It may feel worse this weekend, but the truth is that the Israeli summer poses unique challenges throughout: Heavy heat, high humidity, changes in sleep patterns, and stress on the digestive system. Many experience during this period bloating, a sense of heaviness or lack of appetite, irritability or fatigue, and above all a general feeling of exhaustion.
Traditional herbal medicine, combined with modern scientific knowledge, offers a variety of natural solutions that can help the body adapt to the challenges of summer. With medicinal herbs and healing mushrooms, it is possible to support, ease, balance, cool, and restore a sense of vitality and stability to the body, even in the most challenging season of the year.
Mint and Chamomile – Cooling and Relaxation
Mint (Mentha piperita) or peppermint, is one of the classic summer herbs.
The essential oil menthol gives it its characteristic refreshing and cooling sensation, but beyond that, it is a plant with beneficial effects on the digestive system. It relieves gas, calms spasms and feelings of heaviness, and is especially suitable after heavy meals or foods that weigh on the stomach. Cold mint tea is not only a refreshing and pleasant drink but also supports digestion and body temperature regulation.
Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
Calms the mind and stomach, reduces inflammation, aids digestion and absorption, and eases various digestive issues such as gas, motion sickness, stomachaches, or restlessness in the digestive system. Thanks to its gentleness, it is suitable for children and adults for long-term use.
White Micromeria (Micromeria fruticosa)
An aromatic plant from Israeli nature, with a refreshing scent and a slightly bitter taste, combining qualities that calm both the digestive system and the mind. The plant helps relieve symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and stomachaches and is also suitable for cases of sensitive digestion or “nervous stomach.” In addition, Micromeria has mild antibacterial properties that help maintain balance in the digestive system.
Fennel seeds (Foeniculum vulgare)
The seeds have a sweet-aromatic taste with a refreshing scent and are known as a traditional, gentle, and effective digestive plant. In folk medicine as well as in current research, they are attributed with gas-relieving, antispasmodic, and disinfecting effects on the digestive system. Their active compounds contribute to smooth bowel movement, reduce bloating and pain, and have even shown antibacterial activity against bacteria such as Helicobacter pylori. Thanks to their high safety profile, fennel is also suitable for infants and children. In India, for example, fennel seeds are traditionally chewed at the end of a meal – to soothe the stomach and refresh the breath.
Support for Emotions, Sleep, and Nervous System Regulation
When it comes to summer, it is not only the heavy heat that challenges us but also the fatigue and stress that accumulate. Many of us struggle to sleep well, feel irritable, or emotionally unbalanced.
Here are some adaptogenic plants (plants that help the body cope better with stress and tension) and healing mushrooms that help balance the nervous and immune systems, calm the mind, and improve sleep quality:
Cordyceps mushroom (Cordyceps sinensis)
Considered an adaptogen, it contributes to general support and improved vitality, strengthens the immune system, and helps cope with prolonged stress, fatigue, and exhaustion. It has been found to help improve oxygen absorption in the body and increase physical endurance, making it ideal for the hot Israeli summer.
Reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum)
Considered one of the most important medicinal mushrooms in traditional medicine. Adaptogenic, supports physical and emotional resilience, calms the nervous system, promotes good sleep, and balances the immune system. In summer, it helps deal with exhaustion, emotional overload, and heat, restoring a sense of inner stability.
Natural Relaxation and Pleasant Sleep
Ashwagandha root (Withania somnifera)
A central adaptogen in Ayurvedic medicine, strengthens and balances body and mind. Supports the function of the nervous, adrenal, and digestive systems, helps cope with fatigue, stress, anxiety, and sleep disorders, and increases vitality and resilience – even in challenging times.
Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Balances mood, restlessness, and anxiety. Calming, improves sleep quality.
Linden (Tilia europaea)
With its delicate blossoms, brings softness and peace. Its calming effect on the nervous system helps reduce stress, irritability, and insomnia.
Passionflower leaves (Passiflora incarnata)
Known for their calming properties that promote good sleep, reduce stress, and relax muscles. The plant is especially suitable for treating anxiety, irritability, and sensitive stomach, contributing to improved sleep quality and easing daytime fatigue. Passionflower is a natural and gentle solution for emotional balance, especially in hot and demanding seasons like summer.
In conclusion, the Israeli summer can become a period of vitality and well-being when we know how to listen to the body and support it in natural ways. With the right plants – from cooling mint through calming fennel to strengthening medicinal mushrooms – it is possible to support, ease, balance, and restore a sense of vitality and stability to the body, even in the most challenging season of the year. When we connect to nature and its healing powers, we not only relieve symptoms but also strengthen our overall resilience.
Carmit Berlin is a clinical herbalist at Bara Herbs