The Best Body Cooling Herbs for Hot Summer Days
Stay Cool Naturally: The Best Herbs for Beating Summer Heat
When temperatures start climbing, cooling herbs can be one of the easiest and most refreshing ways to help your body stay comfortable. From soothing herbal teas to fresh garden additions, these natural plants have been used for generations to support the body’s ability to cool down during hot weather.
Have you ever noticed that some foods and drinks seem to leave you feeling more energized and comfortable on a sweltering summer day, while others make you feel sluggish and overheated? Many traditional healing systems have long recognized that certain herbs possess naturally cooling properties that can help balance the effects of summer heat.
If you’re just getting into the world of herbalism and looking for an easy way to learn everything you need to know, I highly recommend using Herbal Academy to learn how to build an herbal medicine cabinet. These courses are online, self-paced, and packed with recipes, tutorials, and more.
When you’re ready to learn more about cooling herbs, this guide is here to help. I’ll share some of the best cooling herbs to grow, brew, and enjoy throughout the hottest months of the year.
Whether you’re tending a backyard herb garden, searching for natural wellness solutions, or simply looking for a delicious way to stay cool, you’ll discover plenty of refreshing herbs that can help you beat the heat naturally.
1. Peppermint
Peppermint is one of the most popular cooling herbs, and for good reason. This herb contains menthol, a natural compound that creates a cooling sensation when you eat or drink it.
Even though peppermint doesn’t actually lower your body temperature, it can make you feel noticeably more refreshed on a hot summer day. That’s one reason why peppermint tea is enjoyed around the world during warm weather.
Related: The Best Medicinal Herbs to Grow in Your Garden
I love adding fresh peppermint leaves to water pitchers, homemade lemonade, and iced herbal teas for an instant burst of flavor. If you grow peppermint in your garden, you’ll quickly discover that it’s easy to maintain and produces plenty of leaves throughout the growing season.
Whether you enjoy it hot or iced, peppermint is a simple and delicious way to stay comfortable when the summer heat starts to feel overwhelming.
2. Spearmint
Spearmint offers many of the same refreshing qualities as peppermint, but with a milder and slightly sweeter flavor. If you find peppermint a bit too intense, spearmint may become your new favorite summer herb.
Its cooling properties make it a popular choice for teas, infused waters, fruit salads, and refreshing summer beverages.
One of the things I enjoy most about spearmint is its versatility. A handful of fresh leaves can transform a plain glass of water into something that feels special and revitalizing. Spearmint also pairs beautifully with fruits like watermelon, strawberries, and citrus, making it a wonderful addition to summer recipes.
Since the flavor is gentler than peppermint, it’s often a great choice for children and anyone who prefers a more subtle mint taste while still enjoying the refreshing benefits of cooling herbs.
3. Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a fragrant member of the mint family that combines gentle cooling properties with a bright, lemony aroma. On hot summer afternoons, a glass of iced lemon balm tea can feel incredibly refreshing.
The herb has been traditionally used to promote relaxation and calmness, making it especially appealing when summer heat leaves you feeling tired, irritable, or uncomfortable.
Related: The Best and Easiest Herbs to Grow Indoors (And Which Ones You Never Should!)
Growing lemon balm is relatively easy, and the plant thrives in many home gardens. Fresh leaves can be steeped into tea, added to infused water, or even used to flavor desserts and fruit dishes.
I particularly enjoy mixing lemon balm with mint for a cooling herbal tea blend that tastes as refreshing as it feels. If you’re looking for a cooling herb that offers both flavor and a sense of calm, lemon balm deserves a place in your summer herb garden.
4. Chamomile
Many people think of chamomile as a bedtime tea that can help you naturally fall asleep, but it can also be a wonderful herb to enjoy during the summer months. It’s often used to help promote relaxation and overall comfort during periods of heat and stress.
While chamomile tea is commonly served warm, it also makes a delicious iced beverage. Simply brew a strong batch, chill it in the refrigerator, and serve it over ice for a refreshing summer drink.
The herb’s naturally mild, floral flavor pairs well with honey, lemon, and fresh fruit. If summer heat tends to leave you feeling frazzled or restless, sipping on a glass of iced chamomile tea can be a simple way to slow down and enjoy a moment of calm while staying refreshed.
5. Hibiscus
If you’re searching for one of the most refreshing cooling herbs, hibiscus is hard to beat. Known for its vibrant ruby-red color and tart, cranberry-like flavor, hibiscus makes an exceptionally refreshing iced tea during the hottest days of the year.
In many tropical and warm-weather regions, hibiscus beverages have long been enjoyed as a way to stay refreshed in the heat.
Beyond its beautiful appearance, hibiscus is packed with antioxidants and creates a naturally flavorful drink without the need for artificial ingredients. I love combining hibiscus with mint, lemon balm, or citrus fruits to create colorful summer beverages that are both delicious and refreshing.
