In the scorching summer, people are prone to heatstroke, especially those who frequently engage in outdoor activities. Prolonged exposure to sunlight and high temperatures outside can easily lead to heatstroke. In fact, to prevent heatstroke, you can try drinking herbal tea. It not only helps to cool down and quench thirst but also promotes overall health and well-being!
Herbal Tea for Cooling Down and Quenching Thirst
1. Peppermint
Put 10 grams of peppermint and 5 grams of green tea in a cup, steep in hot water for about 10 minutes, and add sugar according to your taste.
Peppermint is a cooling herb that helps to soothe the liver, promote qi circulation, and disperse wind-heat. Drinking peppermint green tea can relieve stomach bloating and provide a cooling and thirst-quenching effect.
2. Honeysuckle
Put 10 grams of white chrysanthemum and honeysuckle in a cup, steep in hot water. Honeysuckle has the effects of clearing heat and detoxifying, as well as cooling the blood and stopping bleeding. It is especially suitable for patients with sore throat and wind-heat symptoms.
3. Chrysanthemum
Put yellow chrysanthemum, white chrysanthemum, and wild chrysanthemum in a cup, steep in hot water. Chrysanthemum has the effects of clearing heat, relieving fire, improving eyesight, and relieving eye fatigue and blur.
4. Ophiopogon
Ophiopogon has the effects of nourishing the lungs and clearing the heart. It can relieve symptoms such as dry mouth and cough caused by dryness and heat. Simply put ophiopogon in a cup and steep in hot water. It tastes bitter, so you can add some honey according to your taste.
Summer Cooling Remedies
1. Yin-nourishing and heat-clearing - White vetiver root
Method: 5 grams of white vetiver root, 2 grams of chrysanthemum, and 3 grams of Chinese plum. Put the three ingredients in a cup, add 350-450 ml of hot water, cover and steep for 30 minutes. Drink it as a substitute for tea.
This remedy clears heat and generates body fluids, suitable for people who work or live in high-temperature and high-humidity environments.
2. Spleen-strengthening and stomach-harmonizing - Pogostemon cablin
Method: 3 grams of Pogostemon cablin, 6 grams of raw barley malt, 3 grams of fresh ginger, and 1 jujube, cut open. Wash the ginger and slice it, put it together with the other three ingredients in a cup, add 350-450 ml of hot water, cover and steep for 30 minutes, and drink it as a substitute for tea.
This remedy is suitable for people who work or live in air-conditioned environments, as well as those who excessively seek coolness or consume cold drinks.
3. Cooling and thirst-quenching - Mung bean soup
Method: 30 grams of mung beans, 10 grams of reed rhizome, 10 grams of white vetiver root. Cook reed rhizome and white vetiver root together with mung beans until cooked. Remove the herbal ingredients. Can be served hot or cold.
4. Cooling the blood and detoxifying - Alternanthera sessilis
Method: Choose one of the following fresh herbs - Alternanthera sessilis, Houttuynia cordata, Scutellaria barbata, Commelina communis, Perilla frutescens, Mentha haplocalyx, or Brassica juncea. Wash the selected herb, blanch it with boiling water, and eat it cold or hot.
Alternanthera sessilis, also known as "longevity vegetable" in folk medicine, is believed to have the effects of clearing heat, detoxifying, cooling the blood, and stopping diarrhea. It is especially effective in preventing intestinal infectious diseases.
Summer Cooling Misconceptions
1. Eating cold rice
Many families prepare all the meals in the morning to avoid cooking during the hottest time of the day. They eat ready-made cold dishes and cold rice for lunch and dinner, which is extremely unscientific.
Because the high temperature in summer makes the food spoil easily after processing, it will produce a large amount of nitrite, which can lead to acute and chronic gastrointestinal diseases and even food poisoning if consumed for a long time.
2. Drinking ice water instead of plain hot water
Hot water contains energy, which opens up the pores and promotes sweating, relieving the heat trapped in the body. On the other hand, ice water has a "blocking" effect and hinders blood circulation.
In summer, it is advisable to drink warm or hot plain water, or drink Chinese plum juice to generate body fluids. You can also drink mung bean or coix seed soup, and try to eat seasonal fruits and vegetables to replenish water and nutrients, such as watermelon.
3. Sleeping on the floor for coolness
Experts pointed out that there is cold and dampness near the ground, especially during the early morning hours. However, at this time, the body temperature is the lowest, so sleeping on the floor can easily catch a cold.
If you feel hot, you can lay a cool mat on the bed. It is enough to use the air conditioner for 1 hour to avoid exacerbating allergies. Avoid direct blowing of the fan and open the windows for air circulation, which will also be more comfortable and cooler.
