Feeling the Summer Heat? Herbs & Foods to Keep You Cool and Nourished

It’s finally heating up here in the Sacramento Valley. We may have gotten a late start this year, but the heat is now here, and it's here to stay.

For many of us, we might begin to feel the seasonal effects of the warmth and dryness in our bodies: irritability, dry skin, sluggish digestion, trouble sleeping, or just feeling easily overheated.

Whether you're navigating seasonal heat, perimenopausal warmth, or you just simply tend to run dry or warm, the heat can make everything feel a little more intense. 

Turning to cooling and moistening foods and herbs can be such a simple, nourishing way to bring your body back into balance.

Below, you’ll find some of my favorite herbs and foods to enjoy in summer — they help calm internal heat and replenish moisture, gently and naturally.

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Cooling & Moistening Herbs

These herbs support hydration, soothe irritation, and bring moisture back to dry or depleted tissues. I often include them in tea blends, infusions, or seasonal herbal protocols for clients.

• Marshmallow Root – Deeply moistening and soothing, especially to mucosal tissues (like the nasal passages, lungs, digestive tract, and mouth).

• Linden – Gently cooling and calming for both the nervous system and the heart.

• Hibiscus – Tart, vibrant, and hydrating. Rich in antioxidants and helpful for supporting blood pressure.

• Lemon Balm – Calming, slightly cooling, and uplifting to mood.

• Peppermint – Classic cooling herb that also supports digestion and mental clarity.

• Rose – Emotionally soothing and cooling to the skin and heart. (Best used alongside moistening herbs, as rose can be astringent and slightly drying.)

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Cooling & Moistening Foods

These foods are naturally hydrating and ideal during warmer months — or anytime your body feels dry, inflamed, or overheated.

• Cucumbers – High in water content and soothing to digestion.

• Watermelon – Ultra-hydrating and energetically cooling.

• Berries – Rich in antioxidants and naturally cooling.

• Coconut Water – Naturally rich in electrolytes and deeply hydrating.

• Chia Seeds – When soaked, they form a gel that helps hydrate the body and support digestion. (Be sure to soak seeds first, as dry seeds can actually draw moisture from your body rather than replenishing it.)

• Avocados – Moistening and packed with nourishing fats that support hormone balance.

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Cooling and moistening herbs and foods aren’t just for hot days.

They’re wonderful allies during times of hormonal transition, nervous system burnout, or if you tend toward a hot or dry constitution in general. Tuning in to how your body feels, and responding with nourishment, is one of the most powerful forms of self-care.

So let this be your gentle reminder: The seasons matter. You matter.

And sometimes the most nourishing thing you can do is pour a glass of hydrating herbal tea, eat a slice of watermelon, and relax in the shade for a few minutes.

Your body will thank you.

With love,

Danielle

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Hi, I'm Danielle, a Clinical Herbalist passionate about supporting women in feeling nourished, finding balance and reclaiming their health with confidence and care.

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I believe that when women thrive, the world does too.