Festivals can be transformative and healing experiences, but they can also be very demanding on the body and mind.
Bright flashing lights, loud music, lots of dancing and social interaction can wear down the nervous system. Common examples of festival conditions that can be harsh on the body are prolonged exposure to sun, excessive heat, and breathing in dust. For these reasons, self-care and mutual-care is absolutely vital for harm reduction and to make the most out of your festival experience. Choosing the right herbal allies can help support you on your festival journey, even if you don’t experience any specific ailments. An herbal first aid kit is a healthy, holistic, and natural way to deal with festival maladies.
While there is a huge array of helpful herbal remedies, below is a list of 10 that you may find especially useful to have in your knapsack next time you hit the road for a festival.
1. Adaptogenic Mushrooms
Adapt-o-what? Adaptogenic means that it helps you be more resilient in the face of stress and fatigue. Adaptogenic mushrooms like reishi, lion’s mane, cordyceps and more are natural powerhouses that help the body adapt to stress while boosting immune function.
Host Defense is one herbal supplement packed with medicinal mushrooms like reishi, turkey tail, and cordyceps, all known for boosting your immune system. The product was created by renowned mycologist Paul Stamets, who often speaks about the benefits of both adaptogenic and hallucinogenic mushrooms at transformational festivals like Lightning in a Bottle and Global Eclipse Gathering.
There are also mushroom coffee substitutes and energy blends that provide a natural energy boost without the crash that comes with caffeine. These mushrooms work together to help keep you strong, especially during festivals when your body might need a little extra support from long days and big crowds.
Whether you’re recovering from a long night or just want to stay healthy, Host Defense helps keep you feeling balanced. Just take it as a supplement to keep your energy up and your immune system in check.
2. Tiger Balm
Unlike Lemon Balm, Tiger Balm isn’t just one herb, but is a salve made from a mix of several herbs like menthol, camphor, and essential oils of eucalyptus and clove. It’s great for easing muscle pain, stiffness, and tension—perfect for when you’re feeling sore after dancing or walking around all day at a festival. The menthol gives a cooling sensation, while camphor helps boost circulation and reduce swelling. Just rub it on wherever you’re sore, and it’ll bring quick relief to keep you going strong.
3. Mullein
Mullein is an essential herb for respiratory health. It helps clear out mucus from the airways, and can even cure an Asthma attack.
Mullein is especially useful for festivals where there is a lot of dust, dirt, or smoke. While it is recommended to wear a respiratory mask in these conditions, ingesting mullein can aid your lungs in coughing up pollutants.
Mullein can be ingested as a hot tea or smoked for its healing effects on the lungs.
4. Eucalyptus Essential Oil
Eucalyptus is a powerful herb known for its ability to support respiratory health, making it a great ally for festivals where air quality can be compromised by dust or smoke. The essential oils of eucalyptus are well-known for their antimicrobial properties, making it a go-to herb for boosting the immune system during high-exposure environments like large gatherings. Its menthol-like cooling effect can help soothe irritated sinuses and relieve congestion, which is especially useful for those exposed to allergens or respiratory irritants.
5. Skullcap
Skullcap is a nervine, which means it works on calming down the nervous system. A lot of sensory stimulation can get your nervous system revved up. If you suffer from nervous tension, anxiety, or insomnia, this is the herb for you.
Skullcap is a wonderful way to soothe the nerves, bringing tranquility and aiding in a good night’s (or day’s) sleep. Additionally it is more gentle, less dehydrating and less sedative than Kava: another popular festival herb.
Skullcap can be ingested as a hot tea or as a tincture. For a delicious and calming tea blend, try mixing skullcap, chamomile, rose petals, and lemon balm.
6. Cacao
Cacao isn’t just for chocolate lovers—it’s also a powerful mood booster and heart opener! Many transformational festivals include cacao ceremonies to help deepen connections and set positive intentions. Packed with antioxidants and mood-enhancing compounds, cacao can help you feel more grounded and connected during your festival experience.
Just make sure to go for fair trade cacao, as it supports ethical practices and helps communities that grow it. Drink it as a warm cup or enjoy it in its raw form for a natural energy lift and heart-opening vibes!
7. Aloe Vera
Many people know about aloe’s powerful soothing effect on sunburns, but did you know that you can also ingest aloe? It has over 75 vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids that are an excellent boost for your health.
For example, Aloe contains vitamins A, C, E, folic acid, choline, B1, B2, B3, B6, B12, as well as essential minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc, iron and many more. For this reason, drinking aloe is great for hydration, recovery, and nutrition.
You can buy bottled aloe drinks for added electrolytes to stave off dehydration, or you can buy it fresh and scoop out the gooey middle to make your own drinks or apply it as a salve on the skin.
8. Lemon Balm
Have you ever heard of post-festival depression? Lemon balm can help lift you out of that. Want to feel upbeat and cheery as you frolic with your fellow festival friends? Drinking lemon balm tea will have you galloping like a giddy elf out of a fairy tale.
