Summer Herbal Medicine Chest

Posted by clnews _Featured_, Farming, Healing Thursday, July 5th, 2012

by Andrew Pacholyk, MS, L.Ac.
Om Times

The start of the summer season is a good reminder to restock your herbal medicine chest and prepare for the wonderful season ahead.

Summer. The high season of greatest Yang and activity is complemented by the hot fun-filled days at the beach and warm, delightful nights enjoyed outdoors. As we tend to overdue in summer..too much sun, working out and physical activities; below you can find some of the best herbs for headaches, burns, and skin problems. Also herbs for strengthening the respiratory tract, maintain sinus passages, support for healthy circulation and herbs to sooth the discomfort of sore joints and muscles.

flowering basil

Basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) – The Leaves; frequently, the entire herb (all aerial parts) are harvested. Best arvesting season is before flowering. Basil leaves should always be used fresh, as they lose most of their flavor within a few weeks after drying or as an essential oil. The essential oil (less than 1%) is of complex and variable composition. Within the species, several different chemical races exist, and furthermore climate, soil and time of harvest influence not only the amount but also the composition of the essential oil. The most important aroma components are 1,8 cineol, linalool, citral, methyl chavicol (estragole), eugenol and methyl cinnamate, although not necessarily in this order; in fact, hardly any basil contains all of these compounds in significant amounts.

Chamomile – German (Matricaria recutita), Roman (Chamaemelum nobile) – an herb of the sun, Chamomile’s bright yellow flowers bring power and light to your space and rituals. Chamomile’s medicinal properties range from skin inflammations to lightening hair to treating digestive problems. As a mild sedative, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial, it improves digestion by relaxing the muscles throughout the gastrointestinal system and it can induce an overall sense of calm and well-being.