An Ayurveda-inspired beverage full of cooling anti-inflammatory herbs to soothe and refresh you in those long hot summer days.
Ohhh summer time… That season we spend all of winter and spring looking forward to. Freedom, sunshine, abundant gardens and lazy days spent by the waters. Summertime is a quintessential time for relaxation, projects and, of course, heat. And with heat can come feelings of overwhelm, physical discomfort and frustration.
The ancient medical science of Ayurveda teaches us that when there is an excess of any element, it can lead to imbalance. Summer is the time of Pitta dosha; one of the biological energies found in the body. Pitta governs digestion, transformation and metabolism, and is associated with the elements of fire and water. When there is an imbalance of Pitta, we can see an increase of Pitta-associated maladies, including heartburn, excess acidity, excessive sweating and heat, frustration and inflammation. Even when we are not noticeably out of balance, just by nature of being in a Pitta dominant environment, our bodies can tend towards a Pitta imbalance state. In order to balance Pitta dosha, we want to bring in cooling foods, drinks and herbs. We see our natural inclination to balance Pitta when we reach for a cold drink on a hot day, or head to the lake or the beach to swim in the heat of the summer.
We decided to create a drink with hot summer days specifically in mind. I don’t know about you, but for me, in the heat of the summer, the craving for something cold and refreshing almost becomes an essential need. We sweat more, so we require far more hydration than usual, and may find that old inflamed areas flare up in these times. And sometimes, that increase in heat brings an increase in a quick temper … or is that just me? Just me? Ok, well, anyways…
There’s a reason watermelon seems so tantalizing in the summertime — watermelon is incredibly cooling for the body. Made up of more than 90% water, watermelon has a cooling effect on the blood and urine, bringing down the temperature of our internal waters and washing away Pitta’s heat. Cucumber has a similar effect on the body. Normally, in Ayurvedic food combining rules, one would not combine watermelon with any other foods, but because cucumber is actually a member of the Melon family (Cucurbitaceae), it will be ok to combine them in small amounts like this.
Additionally we will add some cooling anti-inflammatory herbs to our beverage to further cool down the body and bring Pitta back into balance.
Our Featured Herbal Allies in Cooling Inflammation:
Rose (rosa spp.) – Along with being mesmerizingly beautiful, rose is also a rock star for soothing inflammatory states anywhere in the body. It is energetically cooling, which makes it a great choice for our mission to reduce heat in the body. As an astringent, it is soothing and toning to the skin and mucous membranes, as well as acting as a cooling anti inflammatory for any irritated heat patterns in the skin. As a nervine, it can be very soothing to the nervous system as well as the mind — perfect for an overwhelmed and overheated system in the heat of the summer!
Ashwagandha (withania somnifera) – Ashwagandha is certainly having its moment in the spotlight in the health world lately, and rightfully so. Ashwagandha is most known as an adaptogen, an herbal action that has arguably become more of an herbal buzzword at this point. Adaptogen essentially means that an herb is non-specific, safe for tonic usage and regulates our HPA axis (AKA it helps your body adapt to stressors of all kinds), but today we are looking to Ashwagandha for its anti-inflammatory properties! Known as a Rasayana (rejuvenator) in Ayurveda, ashwagandha soothes inflamed tissues of all kinds, by way of both an anti-inflammatory compound called Withaferin A as well as with its analgesic (pain relieving) properties.
Baikal Skullcap (scutellaria baicalensis) – If there were to be a number one cooling and anti inflammatory herb, it just might have Baikal Skullcap! What does that mean? Well, essentially all herbs have an energetic profile to them of being somewhere on the spectrum of hot to cold. Ginger, for example would be considered a heating herb. With hot and inflamed conditions, it is extra important to have our anti-inflammatory herbs be cooling so as not to add more unnecessary heat to an already hot situation! No brainer, right? Baikal skullcap is home to chemical compounds including baicalin, scutellarin and wogonin, all of which contribute to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and anti-cancer actions.
Watermelon-Cucumber-Rose Cooler Recipe:
- 2 cups chilled watermelon, cubed & de-seeded
- ½ large cucumber, peeled, de-seeded & sliced
- 2 TB lime juice
- ⅓ cup chilled rose tea concentrate [see recipe below]
- 1-2 dropperfuls Body Love
- Sweeten if desired (syrups or stevia drops)
Instructions:
- Place watermelon, cucumber and sweetner [if using] and blend.
- Strain through a fine mesh sieve and discard pulp.
- Add rose tea concentrate and lime juice to the strained mixture and stir.
- Pour into ice-filled glasses. Garnish with thin slices of cucumber and mint sprig.
- Chill out and enjoy the cool refreshment 🙂
Rose Tea Concentrate Recipe:
- 2-4 TB dried rose petals or buds
- 1 cup of water
Instructions:
- Place rose petals and water in small saucepan on medium heat, bring to a simmer.
- Adjust heat to keep at a low simmer until water has reduced by half.
- Strain and place in refrigerator to cool.