Whether you’re serving it at a backyard gathering or simply enjoying a glass on the porch, hibiscus is a fantastic herb for bringing a cooling touch to your summer routine.
6. Fennel
Fennel is a versatile herb that has been used for centuries in traditional herbal practices. While many people are familiar with the bulb and seeds, the feathery green leaves can also be enjoyed in a variety of cooling summer recipes.
Fennel has a mild licorice-like flavor that adds a refreshing twist to salads, herbal teas, and infused waters.
One reason fennel is often associated with cooling is its long history of use during hot weather in various cultures. A chilled fennel tea can be especially refreshing on a warm afternoon, while fresh fennel leaves make a flavorful garnish for summer dishes.
You can also add fennel to cucumber salads and homemade herbal blends for an extra layer of freshness. If you’re looking to expand beyond traditional mint-based cooling herbs, fennel offers a unique flavor profile that’s worth exploring.
7. Cilantro
Cilantro is often thought of as a culinary herb, but it has also earned a reputation as a cooling herb in many traditional healing systems. Its bright, fresh flavor makes it a popular ingredient in summer dishes, especially when temperatures begin to rise.
From fresh salsas to salads and grain bowls, cilantro can add both flavor and a refreshing element to your meals.
One of the easiest ways to enjoy cilantro during the summer is by incorporating it into fresh recipes that require little or no cooking. You can add generous handfuls to homemade salsa, cucumber salads, and wraps for an instant burst of freshness.
Cilantro also pairs wonderfully with lime, making it a natural addition to cooling summer beverages and dressings. If you’re looking for an herb that can help freshen up your meals while supporting a lighter summer menu, cilantro is a fantastic choice.
8. Dill
Dill is another herb that shines during the summer months. Known for its delicate feathery leaves and slightly tangy flavor, dill is frequently used in refreshing seasonal recipes.
Its bright taste pairs beautifully with cucumbers, yogurt-based sauces, seafood dishes, and fresh vegetables, making it a staple ingredient in many warm-weather kitchens.
I especially enjoy using dill in homemade cucumber salads and chilled dips during the hottest part of the year. The herb’s fresh flavor can make even simple dishes feel lighter and more refreshing.
Dill can also be brewed into an herbal tea or combined with other cooling herbs for a unique herbal blend. Whether you’re harvesting it from your garden or picking up a fresh bunch at the farmers market, dill is an easy way to bring a cooling touch to your summer meals.
9. Holy Basil (Tulsi)
Holy basil, often called tulsi, is a treasured herb in traditional wellness practices. Unlike culinary basil, tulsi has a more complex flavor that combines herbal, slightly spicy, and mildly sweet notes.
Although it may seem surprising that a warming-tasting herb is often included among cooling herbs, many traditional systems view tulsi as a balancing herb that can help the body adapt to environmental stressors, including summer heat.
Tulsi tea is one of the most popular ways to enjoy this herb. While it’s often consumed warm, it can also be served chilled over ice for a refreshing summer drink.
You can blend tulsi with lemon balm or mint to create flavorful herbal teas that feel both calming and revitalizing. If you’re interested in exploring herbs with a long history of traditional use, holy basil is a fascinating addition to your summer herbal collection.
10. Gotu Kola
Gotu kola may not be as well known as peppermint or chamomile, but it has been valued in traditional herbal practices for centuries. This leafy herb is often associated with cooling properties and is commonly used in herbal beverages throughout parts of Asia.
Its mild, slightly earthy flavor makes it easy to combine with other herbs in teas and refreshing summer drinks.
In some regions, gotu kola is blended into juices, smoothies, and herbal tonics designed to help people feel refreshed during hot weather. While the flavor is more subtle than many popular herbs, it pairs well with citrus, mint, and cucumber
Gotu kola offers a nice change of pace when you want to experiment with less familiar cooling herbs. If you’re looking to broaden your herbal repertoire beyond the usual garden favorites, gotu kola is an interesting herb to explore.
11. Borage
Borage is a beautiful garden herb that’s easy to recognize thanks to its vibrant blue, star-shaped flowers. While it’s often grown as an ornamental plant and pollinator favorite, borage has also been used traditionally as a cooling herb.
Both the leaves and flowers are edible, although the flowers are most commonly used in summer beverages and recipes because of their mild cucumber-like flavor.
One great way to enjoy borage is by adding the flowers to pitchers of water, lemonade, or iced herbal tea. The blooms float beautifully and instantly make any drink feel a little more special. Borage flowers can also be sprinkled over salads for a colorful summer garnish.
If you’re looking for a cooling herb that’s as attractive as it is useful, borage is a wonderful addition to both your garden and your warm-weather menu.
