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"Generally speaking, hibiscus is balancing for Vata. I suggest leaving out the mint." - Kimberly Kubicke,  SEE MORE REVIEWS & COMMENTSAbout the Author: John Immel, How to Make Hibiscus Mint Sun TeaSERVINGS: 4 PREP TIME: 5 MINUTES COOK TIME: 2 MINUTES MEAL: STYLE: EAT IN: PREPARATION OF THIS HEALTHY RECIPEExperiment with herbal sun teas this summer. In the morning, add herbs and water to your favorite mason jar and place outside in the sun. Using heat from the sun instead of boiling water allows the herbs to retain a great deal of flavor. Watch as the color takes on a new, vibrant hue as the hours go by. These teas, excellent for a mid-afternoon cool-down, can be served chilled or even on ice, garnished with mint, lemon or lime. Here are some herbs to play with: Mint, rose, hibiscus, chamomile, lemon balm, and lavender. Summer is the time of fun, so be playful!
How Can This Ayurvedic Recipe Make You Feel Great?AYURVEDIC ANALYSISExperiment with Sun TeasThis variation on sun tea is perfect for cooling down on a hot day. Using heat from the sun instead of from boiling water allows the herbs to retain their vibrant flavors as well as health benefits. Boiled water extracts more bitters, whereas sun tea extracts more subtle flavors. Brewing your teas with solar heat can be a nice way to preserve antioxidants and other nutrients which may be destroyed in the boiling process. This is not to suggest that sun teas are better or more healthful than regular teas - but they can be a nice addition to your summer diet.Cool DownHot summer days cause your heart to beat faster and your blood to circulate rapidly. The furious pace of summertime circulation stresses out your liver. Hibiscus restores your liver & even cools down your blood by purging hot bile from the gall bladder. Thanks to high levels of antioxidants, hibiscus reduces low-grade systemic inflammation. These antioxidants help you feel brighter and refreshed. Take special notice of how hibiscus relieves tension around the eyes. The astringency of hibiscus also reduces inflammation in the skin and digestive tract, bringing cooling relief.In summer, the deep red hue of hibiscus is particularly appealing. In the heat of the season, your body naturally craves foods and berries with red, blue and purple hues such as blueberries, strawberries and hibiscus. These foods are high in beta carotene, which nourishes the liver. Together, hibiscus's refrigerating qualities, antioxidants, and beta-carotene help your liver complete the natural spring detox cycle. Mint assists hibiscus by dilating capillary beds and opening pores, which allow you to release heat more efficiently. This dilatory effect also disperses fluids creating a sense of opening and relief, which reduces reactive emotions and tension common to Pitta body type. Reduces Blood PressureHibiscus is a traditional remedy for high blood pressure due to its diuretic action and blood thinning properties. This traditional use of hibiscus is backed up by a 2008 USDA study. Participants who drank hibiscus tea had 8 times more positive effect than the placebo group. If high blood pressure is an issue for you, enjoy hibiscus tea daily. Hibiscus tea protects your heart in more ways than one: it contains bio-flavonoids, believed to prevent build-up of plaque in the arteries.By its diuretic action, hibiscus also helps support the body when you are dealing with kidney disease, diabetes, obesity and liver issues. Hibiscus contains high levels of vitamin C. It supports female reproductive health. Then next time you sip a hibiscus cooler, let these facts slip into your mind and appreciate its refreshing gifts even more. Note: Vata should take caution not to drink too much Hibiscus, as its cooling qualities could squash your appetite & delicate digestive fire. WHY EAT AN AYURVEDIC DIET?Eating Ayurvedically makes you feel nourished and energized. An Ayurvedic diet is tailored to your individual body type and the specific imbalances you are working with at any given time. Ayurveda shows you your specific body type’s needs and what should be favored in your Ayurvedic menu. Watch as you eat less but feel more satisfied because what you are eating truly nourishes you. Since Ayurveda believes all disease begins in the digestive tract, food is your first medicine. By eating a healthy diet that’s ideal for your body, you experience optimal health.Is Hibiscus Mint Sun Tea Good for My Ayurvedic Diet?AYURVEDIC MEDICINAL QUALITIES
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES Experiences are Personal
Experiences vary according to the person and constitution. Individual results may vary.
The list of actions below has not be approved by the FDA and should not be used to treat a medical condition.Digestion: Quenches thirst , QUENCHES-THIRSTAn herb or substance that relieves thirst.Appetite suppressant , APPETITE-SUPPRESSANTSuppresses hunger without causing weight gainAntispasmodic , ANTISPASMODICHerbs that reduce or inhibit muscle spasms or cramping, such as in asthma, colic or IBS.Stomachic STOMACHICAn herb that increases appetite or settles a nauseas or nervous stomach. These generally increase the digestive fire, therefore relieving symptoms of sluggish or difficult digestion.Heart & Circulation: Refrigerant , REFRIGERANTAn herb or substance that strongly cools the body. Can be helpful in cases of heat conditions.Opthalmic , OPTHALMICBenefits the eyes.Hypotensive HYPOTENSIVEAn herb that lowers blood pressure.Immune System: Anti Inflammatory ANTI-INFLAMMATORYReduces inflammation in the body. Different herbs and carriers target different body systems.Kidney & Urinary: Diuretic DIURETICHerbs that promote urine formation, thereby flushing the kidneys and urinary tract while eliminating any excess water retention. As diuretics reduce water retention, they are often used to reduce blood pressure.Mind, Stress & Sleep: Relaxes solar plexus , RELAXES-SOLAR-PLEXUSSoothes and comforts the muscles of the upper abdomen, reducing any tension or pressure in the solar plexus area.Relaxes eyes RELAXES-EYESEases tension in eye muscles, so the eyes feel less strained, often by supporting the liver.Skin Care & Beauty: Refreshes skin , REFRESHES-SKINFlushes the lymphatic system to cool, awaken, and revive the skin.Diaphoretic , DIAPHORETICAn herb that induces sweating, often by dilating blood vessels close to the skin.Skin Tonic SKIN-TONICAn herb that strengthens and nourishes skin, improving tone, color, moisture and complexion.Find Your Symptom: Refreshing REFRESHINGStimulates and wakes up the body, leaving it feeling cool, fresh, and energized.Bowel-Poop-Elimination: Relieves burning RELIEVES-BURNINGHerbs that soothe a burn or reduce an internal burning sensation, such as aloe vera.Eat Well for Life With Ayurveda: Balance Your DoshaView Other Healthy Recipes for
This recipe is recommended for Summer. Check out these other Summer recipes here.
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