Gardens, birds and herbs! It is summertime!

Elson Haas in his book Staying Healthy With the Seasons  talks about herbs and their medicinal use. Here are a few of them.

Summertime is the time to strengthen your Fire Element. Taking in some sun will help, along with exercise, healthy foods and some good herbs!

Cayenne pepper is one of nature’s true stimulants. Medicinally, it is known as a tonic of sorts. It provides us with energy and acts as a heating agent, without being irritating. It makes a good healer for wounds and sores and for an irritated or ulcerated stomach or colon. Cayenne pepper is a good herb for colds, flu, and sore throats, plus helpful in weak circulation.

Cayenne pepper is a heart stimulant which acts as a blood cleanser, and may aid in the elimination of impurities from the blood by increasing the urine flow and by sweating. It has also been used to treat problems of the kidneys, spleen and pancreas.

Ginger Root, another common herb that is very aromatic. Ginger root has been used for suppressed menstruation, colds, sore throats, diarrhea, indigestion and nausea.

Hot greens like mustard, watercress, cauliflower or cabbage stimulate the Fire; while garlic is good for strong, clean blood.

If you become too hot! ( too Much Fire!)

Try some cooling fruit juices like orange or lemonade  or try some cooling herbs such as mint and many of the flowers such as hibiscus and chamomile flowers. Boil some water and pour into a pot with one of several of these herbs and let steep for 20-30 minutes.

Solar teas

All of the herbs can also be made into Solar teas by placing some herbs into a glass jug with water and leaving it out in the sunlight for a day.  Examples of which herbs to use: peppermint, Hibiscus flower, Lemongrass, Red Clover Flowers, Chamomile Flowers, Rosemary, Orange or lemon peel.

Taken in part from: Haas, E. (2003) Staying Healthy With the Seasons. Celestial Arts, San Rafael, CA.