The Herbal Abundance of June: A Deep Dive into Summer’s Healing Plants
Hey friends,
There’s something truly special about the first days of June. Gardens are bursting with life, the air is rich with the scent of green things growing, and everywhere you look, nature is offering up her medicine chest. For me, June is the month when herbal abundance really comes alive—when we can gather, taste, blend, and learn from the plants that have been quietly working their magic since spring.
Whether you’re a longtime herbalist or just dipping your toes into natural wellness, this is the perfect time to expand your herbal knowledge, try new remedies, and deepen your connection to the earth. In this blog, we’ll explore a wide range of herbs—culinary, medicinal, wild, and cultivated—plus practical tips for growing, harvesting, and using them in your daily life.
So grab a cup of tea, settle in, and let’s celebrate the herbal abundance of June together!
Table of Contents
Why June Is the Herbalist’s Dream Month
Getting to Know Your Herbs: A Deep Dive into 20+ Healing Plants
Practical Ways to Use Herbs Every Day
Growing and Harvesting: Tips for Early Summer Abundance
Herbal History: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Wellness
Herbal Recipes & DIY Projects for June
Safety, Sourcing, and Sustainability
Community Connection: Sharing Stories & Learning Together
Reflection & Intention Setting for the Season
Resources & Further Reading
1. Why June Is the Herbalist’s Dream Month
June sits at the sweet spot between spring’s promise and summer’s fullness. Most perennial herbs are at their peak—lush, aromatic, and ready for harvest. Annuals are thriving, and wild plants are abundant in fields, parks, and even city corners.
Why is this so special?
Potency: Herbs harvested in early summer are often at their most vibrant and medicinally active.
Diversity: You’ll find everything from tender spring greens to robust summer blooms.
Community: This is the time for garden tours, foraging walks, and sharing the bounty with friends and neighbors.
2. Getting to Know Your Herbs: A Deep Dive into 20+ Healing Plants
Let’s explore a wide range of herbs you might find in your June garden, at the market, or in the wild. For each, you’ll get a bit of history, key uses, growing tips, and ways to incorporate them into your life.
1. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
History: Used since medieval times for mood and digestion.
Key Benefits: Calming, antiviral, great for sleep and anxious minds.
How to Use: Fresh tea, infused honey, skin salves, or chopped into fruit salads.
Growing Tip: Loves sun and moist soil, but will tolerate partial shade.
2. Peppermint (Mentha x piperita)
History: Ancient Greeks and Egyptians prized it for digestion.
Key Benefits: Cooling, relieves headaches, soothes nausea, uplifts mood.
How to Use: Iced tea, facial steams, foot soaks, or added to smoothies.
Growing Tip: Grows vigorously—best in pots to contain its spread.
3. Nettle (Urtica dioica)
History: A traditional spring tonic in Europe and North America.
Key Benefits: Nutritive, supports hair/skin/nails, anti-inflammatory, allergy relief.
How to Use: Steamed as a green, brewed as tea, or infused in vinegar.
Growing Tip: Wear gloves to harvest; rich, moist soil is best.
4. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
History: Used since Roman times for skin healing and as a dye.
Key Benefits: Skin healing, anti-inflammatory, lymphatic support.
How to Use: Salves, infused oils, teas, and edible flower petals for salads.
Growing Tip: Easy to grow from seed, blooms all summer if picked regularly.
5. Chamomile (Matricaria recutita)
History: An ancient remedy for sleep, digestion, and skin.
Key Benefits: Calming, supports digestion, eases tension.
How to Use: Tea, bath soaks, compresses for tired eyes.
Growing Tip: Prefers well-drained soil and full sun.
6. Holy Basil/Tulsi (Ocimum sanctum)
History: Sacred in India, used in Ayurvedic medicine for centuries.
Key Benefits: Adaptogen, supports stress resilience, boosts immunity.
How to Use: Tea, tincture, fresh in salads or smoothies.
Growing Tip: Loves warmth and rich soil; pinch flowers to prolong leaf harvest.
7. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
History: Symbol of calm and purity in Mediterranean cultures.
Key Benefits: Calming, sleep support, skin healing, gentle antimicrobial.
How to Use: Tea, aromatherapy, bath salts, infused honey or oil.
Growing Tip: Needs full sun, well-drained soil, and good air circulation.
8. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
History: Named for Achilles, who used it to heal wounds.
Key Benefits: Stops bleeding, supports digestion, relieves fevers.
How to Use: Fresh poultices, teas, tinctures.
Growing Tip: Tough and drought-tolerant, attracts pollinators.
9. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
History: Used for centuries as a spring tonic and liver cleanser.
Key Benefits: Supports liver, digestion, gentle diuretic, rich in minerals.
