Cooling Herbs for a Hot Summer: Beat the Heat with TCM’s Natural Wisdom
- ST Herbs
- Jun 20
- 2 min read
Summer should be all sunshine and smoothies—but for many, it brings heat rashes, fatigue, irritability, and restless sleep. If you’ve ever felt drained and sticky even in the shade, your body may be holding onto more than just sweat—it could be internal heat.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has a secret: cooling herbs and foods that naturally help your body stay calm, refreshed, and balanced all summer long.
☀️ Why We Feel So “Hot” in Summer, According to TCM
In TCM, summer is ruled by Yang energy—expansive, hot, and active. While this is a season of vitality, it can also lead to excess internal heat, which shows up as:
Feeling overheated or flushed easily
Irritability or anxiety
Trouble sleeping
Mouth ulcers, acne, or rashes
Sticky sweat or body odor
Thirst and dry mouth
The solution? Balance the heat with cooling herbs and foods that gently release heat and nourish your body.
🌿 Top TCM Cooling Herbs to Try This Summer
1. Chrysanthemum (Ju Hua / 菊花)
☕ Drink as tea
Clears heat from the eyes and head
Great for tired, dry, or red eyes after screen time or heat exposure
Light and floral in flavor
2. Mint (Bo He / 薄荷)
🌬️ Soothing and uplifting
Disperses heat from the surface of the body
Helps relieve headaches and irritability
Makes a perfect iced tea on hot days
3. Lotus Leaf (He Ye / 荷叶)
🍃 Natural fat-buster and heat reliever
Clears summer heat and supports digestion
Often used in herbal teas for reducing bloating and calming the stomach
4. Mung Beans (Lu Dou / 绿豆)
🥣 Cook as a soup or porridge
Clears heat and detoxifies
Perfect for hot, humid days with fatigue or irritability
Safe for the whole family
5. Watermelon Rind (Xi Gua Pi / 西瓜皮)
🍉 Yes, the rind!
In TCM, the white part of the watermelon is a powerful heat-clearing food
Can be boiled into soup or dried for tea
Gently hydrates and cools from the inside out
🧊 Pro Tips for Staying Cool with TCM
✅ Drink your herbal teas at room temperature or slightly warm (avoid icy drinks which can harm digestion)
✅ Balance spicy, greasy foods with cooling greens like cucumber, mung bean sprouts, and celery
✅ Rest during the hottest part of the day (11am–1pm, the “Heart” time in TCM)
✅ Try acupuncture or herbal consults for persistent heat symptoms like insomnia or rashes
🌼 TCM: A Gentle Way to Stay Balanced All Summer
Unlike drastic measures like freezing drinks or blasting air conditioning, TCM helps your internal thermostat adapt to the season naturally. It’s about harmonizing with nature, not fighting it.
Whether you’re lounging by the lake or navigating a sweaty commute, cooling herbs offer an easy, natural way to feel light, fresh, and balanced.
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