Summer heat can be oppressive and dehydrating, leading to issues such as heat stroke, prickly heat, acne, difficult urination, sore throat, and constipation.
To cool down the body from within, many people turn to natural herbal remedies that help detoxify, hydrate, and promote diuresis. This approach is not only simple and safe but also effective.
According to Dr. Nguyen Poi Hien from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Medicine and Pharmacy – Campus 3, the following are seven easily accessible herbal remedies that can be prepared into refreshing drinks:
Centella Asiatica (Rau Má)
Centella Asiatica has a mildly sweet and bitter taste with a cooling property. It aids in detoxification, inflammation reduction, and supports the treatment of acne, liver heat, high blood pressure, and skin brightening. During the summer, blend 300g of Centella Asiatica, strain the juice, and mix it with fresh coconut water for a refreshing drink.
Corn Silk (Râu Bắp) and Couchgrass (Cỏ Tranh)
Corn silk has a sweet taste and neutral properties, promoting diuresis and supporting the treatment of hepatitis, kidney stones, edema, and painful urination. Couchgrass has a sweet taste and cold properties, helping to cool the liver, stanch bleeding, promote diuresis, and treat various internal heat-related issues.
These two herbs can be combined with cane sugar and pandan leaves, boiled with 2 liters of water for 30-40 minutes, resulting in a delicious and refreshing drink, perfect for the summer heat.
Water Spinach (Diếp Cá)
Water spinach has a spicy taste and cooling properties. It aids in detoxification, inflammation reduction, and supports the treatment of acne, constipation, hemorrhoids, and menstrual regulation. However, it may not suit everyone’s palate, so an alternative is to make a smoothie with 100g of washed water spinach, 50g of cooked mung beans, and 200ml of water, strained through a sieve.
Arhat Fruit (La Hán Quả)
Arhat fruit has a sweet taste and cooling properties. It helps detoxify, moisturize the lungs, treat dry cough, sore throat, constipation, and beautify the skin. This fruit is commonly used to make a tea with winter melon. To prepare this tea, you’ll need one winter melon (with its wax coating intact), two arhat fruits crushed, a piece of cane sugar, and a few pandan leaves. Boil all the ingredients with 2-2.5 liters of water for an hour, then strain and drink the tea throughout the day.
Green Tea (Trà Xanh)
Green tea has an astringent taste and cooling properties, packed with antioxidants. It aids in detoxification, diuresis, reduces fatigue, and cools the body. Green tea has long been a popular choice for a refreshing drink.
To enhance the flavor and reduce the bitterness, consider infusing your green tea with lemon and honey, creating a refreshing and nourishing drink.
Aloe Vera (Nha Đam)
Aloe vera has a bitter taste and cold properties. It aids in detoxification, sterilization, digestion, and soothing the skin from within. It is commonly used to prepare cooling drinks during the summer. To make aloe vera and butterfly pea flower drink, peel a large aloe vera stem, cut it into small cubes, soak it in a mild salt water solution, and briefly boil it. Simultaneously, cook the butterfly pea flowers with 500ml of water to obtain a vibrant purple color, then strain the flowers. Add the aloe vera to the butterfly pea water, along with 100g of rock sugar and half a lemon for a refreshing drink.
Precautions When Using Herbal Coolants
Dr. Hien advises that these herbal remedies should be consumed in moderation to avoid any potential side effects. Individuals with a spleen and stomach cold constitution (often experiencing cold stomachs and diarrhea) should exercise caution. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should consult their doctors before consuming these herbal remedies.
Additionally, prioritize using clean and traceable ingredients to ensure safety. Herbal drinks should be consumed within a day and stored in the refrigerator to prevent spoilage. Along with these herbal drinks, remember to stay hydrated by drinking 1.5-2 liters of water daily, avoid direct sunlight between 10 am and 4 pm, and consume plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to maintain optimal health.
Maintain personal and environmental hygiene, engage in light exercises, and rest adequately for a healthy summer.
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