Summer heat can lead to dehydration, internal heat buildup, and health problems like heatstroke, prickly heat, rashes, difficult urination, sore throats, or constipation.
To cool your body from the inside, many people use natural herbs that have cooling, detoxifying, and diuretic properties – a solution that is both easy to implement and safe and effective.
According to Dr. Nguyễn Phối Hiền, from the University of Medicine and Pharmacy Hospital in Ho Chi Minh City, here are seven of the easiest and most readily available herbs that can be made into refreshing cooling drinks at home.
Indian Pennywort
This herb has a sweet and slightly bitter taste and is neutral in nature. It has cooling, detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory properties, and helps treat rashes, liver heat, high blood pressure, and improves skin tone. In summer, you can blend 300 grams of Indian Pennywort, strain the liquid, and mix it with fresh coconut water for a refreshing drink.
Indian Pennywort helps cool and detoxify the body
Corn Silk and Vetiver Grass
Corn silk has a sweet taste and is neutral in nature. It promotes urination, and can help treat liver inflammation, kidney stones, swelling, and frequent urination.
Vetiver grass has a sweet taste and a cool nature. It cools the liver, stops bleeding, promotes urination, treats blood in urine, internal heat, and bleeding from the mouth.
These two herbs can be combined with sugarcane and pandan leaves, boiled in 2 liters of water for 30-40 minutes to make a refreshing herbal drink that cools the liver.
Water Spinach
Water spinach has a spicy taste and a cool nature. It has cooling, detoxifying, and anti-inflammatory properties, and can help treat rashes, constipation, hemorrhoids, and irregular menstrual cycles.
However, not everyone can tolerate water spinach. A refreshing alternative is a water spinach and mung bean smoothie. Blend 100g washed water spinach, 50g cooked mung beans, and 200ml water, then strain the mixture.
Buddha’s Hand Fruit
Buddha’s hand fruit has a sweet taste and a cool nature. It has cooling, lung-moistening properties and can treat dry cough, sore throat, constipation, and beautifies the skin.
This fruit is often used in making Buddha’s Hand fruit and bitter melon tea. You need one bitter melon (preserved), two crushed Buddha’s hand fruits, one piece of sugarcane, and a few pandan leaves. Boil all the ingredients in 2-2.5 liters of water for an hour, then strain and drink the liquid throughout the day.
Green Tea
Green tea has a bitter taste and a cool nature. It’s rich in antioxidants, helps cool the body, promotes urination, and reduces fatigue.
Green tea has long been a popular refreshment. You can add lemon and honey for a more palatable and less bitter drink.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera has a bitter taste and a cool nature. It has cooling, antiseptic, digestive aid, and skin soothing properties. It’s a common ingredient in summer cooling drinks.
To make aloe vera and blue pea flower drink, peel one large aloe vera leaf, cut it into small pieces, soak in diluted salt water, then briefly boil it. Meanwhile, boil blue pea flowers in 500ml of water until it turns blue-purple, then strain. Combine the aloe vera with the blue pea flower liquid, and add 100g of rock sugar and half a lemon to enhance the flavor.
Important Notes When Using Cooling Herbs
Dr. Hiền advises that herbal cooling drinks should be consumed in moderation to avoid any adverse effects.
People with cold stomachs or digestive issues should use caution when consuming these drinks. Pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers should consult a doctor before using them.
Always choose clean and reputable ingredients to ensure safety. Herbal drinks should be consumed within the day and kept in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage.
In addition to herbal drinks, it’s essential to drink 1.5-2 liters of water per day, avoid excessive sun exposure between 10 am and 4 pm, eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, and maintain good hygiene. Regular light exercise and adequate rest are also important for maintaining health.