12. Lemon Verbena
Lemon verbena is one of the most fragrant herbs you can grow in your garden. Its leaves release a bright, citrusy aroma that instantly feels refreshing, making it a popular choice for summer herbal teas and infused beverages.
The herb has long been enjoyed as a cooling addition to warm-weather routines thanks to its light flavor and invigorating scent.
Related: Plants That Can Naturally Help Repel Mosquitoes
Iced lemon verbena tea is an especially nice treat during the hottest months of the year. The tea has a clean, lemony taste without the acidity of actual lemons, making it incredibly easy to sip throughout the day.
Lemon verbena also pairs beautifully with mint, chamomile, and lemon balm in homemade herbal blends. If you’re searching for a cooling herb that offers both incredible fragrance and refreshing flavor, lemon verbena is definitely worth growing.
13. Catnip
Most people think of catnip as a treat for their feline friends, but this member of the mint family has also been used traditionally as an herbal tea for humans.
Catnip has a mild, slightly minty flavor and is often included among herbs that are considered cooling and calming. During the summer months, it can be a pleasant addition to your herbal tea collection.
A chilled cup of catnip tea can be particularly refreshing after spending time outdoors on a hot day. Since catnip belongs to the mint family, it shares some of the gentle refreshing qualities that make mint herbs so popular during warm weather.
Consider blending catnip with lemon balm or chamomile to create a soothing iced tea that feels both cooling and relaxing. If you’ve never considered growing catnip for your own herbal use, summer is a great time to give it a try.
14. Rose Petals
Rose petals aren’t just beautiful. They’ve also been used for centuries in teas, culinary creations, and traditional herbal preparations.
Many herbalists consider roses to have naturally cooling properties, making them a lovely addition to summer beverages and desserts. Their delicate floral flavor adds a touch of elegance while helping create refreshing seasonal treats.
One of the easiest ways to enjoy rose petals is by steeping them into tea and serving the tea chilled over ice. Rose petals can also be added to infused water, homemade syrups, fruit salads, and even frozen ice cubes for a beautiful presentation.
Combining rose petals with hibiscus and mint makes a colorful herbal blend that feels perfect for hot afternoons. If you’re looking for a cooling herb that’s both practical and beautiful, rose petals are a wonderful choice.
15. Lavender
Lavender is best known for its calming fragrance, but it can also be a delightful cooling herb to incorporate into your summer routine. Its floral flavor works surprisingly well in beverages, desserts, and herbal teas, especially when paired with citrus flavors.
Many people find lavender particularly refreshing during stressful or uncomfortable periods of hot weather.
A little lavender goes a long way, which is why it’s a good idea to use just a small amount when making iced herbal tea or homemade lemonade. The herb blends beautifully with lemon verbena, chamomile, and rose petals to create elegant summer drinks.
Beyond beverages, lavender can also be added to baked goods and simple syrups for a unique seasonal flavor. If you’re looking for a cooling herb that brings both fragrance and flavor to your summer recipes, lavender is an excellent addition to your herb garden.
Refreshing Summer Cooling Herbal Tea Recipe
This bright, refreshing herbal tea combines several cooling herbs into one delicious drink that’s perfect for hot summer afternoons. Serve it over ice for the ultimate warm-weather refresher.
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dried hibiscus flowers
- 1 tablespoon dried lemon balm
- 1 tablespoon dried peppermint leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried chamomile flowers
- 4 cups water
- 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
- 1 lemon, sliced
- Ice cubes
- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions
- Bring the water to a boil in a medium saucepan.
- Remove the pan from the heat and add the hibiscus, lemon balm, peppermint, and chamomile.
- Cover and allow the herbs to steep for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Strain the tea into a heat-safe pitcher and compost the herbs.
- Stir in honey or maple syrup if desired.
- Allow the tea to cool to room temperature, then refrigerate until chilled.
- Fill glasses with ice and pour the tea over the top.
- Add lemon slices and fresh mint sprigs for extra flavor and presentation.
This tea is perfect for sipping on the porch, serving at summer gatherings, or keeping in the refrigerator for a naturally refreshing way to beat the heat.
Stay Refreshed All Summer Long with Cooling Herbs
When the summer sun is blazing, cooling herbs offer a simple and natural way to add a little extra refreshment to your day. Plus, one of the best things about cooling herbs is how easy they are to incorporate into your daily routine.
Many can be grown right in your backyard, harvested from a container garden, or picked up fresh at your local farmers market. With so many flavors, aromas, and uses to choose from, there’s no shortage of ways to experiment and find your favorites.
As temperatures continue to rise, consider adding a few of these refreshing herbs to your summer menu. You may discover that a simple cup of herbal tea, a handful of fresh herbs, or a pitcher of infused water is exactly what you need to stay cool, hydrated, and comfortable all season long.
