Illustration by Kathy McCabe and OpenAI
As summer draws to a close, our skin may bear the marks of the season: sun exposure, dryness from heat, or irritation from outdoor activities. Fortunately, the Mid-Atlantic region is home to a wealth of medicinal plants that are in full bloom or ready for harvest as summer winds down. These herbs are not only readily available but also perfect for soothing and revitalizing the skin as we transition into cooler months.
This article will explore some of the best herbs to incorporate into your end of summer skincare routine, a simple recipe for an herbal skin soothing balm, and resources to help you learn more about harvesting and using herbs in this region.
Key Herbs for End of Summer Skin Care
1. Calendula (Calendula officinalis)
Calendula, known for its bright orange or yellow flowers, is renowned for its anti-inflammatory and skin-healing properties. It helps soothe dry, irritated, or sunburned skin and promotes faster healing of minor cuts and wounds. It’s perfect for a soothing balm or lotion to restore summer-stressed skin.
Harvest tip: Pick calendula flowers in the morning when the petals are dry but before the full heat of the day. Dry them for future use or use fresh in oil infusions.
2. Plantain (Plantago major)
Commonly considered a weed, plantain has powerful healing properties for the skin. It is anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and excellent for treating bug bites, minor cuts, rashes, or sunburns. Plantain is easily found in lawns, meadows, and even garden edges in the Mid-Atlantic.
Harvest tip: Pick the broad, green leaves throughout the growing season, as they can be used fresh or dried for later use.
3. Yarrow (Achillea millefolium)
Yarrow is another herb abundant in the Mid-Atlantic during late summer. It has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and astringent properties, making it ideal for cleaning wounds, soothing irritated skin, and promoting skin health.
Harvest tip: Harvest the aerial parts of yarrow, particularly the flowers and leaves, during sunny mornings.
4. Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
Lavender, commonly grown in home gardens, is perfect for calming irritated skin and reducing redness. Its soothing scent also makes it an excellent addition to any skincare recipe. Late summer is a prime time to harvest lavender, as its flowering spikes are typically full.
Harvest tip: Harvest lavender flowers when about half the buds are open to capture the peak potency of their oils.
5. Chickweed (Stellaria media)
Chickweed is an often overlooked but highly useful plant for skin care, and one of my all time favorites for external and internal health. It helps with dry, itchy skin and can calm rashes and minor irritations. Chickweed is plentiful in moist, shady areas and is easy to identify by its small white flowers and creeping growth habit.
Harvest tip: Gather chickweed in the morning while it’s still fresh and vibrant. Use it fresh for the best potency, as drying can reduce its effectiveness.
Simple Herbal Skin Soothing Balm Recipe
This end-of-summer herbal balm is perfect for soothing sunburns, insect bites, minor scrapes, and dry skin. It uses calendula, plantain, and lavender, but you can adjust it based on the herbs you have available.
Ingredients:
1 cup dried calendula flowers
1/2 cup dried plantain leaves
½ cup dried chickweed
1/4 cup dried lavender flowers
1 cup olive oil (or sweet almond oil)
1/4 cup beeswax (or candelilla wax for a vegan option)
510 drops of lavender essential oil (optional)
Instructions:
1. Make the Herbal Oil Infusion:
Place the calendula, plantain, and lavender in a clean glass jar.
Pour olive oil over the herbs until they are fully submerged.
Cover the jar with a lid and place it in a sunny window for 23 weeks, shaking it daily.
Alternatively, you can speed up the process by gently heating the oil and herbs in a double boiler for 23 hours on low heat.
2. Strain the Oil:
Once infused, strain the herbs from the oil using a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Discard the plant material and keep the oil.
3. Make the Balm:
In a heatproof bowl, melt the beeswax over low heat using a double boiler or similar setup.
Once melted, slowly stir in the herbal oil until fully combined.
Remove from heat and, if desired, add the lavender essential oil for additional skin-soothing benefits.
Pour the balm into small, clean jars or tins and let it cool completely before capping.
To use:
Before using, test a small amount of the salve to check for reaction. If you have no reaction, then apply a small amount of balm to sunburned, irritated, or dry skin for relief. It can also be used on bug bites, minor cuts, or scrapes.
Resources for Harvesting and Using Herbs in the MidAtlantic
1. Books:
“The Herbal Apothecary: 100 Medicinal Herbs and How to Use Them” by JJ Pursell – A great resource for learning about medicinal herbs and their uses.
“Planting the Future: Saving Our Medicinal Herbs” by Rosemary Gladstar and Pamela Hirsch – A guide to sustainable harvesting and cultivation of medicinal herbs, with a focus on the Eastern U.S.
2. Online Resources:
United Plant Savers – An excellent resource for information about native medicinal plants and their conservation in the Mid-Atlantic and beyond.
Chestnut School of Herbal Medicine – Offers free herbal articles and online courses, perfect for learning how to incorporate herbal remedies into daily life.
Mountain Rose Herbs for high quality herbs
3. Local Foraging Groups:
Look for foraging or herbal study groups in your area, as many offer plant walks or workshops focused on identifying and using local medicinal herbs. These groups often have events or guided forays through parks and natural spaces to help you learn firsthand.
The Mid-Atlantic region offers a variety of medicinal plants, especially at the end of summer, that can be harvested and used to create soothing, healing skincare products. By using herbs like calendula, plantain, lavender, and yarrow, you can make your own herbal balm to nourish and protect your skin as we transition into fall. Happy harvesting!
This guide encourages a simple, natural approach to skincare using what’s growing in your backyard. By making your own herbal preparations, you can tap into the ancient wisdom of plants and enjoy a holistic approach to self-care.
Kathy McCabe with OpenAI
Kathy is an herbalist/naturopathic practitioner who is constantly researching to expand her knowledge. She came to herbalism after her migraine medicine was suddenly removed from the market and she had to find something new. After discovering the magic of herbs she’s never looked back. She is accredited by the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM) and is an Associate Member of the American Herbalist Guild.
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