It’s no secret that plants can improve your quality of life- that’s why I’ve spent the better part of 20 years cultivating my practice as a folk herbalist and plant witch and sharing what I’ve learned in community with others. I’ve noticed the way my relationship with plants has changed and shifted as both my lifestyle and location has too- in 2019 I experienced my first summer living in the desert, and six summers later, I’m still learning more and crafting ways to bring medicine making & taking and deep hydration together.
Admittedly, I’ve never been very good at staying hydrated, and I’m still not. For a lot of us, we forget to bring our water bottles where we go, don’t drink a glass of water before a meal, or crave salty or sweet snakes when actually water is what we really need. As long and ardeous as living through a desert summer can be, it has taught me so much about what my body needs. In regular 100+ degree afternoons, your body won’t let you skip out on water without quickly rebounding with headaches, fatigue, exhaustion or more life threatening consequences.
Herbal Infusions in Tough Times
In 2020, not only were we experiencing the beginning of a global pandemic, but also the Mojave desert was hit with one of the hottest and driest summers on record. What a time to be an herbalist! Business was booming as folks national wide were now exploring options to maintain good immunity and respiratory health, and rates of anxiety and sleeplessness soared. For those of us making and distributing the medicines, we too had the obligation to take care of ourselves so that we can be better more efficient space holders and healers despite grappling with our own anxieties and fears.
During that time I got back into a practice of daily infusions- infusions are a potent way to get the benefits from plant medicine- steeping about 1 tablespoon of an herb (generally aerial parts, flower or leaf) per 16 oz of water overnight. A common herb to use regularly are nettles, for their amazing mineral content and anti-inflammatory, respiratory, adrenal and anti-histamine supporting properties. This time around, I needed something with more support for my nervous system, but which wouldn’t make me feel so sedated- so I went with a blend of Tulsi and Hawthorn Flower. Both of these herbs have a naturally sweet flavor and are supportive to the heart, nervous system and adrenal glands. I semi-jokingly called it “it’s not ok but I somehow feel ok” tea blend.
You can drink your infusions unsweetened over ice, add honey, or other sweeteners. I’m a big fan of adding lemonade for an herbal Arnold Palmer. I’m a big fan of sweeteners, and practicing harm reduction and destigmitizing sweetening our drinks. As long as you don’t have a chronic blood sugar issue and aren’t regularly consuming lots of sweet treats, sweetening your tea is a pleasant way to enjoy the beverage- and in my practice as an herbalist I’ve found that making things taste good is the best way to help folks start regular when consuming their medicine.
Herbal Glycerites
Vegetable glycerin is generally a derivative of palm or coconut, and while it does contain more calories than alcohol for an herbal extraction, glycerin is a safe way to enjoy sweeteness without spiking the blood sugar. Glycerin is thicker than alcohol, but making a tincture in glycerin (or half and half glycerin and alcohol) can make an herbal syrup which can be used for herbal mocktails and summer drinks.
Unlike honeys or vinegars, glycerin has a shelf life of 2 or more years. Some herbs that make great herbal syrups for summertime beverages are lemon balm, rose, rosemary, and lemon verbena- all can help you feel good and relaxed without ending up too sedated.
Herbal Vinegars
For me- 2024 has become the year of the vinegar. Moving through tough times- personal and collective grief of a world raged by climate collapse and US imperialism, I find that the feelings that generally, day to day, are not safe or appropriate to express can become lodged in my heart space. This leads to bitterness and resentment, an overall feeling of burn out- what’s coming next for us collectively, and for me individually, in this world? So I’ve reminded myself to practice the same self care I encourage others to do- which lead me to making herbal vinegars.
Since opening the shop, I hadn’t been making so many herbal vinegars to sell or share with others- mostly because while they are highly effective, they are an acquired taste, and their shelf life is much shorter than that of an alcohol or glycerin based tincture. My goal as a folk herbalist is not only to provide high quality medicine to those familiar with herbalism, but to make herbalism and remedies accessible and exciting to folks who aren’t as educated. Most people are not so excited about the thought of taking a shot of apple cider vinegar straight- but what about adding it to a beverage!
In early spring, I took the beautiful dandelion leaves we sourced directly from a small farm, and I infused them in raw apple cider vinegar- straining and bottling a few weeks later. Instead of putting what I wouldn’t take for myself up on the shelves- I gifted them to a couple of friends who were struggling with their health. Dandelion vinegar is one of my favorites- it detoxifies the liver and kidneys, supports the digestive system and clear the skin. After a week or so of taking dandelion vinegar regularly, I always feel a renewed sense of energy- and I start to crave it every day.
My favorite way to take an herbal vinegar, is to use it in a summer mocktail! My favorite is half a cup of sparkling lime water, half a cup of ginger beer, and a table spoon of herbal vinegar.
A few things we’d recommend for the shop for your Summer Mocktails
Bedtime Bitters- honey and brandy infused with bitter herbs make this great for resting and digesting.
Rose Light - a pure rose glycerite! completely non-alcoholic.
C U Later Dysphoria - an herbal syrup for queer and trans folks, helping you feel good in your body!
Desert Summer Cool Down Tea - a tea blend meant to be prepared as a cold brew, rich in vitamin c, helping you cool down when it’s hot out! perfect for an herbal arnold palmer!