How to Use: Leaves in salads, roots roasted for tea, flowers for wine or fritters.
Growing Tip: Harvest from unsprayed areas; every part is edible.
10. Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
History: Traditional remedy for women’s health and soil fertility.
Key Benefits: Supports hormone balance, gentle detox, skin health.
How to Use: Tea, infused oil for skin, edible flowers in salads.
Growing Tip: Grows easily in meadows and lawns, fixes nitrogen.
11. Motherwort (Leonurus cardiaca)
History: Used since medieval times for women’s health and the heart.
Key Benefits: Calms nerves, eases menstrual discomfort, supports heart health.
How to Use: Tincture, tea (bitter!), or as a pollinator plant.
Growing Tip: Hardy perennial, self-seeds readily.
12. Milky Oats (Avena sativa)
History: A classic “nervine” for nourishing the nervous system.
Key Benefits: Restorative for stress, fatigue, burnout.
How to Use: Tincture of fresh milky oat tops, oatstraw tea.
Growing Tip: Grow like regular oats; harvest tops when seeds exude “milk.”
13. Sage (Salvia officinalis)
History: “Salvia” means “to save” in Latin; used for memory and longevity.
Key Benefits: Antimicrobial, supports digestion, soothes sore throats.
How to Use: Teas, gargles, culinary uses, infused honey.
Growing Tip: Prefers full sun, dry soil; prune regularly.
14. Thyme (Thymus vulgaris)
History: Greek word “thymos” means courage.
Key Benefits: Powerful antimicrobial, supports respiratory health, aids digestion.
How to Use: Teas, syrups, steams, culinary seasoning.
Growing Tip: Needs sun, well-drained soil, and regular harvesting.
15. Rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis)
History: Symbol of remembrance and fidelity.
Key Benefits: Improves memory, circulation, and mood.
How to Use: Tea, infused oil for hair, culinary uses.
Growing Tip: Needs sun, well-drained soil, and protection from harsh winters.
16. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
History: Sacred in many cultures, symbol of love and protection.
Key Benefits: Supports digestion, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant-rich.
How to Use: Fresh in salads, pestos, teas, or as a garnish.
Growing Tip: Pinch flowers to keep leaves coming; loves warmth.
17. Oregano (Origanum vulgare)
History: Ancient Greek “joy of the mountain.”
Key Benefits: Antimicrobial, immune support, digestive aid.
How to Use: Teas, tinctures, culinary seasoning, infused oil.
Growing Tip: Easy to grow, spreads quickly, loves sun.
18. Plantain (Plantago major/lanceolata)
History: “White man’s footprint”—followed settlers across continents.
Key Benefits: Skin healing, soothes bites/stings, supports digestion.
How to Use: Poultices, teas, infused oil for salves.
Growing Tip: Found in lawns and paths; harvest leaves young.
19. Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)
History: Used for lung and respiratory health since ancient times.
Key Benefits: Lung support, soothes coughs, anti-inflammatory.
How to Use: Tea, infused oil for earaches, dried leaves for herbal smoking blends.
Growing Tip: Tall biennial; soft, fuzzy leaves are distinctive.
20. Elder (Sambucus nigra/canadensis)
History: Sacred in European folklore, “medicine chest of the people.”
Key Benefits: Immune support, antiviral, soothes colds/flu.
How to Use: Syrup, tea, infused honey, edible flowers (elderflower fritters).
Growing Tip: Grows as a shrub or small tree; harvest flowers before berries form.
21. Burdock (Arctium lappa)
History: Used in traditional Chinese and Western herbalism for detox and skin.
Key Benefits: Liver support, blood purifier, skin health.
How to Use: Roots in stir-fries, teas, tinctures.
Growing Tip: Deep roots; harvest in fall of first year.
22. Dandelion (Taraxacum officinale)
History: Already covered above, but worth repeating—one of the most versatile wild herbs!
Key Benefits: See above.
How to Use: See above.
3. Practical Ways to Use Herbs Every Day
Herbs aren’t just for special occasions—they can be woven into every part of your daily routine. Here’s how:
Morning
Start your day with a cup of nettle or lemon balm tea for gentle energy.
Add fresh mint to your smoothie or water bottle.
Use a lavender-infused facial mist to wake up your skin.
Midday
Toss basil, parsley, or dill into salads, wraps, or grain bowls.
Sip iced herbal teas (try hibiscus, peppermint, or tulsi).
Snack on edible flowers (like nasturtium or calendula) for a nutrient boost.
Evening
Wind down with chamomile or passionflower tea.
Take a bath with a muslin bag of lavender, rose, and oats.
Use calendula or plantain salve on hands and feet.
Special Tips
Make herb-infused vinegars for salad dressings.
Create herbal syrups for immune support (elderberry, thyme, ginger).
