Cooling Herbs for Summer in Cyprus: Herbal Teas, Ayurveda & Natural Ways to Stay Cool
Summer in Cyprus can feel intense. Long sunny days, dry heat, warm evenings, and high temperatures often leave the body feeling overheated, dehydrated, and drained. Thankfully, nature offers beautiful ways to cool the body gently through herbs, teas, and seasonal foods.
At Cyherbia Botanical Park, we grow many of our own herbs organically in our themed herb gardens, where visitors can explore the scents, textures, and traditional uses of Mediterranean and Cypriot plants. Many of these herbs are naturally cooling and can help support the body during the hot summer months.
Whether enjoyed as hot herbal infusions, refreshing iced teas, or used in cooking, cooling herbs can become an essential part of summer wellness.
Cooling Herbs Traditionally Used in Cyprus
Lemon Verbena
Lemon verbena is one of the most refreshing herbs for summer. With its uplifting citrus aroma and naturally cooling properties, it is often enjoyed both hot and iced.
It supports digestion, relaxation, and helps refresh the body during warm weather. Its bright lemony flavour also makes it perfect for herbal tea blends.
One of our favourite combinations:
These pairings create beautifully aromatic summer teas that feel calming, floral, and deeply refreshing.
Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is another gentle cooling herb traditionally used to calm the nervous system and reduce feelings of heat, stress, and restlessness.
During the hotter months, many people experience irritability, poor sleep, headaches, or nervous exhaustion from the heat. Lemon balm offers a soothing effect both mentally and physically.
It makes a delicious iced tea when combined with mint or verbena.
Mint
Mint is perhaps one of the most well-known cooling herbs worldwide. In Cyprus, mint is used in teas, foods, salads, and refreshing summer drinks.
Mint creates an immediate cooling sensation and is excellent during periods of intense heat. It also supports digestion, especially after heavy summer meals.
Fresh mint leaves added to iced herbal tea instantly make the drink more vibrant and refreshing.
Lavender
Lavender is often associated with relaxation, but it also has subtle cooling qualities, especially when used during periods of heat-related stress or tension.
Lavender pairs beautifully with lemon verbena in herbal teas, creating a floral and citrus balance that feels calming and luxurious.
At Cyherbia Botanical Park, lavender blooms throughout June and early July, filling the gardens with scent and colour during our annual Lavender Festival.
Hibiscus
Hibiscus creates one of the most refreshing iced herbal teas for summer. Its deep ruby colour and tangy flavour naturally encourage hydration and cooling.
Favourite summer pairings include:
These blends create vibrant herbal drinks rich in flavour and perfect for warm afternoons.
Other Cooling Cypriot Herbs
Other herbs traditionally enjoyed during the Cypriot summer include:
Many Mediterranean herbs help support digestion and circulation while gently helping the body cope with heat.
How to Make Refreshing Iced Herbal Tea
One of the easiest and healthiest summer rituals is preparing homemade iced herbal tea.
Simple Iced Herbal Tea Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 litre hot water
- 2 tablespoons dried herbs
- Honey or natural sweetener (optional)
- Ice cubes
- Fresh lemon slices
- Fresh mint leaves
Suggested Herbal Blends
- Lemon Verbena + Rose Petals
- Lemon Verbena + Lavender
- Hibiscus + Rose Petals
- Hibiscus + Rosehip Shells
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil.
- Add your chosen herbs to a teapot or heatproof jar.
- Pour hot water over the herbs and allow to steep for 10–15 minutes.
- Strain the herbs.
- Allow the tea to cool naturally.
- Refrigerate for several hours.
- Serve over ice with fresh mint and lemon slices.
This creates a naturally caffeine-free summer drink that is both beautiful and refreshing.
Cooling Herbs in Cooking
Cooling herbs are not only beneficial in teas — many can also be incorporated into food during the hotter months.
Coriander
In Ayurveda, coriander is considered one of the best cooling culinary herbs.
Fresh coriander leaves help cool excess heat in the body and are especially beneficial during summer. Coriander seeds are also traditionally used in herbal infusions for heat and digestion.
Adding coriander to salads, dips, summer rice dishes, or herbal dressings can help balance the body’s internal heat naturally.
Other cooling cooking herbs include:
- Mint
- Dill
- Parsley
- Fennel
- Basil (fresh)
Ayurveda & Cooling Herbs During Summer
In Ayurveda, the ancient holistic healing system of India, every person has a dominant body constitution, known as a dosha.
The three doshas are:
- Vata
- Pitta
- Kapha
Pitta Types & Summer Heat
Pitta types tend to run naturally hot and are most affected during summer.
Signs of excess Pitta may include:
- Feeling overheated easily
- Irritability
- Redness or inflammation
- Acid reflux
- Heat headaches
- Excess sweating
- Skin sensitivity
For Pitta types especially, cooling herbs become extremely important during hot weather.
The best herbs for Pitta during summer include:
- Lemon balm
- Mint
- Hibiscus
- Rose
- Lavender
- Coriander
- Fennel
- Lemon verbena
Cooling foods, hydration, avoiding excessive spicy foods, and spending time in nature also help balance excess heat.
Experience Herbal Living at Cyherbia Botanical Park
At Cyherbia Botanical Park, visitors can walk through our herb gardens, discover the traditional uses of Mediterranean plants, and enjoy herbal experiences connected to nature and wellness.
At Botanicus Bistro, we serve herbal teas, refreshing drinks, and seasonal dishes inspired by the herbs grown in our gardens.
From cooling herbal infusions to lavender lemonade enjoyed under the shade of trees, summer at Cyherbia is all about reconnecting with nature through scent, flavour, and slow living.
If you visit Cyprus during the warmer months, make time to experience the refreshing side of herbal living — one cup of iced herbal tea at a time.