Summer Soothers: Guide to Cooling Herbs to Grow & Harvest for Hot Weather Wellness

When temperatures rise, your garden can become a natural oasis for relief! Cooling herbs not only freshen up your meals but also help your body adapt and recover during the hottest months. By growing and harvesting summer soothers like mint, lemon balm, basil, and more, you’ll keep your hydration up, digestion smooth, and nerves calm—all from the ground up. In this guide, discover the best cooling herbs for summer, how to grow and use them, and simple recipes for hot weather wellness.

Best Cooling Herbs to Grow for Summer Wellness

• Mint: Classic coolant—eases heat, supports digestion, and hydrates.
• Lemon Balm: Calms nerves, uplifts mood, and gently cools the body.
• Basil (especially Thai and Holy): Cools, aids digestion, and relieves irritability.
• Cilantro: Detoxifies and refreshes; great for salads, salsas, and drinks.
• Shiso (Perilla): Antioxidant-rich, cooling, and flavorful for summer cuisine.
• Other Great Picks: Fennel, dill, chamomile, purslane, and cucumber (yes, a veggie, but used as a cooling herb in many cultures).

How to Grow Cooling Herbs for Peak Summer Wellness

• Site Selection: Choose a spot with partial shade (morning sun, afternoon shade is ideal for hottest areas).
• Soil & Prep: Loose, rich soil with good drainage. Work in compost before planting.
• Planting: Start with young plants or direct-sow seeds after last frost.
  Mint and lemon balm spread—plant in containers or bottomless pots to control growth.
• Watering: Keep soil consistently moist, especially during heat waves.
• Harvesting: Snip leaves often to promote bushy growth; harvest early morning for best flavor and oils.
• Garden Tip: Successive sowing every few weeks keeps fresh greens on hand all summer!

Easy Ways to Enjoy Your Summer Soothers

• Herbal Iced Teas: Steep handfuls of mint, lemon balm, or basil in hot water, cool, and serve over ice with citrus slices.
• Cool Salads & Salsas: Toss chopped cilantro, basil, and mint with cucumber, tomatoes, and lime.
• Flavored Water: Add fresh leaves to water bottles or pitchers for all-day hydration.
• Calm & Cool Smoothies: Blend mint, cucumber, and lemon balm into smoothies for a chill-out treat.
• Chill-Out Compress: Brew a strong tea of cooling herbs, chill, and use as a face or neck compress on sweltering days.

Did You Know?

Mint and shiso have been used for centuries in traditional cultures to beat the summer heat and cool overheated digestion!