Summer is here! With the longest day of the year behind us in the Northern Hemisphere, and nearly the whole summer ahead of us, it's time to tap into the warm solar energy of the season and enjoy all there is to enjoy about the season. Fresh peaches and plums, berries ripening on the vine, the vibrant greens of the plants around us, and the warm embrace of the sun — summer is my favorite season here in foggy Northern California.
Spring beckons us to start to bloom, slowly, inviting the heat back in, little by little, moving at her own pace. In contrast, summer feels like it bursts forth in a rush, imploring us to enjoy all that life has to offer.
Seasonal Medicine
As an herbalist and a botanist, I closely track the change of seasons — the slow crawl of winter to spring to summer to fall. I largely notice the shifts by looking to the plants. On my walks in the neighborhood, I observe: What plants are blooming? Which are in fruit? Who has lost their leaves, or grown waist-high since I last saw them? Are the landscapes wet, green, and vibrant, or golden and dry?
In traditional medicinal systems, herbal medicine is also seasonal. Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is built upon the five elements — Wind, Water, Wood, Earth, and Metal — all of which manifest in nature, our bodies, and even our minds and spirits. Summer is associated with the Fire element, which makes intuitive sense. This element is associated with creativity, intuition, and momentum — the element that helps to bring your ideas into action. Similarly, in Ayurveda, summer is associated with the dosha Pitta (fire and water), which is associated with heat, intelligence, passion, and charisma.
Herbs of Summer
In early summer, people who tend towards coldness may want to take advantage of the season and strengthen the fire element in their bodies. Incorporating warming herbs such as cayenne, ginger, and garlic can be stimulating, and support immunity and digestive fire. These herbs act upon the cardiovascular system, are energizing, and have anti-inflammatory properties. Use these herbs by incorporating them into foods and remedies such as fire cider.
You may also want to support the physical heart at this time of the year — herbs like hawthorn, motherwort, linden, and hibiscus benefit the heart by balancing blood pressure and supporting the vascular system. These herbs are lovely as a tea or a tincture.
Fire Cider (Recipe)
A classic folk remedy to stoke your inner fire element for colds, flus, digestion, and immunity. Fire cider is an herbal vinegar for immunity and digestion. Make this in summertime to have on hand when the weather turns cool!
- Apple cider vinegar (enough to cover)
- Horseradish root, a few small pieces
- ½–1 onion, chopped
- 1 head of garlic, peeled
- 1 piece fresh ginger, 3–4 inches, sliced
- Hot chili peppers, to your heat preference
- 1–2 citrus slices (lemon or orange)
- Optional: turmeric, thyme, rosemary, elderberries
To make: Chop ingredients and place in a clean glass jar. Cover completely with apple cider vinegar. Cap and store in a cool, dark place for 2–4 weeks. Strain and add honey to taste.
References
Haas, Elson M. Staying Healthy with the Seasons. Berkeley: Celestial Arts, 1981.
Popham, Sajah. Evolutionary Herbalism: Science, Spirituality, and Medicine from the Heart of Nature. Berkeley: North Atlantic Books, 2019.