What if the summer solstice is not just about celebrating the light, but learning how to truly receive it?

This solo episode, Elliott Brinkley explores herbs for the summer solstice, including St. John’s Wort, Mugwort, Lavender, Rose, Elderflower, and the sun-faced plants of the Asteraceae family.

Through seasonal herbalism, plant folklore, and practical medicine, this episode looks at how midsummer herbs help us connect with solar energy, protection, pleasure, boundaries, intuition, and the slow return toward darkness.

This is an invitation to gather the medicine of the season and ask: what light do you want to carry forward?

In this episode:

• The meaning of the summer solstice as a celebration of light and a turning point in the year 
• Why St. John’s Wort is one of the great herbs of midsummer
• How St. John’s Wort teaches us about hope, protection, sunlight, mood, and letting the light in
• The folklore and meaning behind Hypericum perforatum
• Why St. John’s wort is best used fresh, and what to know about medication interactions
• How sunflowers, calendula, chamomile, yarrow, dandelion, and other Asteraceae plants reflect community, radiance, and shared abundance
• Lavender, Rose and Elderflower and their connection to summer solstice
• Mugwort as an herb for balancing summer solstice by honoring the darkness within the light
• Simple ways to work with summer solstice herbs through oils, teas, flower essences, sun teas, rose water, smoke bundles, and seasonal ritual
• A reflection on what light you are ready to gather, embody, and carry into the darker half of the year

Links & Resources: 

• Herbal Allies for Summer Wellness (free e-book) when you sign up for our newsletter here: https://dancingwillowherbs.com/
• Summertime Herbal Collection of Dancing Willow Herbs products
• Herbal Allies for Summer Wellness Podcast Episode from last year!
• Fresh Plant St. John's Wort Tincture
• St. John's Wort Plus Tincture
• Fresh Plant St. John's Wort Oil
• Fresh Plant St. John's Wort Liniment
• Rooted Heart Elixir
• Mesa Verde Lavender 
• Our episode with Katie of Mesa Verde Lavender

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Website: www.dancingwillowherbs.com
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