June Blog Party-Staying Cool in the Warmth of Summer

This months blog party is hosted by Kristine Brown, the creator of Herbal Roots Zine and blogs at Luna Herb Co Check out her link for many herbal ideas for the summer heat.

Today, I just want to write a little bit about what my family does in summer.

While most in the country are seeking cool water to splash in and eating snow cones, we are just now heading into what most would consider their spring. Our waters are icy cold, the plants are flowering with our spring rains being faithful, and the heat rarely gets so difficult.
One of the things I have learned living here is that we tend to do better when keeping heavy fats, dairy, and such low in our diets until it gets cold again. With 6 months of really cold weather here in the mountains fo Jackson Hole, this is not too much to attain. So things like ice cream even, are occassional treats. This seems to help us not bog down so much in the heat.

Making popsicles, and drinking herb teas are so wonderful this time of year. Adding a few leaves of peppermint or lavender can be refreshing and cooling.
Some of our favorites in the warm weather are iced Happy and Raven teas by Dragon Lady Teas. I add 4 Tbsp to a quart mason jar and allow to steep in my south window while I am busy doing other things. No sweetener required.

Fruits come in the season as a good reminder that these foods provide us with nutrition and juiciness. Popping grapes in the freezer is a cold treat enjoyed by all.
When I lived in North Florida years ago, watermelons are very popular to grow out there. There was nothing as soothing as eating watermelon on a hot and humid day.
We would freeze some melon and use in smoothies. You can add some herbal teas to your smoothie along with watermelon and other fruits for a cooling treat. In fact, smoothies are a great wide to hide a lot of things your kids might not take on their own.

Sprays are helpful in cooling down burns. One spray we use quite often is Rosewater. Refrigeration makes it even cooler and really helps bring down that heat!
Also, I have been making a sunburn spray that works awesome!!! Using Vinegar with steeped rose petals and leaves, and adding about 7-10 parts to distilled water, then using aloe, and cooling herbal tinctures and essential oils. This works so great!!!

I make a cream for this season called Butterfly Sun Cream
It is helpful for before sun because it contains cocoa butter, virgin coconut oil so it is heavy and leaves this bit of protective layer that does not wash off easily. It also contains herbs and st johns wort, which in some people prevents sunburn in the first place.
This cream is great for post burn care when a spray is used prior to bring the heat down. Spraying several times throughout the day may be useful before applying any oil, cream, or salve. When I have a burn, and have used a salve or oil before cooling the burn down, it burns more, so I do suggest cooling burns of all manners first if you can.


Essential oils of lavender, german chamomile, helichrysum, balsam fir and rose in a spray bottle with distilled water is very useful with sunburns as well. I refer to distilled water because it is less likely to go bad from the microbes that live in undistilled water, but if you are using the spray within a few days, regular filtered water is fine. You must shake your spray before using as essential oils like to float on the top and you will need it mixed to get their benefits throughout the spray.
If you are an essential oil user, many citrus oils can actually attract the sun and cause burning in some people, so it is best to avoid these when outdoors. Bergamot being the most noted. Other essential oils include angelica, melissa, lemon verbena, ginger, caraway, cumin, and cinnamon. Many of these oils are not typically what we would grab in the heat (thinking of cinnamon and ginger mostly) but none the less, these essential oils should be used with care if you will be exposed to the sun.

To stay cool on a hike, gardening, or playing outdoors, a spray with peppermint essential oil is amazing for this. You only need a few drops to feel its benefits, or make a peppermint tea and use in a spray bottle. Both work really well for cooling.

As we know, staying hydrated is one of the best preventatives for issues caused by the solar heat. Drinking plenty of water and herbal teas is our favorite way to accomplish this. The common amount of water we are told is 8 8oz glasses, but this is not always accurate for each of us.
If you drink alot of coffee or tea, then you may need more water to stay hydrated, because these drinks can be dehydrating.

Also, during this season, many folks love to pop open an icy cold beer to hydrate.
Keep in mind that alcohol is also dehydrating, so you cannot factor in your coffee and beer in your glasses of fluids per day.

Whatever you enjoy doing this summer, I hope this blog party will arm you with ideas for comfort, nutrition, and awesome play time outdoors!!!

Picture of Dragon Lady and Dreamseeds reflected in the water after a small hike to a hidden lake.