elements of summer
seasonal wisdom, herbal recipes & harmony with the element of fire
In this post, I’m sharing some of the seasonal teachings from the recent Summer Apothecary workshop at Forest & Flowers Retreat, for this time of ripening and luxurious growth — of expansion, enthusiasm, and upward energy.
seasonal medicine: summer
element: fire
yang, Sun, providing & receiving warmth
fire element plants
activate circulation, warm the body, stimulate digestion, uplift, pleasure, joy, support energy flow in the solar plexus, increase sense of self & confidence, increase energy, move stagnation
ginger, garlic, onion, horseradish, cayenne, cinnamon, sassafras
spicy, hot herbs & red, orange, yellow flowers
fire element plants can often cool the body by stimulating perspiration and releasing surface heat
cooling plants
bitter, astringent, cooling herbs increase yin & fluids in the body to counteract the drying nature of heat and fire
mints, rose, lemon balm, chamomile, lemongrass, citrus, yarrow, motherwort, lavender
digestive tonics
small intestine is associated with fire element, so support digestion especially
anise hyssop, rosemary, chamomile, mint, lemon balm, lavender
late summer shifts
element = earth, taste that nourishes this element is sweet
warming, cooked foods & bitter herbs to counteract cold damp
dandelion root, yellow dock root, oat straw, nettles
SUMMER COOLING SKIN GEL
1/2 cup aloe vera gel
1 tbsp witch hazel
2 tbsp yarrow, plantain or chickweed herbal oil
5 drops German chamomile essential oil
7-10 drops Lavender essential oil
5 drops Peppermint essential oil
In a glass measuring cup or bowl combine aloe vera gel, hydrosols and herbal oil together. Use a stainless steel whisk to mix ingredients. Add essential oils and whisk until well combined. Cooling, anti-inflammatory, and relieves stress from itchiness or pain too. Label, store in a glass jar and keep in refrigerator.
LAVENDER + LEMON BALM LEMONADE
3 cups water or 1 cup water + 2 cups sparkling water
10-15 lavender flower buds
1 cup fresh lemon balm or 4 tablespoons dried lemon balm
1 cup raw local honey
2 cups fresh lemon juice
DIRECTIONS
Bring water to a boil.
Turn off heat and add lavender and lemon balm to the water.
Cover with a lid and let the infusion steep for 20-25 minutes.
Strain mixture through a metal strainer, nut bag, or muslin cloth.
Let the liquid cool slightly before adding the honey. Mix until honey is completely dissolved.
Add 2 cups of sparkling water or remaining water and 2 cups of freshly squeezed lemon juice.
Serve directly over ice and garnish with fresh lavender blossoms, lemon balm leaves, and lemon slices if desired.
HERBAL INFUSED HONEY
Yields 1 quart (32 ounces)
Dried herbs of your choice
Raw, local honey
Fill a clean quart jar a little less than halfway with dried herbs. Pour in honey, and be sure that your herbs are fully submerged. Put a lid on the jar and place in a sunny windowsill. Keeping it warm will allow the herbs to infuse better and also makes the liquid more pourable. Turn the jar over at least once per day for at least one week, and up to 4 weeks. Add more honey as needed. The longer you leave it, the stronger the flavor will be. Strain out the herbs. Store your herb-infused honey in a cool, dark place in a tightly sealed jar to help maintain optimal freshness.
herbal honey inspiration
chamomile + lavender / violet + sage / rose + cardamom / lemon balm + mint
Thank you for this abundant season - for the creative pulse that ripens and prepares the harvest that fills our hands. Guide us as we carry it forth with ease and effort. Keep us in the cycle of giving and receiving so that we are fulfilled and not depleted in the process. When it’s easy to push beyond our capacity, remind us to listen to the story the earth is telling us. May we feel the story our body is telling us too. If we forget to pause and celebrate, show us how to honor abundance in the most simple ways. Move our hands to harvest the mint, basil, and lemon balm to balance the fire. Take us to the flowers that are blooming, and to the petals that have let go in what seems like a fleeting glimpse of their fullest moment. Remind us to pause in awe of all of this.
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