Sunshine herbs

I’ve been a little off the radar recently. Initially I had lost my inspiration to write, but as winter went on, it became almost as much due to a sense of guilt from not having written earlier.

I know I can’t be the only one but this must be the first winter that I haven’t been able to fully enjoy. Quite frequently I’ve caught myself wishing for some sunshine or even just a little blue sky. For a person who loves the grey in-between days, this has felt very strange indeed. But at last I think I finally understand the need for “sunshine herbs”. At least enough that i’m definitely going to be whipping up a bottle of liquid sunshine when summer comes round again.

• Hypericum perforatum (St. John’s Wort)
  I think this will come to all of our minds quite quickly when considering herbs that really encapsulate summer. In part this may be due to it’s renown for supporting with some forms of depression. However, SJW traditionally is traditionally harvested on Midsummer’s day, right at the height of the season. Besides this, those beautiful vibrant yellow flowers, scream of the summer months (spoiler: there will likely be a very yellow theme when you consider your own summer herbs).
  SAFETY: There are a number of contraindications against using St. John’s Worst so do consult a qualified herbalist before choosing to add it to your mix.
• Calendula officinalis (Calendula/Pot Marigold)
  Another vibrant herb, oozing “warmth” and thought of sunshine. This is one of my favourite herbs and actually the one I really wanted to grow in my teens but never did because my mum hates all marigolds with such a vengeance I really do wonder what they could have done to her. This is definitely one herb you can really see the difference in quality between home grown and harvested versus shop bought so if you have the time/space/inclination this year, if only to grow one herb, this is the herb I vote for.
  The many beneficial actions of calendula are too vast for this short post but i’ll round it up by saying there aren’t too many people I can imagine would regret ever adding more alendula into their lives.
  SAFETY: Those with any known allergies to members of the Asteraceae family (i.e. Chamomile) should avoid calendula.
• Solidago spp. (Goldenrod)
  Though I haven’t had the pleasure, I have it on good authority that this is yet another herb, whose superiority can really be tasted in self-harvested over purchased. Solidago is most frequently with me in the summer months, in the form of a daily infusion which seems to be the only thing that soothes my allergies. It not only screams of summer, but is an ally I really can’t imagine being without, so makes sense that I would turn back to it in the winter months.
• Taraxacum officinale (Dandelion)
  So often overlooked by those not in the know, the humble dandelion is a true powerhouse of goodness. From it’s roots, to it’s leaves, right up to the flower. Each part of this common little “weed” can support your body in a multitude of ways, as well as being highly nutritious.
• Foeniculim vulgare (Fennel seed)
  I only recently realised quite ow divisive fennel can be. I love it and always have but it turns out some strange humans can’t abide the sweet yummyness of fennel. I have to admit, my urge to use fennel here, is in part just due to that sweet uplifting smell and flavour.
• Sambuccus nigra (Elder)
  Elderflower – one of my dearest friends in winter when the nose starts to bung up and the throat scratches. So many turn to the elderberry, and with good reason, but if you have a cold or flu, that little elderflower is sweet release before bed when combined with Achillea millefolium (yarrow) and Nepeta cataria (catnip) or Piperita x mentha (peppermint). Even in it’s cordial form, elderflower can brighten a dreary winter’s day.
• Ocimum basilicum (Basil)
  Basil is one of my all-time favourite herbs for flavour. It takes me to dinner time in sunny Italy, the comfort of friends and family around you, a light breeze. And so I had to include it in this list that otherwise looks like a Pantone chart for yellows.
• Monarda spp. (Bee balm)
  The incredible aromatic Monarda with its citrusy scent couldn’t be left off this list. If you have it growing in your garden, you probably know what I mean. This is a herb whose scent will stir up memories of beautiful summers day even if you try really hard not to think of them. Beyond this, it’s traditional use or coughs, colds and flu make it dual purpose at least, if you choose to add it to your own summer blend.

Sunshine herbs, for those who haven’t heard of them, are a number of herbs frequently harvested in the summer months and saved for use in drearier days. There are probably countless herbs you could harvest for this purpose. The following lists those on my mind but I urge you to carefully select your own favourites to work with, based on your own constitution and needs.

With each addition to the list I am thinking of more and more possibilities so let’s call it a day right here. This summer why not get out into your own wilds and consider the herbs that not only feel right in the moment, but which may bring a little of that moment forward into the future months too.