balm
Lemon verbena
Self-heal
When heat settles even more deeply — slow, fatigue in gut or limbs our allies will help the body process what it is weighing it down. Gentle bitters to encourage deep movement —
Dandelion
Daisy
Yarrow
And when life flames — emotionally, in the joints, at the boundary of inflamed skin — so many of these herbs will come alongside, not only to cool and soothe, to disperse and lighten, but also to help the body restore rhythm —
Rosebay willowherb (fireweed)
Hawthorn
Eyebright
Wood betony
Summer offers her litany of herbs to walk with us through the heat.
In the too-bright — softening.
In the stickiness — cooling.
In the heaviness — lightening.
After the flame’s fierceness — restoration.
Finding your allies
Each month I meet with a small group of amazing women who are exploring their allies Along the Herbal Path.
We dive deep into an aspect of these companions in the animate world. Sometimes we pause to write, to centre ourselves in quiet meditation. Always we ask questions and make space for one another.
Together with the herbs, we create a little alchemy.
I’d love you to join us. Find out more, including how to join, on the triskelewell page