Summertime Wellness Recipes – 3 Garden Herbs to Naturally Support Your Health & Hormones

Summer – the season when longer days invite us to spend more time outside, creating memories with friends and family and relishing in the beauty of nature. It’s a time when we fully embrace life and all its offerings.

As a woman, naturopathic doctor, and guide, I’m excited to share with you how Summer’s medicinal herbs can enrich our lives and support our health through their healing properties.

Throughout history, people have cherished herbs for their medicinal value. They provide us with many, natural ways to support our health.

• Unlike some pharmaceuticals that can be harsh, herbs often work gently, promoting balance and harmony in the body.
• Herbs enable us to embrace holistic healing, addressing not just the symptoms but the root causes as well.
• Herbs are incredibly versatile and can be incorporated into various forms, including teas, tinctures, oils, and culinary dishes.
• Embracing herbs in our daily lives fosters a deeper connection with nature.

In this blog post, we’ll learn about three medicinal garden herbs: Red Raspberry Leaf, Hibiscus, and Basil. We’ll explore their numerous health benefits and discover how to incorporate them into delightful summer recipes for a season of wellness.

The Healing Benefits of Red Raspberry Leaf, Hibiscus & Basil

Red Raspberry Leaf (Rubus idaeus)

Hidden among the vibrant summer colors, you’ll find the nutrient-dense and supportive, red raspberry (Rubus idaeus). While the delicious red berries steal the spotlight, the medicinal leaves are what is used as a soothing tea. Red raspberry leaf is especially important for women, easing menstrual discomfort and supporting pregnancy.1

• The high tannin content of raspberry leaves assists as an herbal astringent, which helps to tone and tighten tissue.2 
• This toning action explains why raspberry leaf is used to ease menstrual cramping, and why it’s often recommended by midwives during pregnancy for its supportive effect on uterine tissues.
• On top of all of these benefits, raspberry leaf is a treasure trove of essential nutrients. Packed with vitamins and minerals, it’s a simple way to boost your nutrient intake.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa)

More than just a beautiful flower, hibiscus is full of nutritional value. The delicate hibiscus flower offers more than just aesthetic appeal to your garden or vase. When added to your daily regimen, hibiscus offers a host of health benefits.3

• With its high levels of vitamin C, minerals, soluble fiber, and antioxidants, hibiscus tea is a potent health beverage. This medicinal herb may generously support the maintenance of cholesterol, blood pressure, liver, and digestive health.4
• Recent research5 indicates that hibiscus may possess properties that support pain relief and the relaxation of smooth muscles. This was further confirmed in a 2007 study where hibiscus extract relaxed the uterus and bladder in rats. These findings suggest that hibiscus could be a natural option for easing menstrual cramps.6

A daily cup of hibiscus tea may be your ticket to better health. This delicious drink, packed with beneficial nutrients, serves as a natural way to support your body’s overall well-being.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum

Summer wouldn’t be complete without Basil. This herb always captures my senses during the Summer season. The ancients christened it “basileus,” meaning “king” in Greek, and rightfully so.

Not only does basil enrich our summer meals with its vibrant flavor, but it also offers incredible health benefits. Did you know that basil is a rich source of flavonoids and essential oils that ease inflammation and can lift your mood?

• Basil is rich in anti-inflammatory properties, courtesy of compounds like eugenol.7 This makes it excellent in supporting various health conditions related to inflammation, from gastrointestinal disorders to arthritis.
• People use the aromatic qualities of basil to clarify, calm, and uplift their mood. And this lovely garden herb is also known to be a natural insect repellent.

All of these benefits make basil an excellent addition to your summer wellness toolkit.

Incorporating Herbs Into Delicious Summer Recipes

Now that we have explored these 3 health-boosting herbs, let’s bring them into our summer kitchen. Here are two of my favorite recipes that you will absolutely love: a refreshing Raspberry Leaf and Hibiscus Iced Tea and a delicious Basil Pesto.

Both recipes are simple to prepare, delightfully flavorful, and perfect for adding a wellness boost to your summer days.

Raspberry Leaf & Hibiscus Iced Tea Recipe for Women’s Health

The first recipe I want to share with you is the refreshing Raspberry Leaf and Hibiscus Iced Tea. It’s not just a summertime refreshment, but a delicious step towards vibrant health. Simple to make and delightful to sip, nourish your body while indulging your senses with this wellness brew.

Ingredients:

• 4 tablespoons of dried raspberry leaves
• 4 tablespoons of dried hibiscus flowers, calyx (or both)
• 8 cups of water
• 1 cup of fresh raspberries
• Ice cubes
• Mint leaves for garnish
• Fresh raspberries for garnish
• Honey or stevia to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large pot, bring water to a boil.
2. Once boiling, add the dried raspberry leaves and dried hibiscus.
3. Turn the heat off, cover the pot, and let simmer for 20 minutes.
4. After the tea has steeped for 20 minutes, strain the tea into a large pitcher, discard the used leaves and flowers.
5. Add honey or stevia to taste.
6. Let the tea cool to room temperature.
7. Before serving, muddle the fresh raspberries at the bottom of your glass. Fill the glasses with ice cubes.
8. Pour fresh tea over ice and muddled raspberries.
9. Garnish each glass with fresh raspberries and mint leaves.

Voila! Enjoy this healthy and refreshing raspberry leaf and hibiscus iced tea on a warm summer’s day.

Antioxidant-Rich Basil Pesto Recipe

This classic Italian sauce brings the goodness of basil to your kitchen in a delicious and healthy way. It’s versatile and can be used in pasta dishes, spread on sandwiches, or even as a dressing for your salads. Here’s a simple and delicious pesto recipe that serves two.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of fresh basil leaves
• 2 cloves of garlic
• 1/4 cup of pine nuts
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 cup of extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Start by washing the basil leaves and patting them dry.
2. Next, peel the garlic cloves and set them aside.
3. Take your pine nuts and toast them lightly in a small pan over low heat. This should take about 3-4 minutes. Be careful not to burn them. Once toasted, let them cool for a bit.
4. Add the basil leaves, garlic, pine nuts, and half of the grated Parmesan cheese to a food processor or blender.
5. Pulse until everything is chopped up. You’re aiming for a thick, textured paste.
6. While the food processor or blender is running, slowly add the extra-virgin olive oil. This will help everything combine nicely.
7. Once everything is well blended, add salt and black pepper to taste.
8. Finally, stir in the rest of the parmesan cheese. Your homemade pesto is ready to serve.

Enjoy the simple pleasures of creating something healthy in your own kitchen.

Let every taste and sip inspire you to nourish your body and satisfy your senses.

Enrich Your Life With Herbs

The journey toward wellness and vitality doesn’t require massive change. Often, it’s as simple as embracing the healing potential and innate wisdom of herbs and foods and incorporating them into your daily life. 

As we conclude our herbal survey, I encourage you to choose one or two herbs to incorporate into your daily routine. Allow them to nourish and replenish you.

Let this summer not just be a season of warmth, but also a season of wellness. Bask in the sunshine, relish the longer days, and let your health bloom with the season!

Every woman’s wellness journey is as unique as she is. As a naturopathic doctor specializing in women’s hormone health, I am here to guide you, helping you make informed choices that will nourish and revitalize your body.

Would you like to learn more about how powerful herbs and other natural remedies can support your health and wellness goals? Schedule a consultation with me today.

Together, we can explore the wonders of nature’s pharmacy and create a personalized healing plan that caters to your unique needs and lifestyle. I look forward to supporting you on your healing journey.