Dry and store herbs for winter—hang bundles in a cool, dark place, then crumble and jar.
4. Growing and Harvesting: Tips for Early Summer Abundance
Planning Your Herb Garden
Start with the basics: Mint, basil, parsley, thyme, and lemon balm are easy and rewarding.
Grow in pots: Many herbs thrive in containers—great for patios or small spaces.
Companion planting: Herbs like basil, dill, and nasturtium deter pests and attract pollinators.
Harvesting Best Practices
Harvest in the morning, after dew dries but before the sun is hot.
Use sharp scissors or shears to avoid damaging plants.
Take no more than a third of the plant at a time to encourage regrowth.
Dry herbs quickly in a well-ventilated, shaded spot.
Preserving Your Harvest
Drying: Hang small bundles upside down or use a dehydrator.
Freezing: Chop herbs and freeze in olive oil in ice cube trays.
Infusing: Make herbal oils, vinegars, or honeys for year-round use.
5. Herbal History: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Wellness
Herbs have been used for thousands of years in every culture on earth. Ancient Egyptians used garlic and coriander; Greeks revered rosemary and thyme; Chinese medicine treasures ginseng and astragalus; Native Americans relied on echinacea, yarrow, and elder.
Why does this matter for us today?
Resilience: These plants have stood the test of time.
Connection: Using traditional herbs connects us to our ancestors and to the land.
Empowerment: Learning herbal wisdom puts your health back in your hands.
6. Herbal Recipes & DIY Projects for June
Herbal Sun Tea
Place a handful of fresh herbs (mint, lemon balm, chamomile, lavender) in a large glass jar. Fill with water, cover, and set in the sun for 2–4 hours. Strain and chill. Enjoy over ice with a slice of lemon!
Cooling Herbal Compress
Steep a strong tea of peppermint and chamomile. Soak a clean cloth in the tea, wring out, and lay over your forehead or neck on hot days.
Herbal Infused Honey
Fill a small jar with fresh thyme or lavender. Cover with local honey and let infuse for 2–4 weeks. Strain and use in teas, on toast, or for soothing sore throats.
Herbal Bath Salts
Mix 1 cup Epsom salts with ¼ cup dried lavender and rose petals. Add a few drops of essential oil if desired. Store in a jar and use a handful per bath.
Wild Green Pesto
Blend wild greens (dandelion, chickweed, nettle) with basil, garlic, olive oil, nuts/seeds, and lemon juice. Use on pasta, sandwiches, or veggies.
7. Safety, Sourcing, and Sustainability
Safety First
Always positively identify wild plants before using.
Start with small amounts; everyone’s body is different.
If you’re pregnant, nursing, or on medication, consult a professional.
Some herbs (like comfrey or licorice) are not for long-term use.
Sourcing
Grow your own or buy from reputable organic suppliers.
Support local farmers and herbalists when possible.
Avoid herbs from roadsides, polluted areas, or treated lawns.
Sustainability
Harvest ethically: never take more than you need, and leave plenty for pollinators and wildlife.
Learn about at-risk plants (like wild ginseng or goldenseal) and choose cultivated sources.
8. Community Connection: Sharing Stories & Learning Together
Herbalism thrives in community. Whether you’re swapping cuttings with a neighbor, attending a class, or sharing recipes online, you’re part of a living tradition.
Host a herb swap: Invite friends to bring seeds, cuttings, or dried herbs to share.
Join a class: In-person or online, learning together is powerful.
Share your journey: Tag us on Facebook or comment below with your favorite herb or recipe.
9. Reflection & Intention Setting for the Season
As you move into June, take a few minutes to reflect:
What do you want to grow—in your garden and in your life?
Which herbs are calling to you right now?
How can you bring more herbal wisdom into your daily routine?
Set one gentle intention for the season (for example: “I will make time for a cup of herbal tea each morning” or “I will learn one new herb this month”).
10. Resources & Further Reading
Books:
“Herbal Alchemy: Transforming Plants into Medicine” by Courtney Hay
“The Herbal Medicine-Maker’s Handbook” by James Green
“Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide”
“Braiding Sweetgrass” by Robin Wall Kimmerer
Websites:
Local Classes & Events:
Check our website for upcoming workshops, garden tours, and herb walks!
Conclusion: Savoring June’s Herbal Abundance
June is a gift—a time to gather, taste, and celebrate the healing power of plants. Whether you’re snipping mint for your water, blending a wild green pesto, or just sitting quietly in your garden, know that you’re part of a long, beautiful tradition.
Here’s to a month of learning, growing, and connecting—with each other, with the earth, and with the healing wisdom of herbs.
Stay rooted and keep blooming,
Courtney Hay
Holistic Homesteaders Healing & Wellness