When the thermometer starts to register in the 80s and 90s, my mind takes up residence in the shade of my patio, situated near the grill and not too far from the drinks’ cooler. For foodies like the folks in my family, backyard cookouts mean long lazy days brushing a perfect protein with a tangy sauce over a slow fire. It means tossing together colorful, herby appetizers and barbecue side dishes, imbibing in a newly invented icy drink, and whipping up a batch of homemade ice cream to go with pie. Other than a loose plan of when we want to eat, we let the day guide itself. We just sink into the mindful, soul nurturing process of preparing a meal to eat outside. I think of this time as some of the very best summer medicine.

With the dog days of summer stretching out before us, it’s time to think more seriously about hydration. Every organ, tissue, and cell in our bodies requires water—it is essential for us to keep a steady temperature, to lubricate our joints, to eliminate waste, etc. Because we lose water through sweating, digesting, and even breathing, it’s important to regularly rehydrate, particularly when it gets hot and we’re doing more physical activity outside. And while you’re responsibly drinking plenty of fluids to rehydrate your internal organs, tissues, and cells, don’t forget about the largest organ in your body: your skin. Now is the perfect time to whip up a super-hydrating, cooling body butter!

Who doesn’t love a frosty, foamy root beer on a hot day? From drive in burger joints to movie theaters, root beer is the classic American drink. However, the corporate world has turned root beer into a cheap artificial drink full of high fructose corn syrup and other artificial flavors. Real homemade root beer is full of healthful and flavorful herbs.

Most herbalists will tell you that they became interested in herbs because they had some condition that they wanted to find a better way to address. For me, it was more about learning to be in charge of my emotions. It’s not that they were out of control, but I studied psychology in college, and this interest has never left me. Strong emotions can be uncomfortable and do considerable damage to various bodily systems.

When sharing treats with my family and friends, I love to hide herbs and spices that they may not know about or know how to use. Adding fun twists to classic preparations is an exciting pastime of mine. One classic dessert that I find to be endlessly entertaining is fluffy, creamy whipped cream. Not only is the flavor of fresh whipped topping better than store-bought, but you can infuse flavors to tailor it to whatever you are serving it with. And if that isn’t enough to make you want to make your own, it’s a much more ecofriendly alternative, as it does not come in a single-use container.

“Soap and water and common sense are the best disinfectants.” So said Sir William Osler (one of the founders of the renowned John Hopkins Hospital). Today, of course we know he was exactly right; the act of scrubbing our hands for 20 seconds with soap and water is proven to prevent the spread of germs: protecting us, our loved ones, and the other citizens in our communities. But we also know that one of the side effects of using so much soap or hand sanitizer is that it can be drying to the skin. Fortunately, our herbal allies give us ways to create an effective hand and body soap that is also incredibly hydrating, because obviously we want to be safe while keeping our skin happy and supple.

While in the dog days of summer, it’s important to consider the comfort of our beloved furry friends. My St. Bernard did a great job at reminding me of this fact. Wanting to give my spoiled boy anything that made him happy, I decided to try ready-made puppy ice cream that I found at the grocery store. But between the hefty price tag and knowing it wasn’t the most healthful option to cool him down, it wasn’t a sustainable option for my household. I knew I could make frozen dog treats that were just as refreshing, and which also contained ingredients that would support my dog’s overall wellbeing.

The twelve organ systems of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) connect with their western biomedical counterparts, but aren’t limited to western understandings of locations or functions. In TCM, each organ system includes not only the organ’s location, but also primary meridian lines, collateral lines, sinew channels, and more. The Five Elements of Chinese medicine—Water, Wood, Fire, Earth, and Metal—and their associated seasonal changes correlate with these organ systems.

Eventually, we all need to roll out of bed. Whether you are naturally a get-up-and-go type person, or you’re the sort who needs a cup a coffee to start functioning, invigorating essential oils are a simple way to jumpstart your morning routine. Some of our favorite scents for getting going include citrus oils for their sweet and sunshiny top notes, evergreen oils for their grounding aromas, and bright oils for their stimulating and motivating qualities. With endless possible combinations, it’s easy to create a custom blend to kick-start your morning with aromatic goodness (we’ve included some of our own favorite morning oil blends to get you started!).

I’m always striving to tweak and experiment with the food I consume. Whether that means attempting a new cuisine, trying seemingly odd and new (to me) ingredients, experimenting with herbs and spices, or delving further into the world of fermentation, the culinary arts are an endless source of inspiration, fun, and creativity.

Spring and summer are especially packed with physical activities—gardening, hiking, cycling, etc. With so much action, it’s important to support your body in its everyday functions. You’re probably wondering why a blog post about ice cream is starting out this way. Well, it’s the ingredients in this recipe that make it as helpful as it is tasty. Turmeric has been touted for its ability to support healthy joint mobility.*