5 Cooling Herbs to Soothe Summer Stress

Summer, with its rising temperatures, often brings increased demands on our schedules, greater sun exposure, and a heightened sense of internal heat. This can lead to a unique kind of stress, manifesting as physical inflammation or emotional overwhelm, that calls for balance and nourishment. A gentle, ancient, and highly effective way to maintain equilibrium during these warmer months is to incorporate cooling herbs.

Cooling herbs have long been used in herbal medicine and traditional wellness practices to calm the body’s internal fire, support the nervous system, and offer hydration and relief—especially in the heat of summer. Whether you're feeling the effects of burnout, struggling with irritability, or simply looking for a more grounded way to flow through the season, nature has an answer.

Here are a few of our favorite herbs to beat the heat—mind, body, and soul.

1. Lemon Balm: The Nervous System’s Summer Ally

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a beloved member of the mint family known for its bright, citrusy aroma and powerful calming properties. It’s a nervine, meaning it supports the nervous system, helping reduce anxiety, restlessness, and sleeplessness—especially when summer overstimulation strikes.

How to use: Brew a cool infusion with fresh lemon balm and sip throughout the day. Or try it in tincture form before bed for a gentle wind-down.

Bonus tip: Lemon balm also has mild antiviral properties, making it a great companion for seasonal immunity.

2. Tulsi (Holy Basil): Balancer of Heat & Spirit

Often called the “Queen of Herbs” in Ayurveda, tulsi is adaptogenic, meaning it helps the body adapt to stress. It has a naturally cooling effect, particularly helpful for regulating cortisol (your stress hormone) and uplifting the mood when the heat has you feeling sluggish or irritable.

How to use: Tulsi tea is a refreshing daily ritual. You can also find it in herbal blends, tinctures, or infused honey.

Bonus tip: Combine tulsi with rose or hibiscus for a beautifully cooling herbal iced tea.

3. Peppermint: The Ultimate Cool-Down Herb

Peppermint is a classic summer herb with a long history of being used to refresh, energize, and cool the body. Its high menthol content makes it physically cooling and mentally revitalizing, helping to relieve tension headaches, digestion issues, and even skin irritation.

How to use: Brew as a strong tea and pour over ice. Or add a few drops of peppermint hydrosol to a facial mist for a mid-day refresher.

Bonus tip: A peppermint foot soak is a dreamy way to release internal heat and calm a hot mind.

4. Hibiscus: Hydration & Heart Health in One

This vibrant crimson flower is more than just pretty—it’s packed with antioxidants, supports healthy blood pressure, and offers a refreshing tartness that cools from the inside out. Hibiscus is naturally hydrating and has been used in cultures around the world to quench summer thirst and soothe inflammation.

How to use: Brew a hibiscus sun tea or cold infusion and keep it chilled for a post-sun ritual. Add mint or lime for extra refreshment.

Bonus tip: Freeze hibiscus tea in ice cube trays with edible flowers for a beautiful and functional way to chill your summer drinks.

5. Chamomile: For When You’re Running Hot Emotionally

Chamomile isn’t just a sleep-time staple. It’s also incredibly cooling for the liver and digestion, and it’s wonderful for calming summer-induced irritability, tension, and overheating—especially in little ones or those who run “hot” constitutionally.

How to use: Enjoy as a gentle iced tea or incorporate the dried flowers into DIY facial steams or compresses for sunburn relief.

Bonus tip: Chamomile tea bags can double as soothing eye compresses after long, sunny days.

Gentle Reminders for Summer Herbal Support

• Choose organic herbs when possible for purity and potency.
• Listen to your body. Some herbs are better suited to certain constitutions—if you're unsure, consult a clinical herbalist or holistic practitioner.
• Use consistency over intensity. Herbal medicine is a slow build, not a quick fix.

Final Thoughts: Cooling from the Inside Out

Wellness in summer isn’t about pushing through or powering up—it’s about softening, listening, and aligning with the season’s natural rhythm. These herbs help you do just that. They invite you to honor your body’s cues, reconnect with the earth, and create space for calm in the heat of life.