Cool Off This Summer with These Refrigerant Herbs
- Jennifer D'Oliveira
- Apr 1
- 3 min read
There’s something about summer that feels so alive… the longer days, the warmth on your skin, the way everything seems to slow down just a little.
But if you’ve ever spent a summer in Arizona, you know it’s not always just sunshine and ease. Sometimes it feels like your body is working overtime just to keep up… you’re more tired, a little irritable, maybe even feeling dried out or overheated in ways that go deeper than just the weather.
This is usually the time of year when I start reaching for my cooling herbs.
In herbalism, we call them refrigerant herbs… plants that help cool the body, soothe internal heat, and gently bring things back into balance. I find myself turning to them after being out in the sun, when my energy feels off, or honestly, just as a daily ritual to stay supported through the season.
They’re simple, but they make such a difference.
So I wanted to share a few of my favorite summer cooling refrigerant herbs with you… the ones I come back to again and again when the heat starts to feel like a little too much.
Cooling Refrigerant Herbs
🌺 Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Hibiscus is one of the most beloved refrigerant herbs - and for good reason. Its vibrant ruby color mirrors its ability to cool and nourish the blood.
Energetics: Cooling, slightly sour
Actions: Refrigerant, diuretic, antioxidant
Benefits:
Helps reduce body heat and quench thirst
Supports healthy blood pressure
Rich in vitamin C for summer immune support
How to use:
Brew as a strong tea and chill over ice. Combine with mint for an extra cooling effect
🌿 Peppermint (Mentha × piperita)
Peppermint brings an instant sensation of coolness, both physically and energetically.
Energetics: Cooling, pungent
Actions: Carminative, refrigerant, circulatory stimulant
Benefits:
Cools the body and clears heat from the head
Supports digestion (perfect for summer meals)
Refreshes and uplifts mood
How to use:
Enjoy iced peppermint tea or add fresh leaves to water for a simple cooling infusion.
🌼 Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
Chamomile isn’t just for sleep - it’s also a gentle cooling anti-inflammatory herb.
Energetics: Slightly cooling, calming
Actions: Anti-inflammatory, nervine, digestive
Benefits:
Soothes heat-related irritation (skin, gut, nervous system)
Supports relaxation during long, hot days
Great for children and sensitive individuals
How to use:
Drink warm or iced, or use as a skin rinse for sun-kissed skin.
🌹 Rose (Rosa spp.)
Rose is a heart-opening, hydrating herb that brings both emotional and physical cooling.
Energetics: Cooling, moistening
Actions: Nervine, astringent, refrigerant
Benefits:
Helps cool inflammation and heat in the body
Hydrates tissues and supports skin (beauty from within)
Eases emotional heat like irritability or frustration
How to use:
Add to tea blends, infuse in water, or sip as a gentle rose tea.
🍋 Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Lemon balm is like a soft breeze on a hot day - cooling, uplifting, and calming.
Energetics: Cooling, slightly drying
Actions: Nervine, antiviral, digestive
Benefits:
Relieves heat-related tension and stress
Supports digestion and nervous system balance
Gently lifts mood without overstimulation
How to use:
Brew fresh or dried into a light tea, or combine with hibiscus and rose.
🌿 Fennel (Foeniculum vulgare)
Fennel is especially helpful when heat builds in the digestive system.
Energetics: Cooling, slightly sweet
Actions: Carminative, digestive, refrigerant
Benefits:
Reduces bloating and digestive heat
Supports hydration and gentle detoxification
Mildly sweet and soothing
How to use:
Lightly crush seeds and steep into tea - delicious warm or chilled.
Best Practices for Using Cooling Herbs
Working with refrigerant herbs is about more than just temperature - it’s about supporting your body’s internal balance.
Tips for summer herbal support:
🌿 Drink iced herbal infusions throughout the day
💧 Focus on hydrating herbs like hibiscus and rose
🫖 Use sun teas (with proper safety and fresh herbs)
🌸 Combine herbs for synergistic cooling blends
🧘♀️ Pair with rest, shade, and mindful pacing
🌺 A Simple Cooling Summer Tea Blend
Desert Bloom Summer Cooling Tea
1 part hibiscus
1 part peppermint
½ part rose petals
½ part lemon balm
Instructions:
Steep 1–2 tablespoons in hot water for 10–15 minutes. Chill and serve over ice. Add a touch of honey if desired.
Inviting in the Medicine
Cooling herbs remind us to slow down, soften, and listen to the rhythms of the season. They don’t just quench thirst - they nourish the heart, calm the mind, and bring us back into balance with nature’s heat.
This summer, let your tea be your medicine.
Let it be your ritual.
Let it be your pause.
With Warmth and Love,
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