Herbs for Fire Season: 5 Herbal Remedies

Living in California, I am well-acquainted with the seemingly endless stream of smoke and anxiety that fire season brings. And for this reason, I’m also well-acquainted with using herbs for fire season.

In this season of heightened uncertainty, knowing how to tend to my body with herbs allows me to not only care for my physical health but also my mental health — it gives me a sense of purpose and stability amidst the uncertainty.

There are three main ways I like to work with herbs for fire season:

• Hydrating and nourishing tissues, which can get irritated and dried out from the smoke
• Soothing my nervous system
• Gently supporting my body’s detoxification pathways

And here are 5 of my go-to herbal remedies for fire season…

Marshmallow Cold Infusion

Marshmallow root is rich with mucilaginous polysaccharides, which form a nourishing slime that coats and hydrates sensitive mucosal tissues. This mucilaginous root can also relieve a dry, smoke-induced cough. If there’s smoke in the air, you can bet I’m sipping on a glass of marshmallow tea throughout the day.

Get the recipe for Marshmallow Cold Infusion

Roasted Dandelion Root Tea

Dandelion root supports healthy liver function. The liver plays a large role in processing toxins. So supporting the liver allows the body to more efficiently handle any toxins in wildfire smoke — which is why dandelion is one of my favorite herbs for fire season.

Get the recipe for Roasted Dandelion Root Tea

Chamomile Syrup

Feeling anxious? Too stressed to sleep or eat? Chamomile soothes the digestive system and nervous system and promotes restful sleep. The honey in this syrup also soothes dry, irritated tissues in the mouth and throat. This is a tasty remedy for adults and kids alike.

Get the recipe for Chamomile Syrup

St. John’s Wort Oil

Have you tried massaging your whole body with an herb-infused oil? Oiling your body can relieve muscle tension and relax your nervous system — this is especially true for St. John’s wort infused oil, which has an affinity for the nervous system. Plus, topical oil applications can act as a barrier against potentially harmful smoke particles in the air.

Get the recipe for St. John’s Wort Oil

Grapefruit Bitters

The stress of fire season can have a huge impact on digestive health. Under stress you may experience loss of appetite, constipation, or loose stools. Bitter herbs can help regulate your digestion so that you can get the nourishment you especially need during this stressful time.

Get the recipe for Grapefruit Bitters

However you care for yourself, I wish you safety and wellness during this season and beyond.

Written by Tara Ruth

Tara Ruth is an herbalist and the Communications Director at LearningHerbs. She graduated from the California School of Herbal Studies’ Community Herbalist Program and is a total herb nerd. Tara is passionate about teaching folks how to become confident home herbalists. In her free time, you can find Tara hiking in the forest and waving to all the plants along the way.