Summer herbs to feel your best in the pnw
Summer is a time of such beauty and warmth. You can finally shed the layers of winter and feel the sun on your skin. The body, mind, and spirit often take comfort and relaxation in the easeful warmth of the summer months. It’s also a time of bountiful plant life - the peak season for most plants in regard to growth and flowering.
The most accessible and likely best herbs to utilize are the ones local to the region you are living in.
I am a west coast native, so I’ll be talking about some of my favorite herbs to forage and grow in this region.
Summer is an excellent time to gather and utilize fresh herbs as well as dry them or make salves or tincture for the colder months when picking fresh is not available.
Let’s jump in!
Stinging Nettles (Urtica dioica)
Nettles are rich in vitamins and minerals and support hair, skin, and nails. As you may assume by the name, it does have tiny hairs (called trichomes) on the leaves that sting when touched - some people say it helps with arthritis, some wear gloves - to each their own. The energy of nettles is nourishing, grounding, and protective.
Rose (Rosa acicularis)
There are many types of rose and many with medicinal properties. This specific variety is the wild rose that grows on the west coast. Roses are high in vitamin c, provide anti-inflammatory properties, and work with the heart chakra. There energy is soft, loving, and pure.
Field Mint (Mentha arvensis)
Mint is similar to rose in that there are many varieties and many of them are medicinal. Field mint is native to the pnw and thrives in high water environments. It helps cool the body, mind, and spirit and supports in digestive health. There energy is vibrant, cooling, and peaceful.
Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus)
Raspberry leaf is high in vitamins and minerals, supports skin health, feminine balance, and healthy hair. This a plant to grow in the home garden. The energy of raspberry leaf is soft, strong, and potent.
Milky Oat Tops (Avena sativa)
Milky oat tops come from a perennial grass that has naturalized on the west coast. There is a short window in summer when they are ready for harvest, usually in late June/early July. Milky oat tops are a nervine which means they help to nourish and restore the nervous system. This is an especially supportive herb for people who feel run down, burnt out, or feel they are depleted physically and/or emotionally. The energy of this herb is gentle, restorative, and compassionate.
Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
This herb has been long prized for its ability to aid in wound healing. It’s commonly used in herbal salves for cuts and scrapes. It is anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory as well. This is an herb you find in home gardens. The energy of calendula is uplifting, soothing, and regenerative.
These are just a few of my favorite herbs to gather in summertime. There are many more that you can harvest regionally and even more that you can grow at home for both medicinal and culinary purposes.
I hope these herbs enrich your summer experience and help you to stay cool and uplifted in these warmer months.
