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season: early-summer
section: teas and remedies
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- peppermint and spearmint iced tea. brew strong, cool, pour over ice. the heat demands it.
- bee balm tea, from the red flowers. antiseptic, good for sore throats. the taste is wild thyme.
- lavender tea, a few flower heads steeped. eases headaches and the tension the heat brings.
- aloe vera gel, straight from the plant, for sunburn. keep a pot by the door.
- basil tea, surprisingly good. anti-inflammatory and cooling despite the warm flavor.
- a shrub: fruit vinegar with honey and cold water. raspberry or blackberry. the old way to stay cool.

summer remedies are about staying cool, staying hydrated, and treating the small injuries the garden gives you. sunburn, bug bites, sore muscles.