Natural Healing: Summer Herbs

As summer and its heat surround us, we look into our sick-bays, healing rooms, herbal nooks, and cupboards to see if we have the herbs of the season and prepare them both for healing, food, and treats over these summer nights.

Red Clover: This sweet, cool herb, which is often made into a tea from its dried flowers, is a favorite herb of summer.  It is often used for lymphatic congestion, blood purification, and hormonal balancing.  It is a natural, plant-based source of estrogen.  It is said to symbolize:  Beauty, Health, and Protection.

Mullein: This cool, salty herb, is a vibrant torche of summer.  It is often used medicinally for lung aids with dry coughs and asthma, as well as bladder aid.  Dried stocks are often used as torches within rewilding.  It is said to symbolize:  Courage, Protection, and Rest.

Raspberry: This warm, watery herb is a sweet delight of summer.  It is used to aid cardiovascular issues, women's menstruation issues, and aid pregnancy in later terms.
It is said to symbolize:  Kindness, Patience, and Protection.
Warning - Do not use during early pregnancy!

Chicory: This sunny, airy herb is a wonderful wild friend of summer.  Its roots are often roasted and used in place of or within coffee, as is true with Cafe du Monte coffee.  Herbally it is used for urinary tract, bladder, liver, and digestion.  It is said to symbolize:  Healing, Strength, and Purification.

Yarrow: This ancient, firey, healing herb, is a common summer friend.  This herb has long been used for healing wounds, and is beneficial for healing sprains and bruises, helping stop bleeding, and reducing fever.  It is said to symbolize:  Protection, Courage, and Healing.

Bee Balm: This friend of pollinators, also known as bergamot, is a joyful, energetic, anti-depressive herb. It is a respiratory aid, helps ease nausea, and calm stress.  It is said to symbolize:  Joy, Balance, and Strength.

Jewelweed:  This firey, purifying, soothing herb is also known as touch-me-nots, is a beloved aid of summer.  It is nature's answer to poison ivy, poison oak, and other itches and rashes. It is also an anti-fungal that will kill mold and moss. It is said to symbolize:  Healing, Growth, and Generosity.

So as we enter into this busy time, no matter what our summer-time traditions may be, I hope these fresh, comforting herbs aid you in Gothic Wildsteading, and bring joy and spice to your hearts and homes!

In Umbra Terras,

Lady Morria

Warning: Uses for Herbs are not FDA Verified, but instead are traditional uses as have been practiced among Celtic, Native, and Mountain Healers for generations.  Use at your own discretion.