Living in California, I am well-acquainted with the seemingly endless stream of smoke and anxiety that fire season brings. And for this reason, I’m also well-acquainted with using herbs for fire season.
In this season of heightened uncertainty, knowing how to tend to my body with herbs allows me to not only care for my physical health but also my mental health — it gives me a sense of purpose and stability amidst the uncertainty.
There are three main ways I like to work with herbs for fire season:
- Hydrating and nourishing tissues, which can get irritated and dried out from the smoke
- Soothing my nervous system
- Gently supporting my body’s detoxification pathways
And here are 5 of my go-to herbal remedies for fire season…
Marshmallow Cold Infusion
Marshmallow root is rich with mucilaginous polysaccharides, which form a nourishing slime that coats and hydrates sensitive mucosal tissues. This mucilaginous root can also relieve a dry, smoke-induced cough. If there’s smoke in the air, you can bet I’m sipping on a glass of marshmallow tea throughout the day.
Get the recipe for Marshmallow Cold Infusion
Roasted Dandelion Root Tea
Dandelion root supports healthy liver function. The liver plays a large role in processing toxins. So supporting the liver allows the body to more efficiently handle any toxins in wildfire smoke — which is why dandelion is one of my favorite herbs for fire season.
Get the recipe for Roasted Dandelion Root Tea
Chamomile Syrup
Feeling anxious? Too stressed to sleep or eat? Chamomile soothes the digestive system and nervous system and promotes restful sleep. The honey in this syrup also soothes dry, irritated tissues in the mouth and throat. This is a tasty remedy for adults and kids alike.
Get the recipe for Chamomile Syrup
St. John’s Wort Oil
Have you tried massaging your whole body with an herb-infused oil? Oiling your body can relieve muscle tension and relax your nervous system — this is especially true for St. John’s wort infused oil, which has an affinity for the nervous system. Plus, topical oil applications can act as a barrier against potentially harmful smoke particles in the air.
Get the recipe for St. John’s Wort Oil
Grapefruit Bitters
The stress of fire season can have a huge impact on digestive health. Under stress you may experience loss of appetite, constipation, or loose stools. Bitter herbs can help regulate your digestion so that you can get the nourishment you especially need during this stressful time.
Get the recipe for Grapefruit Bitters
However you care for yourself, I wish you safety and wellness during this season and beyond.
Now I’d love to hear from you…
What are your go-to herbs for fire season?
Let me know in the comments below.
Looks yummy and healthy! I’d like to try it! Thank you!
Good old time fixes.
Thank you for sending this us. I plan on passing this along to my sister. She is currently living in Westwood CA and had to evacuate due to the Dixie. She recently lost her home in the Camp fire.
Absolutely. And I’m so sorry to hear that she lost her home and is now having to evacuate. Wishing your family all the best!
It seems that anymore we’re always suffering from smoke during the summer. These seem like a great selection of aids to get us through these difficult times. Thank you.
Yes, it’s so important to have extra support from the plants as we navigate these difficult times. I hope these remedies help!
great t eas