Ok, we can’t prove that… but at least it’s been scientifically supported to improve mood, aid digestion, and even soothe PMS symptoms! What a wonderful addition to your herbal first-aid kit, especially for those on their moon cycle looking for a natural remedy.
Have you ever heard of post-festival depression? Lemon balm can help lift you out of that. Want to feel upbeat and cheery as you frolic with your fellow festival friends? Drinking lemon balm tea will have you galloping like a giddy elf out of a fairy tale.
Lemon balm can be taken as a tea, decoction, or as a glycerin tincture for a sweet treat.
9. Marshmallow Root
Marshmallows were once made using the marshmallow plant because if its mucilaginous texture. That same mucilaginous properties are know to coat the stomach with a protective layer, helping to relieve discomfort in the stomach and gut.
This herb is also great for treating dry coughs. If you’ve got the wook flu or some dust stuck in your throat, this sweet-tasting herb will do the trick.
For its digestive antitussive properties, marshmallow root is best taken as a tea or syrup.
10. Turmeric
Turmeric is at the cornerstone of the statement “Food is Medicine”. It is a staple spice in many Indian dishes, but did you know of its anti-inflammatory, anti-septic and detoxifying properties?
Not only does turmeric reduce inflammation in the body, it can also be a powerful herbal ally in relieving chronic pain, joint issues, and fatigue. For these reasons, turmeric is one of the best natural medicines if you feel sore or stiff after exerting yourself at a festival.
You can ingest turmeric in your food or make a delicious drink called golden milk. You can juice fresh turmeric or add it to smoothies. Turmeric also comes in pill form.
First aid and common Sense Go A Long Way
Keep in mind that all of the above herbs have a plethora of health benefits and medicinal uses beyond the ones listed. Many herbs show the most benefit when taken regularly. There are also many other herbs to add to your arsenal.
Interestingly, all of the herbs listed above have some sort of antimicrobial action, meaning are all potentially useful in aiding the immune system. Although it didn’t make this list, echinacea is another effective herb to support immune function.
Human contact and connection are just one of the amazing healing properties of the festival experience. Supporting and boosting your immune system is especially important as these are also opportunities for contamination.
Although herbs can greatly enhance and prepare you for the festival experience, there are many self-care tactics that herbs can’t do for you. Taking deep breaths, taking time to slowly integrate each experience before jumping to the next, and getting plenty of rest are all important steps to towards festival wellness.
Protect your lungs using breathing masks, protect your eyes with UV eyewear, protect your ears with ear plugs, and protect your skin with sunblock. And most of all, stay hydrated. Not taking these precautions at festivals can lead to serious long-term health problems.
Check out the Electric Feels shop for a list of festival wellness essentials, including the herbs listed above as well as electrolytes, masks, earplugs, sunglasses and more.
Medicinal herbs hold a deeper wisdom – to take care of ourselves. Too often we forget to nurture our bodies, take breaks when we need to, take precautions, slow down, and live in the moment.
Being well-versed in herbal medicine will help you take care of yourself and others. But at the end of the day, you have to be the master of your own health and wellbeing. These are the secrets to maintaining endurance, vitality and, health throughout the festival season.
Sources
- “Mountain Rose Herbs: Mullein Leaf.” Accessed December 5, 2018. https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/products/mullein-leaf/profile.
- “Scutellaria Baicalensis, the Golden Herb from the Garden of Chinese Medicinal Plants.” Accessed December 5, 2018. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5031759/.
- Boskabady, Mohammad Hossein, Mohammad Naser Shafei, Zahra Saberi, and Somayeh Amini. “Pharmacological Effects of Rosa Damascena.” Iranian Journal of Basic Medical Sciences 14, no. 4 (2011): 295–307.
- Salehi, Bahare, Sevil Albayrak, Hubert Antolak, Dorota Kręgiel, Ewelina Pawlikowska, Mehdi Sharifi-Rad, Yadav Uprety, et al. “Aloe Genus Plants: From Farm to Food Applications and Phytopharmacotherapy.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences 19, no. 9 (September 19, 2018).
- Cohen, Marc Maurice. “Tulsi – Ocimum Sanctum: A Herb for All Reasons.” Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine 5, no. 4 (2014): 251–59.
- “Lemon Balm Reduces Herpes Outbreaks & Sharpens Your Mental Focus (Here’s How to Use It).” Dr. Axe. Accessed December 5, 2018. https://draxe.com/lemon-balm/.
- “Marshmallow-Root-Summary-Public_en.Pdf.” Accessed December 5, 2018. https://www.ema.europa.eu/documents/herbal-summary/marshmallow-root-summary-public_en.pdf.
- “Turmeric | NCCIH.” Accessed December 5, 2018. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/turmeric/ataglance.htm.Disclaimer – this article is not meant to treat or cure any illness. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH! Electric Feels is not responsible for any adverse effects from taking the herbs listed.
Disclaimer – this article is not meant to treat or cure any illness. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH! Electric Feels is not responsible for any adverse effects from taking the herbs listed.
